Barneys New York reorganizes merchant team

On Wednesday, Barneys New York reorganized their merchant team with four of their merchants in women's and men's taking on new responsibilities. With the departure of several executives from the company who have left to pursue other job opportunities, Barneys is handing over more responsibility to current employees in what can be interpreted as a cost cutting move, rather than hiring new employees to take their place. In the women's department, Leah Kim was promoted to Senior Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager where she will be handling ready-to-wear as well as developing ready-to-wear, or contemporary brands so to speak.

In men's wear, Jay Bell was promoted to Senior Vice President, DMM for designer, contemporary, and developing designer sportswear. Bell tacks on the "developing designer sportswear" part to his duties, as those responsibilities were previously held by Wanda Colon who left Barneys.

Melissa Gallagher has been promoted to Senior Vice President, DMM for men's footwear, accessories, and home. Home was formerly handled by Tracy Edwards, the former Vice President and DMM of Chelsea Passage, which includes home and children's.

John Totolis, Vice President, DMM for for men's clothing, dress, and sport furnishings, will be assuming responsibility for children's. Totolis rejoined Barneys in 2011 as Vice President, DMM in August 2011 after previously being with the company from September 2003 to January 2010.