Terry Pillow has been at the helm of some of the world’s most notable brands during his decades-long career, including Chaps Ralph Lauren, A/X Armani Exchange, Ralph Lauren Footwear, and Tommy Bahama. He is one of fashion retail’s most respected CEOs, and is excited to be bringing his deeply personal concept to life, a luxury brand named for his father and grandfather, Homer.

 

Terry was born in the rural farming town of Corning, Arkansas. From an early age, he had a remarkable appreciation for style and, against all odds, would pursue it despite an upbringing that mostly involved Boy Scouts, football, church, and black-and-white TV.

 

In the late-70’s, in the small town of Conway, Terry worked his way through college at a local men’s clothing shop. Although the popular look of the time was synthetic leisure suits, he immersed himself in an education in poplin vs. seersucker, herringbone vs. houndstooth, and the beauty of genuine shell buttons (not to mention the fine art of fitting and selling.) Terry took great pride in helping customers discover their personal style, and this solidified his career plan.

  

Upon graduation, Terry entered the executive training program at Neiman Marcus in Dallas, where under the tutelage of Mr. Marcus, he became one of the legendary retailer’s most successful buyers. Terry says in this role he “discovered the key intersection where high style, design, and fashion meet,” and this further fueled his career. After opening the Neiman Marcus flagship in Newport Beach, California (where concurrently he experienced an ocean for the first time in his life), Terry moved to the epicenter of style, New York.

  

Following positions in design and product development for boutique clothing brands, Terry was named CEO of Chaps Ralph Lauren. He was highly regarded in this role and, now a top executive, was introduced to the estimable Giorgio Armani. Mr. Armani asked him to come to Milan to create a new lifestyle retail brand. As President of A/X Armani Exchange, Terry led the product development, merchandising and store designs worldwide, and the brand continues to thrive today.

 

Soon after, Terry turned his focus once again exclusively on classic menswear as President of the hallmark American leather goods brand Coach, a position he credits most for meeting his wife Kelley, who was the company’s public relations manager. From here, Terry went on to become CEO of casual footwear giant Rockport, where he executed an enormous rebranding. Following this, Terry led with great success the finest in designer offerings as CEO of Ralph Lauren Footwear.

 

Terry’s vast experience in design and masterful brand management culminated in his most recent corporate role, CEO of Tommy Bahama, from which he retired in 2016. Here, he marshaled the lifestyle brand to great heights, encompassing apparel, footwear and accessories, and a thriving furniture and restaurant business. He opened new Tommy Bahama flagships, complete with culinary experiences and Marlin Bars on Fifth Avenue in New York, Laguna Beach, and Tokyo. Never before had consumers experienced Tommy Bahama’s signature “relax” with such incredible, sophisticated style. The brand known primarily for its men’s silk-screened Hawaiian camp shirts now offered cashmere, Italian-print dresses, and “Tommy Bahama Found,” a selection of nautical-themed vintage and antique artifacts. The New York store won a top design award. And during the grand opening, a longtime colleague remarked, “Terry Pillow has most certainly been here.”

 

Terry Pillow is a self-described, “Style Guy.” Together with his wife, Kelley, and their college student/actor, Sam, they are enjoying the best of life together in Montecito, California.