James Gager to Step Down at MAC, Toni Lakis Takes Creative Reins

MAC Cosmetics keeps shaking things up. Only a few days after agreeing to enter the speciality retail channel in the U.S. by selling to Ulta, the brand on Monday revealed that James Gager, its creative director, is stepping down after 18 years. Toni Lakis, Gager’s number two for 14 years who left in 2014 to spearhead creative at Tiffany & Co., will return to MAC to succeed him. Lakis will assume the role of MAC’s creative director on March 20, where she will work with Gager to transition through May 1, when he will become senior vice president, creative director and brand development, Estée Lauder Companies. He will team with John Demsey, executive group president at Lauder, to oversee the creative direction for the company’s stable of brands and act as an adviser to Jo Malone London’s creative team. The shakeup in creative leadership is further proof MAC is moving fast to maintain – and in some cases regain – relevancy in the ever-changing, more digitally driven beauty industry as it struggles to get back on the growth path in the U.S. “There is so much more to go [for MAC], but I know my heart lies in smaller brands – and MAC is

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