By Amy Zimmer
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN – Simon Doonan is no longer the creative director at Barneys New York, where he made a name for himself designing the luxury retailer’s entertaining, often kitschy, windows since 1986.
He has been appointed to a new role in the company: creative ambassador-at-large, Barney’s officials announced Monday.
Doonan will continue to be a media spokesperson for the company and contribute to special window projects. As the name suggests, he becomes a sort of figurehead for the company, hosting special events with customers and media and serving as "a roving ambassador with links to all creative and communication areas including social media," according to the company’s press release.
Doonan will continue to report to Mark Lee, the recently appointed CEO of Barneys, who has been stirring things up at the hip 88-year-old retailer.
Dennis Freedman, who spent nearly 20 years as W magazine’s founding creative director working with the likes of legendary photographers Richard Avedon, Bruce Weber and Steven Meisel among others before leaving a few months ago, will replace Doonan as creative director, starting Jan. 17
"Simon has been an intrinsic part of the Barneys DNA for close to 25 years," Lee said in a statement. "I am thrilled to work with him and to have him continue to bring his unique wit and multifaceted talents to Barneys in this new role."
Lee, who moved from his chief merchant position at Gucci to take the helm of Barneys in August, let go of long-time women’s merchandisers Judy Collinson and Julie Gilhart last month, according to Crain’s New York Business.
