Soma is the new SVP for merchandising and design at US-based Chico's FAS.

Executive Christine Munnelly has been appointed senior vice president of merchandising and design at Soma, according to a Chico’s FAS announcement. She will answer directly to Molly Langenstein, CEO and president of Chico’s FAS, and be in charge of the product, design, and overall strategy for Soma. A fashion firm called Chico’s FAS is situated in Florida.

According to a press release from Chico’s FAS, Munnelly has over 35 years of experience in the corporate retail landscape, working for a successful portfolio of vertical specialty and department stores. He is an expert in managing talented and diverse teams in merchandise lifecycle strategy, product development, e-commerce, and creating consumer-centric products.

Munnelly most recently oversaw the merchandising for LOFT and Ann Taylor while serving as senior vice president of merchandising at Ascena. She held the position of executive vice president of merchandising at New York & Company prior to that, where she honed her understanding of the design process and acquired a great intuition for consumer product demands. Munnelly has served in several senior leadership positions throughout her career, most recently as Aeropostale’s vice president of merchandising. She oversaw product development, branding, and marketing for girls’ clothing in this capacity.

She also had a significant role in the management group at Macy’s, where she spent 17 years working as the division’s vice president of merchandising for junior sportswear.

According to Chico’s FAS CEO and President, Molly Langenstein, Munnelly “has a proven track record of results producing customer-focused items with substantial expertise as a merchant and will be vital to the Soma brand continuing our growth plan.”