Tomkins Steps Aside at Esprit

Susie Tompkins, who two years ago won a bitter battle against her ex-husband Doug for control of Esprit de Corp., will step aside as creative director.

The San Francisco-based company--best known for its junior sportswear--expects to name a successor in mid-August, spokeswoman Liz Mazurski told Listen. As the largest shareholder, Tompkins, 49, will still have influence over the product lines, but she wants to spend more time focusing on the company’s image and “corporate conscience,” long a big deal for Esprit.

Industry insiders speculate the change may stem from softening sales in junior sportswear, the company’s bread-and-butter line.

Tompkins will be on hand at the Esprit superstore in West Hollywood Aug. 13, to tout her signature line, for “Esprit customers who have grown up.”