Rob Smith to lead Centric Brands' kids division

Centric Brands, a lifestyle brands and a leader in kids’ apparel, has announced the appointment of Rob Smith as president of its Kids division. Effective immediately, Smith will be based in New York, reporting directly to CEO Jason Rabin, and will join the company’s executive leadership team.

In his new capacity, Rob Smith will oversee the Kids division across all global brands and categories. His responsibilities will include collaborating with various teams within the organization to drive strategic growth, enhance consumer engagement, and elevate Centric Brands’ leadership in the kids’ marketplace through ongoing innovation and operational excellence. Smith's appointment also involves a transition plan with Steve Pinkow, who has served as group president of the Kids division for 17 years and will move into a consultant role for the business from the end of the year through 2026.

Jason Rabin highlighted Smith's leadership, noting his strong record in building brands, scaling businesses, and inspiring teams. “His deep industry expertise and forward-thinking approach will be invaluable as we advance our kids’ platform globally,” Rabin said in a statement.

Rob Smith brings over 35 years of leadership experience across the fashion, apparel, denim, and activewear sectors, covering men's, women's, and kids’ categories. Most recently, he was the CEO and founder of The Phluid Project, a brand at the intersection of fashion, community, and education, which resonated with Gen Z and Millennial consumers. Under his leadership, Phluid’s products expanded to over 10,000 retail locations across North America. Smith's prior experience includes serving on the board of directors at Steve Madden and as chief product officer at Haddad Brands. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at Macy’s and Victoria’s Secret.

Commenting on his new role at Centric Brands, Smith said, “Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about building brands that reflect the needs and values of today’s consumers. I look forward to working with the talented teams at Centric to continue driving innovation, expanding our global reach, and creating meaningful connections with families around the world.”