Linked List: February 5, 2019

Tuesday, 5 February 2019

Vogue Business Ran an Angela Ahrendts Profile Just Last Week ★

Suzy Menkes, in a piece for Vogue Business last week:

It’s a long way from Burberry. I look at her tailored outfit by Ralph Lauren (she is on the company’s board) and the high-heeled boots she’s worn to the building site and ask if she misses fashion.

After a pause, she replies: “You know, I loved fashion for 40 years. It is wonderful when you know everything there is to know about the industry because you grew up in it. There are things about the fashion industry that I miss, but I went to Apple because I felt it was a calling to one of the greatest companies on the planet. I felt we could even do a little of what we did at Burberry: uniting people to do incredible things.”

Doesn’t sound like someone who was getting ready to leave Apple. And it’s rather conspicuous that Ahrendts doesn’t have anything else lined up yet.

Angela Ahrendts to Leave Apple in April; Deirdre O’Brien Named Senior Vice President of Retail and People ★

Apple Newsroom:

Apple today announced that Deirdre O’Brien is taking on new responsibilities for Apple’s retail and online stores in an expanded role as senior vice president of Retail + People, reporting to CEO Tim Cook. After five transformative years leading the company’s retail and online stores, Angela Ahrendts plans to depart Apple in April for new personal and professional pursuits.

Ahrendts lasted a lot longer than John Browett, but in Apple’s executive culture, five years is not a long run.

Interesting that they’re putting O’Brien in charge of retail. With 30 years at Apple, she’s an insider, not an outsider like Browett or Ahrendts.

‘Can’t Unsee’ ★

Fun web game where you need to spot the mistakes in iOS-style UI designs.