Updated July 14, 2025
When it comes to executive pay in fashion, the leaders lead.
A WWD study of nearly 50 of the largest publicly traded companies in and around the U.S. fashion industry found 25 executives who logged compensation packages valued at more than $10 million in 2024.
The executives at the top of the list were steering companies that in one way or another have come to dominate their own niche.
Big-time compensation packages can be more than a little squishy.
They are dominated by stock and option awards that pay out over time and are tied to how well a stock fares on Wall Street. But the top-line numbers can be a useful gauge of who’s up as companies in ascent are motivated to keep the people in the driver’s seat happy.
David Simon, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Simon Property Group — who has lately been battling cancer for over a year, but continues to run the company — has labored for three decades to build the business into the luxury mall powerhouse. And last year, he was rewarded with a stock-heavy package at $61.4 million.
That made him the highest-paid person in the U.S. fashion industry last year, according to the study, which drew figures from Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Rounding out the top five were, Amazon CEO of worldwide stores Doug Herrigton (with a package valued at $34.2 million), Walmart CEO Doug McMillon ($27.4 million), Ralph Lauren Corp. executive chairman and chief creative officer Ralph Lauren ($24.2 million), and TJX Cos. Inc. CEO Ernie Herrman ($23.5 million).
That has the top mall operator, the top e-commerce company, the top retailer, the highest profile American designer brand and the biggest off-pricer handing out the biggest pay packages.
Here, a closer look at executive pay in fashion.
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David Simon
Image Credit: Courtesy Simon Property Group chairman, CEO, president
Total compensation: $61,394,770 +294.5% compared with 2023
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Doug Herrington
Image Credit: Getty Images Amazon, CEO worldwide stores
Total compensation: $34,193,958 +8,573.6%
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Doug McMillon
Image Credit: Courtesy Walmart Inc., president, CEO
Total compensation: $27,408,854 +1.6%
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Ralph Lauren
Image Credit: Dominique Maitre/WWD/Shutterstoc Ralph Lauren Corp., executive chairman, chief creative officer
Total compensation: $24,183,147 +22.6%
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Ernie Herrman
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo TJX Cos. Inc., president, CEO
Total compensation: $23,482,528 +5.7%
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Patrice Louvet
Ralph Lauren Corp., president, CEO
Total compensation: $23,079,435 +38.8%
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Brian Cornell
Image Credit: Courtesy Target Corp., chairman, CEO
Total compensation: $20,407,603 +6.3%
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Paul Marciano
Guess Inc., chief creative officer
Total compensation: $20,150,655 +65.3%
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Richard Dickson
Image Credit: Courtesy image. Gap Inc., president, CEO since Aug. 22
Total compensation: $19,426,846 +35.2%
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Fabrizio Freda
Image Credit: Mark Mann/WWD The Estée Lauder Cos., former CEO, president
Total compensation: $17,851,573, -18.2%
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Fran Horowitz
Image Credit: Katie Jones/WWD Abercrombie & Fitch Co., CEO
Total compensation: $17,036,310 +13.3%
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Barbara Rentler
Image Credit: Andrew Morales/WWD Ross Stores Inc., vice chairman, CEO
Total compensation: $16,994,251 -6.1%
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Morris Goldfarb
Image Credit: George Chinsee/WWD G-III Apparel Group, chairman, CEO
Total compensation: $16,652,646 -47.0%
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Tony Spring
Image Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD Macy’s Inc., chairman, CEO, appointed in 2024
Total compensation: $16,452,108 +184.7%
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Stefan Larsson
Image Credit: Courtesy PVH Corp., CEO
Total compensation: $16,278,038 +4.3%
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Joanne Crevoiserat
Image Credit: Justin Kaneps/WWD Tapestry Inc., CEO
Total compensation: $15,430,213 +6.5%
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Jay Schottenstein
Image Credit: Weston Wells/WWD American Eagle Outfitters Inc., chairman, CEO
Total compensation: $14,551,916 -11.8%
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Calvin McDonald
Image Credit: Jeff Fried/WWD/Shutterstock
Lululemon Athletica Inc., CEO
Total compensation: $14,551,916 -11.8%
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Michelle Gass
Levi Strauss & Co., CEO, president
Total compensation: $13,704,334 -62.4%
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Stephen Bratspies
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo HanesBrands Hanesbrands Inc., CEO
Total compensation: $12,933,300 +31.8%
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Lauren Hobart
Image Credit: Courtesy of Lauren Hobart Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc., CEO, president
Total compensation: $12,916,771 -4.9%
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Scott Baxter
Image Credit: Courtesy Kontoor Brands Inc., chairman, CEO, president
Total compensation: $12,586,582 +26.6%
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Rati Sahi Levesque
Image Credit: Courtesy RealReal Inc., CEO, president, appointed in 2024
Total compensation: $11,496,401 +461.9%
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Kevin Plank
Image Credit: Shawn Hubbard Under Armour Inc., CEO, president, reappointed in 2024
Total compensation: $10,964,002 +136.0%
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Bracken Darrell
Image Credit: Courtesy of VF Corp. VF Corp., president, CEO
Total compensation: $10,729,899 -20.7%
