Designer, Paul Frank, the offbeat mastermind whose cartoon characters are a hallmark of clothing maker Paul Frank Industries Inc., has left the company he started with a sewing machine 10 years ago.
Frank, the company’s chief designer, left “to pursue other interests,” according to a statement. He remains a “significant stakeholder.”
It’s unclear who will fill the shoes of Frank, whose cartoon monkey and other cheeky designs have helped catapult the brand into mainstream fashion.
Cofounders John Oswald, who is chief executive, and Ryan Heuser, who is president, will continue to run the day-to-day operations, the company said.
Frank’s departure is part of a series of changes that have unfolded at the company in the past few years.
Others include a new national sales manager, a push to grow retail stores and expanding Paul Frank garb.
Frank has played an integral role at the apparel maker.
He got the company started 10 years ago by sewing wallets and other items for friends out of scrap vinyl from Heuser’s garage.
He told the Business Journal in a past interview that he followed his “gut,” not a business plan.
For more on this story, see the Nov. 14 edition of the Business Journal.
