Rob McCarty, Billabong’s Senior Design Director for Men’s, has left the company, SES confirmed this morning.
The Billabong men’s line is one of the strongest in the industry.
“It was a great time, I learned a lot and I have a ton of respect for the brand and its founders,” he said. “Gordon Merchant and Paul Naude gave me my start, and I made a career out of the place.”
Rob, who worked at Billabong for 15 years and is very well regarded, starts a new job on Monday but declined to discuss where.
Rob’s departure means that Billabong lost both of its top designers in men’s and women’s during its financial turmoil and takeover uncertainty.
Mandy Fry, the former Senior Design Director for women, moved to Volcom earlier this year.
According to Rob’s LinkedIn profile, he joined Billabong in 1998, which is near the time when Paul Naude started the U.S. division for Billabong after Bob Hurley opted not to renew the Billabong license. I am told Rob was one of the first people who joined Billabong when Paul took over.
Paul Naude recently left Billabong after attempting to buy the company, and is starting a new surf apparel brand.
Â
