NICE, France - July 31, 2001 - Façonnable S.A.S. today announced that Albert Goldberg, 63, resigned from the company for personal and private reasons. Most recently, Goldberg was creative director of the line, which grew from a men’s sportswear collection to include men’s and women’s apparel, outerwear and accessories. He will assume the title of Creative Director Emeritus.

"Our 12-year relationship with Albert and Façonnable, S.A.S has been an invaluable one to our company," said Gail Cottle, president of Nordstrom Product Group. Nordstrom acquired Façonnable in October of 2000. "Façonnable’s success as one of the best selling brands at Nordstrom in the U.S. proves that Albert’s sense of style and instinct for clothes that embody casual sophistication is universal in appeal."

Cottle added that Goldberg spent decades building a talented design team who will continue to design Façonnable products with the same uncompromising quality and craftsmanship that is the hallmark of the brand. "The design team that Albert worked side by side with is dedicated to designing and delivering product that customers will continue to recognize as true to the spirit of Façonnable," Pierre Guérin, président-directeur général of Façonnable, S.A.S. added. "The Façonnable brand is well-defined in its image and style and we have every confidence the customer will continue to be delighted with this exceptional line."

Based in Nice, France, Façonnable, S.A.S. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nordstrom, Inc. Founded in 1950 by Jean Goldberg and designed since 1960 by his son Albert Goldberg, the brand is known for its impeccably crafted, high-quality men’s and women’s apparel and accessories with a distinct French sensibility. Albert Goldberg’s former partner, Jean-Pierre Benaym, will remain on Faconnable’s board of directors where he plays an important role in strategic planning. Façonnable, S.A.S. currently operates over 20 boutiques throughout Europe. The product is also sold in fine multi-brand boutiques and department stores throughout Europe.