DREST, the business behind the world’s first interactive luxury styling game, has appointed a new CEO.
The ‘virtual supermodel’ game will be led by Lisa Bridgett, who has experience from Accenture, Universal Music, Ralph Lauren and Net-A-Porter, as it seeks to build a metaverse. She has been promoted from COO and will also join the company’s board.
She will drive DREST’s development across gaming, media, data and eCommerce as the company builds on its 250% year-on-year user growth, and prepares for rapid acceleration in 2022.
Founder and creator Lucy Yeomans, previously at Harper’s Bazaar and Net-A-Porter, will become co-chairman – alongside investor and entrepreneur Graham Edwards – and chief brand and product officer.
“We have reached an exciting moment in DREST’s trajectory and, as is necessary for all start-ups at this stage, we are setting up all elements of our business for long-term success,” said Yeomans.
“Smart leaders and founders play to their strengths, which for me involves taking ownership of our product, brand and partnerships in a deeper and more focused way.
“When it came to appointing our CEO, Lisa was the natural choice. She is an inspiring and impressive global business leader, having achieved success with her dynamic digital competence across the industries of music, fashion and gaming.
“I’m especially proud of the fact that, in an industry where women make up the majority of the market and yet 84% of all executive positions are held by men, DREST has two women at the helm. We’re challenging the status quo and, hopefully, setting a trend.”
Bridgett added: “I am elated at being able to drive DREST further with Lucy Yeomans, a leading visionary in the content and technology product innovation space, who has changed the user experience of luxury.
“In my role, I will be focused on scaling DREST through our developer ecosystem, marketing channels and strategic revenue streams, building on the impressive growth our user base is experiencing.”