What the Highest-paid CEOs at U.S. Fashion and Retail Companies Make
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.
David Simon
Simon Property Group chairman, CEO, president
Total compensation: $61,394,770 +294.5% compared with 2023
Doug Herrington
Amazon, CEO worldwide stores
Total compensation: $34,193,958 +8,573.6%
Doug McMillon
Walmart Inc., president, CEO
Total compensation: $27,408,854 +1.6%
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren Corp., executive chairman, chief creative officer
Total compensation: $24,183,147 +22.6%
Ernie Herrman
TJX Cos. Inc., president, CEO
Total compensation: $23,482,528 +5.7%
Patrice Louvet
Ralph Lauren Corp., president, CEO
Total compensation: $23,079,435 +38.8%
Brian Cornell
Target Corp., chairman, CEO
Total compensation: $20,407,603 +6.3%
Paul Marciano
Guess Inc., Chief creative officer
Total compensation: $20,150,655 +65.3%
Richard Dickson
Gap Inc., president, CEO since August 22
Total Compensation: $19,426,846 +35.2%
Fabrizio Freda
The Estée Lauder Cos., Former CEO, president
Total compensation: $17,851,573 -18.2%
Fran Horowitz
Abercrombie & Fitch Co., CEO
Total Compensation: $17,036,310 +13.3%
Barbara Rentler
Ross Stores Inc., vice chair, CEO
Total Compensation: $16,994,251 -6.1%
Morris Goldfarb
G-III Apparel Group, chairman, CEO
Total Compensation: $16,652,646 -47.0%
Tony Spring
Macy’s Inc., Chairman, CEO, appointed in 2024
Total compensation: $16,452,108 +184.7%
Stefan Larsson
PVH Corp., CEO
Total Compensation: $16,278,038 +4.3%
Joanne Crevoiserat
Tapestry Inc., CEO
Total compensation: $15,430,213 +6.5%
Jay Schottenstein
American Eagle Outfitters Inc., chairman, CEO
Total Compensation: $14,551,916 -11.8%
Calvin McDonald
Lululemon Athletica Inc., CEO
Total Compensation: $14,551,916 -11.8%
Michelle Gass
Levi Strauss & Co., CEO, president
$13,704,334 -62.4%
Stephen Bratspies
Hanesbrands Inc., CEO
Total compensation: $12,933,300 +31.8%
Lauren Hobart
Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc., CEO, president
Total compensation: $12,916,771 -4.9%
Scott Baxter
Kontoor Brands Inc., Chairman, CEO, president
Total compensation: $12,586,582 +26.6%
Rati Sahi Levesque
RealReal Inc., CEO, president, appointed in 2024
Total compensation: $11,496,401 +461.9%
Kevin Plank
Under Armour Inc., CEO, president, reappointed in 2024.
Total compensation: $10,964,002 +136.0%
Bracken Darrell
VF Corp., president, CEO
Total Compensation: $10,729,899 -20.7%
