Joseph Janus is an accomplished business leader currently serving as the CEO and Creative Director of WeSC, the iconic Swedish lifestyle brand.
During his 12+ years in this role, Janus has propelled the storied streetwear brand from a niche company to a global icon thanks to his keen understanding of cultural shifts and sharp business acumen. Under his strategic direction, WeSC’s global presence exploded to 27 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas, establishing a scalable and sustainable infrastructure that has exponentially propelled business growth. This year, WeSC is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a renewed strength, vitality and personality thanks to the comprehensive reorganization Janus spearheaded that optimized efficiency and fostered cross-functional collaboration.
Before WeSC, Janus served as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Advertising at Calvin Klein where he made waves by establishing a number of digital-first campaigns and celebrity marketing partnerships that changed the industry forever. Under Janus’ leadership, Calvin Klein expanded into new product categories including fragrance, accessories, and underwear, while continuing to bring new cutting-edge concepts to life within the RTW space. His strategic vision not only elevated brand synergies but also opened up innovative co-branding opportunities.
Prior to his time at Calvin Klein, Janus was President and Creative Director of Bodhi Bags, morphing the brand into a $20 million dollar business in just 4 years. In addition to Bodhi, Janus also helped build JNCO Jeans Company into an even bigger $300 million dollar brand – with successes like these it is no surprise that Janus was named one of Advertising Age’s “Top 100 Marketers” and hailed as a “Brand Builder” by Brandweek, subsequently driving his career success.
Beyond proving himself a true pioneer in the world of creative fashion campaigns, Janus has established himself a dynamic leader in every team he has been a part of. He has been known to bring together exemplary groups of individuals that despite their differences, are able to align and execute top-notch work and exceed goals. Today, Janus resides in the heart of New York City where he is constantly being inspired to continue making futuristic waves in the fashion industry, with a focus on digital transformation and sustainability.