Ronnie DeMichael is the President of Paper Planes, the lifestyle apparel and accessories brand founded by Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter.
DeMichael has over 35 years of experience in the apparel industry. Career highlights include roles as the Executive Vice President of Finance for Daniel Caron Ltd, a private label manufacturer; financial consultant for Ralph Lauren Home Collection, a division of Polo Ralph Lauren Company and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Cynthia Rowley. In 2001, DeMichael then joined ROCAWEAR to serve as the COO and CFO. He remained in that position until 2014, at which time Paper Planes was launched.
Over the past decade, DeMichael has led the growth of Paper Planes alongside Founder Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, Co-Founder Emory Jones and Creative Director Just C. Paper Planes began with a hat, the signature Original Crown, and has expanded during the intervening years to encompass four, full collections annually as well as a range of strategic partnerships, collaborations and charitable initiatives.
In October 2023, DeMichael spearheaded the opening of the Paper Planes Flagship Store at 252 Lafayette Street in Soho, New York City; the brand’s first ever, permanent brick and mortar retail store. The store offers customers the opportunity to shop future season collections, in person and exclusively, in advance of their online debut. New iterations of the Paper Planes fine artist collaboration series; recording artist collaborations and album signing events; the NFL x Paper Planes exclusive products and more are available in store to shop first.
Paper Planes embodies imagination, exploration, and determination. “Greatness is a process.”
For more information and/or to speak with Ronnie DeMichael, please contact:
megan@maguiresteele.com