Smythe, the Toronto-based womenswear fashion brand, has appointed Ana Mihaljevic chief executive officer, a new post.
Mihaljevic, who is based in Toronto, will partner with cofounders and designers Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe to form an all-female leadership and build the next chapter for the brand.
Most recently, Mihaljevic spent 10 years with Canada Goose, where she was president of North America for nearly four years until February 2026. Earlier she was chief commercial officer and senior vice president sales operations and planning. Before joining Canada Goose, Mihaljevic was director of business planning at Marc by Marc Jacobs, and director of sales, Jones Signature and Jones New York Jeans.
“As Smythe has grown, so has our ambition for what the brand can become,” said Lenczner and Smythe in a statement. “Ana brings exceptional experience and a genuine understanding of what makes Smythe distinct. Her leadership enables us to deepen our focus on creative vision and product, while the three of us work together to build operational excellence and infrastructure for growth.”
Founded in 2004 with a focus on tailored blazers, Smythe has evolved into a broader wardrobe of jackets, coats, dresses, blouses, pants and knitwear. The company has gained a following for its polished clothing and precise tailoring. Annual new customer acquisition through Smythe’s online channel grew more than fivefold between 2021 and 2025. The brand launched e-commerce in 2017, followed by its first stand-alone store in Toronto in 2022 and its second in Calgary in 2024. A new store in Toronto is set to open in early 2027.
“I chose to wear Smythe long before I joined the company because it has such a clear and instinctive understanding of how women want to dress and feel in their clothes,” said Mihaljevic. “Working alongside Christie and Andrea, we will build on that foundation, grow Smythe with purpose, reach more women and realize the full potential of a brand that has always understood how the right clothes can change the way a woman shows up, in her style, her confidence and entirely on her own terms.”
In her new role, Mihaljevic will lead Smythe’s operations and growth strategy, while Lenczner and Smythe will continue to lead creative direction and product vision.
Smythe and Lenczner grew up together and both attended McGill University. They launched their business in 2004. Smythe previously worked in design at The Gap and Lenczner was a buyer for Holt Renfrew. The brand’s key retailers include Neiman Marcus, Revolve and Holt Renfrew. The line has been worn by such celebrities as Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, Halle Berry, Gigi Hadid, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie and Reese Witherspoon.