Designer Charlotte Neuville joined Gap Inc. as executive vice president of design and product development, Apparel News reports.

Charlotte Neuville, who previously produced an apparel collection under her own name, comes to The Gap from New York & Co., where she was executive vice president of design.

The San Francisco–based retailer also announced that Canadian-born Pina Ferlisi, executive vice president of Gap Design, has left the company.

Pina Ferlisi has previously worked at Tommy Hilfiger, Theory and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Charlotte Neuville, who reportedly started on Oct. 17, will concentrate on Gap's core business of men's and women's clothing and accessories, Forbes reports.

Business analysts think that hiring a design veteran from a mass retailer will have a positive effect on Gap's merchandise margins, though it's likely Neuville's changes won't be fully felt until the Fall 2006 line. 

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