Xcel Brands, Inc. appointed Ken Downing as Creative Director of the Halston brand, effective August 1, 2022. Widely known for his tenure as the visionary fashion director of Neiman Marcus, Downing will oversee the evolution of Halston in his new role and serve as the public face and voice of the brand, including through hosting Halston livestream sessions over all screens. Downing also previously served as Chief Creative Officer of international retail developer Triple Five Group Worldwide, for which Downing helped launch American Dream, a revolutionary 3.3 million square foot shopping, dining and entertainment complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

For Triple Five, Downing was responsible for reinventing the retail experience for all of the group's properties through architectural and interior design, advertising and marketing campaigns, public relations, and special events. He joins Halston from Hearst's HLC Commerce division, where he served as Chief Brand Officer. Downing holds degrees in fashion design from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and apparel design from the School of Apparel Design and Development at Seattle Central College.

Downing currently serves on the boards of the FIT Museum, Delivering Good and the With Love Halston Foundation and is a former member of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.