Sebastian Manes
Former Buying & Merchandising Director, Selfridges
The veteran buyer spearheaded innovation at Selfridges with initiatives targeted at the Millennial generation.
Sebastian Manes is the co-founder of Harper Collective, a sustainable luxury lifestyle brand, and a veteran of the global retail industry. Best known for his transformative 18-year tenure at the British department store Selfridges, Manes served as the executive buying and merchandising director until December 2022, where he orchestrated multi-million-pound overhauls of the store’s footwear and accessories departments.
Manes began his career in 1996 as an assistant store manager at Gucci in Cannes before moving to Kahut France as managing director. He later served as an agent for luxury houses including Lanvin, Celine and Sonia Rykiel within the former USSR. Joining Selfridges in 2003 as a senior accessories buyer, he rose through the ranks to become the Buying and Merchandising Director in 2011.
Throughout his time at Selfridges, Manes spearheaded a series of landmark projects following a £300 million investment programme. These included the 2010 launch of the Shoe Galleries—then the world’s largest shoe department at 35,000 square feet—and a massive 60,000-square-foot accessories hall. He was also instrumental in the launch of the Designer Studio for streetwear and the Body Studio for activewear and lingerie, focusing on innovation and the shifting preferences of millennial and Gen-Z consumers.
Following his exit from Selfridges in late 2022, Manes relocated to the United States to join the luxury brand Chrome Hearts in an executive capacity. In August 2023, he pivoted toward sustainable entrepreneurship, co-founding Harper Collective alongside actor and activist Jaden Smith. The brand specialises in handcrafted luxury luggage made from reclaimed ocean plastic and recycled landfill waste. In September 2025, Manes expanded the company’s footprint through a design partnership with CUPRA to launch an exclusive line of sustainable travel essentials.
As of early 2026, Manes splits his time between London and Los Angeles, continuing to hold several directorships across the luxury and lifestyle sectors.
Career History
Senior accessories buyer and buying and merchandising director
2003 - Present
Managing director and business partner
2000 - 2002
Assistant Store Manager
1996 - 2000
VITAL STATISTICS
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The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
