True Religion Apparel Inc. said it has appointed Peter Collins to the position of chief financial officer for the Los Angeles-based clothing company.

Collins succeeds Charles Lesser, who will stay on as a consultant for several months. The company declined to comment on the reason for his departure.

Collins, 42, joins the company after serving as divisional vice president and corporate controller for Seattle-based retailer Nordstrom Inc. Prior to joining Nordstrom in 2004, Collins served as controller of Albertsons Inc. Collins, a CPA, began his career with Arthur Andersen and was a partner from 1998 to 2002.

Shares in True Religion were up 65 cents, or nearly 4 percent, to $18.22 in afternoon trading Thursday on the Nasdaq.