LONDON, United Kingdom – BoF compiles the most important professional moves of the week.
Oscar De La Renta Confirms Peter Copping
After months of speculation, Oscar de la Renta is handing the creative direction of his namesake brand to Peter Copping, effective November 3rd. According to the American fashion house, Copping, 48, will be responsible for setting “the design direction across all product categories” and report directly to Oscar de la Renta and Alex Bolen, the company’s chief executive officer. The company stressed that de la Renta will maintain an active role in the business. “I’m very happy Peter has agreed to join us,” said de la Renta. “He is a great talent and along with our shared design sensibilities, we both have a deep curiosity about the wider world, from music and art to architecture and gardens.” Copping’s first collection for the company will be shown in February.
Luxottica Names Interim CEO
Leonardo Del Vecchio, founder and chairman of Luxottica Group SpA, will become interim chief executive of the company. The Italian company, who makes eyewear for the likes of Chanel and Giorgio Armani and owns brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley, announced that CEO Enrico Cavatorta was quitting after only six weeks in the role. Cavatorta’s departure comes on the heels of last month’s resignation of long-time chief executive Andrea Guerra, who stepped down from his position after a company shuffle aimed to return Del Vecchio to a more prominent role. Luxottica said on Sunday that Del Vecchio intends to offer Massimo Vian, a current company executive, the role of co-CEO for operations and products.
Blue Farrier Exits Issa
Blue Farrier, creative director of the London-based label Issa, has left the company. The brand confirmed that it would continue to show at London Fashion Week, although Farrier will not be immediately replaced, and future Issa collections will be designed by the in-house team. Farrier was appointed at Issa in 2013 after stints at Stella McCartney, Anya Hindmarch and Chloé. “I wish Blue all the best with her future endeavours and want to thank her for her part in starting the brand’s process of evolution,” said Camilla Al Fayed, who acquired a controlling interest in the label in 2011, before buying it altogether in 2013. Issa was pushed into the spotlight when Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, famously wore a blue Issa wrap dress for her engagement announcement. This exposure helped the brand expand its business in the US.
J.C. Penney Hires New CEO
Struggling retail chain J.C. Penney has announced that Marvin Ellison, currently Home Depot's executive vice president of stores, will join as the company's next president and chief executive officer. Ellison will join J.C. Penney on November 1 this year and take the reins from current CEO Mike Ullman on August 1, 2015. At Home Depot, Ellison was responsible for making the chain’s large stores easier for customers to navigate. The strategy worked as sales recovered and helped the company’s stock almost triple in the past four years. Prior to Home Depot, Ellison served for 15 years in various positions at Target.
Horowitz to Lead Hollister
Abercrombie & Fitch has appointed Fran Horowitz to the position of president of its Hollister brand, reporting to Abercrombie & Fitch chief executive Mike Jeffries. Horowitz, 51, was previously president of Ann Taylor Loft, a division of Ann Inc., and worked at Bloomingdales in a variety of merchandising roles over 13 years. In June, the company named Christos Angelidas as president of its namesake and kidswear brands. Both Horowitz and Angelidas are expected to start their new roles later this month.
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