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Carven’s design director Mark Thomas is leaving the company after one year in the position, the ICCF Group-owned label said in a statement on Thursday.
“His vision and designs have helped to establish the brand’s identity and style, and have positioned Carven firmly back on the fashion stage,” the label said.
Thomas was plucked from within the company to replace previous head designer Louise Trotter, who left the brand to revamp Bottega Veneta as the industry bet big on creative reboots to reignite sales amid a sector-wide downturn.
Carven did not name a replacement for Thomas, saying that it would announce “next steps” later this year and plans to hold an October show in Paris.
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Thomas’ exit comes as fashion’s designer reshuffle continues: This week, Drew Henry succeeded Nicolas De Felice at Artemis-owned Courrèges.
Chinese group ICCF purchased Carven in 2018 as part of a strategy aimed at gaining access to European design expertise with an eye towards global expansion. Its measured approach to brand development has contrasted with some high-profile investments like Fosun’s purchase of historic French fashion house Lanvin and textiles manufacturer Shandong Ruyi’s acquisition of SMCP’s Parisian labels which became cautionary tales of retrenchment.
ICCF Group has headquarters in Paris and Shanghai, with a Carven flagship in each city.
Learn more:
China’s New Playbook for Buying Western Fashion Brands
After past stumbles, Chinese capital is taking a more measured approach to investments in US and European fashion labels, tempering expectations for breakneck expansion. Will it work?
