Mulberry bags Johnny Coca for its creative lead
MULBERRY has hired Celine designer Johnny Coca to be its new creative director, ending a year-long search for the crucial post and sending shares two per cent higher yesterday.
Coca will leave his post at Celine, where he is head design director of leather, shoes and accessories, in January.
However, he will not join Mulberry until July next year because of a six-month non-compete clause in his contract.
The Spanish-born designer has spent much of his career in Paris working for Louis Vuitton before joining Celine, which is also owned by French luxury conglomerate LVMH.
He has yet to design a womenswear clothing collection, but his appointment suggests Mulberry is keen to focus on its strength in accessories.
Mulberry has been without a creative boss since June last year, when Emma Hill quit after six years with the brand. Hill is credited with helping to turn the firm into a globally recognised brand.
Her departure was the beginning of a turbulent year for the Somerset-based group as it struggled to deal with weakening demand and issued a string of profit warnings.
In March, Mulberry parted ways with chief executive Bruno Guillon after his disastrous attempt to move the brand more upmarket, which seemed to alienate core customers.
A spokesperson said the search for Guillon’s replacement was well underway.
Long-term chairman Godfrey Davis has been acting as interim chief.