Mulberry teases debut Johnny Coca collection

Mulberry has released a short film introducing Johnny Coca ahead of the brand’s relaunch during London Fashion Week where the heritage label is returning to the official schedule.

Coca joined the British brand as creative director last year and the brand has been fairly quiet on his debut autumn/winter 2016 collection, which is to be unveiled on Sunday, February 21 during London Fashion Week.

The ‘That was then, this is now” film, shows Coca speaking about his inspirations and his focus for the new collection, as well as his decision to restore the brand’s original 1970s logo that he found in the archives.

"I wanted to reinforce the British character and sensibility of Mulberry,” said Coca. “It's quite humbling - to be trusted with this brand that people love and feel is very much part of them and their lives. In my role as creative director, I want to push the boundaries, but also respect the values and DNA at the core of Mulberry.”

The creative director also refers to “Britishness” as an attitude and “something very individual that isn’t about where you come from,” rather that it’s about “tradition and how it’s mixed with modernity”.

Coca also teases details about his first collection that it will mix rebellion with “a balance of femininity; poetic but strong”. Adding that he wants to focus on the structure of the garments and bags and that he is inspired by his love of architecture, as well as colour, especially red, which he says is “very Spanish, but really British too”.

Mulberry introduces Johnny Coca and reveals collection inspiration

He adds that his plan for Mulberry is to “push the limit and to challenge convention” but to also to be “real and honest” while “respecting the rules of such a special part of Britain” and “always remembering who Mulberry means to all of you”.

The British fashion house has confirmed that it plans to reveal further details about Coca’s debut collection via its Instagram account @MulberryEngland in the run-up to the show, as well as on the brand’s new Snapchat channel. There will also be an exclusive capsule collection available online and in-stores from early April. This will be the first opportunity for customers to purchase products designed by Coca.

Coca, who was most recently head design director for leather goods, accessories, shoes and jewellery at Céline replaced Emma Hill, who left the company in 2013, he is responsible for leading Mulberry’s design team on women’s and men’s leather accessories, shoes, ready-to-wear and soft accessories, as well as overseeing all creative aspects of the brand’s image.

The new creative director is also part of the brand’s turnaround plan, which has seen a new chief executive Thierry Andretta put in place, and a shift to introduce more affordable products under 1,000 pounds. This shift away from moving more upscale has helped deliver online success and help the fashion brand move back into the black. Mulberry reported a pre-tax profit of 100,000 pounds for the six months to September 30, compared with a loss of 1.1 million pounds a year earlier.

Johnny Coca’s debut will take place on Sunday, February 21 and will be live-streamed on the Mulberry website.

Images: Mulberry