Ralph Rucci cuts further jobs after founder's exit

Less than a fortnight ago Ralph Rucci announced he would leave the label he founded in 1994. Insiders suggested a clash with a new board and CEO, who were appointed to help the struggling label emerge victorious.

At the time the house of Rucci stated its Fall 2015 collection would be designed in-house, however on Monday the company fired 15 further members of its staff, including several in the design team.

Jill Borkan, vice president of marketing and communications, confirmed Monday that Ralph Rucci LLC “conducted a small round of layoffs as a result of the company’s new direction in the development of a newly envisioned fashion brand, which will be focused on creating a more accessible designer product assortment for a wider audience.”

Borkan, it should be noted, only joined the company last week. Gucci's CEO Joey Laurenti did not offer any comment regarding the layoffs.

According to WWD 15 positions were eliminated from the workroom, but senior management was not affected. The laid-off workers were informed that production was being outsourced to China.