Diane von Furstenberg first CEO leaves after 18 months
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Paolo Riva, the first Chief Executive Officer ever to be appointed by Diane von Furstenberg has resigned from the company after 18 months.
The fashion company confirmed Riva departure, effective immediately, on Thursday evening. The former CEO left his role at DVF in order to pursue other opportunities, according to a statement released by the company. His exit from Diane von Furstenberg comes some 18 months after he was hired as the brand’s debut CEO following a nationwide search.
Riva’s arrival to the company in May 2015 epitomised the brand’s founder and chairman. Diane von Furstenberg, move away from the daily operations of the company. During his brief tenure at the fashion company, Riva hired British designer Jonathan Saunders as the brand’s chief creative officer, a move which has been highly applauded by industry insiders and fashion aficionados alike.
“I would like to thank Paolo for his contribution to DVF. Our business strategy and Jonathan Saunders’ vision for the brand remain in place. I am very excited about our future,” said Diane von Furstenberg in a statement. Prior to joining the team at DVF, River worked for three years at Tory Burch, as vice president of apparel and visual merchandising.
At the moment von Furstenberg has no plans in place to find a successor for Riva. Instead, she plans to strengthen her company’s board by bringing in high level executives next January. The designer revealed to WWD that her son, Alex, who is currently co-chairman of the board is closely involved with the company and continuing its legacy. “I’m very much involved, and my son is very much involved, and we’re planning this company for the legacy,” she said.