Givenchy names Clare Waight Keller its new Artistic Director
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London - Clare Waight Keller has spread her design wings and found a new Maison to call home, as the former Creative Director of Chloé has been named as the new Artistic Director at Givenchy.
The French Fashion house, who previously said goodbye to the former Creative Director Riccardo Tisco in January, took to social media platforms Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to break the news to the fashion industry earlier this afternoon. In her new role at Givenchy, effective as of May 2, 2017, Waight Keller is set to oversee the fashion house women's and men's ready-to-wear collection, accessories as well as haute couture.
"Hubert de Givenchy’s confident style has always been an inspiration and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this legendary House’s history," said Waight Keller on her new role in a statement. "I look forward to working with the teams and writing a new chapter in this beautiful story."
Clare Waight Keller to succeed Riccardo Tisci as Givenchy new Artistic Director
The British designer succeeds Tisci, who left a deep mark on Givenchy following an impressive 12 year tenure. She is also the second female designer to take the creative reins at a LVMH held fashion house. Waight Keller follows in the footsteps of former Valentino creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri who was named artistic director of Women's Haute Couture, Ready-to-Wear and accessories at Dior last July.
“The teams join me in warmly welcoming Clare Waight Keller into the Givenchy family,” said Philippe Fortunato, CEO of Givenchy, in a statement according to British Vogue. “I am very excited to see Clare bring her singular sense of elegance and modernity to Givenchy. By exploring our maison’s 65-year heritage and the outstanding savoir faire of its ateliers, I am convinced Clare will help Givenchy reach its full potential.”
As the first female designer to lead at Givenchy, Waight Keller appointment signals a change in direction for the fashion house. Unlike her predecessor Tisci, who is best known for his sensual and racy designs favoured by celebrities such as Madonna and Kim Kardashian West, Waight Keller is best known for her modern-bohemian yet incredibly desirable and wearable aesthetic. She has been credited for building Chloé reputation with millennials around the globe through her highly coveted handbags, entertaining social feeds and expressive advertisement.
Although the British designer does not have any experience when it comes to creating haute couture, Waight Keller is likely to turn to the fashion house heritage and the elegant signature created by its founder Hubert de Givenchy. “I am very happy to have Clare Waight Keller join the LVMH Group,” added Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH. “I believe her widespread expertise and vision will allow Givenchy to enter the next phase of its unique path.”
Waight, who is set to present her first collection for Givenchy for Spring/Summer 2018 in Paris this October, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with an MA in Fashion Knitwear before moving to New York to work for Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren's Purple Label. She returned to London in 2001 and serve as head designer at Gucci under Tom Ford, working alongside of Francisco Costa and Christopher Bailey before leaving to over the creative direction at Pringle of Scotland in 2005.