Lee Wood tapped as creative director for Dirk Bikkembergs

Dirk Bikkembergs has tapped designer Lee Wood to be their new creative director. His first collection will bow for the brand for fall 2017.

The appointment of Wood is part of the company's restructuring since Canudilo took a 51 percent stake in the company.

“Lee arrives at a time of great renovation. We will work together to create a new, important chapter for this great brand,” said Dario Predonzan, the new chief operating officer, in a statement.

Lee Wood to take over as creative director for Dirk Bikkembergs

Wood will oversee the men's and women's collections under the signature brand and younger Bikkembergs label. He will also oversee the licenses for kids', underwear, bags, and accessories. For the past two years, the collection was designed by an in-house team, which will be producing the men's line that will show on June 20.

Five years ago, Bikkembergs left his namesake company, and was succeeded by Hamish Marrow for a few seasons.

Wood moved to Milan in 1998 after graduating from the Berkshire College of Art & Design. For 16 years, he worked with Donatella Versace. In 2013, he began consulting for fashion brands, then in 2015 he launched his own line, L72.

Last year, Chinese retail group Canudilo acquired a 51 percent stake in Dirk Bikkembergs for 40.68 million euros, and said they were planning to invest 60 million euros in the brand to boost international expansion.

Canudilo Group operates 300 Canudilo monobrand stores, as well as franchised boutiques of luxury labels like Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, and Bally. Currently, there are 61 Bikkembergs stores, with five more planned to open.

photo via bikkembergs.com