Carlo Pazolini names new creative director

British designer Lee Wood has been named creative director of Carlo Pazolini, an Italian footwear and accessories

brand for men and women.

Wood, who has worked on the creative team of Donatella Versace for 15 years, most recently as head of license accessories Versace, will oversee the direction of the global brand, with his first collection going on sale at the end of January 2015.

Commenting on his appointment, Wood said: “I face a big task - making the brand recognisable for European and American markets. It goes without saying that I find such a challenge very exciting.”

A graduate of Berkshire College of Art and Design, Wood has lived and worked in Milan for the past 15 years, and in 2013 he founded his own Milan-based design studio, StudioL72, which he will continue to run alongside his creative director role.

Carlo Pazolini CEO, Arkady Reznik, added: “Lee Wood’s innovative ideas 100 percent reflect our vision for developing Carlo Pazolini, and his broad experience and talent will doubtless open up new opportunities for us.”

Carlo Pazolini has more than 250 stores across Russia, Italy, USA, UK and Eastern Europe.