Julie de Libran tapped by Sonia Rykiel

French fashion label Sonia Rykiel has tapped Julie de Libran as its new artistic director,

effective immediately. She succeeds Geraldo da Conceicao, a Canadian designer who joined the label in September 2012.

De Libran was previously the studio director of women's ready-to-wear at Louis Vuitton and was also in charge of the label's cruise and pre-fall lines, but left the fashion house after the arrival of Marc Jacobs successor Nicolas Ghesquiére. Prior to joining the company in 2008, she worked for Miuccia Prada in Milan for a decade and also worked for labels such as Versace and Gianfranco Ferré.

In her new role she will oversee Sonia Rykiel main collection, as well as the label's second line, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel. Her first collection for the Parisian label will be shown in September during Paris fashion week.

The Rykiel family, who currently own a 20 percent stake in the company after selling an 80 percent stake to Hong Kong-based First Heritage Brands in 2012, have led a reorganization scheme as part of the labels recovery strategy. The plan includes the acceleration of its international expansion, the establishment of a management team and the renovation of its store network system.

“The revival of the house is underway and we are accelerating our strategy,” commented Jean-Marc Loubier, president of Sonia Rykiel. “We are confident in the ability of Julie to take the artistic direction of Sonia Rykiel and establish a genuine dialogue, full of style, fun and respect with women around the world.”