Natalie Ratabesi tapped as Vince's new creative director

Contemporary apparel label Vince, has tapped British designer Natalie Ratabesi as its new creative director for women's design, following her exit from her former role as creative director at Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti last month. Ratabesi is set to oversee all of the

label's women's wear divisions, including accessories and ready-to-wear, effective from June 16. Her first designs are predicted to emerge in Vince's pre-fall 2015 season collections, following her move from Milan to the label's design studio in Los Angeles.

The British designer decided to take on her new role, after she was approached by the label's chief creative officer, Karin Gregersen and Chief Executive Officer, Jill Granoff. “I just loved the excitement they had when they talked about this brand — their growth and how they want to take it to another level,” said Ratabesi to WWD during a phone interview.

Ratabesi takes on new role after leaving Philosophy

She added that she was keen to work for a established label, which was prepared to invest in its own growth, and that Vince's aesthetic style was close to her own personal fashion sense. “There’s something about being understated, and something not too over the top. I just love women to look beautiful, chic, timeless, sophisticated and easy. If you feel comfortable in your clothes, you’re more confident as a woman.”

Ratabesi will be working alongside with Nicole Wiesmann, who remains vice president of Vince's men's wear categories. Both creative directors will report directly to the label's president and CCO, Gregersen, who is in charge of the all creative aspects of the label, including marketing, visual merchandising and design as well as the label's wholesale business.

“[Ratabesi] has a very modern sensibility, which is very close to the Vince DNA and core value,” said Gregersen. “She really has a very sophisticated design sensibility. As we increase and elevate our fashion point of view, she’s such a critical part of this process for us. She creates silhouettes that are modern, understated and cool and understands our neutral, rich color palette...I think she’ll really leverage our brand DNA.”

The contemporary label witnessed the departure of it's co-founders Rea Laccone and Christopher LaPolice last January, as designer Doo Ri Chung stepped in and took over the creative helm at Vince. However, the Korean-American designer resigned from her role as creative director in October and returned to New York City, which led to Gregersen taking on the role of CCO.

“As we continue to become a global lifestyle brand, we felt it was really important to have a women’s creative director who can unify all the women’s categories, and that includes both ready-to-wear and accessories, under a singular vision,” added Granoff. She highlighted the growing significance of the label's women's wear lines, as they currently account for 85 percent of Vince's overall sales.

“Her appointment really fulfills the needs to have someone who can be full-time in L.A. and provide leadership to the women’s design teams under the continuing guidance of Karin.” A graduate from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Ratabesi was taken on by designer Alberta Ferretti late 2012, who wished to turn her focus on her creating main eponymous label. Prior to joining Philosophy, Ratabesi was senior creative director at Polo Ralph Lauren.

Photo 1: Natalie Ratabesi, from Alberta Ferretti
Photo 2: Vince pre-fall 2014 Collection