Oscar de la Renta confirms Peter Copping appointment

After months of speculation, Peter Copping, who recently left his artistic director role at Parisian fashion house Nina Ricci, has been confirmed as Oscar de la Renta’s new creative director, putting into place a succession plan for the brand, known for its feminine, romantic gowns.

In the newly created position, Copping will be responsible for the “design direction” across all product categories including ready-to-wear, accessories, bridal and homewares, while reporting to Oscar de la Renta and Alex Bolen, the company's chief executive officer.

Bolen, explained: "We have spent a considerable time determining how best to bring a new and important creative voice into our company and have followed closely Peter's work over the last few years.

“Peter will bring a fresh perspective to our brand, continuing the evolution of our business. While Peter and Oscar share much in terms of aesthetics, they also work in the same way. Many of our vendor partners - the fabric mills, the embroiderers, the knit factories - already know Peter well. Further, Peter's vast experience in shoes, handbags, and jewellery will be brought to bear immediately as continued growth of those categories is central to our expansion plans."

Copping will start work at the fashion house on November 3 and will present his first collection in February 2015 for Autumn/Winter 2015, where he will work closely with Oscar de la Renta, the press statement confirmed. The former Paris-based designer will also be moving Stateside to pursue the position.

Oscar de la Renta names Peter Copping as creative director

Commenting on the appointment, Oscar de la Renta said: "I'm very happy Peter has agreed to join us. He is a great talent and along with our shared design sensibilities, we both have a deep curiosity about the wider world, from music and art to architecture and gardens.

“Our Industry has not always done the best job when it comes to changes in design leadership. My hope is that, in leading this selection, and actively participating in the transition, I can insure the right design future for our company and brand."

Copping joins OdlR from Nina Ricci, where he served as artistic director for five years until he stepped down earlier this month. Prior to Nina Ricci he spent 12 years at Louis Vuitton as studio director under Marc Jacobs and before that, he worked at Sonia Rykiel and Christian Lacroix, after graduating the Royal College of Art and Central Saint Martins in London.

"It is an immense pleasure for me to join Oscar de la Renta as creative director in November," said Copping. "After a career of 20 years in Paris, this is an important next step for me. Oscar de la Renta has defined American elegance for generations of women, and the opportunity to work with him and help ensure the future of the brand is very exciting."

With their shared feminine sensibility and use of old-school sophistication this looks like a great move for the fashion house, which was established nearly 50 years ago, Copping understands the approach of Oscar de la Renta, while also adding his own European flair to the label.

Founded in 1965, Oscar de la Renta has grown his eponymous brand into one of the world’s leading luxury goods firms, offering a full line of women's shoes, handbags, jewellery, eyewear, bridal, childrenswear, home decor and fragrance, in addition to its signature women's ready-to-wear collection.

Image: Oscar de la Renta