Carven
Carven, the French heritage fashion house owned by Shanghai-based ICICLE Fashion Group, has announced the appointment of Kai Nesselrath as Design Director.
Kai Nesselrath will present his debut runway collection during Paris Fashion Week this autumn.
Of German origin and raised in Rome, Kai Nesselrath spent ten years at Saint Laurent, where he served as Head Designer of womenswear. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome and Central Saint Martins, before graduating from Polimoda. Prior to joining Saint Laurent, he worked at Chanel under the direction of Karl Lagerfeld.
This appointment marks a key step in Carven’s revival strategy launched in 2023. The brand aims to reconnect with the vision established at its founding in 1945: an inclusive fashion proposition rooted in French style, uncompromising creativity, exceptional product quality, and relevance to contemporary life.
Rabanne
Renowned fashion designer Olivier Rousteing has joined Rabanne, a French designer label under Spain’s Puig.
After 14 years as Creative Director of the French luxury house Balmain, Olivier Rousteing has stepped down from his role. He is now working with Rabanne to redefine its design direction, with plans to steer the brand back toward a bold, high-energy, party-driven aesthetic.
Olivier Rousteing was born in Bordeaux, France, and adopted at the age of one. His mother was an optician and his father a port manager. He grew up in Bordeaux before moving to Paris to study at ESMOD, although he did not complete his studies.
He began his career in 2003 at Roberto Cavalli, where he later became Creative Director of womenswear. In 2009, he joined Balmain, working closely with then Creative Director Christophe Decarnin, before being appointed Creative Director in 2011.
The Paco Rabanne brand was founded in Paris in 1966 by Paco Rabanne, gaining fame for its futuristic, space-age designs. As early as 1968, the brand began collaborating with Puig to launch fragrances. In 1987, Puig acquired all brand assets, including fashion and accessories, and in 2023 officially renamed it Rabanne.
Today, Rabanne focuses primarily on fragrances and beauty. According to Puig’s FY2025 report, Rabanne ranks fifth globally in fragrance sales. In 2013, the brand appointed Julien Dossena as Creative Director to revive its fashion business. While his runway shows and collections have received critical acclaim, commercial performance has remained modest.
Although Puig has not disclosed Rabanne’s specific financials, it stated that the brand’s net sales surpassed €1 billion for the first time in the fiscal year ending 31 December 2023.
Printemps
Printemps has appointed Rémy Baume as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Rémy Baume brings over 20 years of experience across investment banking, consulting, retail, and fashion. From 2020 to early 2025, he served as CEO of Zadig & Voltaire. Prior to that, he led the childrenswear group Kidiliz Group, and held senior roles at Carrefour and LVMH.
He began his career at Morgan Stanley and McKinsey & Company. In 2008, he became Investment Director at LVMH, before joining Carrefour in 2009, where he oversaw strategy and transformation, and later led non-food operations in France and international markets. In 2013, he formally entered the fashion sector as CEO of Kidiliz Group, and seven years later joined Zadig & Voltaire.
Printemps currently operates 18 department stores in France, along with two international locations in Doha, Qatar, and New York, United States.
｜Source: official press releases, MFFASHION, AFP
｜Image Credit: official social media accounts, personal social media accounts
｜Editor: Luxeplace
