Phillip Lim
Renowned Chinese-American designer Phillip Lim has stepped down as the Creative Director of the brand he co-founded, 3.1 Phillip Lim, to pursue new career opportunities.
The Spring 2025 collection, presented at New York Fashion Week this past September, marks his final collection for the brand.
Phillip Lim and the brand’s co-founder and CEO, Wen Zhou, expressed mutual respect and gratitude for their long-standing partnership as they part ways while the brand embarks on a new chapter.
Moving forward, Wen Zhou will continue as the CEO and sole proprietor of 3.1 Phillip Lim, though a successor for the Creative Director role has yet to be announced.
In 2005, both Wen Zhou and Phillip Lim, then 31, launched 3.1 Phillip Lim as a young modern luxury brand, offering consumers affordable beauty.
Chanel
French luxury brand Chanel has confirmed that Sophie Brocart will join a new entity focused on fashion circularity, though her specific title and responsibilities have not yet been disclosed.
Since 2018, Sophie Brocart has served as the CEO of French luxury brand Patou, a subsidiary of the LVMH Group, working alongside Creative Director Guillaume Henry to revitalize the brand. Under her leadership, Patou has strengthened its presence in the Japanese and European markets, opening a standalone store in Tokyo’s Omotesando Hills and establishing 11 in-store shops within Parisian department store Galeries Lafayette, among others. Patou is now featured in over 200 global wholesale outlets.
Sophie Brocart graduated from the prestigious École Polytechnique School in France and has dedicated most of her career to the LVMH Group. She joined LVMH’s HR department in 1995 and later moved to Louis Vuitton as a merchandise planning manager for leather goods. In 2000, she transitioned to Celine, where she worked with Creative Directors Michael Kors and Phoebe Philo, initially as Director of Leather Goods and Accessories and later overseeing retail and wholesale operations in France, Switzerland, and the Benelux region.
In 2010, Brocart became the General Manager of the fragrance brand Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle before establishing her own consultancy for emerging brands.
In 2013, she rejoined LVMH as Senior Vice President of the LVMH Fashion Group, collaborating with Pierre-Yves Roussel and Delphine Arnault. During this time, she co-founded the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, serving as both a selection committee member and mentor, providing guidance to award winners such as Simon Porte Jacquemus and Marine Serre. She was also CEO of British footwear brand Nicholas Kirkwood.
Georg Jensen
Danish luxury lifestyle brand Georg Jensen has appointed London-based designer Paula Gerbase as Creative Director, effective immediately.
In her new role, Paula Gerbase will oversee the brand’s creative vision, shape its visual identity, manage design across all product categories and collaborations, and oversee consumer touchpoints both online and offline.
With a Central Saint Martins degree in fashion design and 15 years of industry experience, Gerbase previously worked as a Savile Row tailor for Hardy Amies in London. She founded the fashion brand 1205 in 2010 and served as Creative Director for John Lobb, a subsidiary of Hermès, from 2014 to 2020.
Gerbase’s first collection for Georg Jensen launches this month. She has selected five motifs representing the brand’s participation in significant 20th-century design movements and reinterpreted them as the brand’s first silver accessories, which can be used as keychains, handbag charms, or wearable pieces. In spring, she plans to introduce her first collection of home goods and jewelry, incorporating materials beyond silver.
Bentley
British luxury car brand Bentley has appointed Christophe Georges as a board member, effective December 1.
In his new role, Christophe Georges will be responsible for sales and marketing, reporting directly to Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser.
With a 26-year tenure at Bentley, Georges previously held the role of Global Director of Sales and Marketing. His career has included multiple positions, such as Director of Marketing and Product Strategy. He has also served as President and CEO for the Americas on two occasions, from 2007 to 2015 and 2019 to 2024, totaling nearly 15 years. During his time in North America, he led the team to record-breaking sales and profits and expanded the dealer network to 60 locations.
Christophe Georges will succeed Alain Favey, who left the position in May 2023.
| Sources: MFFASHION, Official Press Release, WWD
| Image Credits: Official Sources, Company Websites
| Editor: LeZhi
