Carven
French heritage fashion brand Carven, under Shanghai Icicle Fashion Group, has appointed Mark Thomas as Design Director.
Mark Thomas has been with Carven since 2023 as a senior designer. Prior to this, he was a senior menswear designer at Lacoste for nearly four years. He also previously served as Creative Director at Helmut Lang and Chief Menswear Designer at Joseph. His career includes experience at Givenchy, Neil Barrett, and Burberry. Thomas is a graduate of Central Saint Martins and Ravensbourne University.
In a press release, the brand stated: “The Carven team will continue to solidify the brand’s foundations and refine its established DNA and style.”
Jil Sander / OTB
German designer brand Jil Sander, part of the Italian OTB Group, has appointed Simone Bellotti as its Creative Director, effective immediately.
Bellotti’s most recent role was Creative Director at Bally. Prior to that, he spent 16 years at Gucci, holding senior design positions. His career also includes stints at Bottega Veneta and Gianfranco Ferré, where he honed his expertise in tailoring and artisanal craftsmanship.
Raised in Milan, Bellotti graduated from Istituto Secoli, one of Italy’s most renowned fashion schools. Early in his career, he moved to Antwerp, where he immersed himself in a vibrant creative community. After an apprenticeship at A.F. Vandevorst, he returned to Italy in 2002 to join Gianfranco Ferré, where he explored architectural concepts in design. He later joined Bottega Veneta before moving on to Gucci’s studios in Florence and Rome, where he developed a fascination with detail-oriented aesthetics and innovative reinterpretations of archival pieces.
With a spirit of creative exploration, Bellotti draws inspiration from art, photography, and music.
Prada
Italian luxury brand Prada has appointed Markus Hoogeveen as Retail Director for the Central European market.
Hoogeveen assumed the role in January 2024. Previously, he held the same position at French luxury brand Celine. Before that, he worked at Balenciaga for nearly three years. From 2015 to 2017, he had an earlier tenure at Prada. His career also includes roles at PVH Group, Adidas Group, and H&M.
Marimekko
Finnish fashion and lifestyle brand Marimekko has announced that Chief Business Development Officer Riika Wikberg will step down on June 10 to start her own business.
Wikberg is also a member of Marimekko’s management group. The brand has already initiated the search for her successor.
Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko, President and CEO of Marimekko, stated: “I sincerely thank Riika for her contributions to Marimekko over the years. She has played a key role in our long-term operations and sustainability policies. I wish her all the best in her new endeavors.”
Wikberg holds degrees from Helsingin kauppakorkeakoulu (Helsinki School of Economics) and the London School of Economics. She began her career at Boston Consulting Group.
Estée Lauder
American beauty brand Estée Lauder has appointed Dr. Matthew Walker—writer, sleep scientist, and professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley—as its first-ever Global Sleep Advisor.
In this role, Dr. Walker will provide educational content both internally and externally, contributing to media announcements, sharing research insights, and supporting the brand’s development of sleep-related skincare solutions.
To launch this initiative, Estée Lauder will release a series of educational short videos featuring Dr. Walker discussing topics such as: What defines quality sleep, the impact of sleep on the body and skin, and tips for achieving beauty rest.
The brand also plans to host internal and external events, where Dr. Walker will make appearances.
Jennifer Palmer, Senior Vice President of Global Innovation Development and Scientific Leadership at Estée Lauder, stated: “Our collaboration with Dr. Matthew Walker will help guide and strengthen future research and new product development.”
Havaianas
Brazilian footwear brand Havaianas has appointed Magali Mechineau as France Market Manager.
Mechineau’s most recent role was Fashion Sales Manager at Showroomprivé.com. Before that, she spent seven years at Nike, where she served as Women’s Sales Director for Northern EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) from 2017 to 2023, overseeing France, Benelux, and Scandinavia.
From 2007 to 2014, she worked at Levi Strauss & Co., managing women’s wholesale sales in France. Mechineau began her career in 1997 as a sales manager at Zannier Group.
| Sources: Official press releases, Fashion Network
| Image Credits: Company websites, personal social media accounts
| Editor: LeZhi
