Tom Ford
TOM FORD has announced the appointment of renowned French fashion designer Haider Ackermann as the brand’s new Creative Director.
Ackermann will oversee creative work across all fashion categories at TOM FORD, including menswear, womenswear, accessories, and eyewear, shaping the brand’s creative vision. TOM FORD, now part of the Estée Lauder Group (NYSE: EL), has licensed its fashion division to Ermenegildo Zegna Group (NYSE: ZGN) and its eyewear business to Marcolin Group.
Brand founder Tom Ford stated, “I have always been a fan of Haider’s work. His creations, whether in womenswear or menswear, are highly captivating. He is a master of color and has exceptional tailoring skills. Most importantly, his designs embody modernity. We share many of the same historical references, and I believe his addition will bring tremendous excitement to TOM FORD. I can’t wait for the March fashion show, and I’ll be the first to give him a standing ovation.”
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Haider Ackermann has a fashion journey that spans Ethiopia, Chad, Algeria, the Netherlands, and Belgium. He studied fashion design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Ackermann is known for combining luxurious fabrics with expert tailoring, and his avant-garde yet practical designs have earned the admiration of numerous celebrities.
Ackermann commented, “I am extremely proud to carry forward the legacy of the brand founded by Tom Ford, someone I have long admired and deeply respected. I am also eagerly looking forward to the journey ahead.”
Ackermann’s first fashion collection for TOM FORD will debut at Paris Fashion Week in March 2025. He will be based in Paris, reporting to Guillaume Jesel, President of Luxury Business Development at Estée Lauder, and Lelio Gavazza, CEO of TOM FORD fashion at Zegna Group.
Guillaume Jesel remarked, “Haider is one of the most visionary and inspiring talents in the global fashion industry. With his deep sensitivity to diverse cultures and art, he has created compelling fashion pieces and unforgettable emotional connections. He is undoubtedly the perfect choice to lead TOM FORD into a bright future.”
Lelio Gavazza added, “We are delighted to welcome Haider as TOM FORD’s Creative Director. His unparalleled creativity aligns perfectly with the brand’s DNA, and his extensive experience in luxury will play a critical role in driving the brand’s new phase of growth. As we move forward with numerous projects, Haider’s modern vision for both menswear and womenswear will be essential for his collaboration with the talented TOM FORD FASHION team.”
Uniqlo
Global apparel brand Uniqlo has appointed British designer Clare Waight Keller as the new Creative Director.
Waight Keller, who has worked with multiple high-end fashion houses, launched her first collaboration with Uniqlo, the UNIQLO : C Fall/Winter 2023 women’s collection, in September. Starting Fall/Winter 2024, she will take full charge of Uniqlo’s mainline creative direction, including menswear, while continuing to design the UNIQLO : C line.
Fast Retailing Chairman, President, and CEO Tadashi Yanai said, “We are honored to welcome Clare Waight Keller as Uniqlo’s new Creative Director. Clare’s exceptional design work and extensive experience, combined with her consumer-centric design philosophy, have deeply impressed me. Her arrival will further deepen our LifeWear philosophy, offering more thoughtful daily wear to our customers.”
Fast Retailing Senior Executive Officer and Uniqlo’s Head of Research and Development, Yukihiro Katsuta, added, “Clare demonstrated a delicate balance between design and market needs in the UNIQLO : C collection. I am confident that her distinctive aesthetic, profound experience, and professional skills will significantly advance the development of Uniqlo’s LifeWear concept.”
Uniqlo’s Creative Director Clare Waight Keller expressed, “In working with Uniqlo, I have been deeply impressed by their innovative spirit and outstanding product development capabilities. I am incredibly excited to work with such a visionary team, and it is an honor to be part of LifeWear’s ongoing evolution.”
Burberry
British luxury brand Burberry has appointed Jonathan Kiman as Chief Marketing Officer and Laura Dubin-Wander as President of the Americas.
Starting September 9, Jonathan Kiman will be based in London, leading Burberry’s global marketing team. He will also join the executive committee and report to CEO Joshua Schulman. Before joining Burberry, Kiman spent 12 years at Gucci in Milan, holding various senior roles, including Chief Marketing Officer, and also served as Chief Brand Officer at Versace.
Laura Dubin-Wander, based in New York since September 4, will lead Burberry’s operations in the Americas. She previously held the role of CEO of OTB North America at Italian luxury group OTB and has served as President of Coach North America, VP of Wholesale at Christian Dior, and President of Givenchy USA.
Mytheresa
German luxury fashion retailer Mytheresa has appointed Amber Pepper as Chief Customer Experience Officer, effective October 1.
In her new role, Pepper will be based in Munich, working with Mytheresa’s senior leadership team to oversee partnership marketing, brand management, communications, customer experience, and VIP customer engagement.
With nearly 25 years of experience in the luxury industry, Pepper has held numerous leadership positions centered around online and offline customer experiences. She previously served as Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and E-commerce at Tapestry, and held senior roles at Farfetch, Harrods, and luxury PR firm Brower Lewis PRCo. Pepper holds a law degree from University College London.
Human Made
Japanese lifestyle brand Human Made, led by fashion icon NIGO, has named graphic artist VERDY as its Creative Partner.
According to Human Made’s press release, VERDY’s appointment aims to further elevate and maintain the brand’s value. “His creativity and sensibility have made him a standout in Tokyo’s street fashion scene, especially among the younger generation. He will inject new energy into upcoming creative projects, supporting the brand’s mission of ‘Born from creative inspiration, made with heart and humanity.'”
Benetton
Italian fashion group Benetton has announced the departure of its Creative Director, Andrea Incontri. Incontri joined Benetton in July 2022 and was responsible for the women’s, men’s, and children’s collections.
Incontri launched his eponymous label in 2009, combining his background in architecture with creative fashion perspectives. In 2014, he joined Tod’s as Creative Director of menswear, where he worked for five years.
| Sources: Official press releases, FashionNetwork, AFP
| Image Credit: Company websites, social media accounts of executives
