Luxury retail fashion brand Nicole Farhi has appointed a new Creative Director as it continues its restructure, it has been announced today.
Joanna Sykes, who recently worked as Design Director at failed label Aquascutum, will start in the role from September 1st 2012 as the company seeks to focus on product innovation to drive growth.
Last week, the luxury label confirmed that the restructure will involve job losses while adding that a number of senior appointments are planned.
Interim CEO Francois Steiner is to take on the position permanently, bringing a wealth of experience following work at Sonia Rykiel and Louis Vuitton Europe among others.
Sykes formerly worked as Head Designer for Freda at Matches as well as Founder of her own label ‘Sykes‘ and her first collection is expected for Autumn Winter 2013.
“I am extremely excited at the prospect of joining Nicole Farhi,” Sykes said.
“It is an iconic, British brand with fantastic heritage and enormous potential. I can‘t wait to get started.”
In January this year, Nicole Farhi was bought by private equity group Kelso Place Asset Management, which bought a majority stake in the retailer and committed to investing as much as £15 million over the next five years in turning the company around.
Nicole Farhi, who remains a shareholder and partner in the business, described Sykes as “the perfect appointment for the company.”
“Nicole Farhi has always been about timeless style and effortless elegance,” she added.
“Jo understands these qualities and brings a fantastic eye for detail, as well as a great understanding of cut, proportion and fabrication.”
