[Johnny Coca]
After what has seemed like the longest hiring process in recent fashion history, British luxury brand Mulberry has announced the appointment of new Creative Director, Johnny Coca. Design director for Leather Goods, Shoes, Hard Accessories, Jewellery and Sunglasse at Céline since 2010, Johnny has been behind some of the most covetable totes on the market including the wildly successful Trapeze bag.
Cara Delevingne is currently the face of Mulberry
Mulberry's beloved Creative Director Emma Hill exited the label back in June last year and since the brand has experienced unsettled financial results. However, Johnny's appointment will certainly bring back the design cachet to the ailing brand, home of It-bags including the Alexa and the Bayswater. New Mulberry chairman and chief executive Godfrey Davis explained that Johnny’s, “wealth of international luxury and fashion experience that will help us bring new energy and innovation to Mulberry."
While Mulberry's categories include ready to wear collections, this is the not the first time the label has been helmed by a designer whose CV is focused on leather goods and accessories.
The Trapeze Bag designed by Johnny Coca for Celine
Grazia's Fashion Director Susannah Frankel says, 'Celine is one of the big success stories of the last five years not least because of leather goods which, we all know, have the potential to drive sales. As the head designer of these, Johnny Coco is an inspired choice on the part of Mulberry, following in the footsteps of Stuart Vevers and Nicolas Knightley, both leather goods specialists who, even before the arrival of Emma Hill, put Mulberry handbags on the fashion map. It will be very exciting to see what he does.'
If Mulberry were looking for some serious fashion buzz, they have scored a home-run with Johnny. Now, its all about the waiting game as his first day in the office won't be until 8th July 2015, suggesting his first collection will be presented for Spring/Summer 2016 next September.