Mulberry names Celine’s Johnny Coca as new creative director succeeding Emma Hill
Luxury brand Mulberry has ended its year-long search for a creative director by naming Celine designer Johnny Coca to the post.
The retailer, which has faced a turbulent year, will face a further wait as Coca will join the Somerset-based firm in July next year.
Mulberry chairman and chief executive Godfrey Davis credited Coca’s “wealth of international luxury and fashion experience that will help us bring new energy and innovation to Mulberry".
Johnny Coca (Source: Mulberry)
Coca was widely tipped as the frontrunner to take on the role and is currently head of leather goods and accessories at French fashion house Celine.
Former creative director Emma Hill, credited with turning the firm into a globally recognised brand, departed in June last year after six years with the brand.
The firm, currently fronted by model of the moment Cara Delevingne, last month issued its third profit warning this year after losing ground under former chief executive Bruno Guillon. His disastrous attempt to shift it into the luxury market only served to alienate customers.
It warned profits for the year to March 2015 would be “significantly below current expectations”. Davis said at the time, his first actions would be “focused upon reinforcing our product ranges”.
Having finally lined up someone to take the lead on its creative direction, investors could now respond more positively to Davis' turnaround plans after shares tanked to a four-year low last month.