BREAKING NEWS: Riccardo Tisci Joins Burberry As Chief Creative Director

LONDON — Famed fashion designer Riccardo Tisci is headed across the pond. He joins Burberry as Chief Creative Director, succeeding Christopher Bailey, who announced he was stepping down last year (see it here). When we reported that Bailey was exiting Burberry last November, we also reported that Tisci will be his successor (see it here).

Tisci will start his new role on March 12. The appointment reunites Burberry’s chief executive officer Marco Gobbetti and Tisci, who worked closely together at Givenchy, where the former served as CEO. Tisci, a graduate of Central Saint Martins in London, will direct all Burberry collections and present his first for the brand in September. He will be based at Burberry’s headquarters in London.

A women’s wear, men’s wear, leather goods and accessories designer, Tisci spent more than a decade at Givenchy, where he was creative director from 2005 to 2017. Last February 2017, DM Fashion Book confirmed that Tisci has exited the French house, after 12 years at the helm (see it here). Back then, we also reported that Versace was in talks with Tisci. Versace made overtures to Tisci and held discussions (see it here). The deal was never materialized! As to why? Back then, it was rumored that Tisci was locked into an iron-clad non-compete agreement with Givenchy and its parent company, LVMH, which serves to bar him from working for a competitor for an unspecified period of time.

“Riccardo is one of the most talented designers of our time,” said Gobbetti. “His designs have an elegance that is contemporary and his skill in blending streetwear with high fashion is highly relevant to today’s luxury consumer. Riccardo’s creative vision will reinforce the ambitions we have for Burberry and position the brand firmly in luxury.”

Tisci said he was happy to be joining Burberry and reuniting with Gobbetti. “I have an enormous respect for Burberry’s British heritage and global appeal and I am excited about the potential of this exceptional brand.”

Burberry’s shares climbed 2 percent to 15.64 pounds, following the following the announcement on Thursday.

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