Carven, the French fashion house, is bidding farewell to its two artistic directors, Alexis Martial and Adrien Caillaudaud, who have been in charge of the women’s collections since March 2015. The duo took over from Guillaume Henry, who was lured away by Nina Ricci, and have now left the company “by mutual agreement” after a year and a half.
The designers showcased their last collection during Paris Fashion Week on September 29, 2016. Drawing inspiration from Manga art, their creations featured prints on “sensible” silhouettes, including short skirts, transparent tops, and flowing long sleeves.
Carven has made a strategic decision to focus on its women’s line, resulting in the suspension of its men’s line and the departure of Bernard Hardy, the artistic director for menswear. This move allows the fashion house to concentrate all its efforts on its women’s collections.
In May 2016, Carven underwent a management restructuring after being acquired by the Hong Kong-based Bluebell Group. This led to the appointment of Sophie de Rougemont as the new CEO, with the aim of establishing the Carven brand in the fashion market, particularly in Asia.
Carven has experienced significant success in recent years, with a growing demand for its products. In 2014, the brand expressed its ambition to “triple in size within four years”, as stated by former CEO Henri Sebaoun. It remains to be seen if the future artistic director of Carven will continue pursuing this growth strategy.
Useful links:
1. Carven Official Website
2. Carven on Vogue
