Struggling handbag brand Mulberry finally ended its 18-month search for a creative director as it pulled off a coup by appointing French fashion house Céline’s top accessories designer.
Spanish-born Johnny Coca will start in July, filling the hole left by star designer Emma Hill who left in September last year.
Coca, who will move from France to London to take up the post, will be tasked with improving the fortunes of the brand famous for its celebrity endorsed bags including model Cara Delevingne and presenter Alexa Chung.
News of Coca’s appointment was welcome relief to investors after the departure of chief executive Bruno Guillon this year amid a string of profit warnings.
The shares were down 70% from their May 2012 peak but a u-turn on its ill-fated focus on ultra-expensive handbags has steadied the company.
Today shares rose more than 7% to 804p. Coca is said to be a fan of London’s design scene and teaches at Central St Martins in the capital.
Mulberry will next week reveal its half year results and investors now await the appointment of a new chief executive. Currently former chief executive Godfrey Davis runs the business as executive chairman.
