Carven designers depart

FRENCH fashion label Carven parted company recently with the duo of young designers who took over at the helm just 18 months ago.

Alexis Martial and Adrien Caillaudaud left “by mutual agreement”, the Paris house said in a brief statement only weeks after their latest spring/summer show.

Carven – one of French fashion’s success stories of recent years – said it would announce the appointment of a new artistic director later.

The parting of the ways is the latest in a long line of “revolving door” changes at the top of well-known houses.

Earlier this month Australian Justin O’Shea left Brioni after only six months amid critical coolness over his plans to give “James Bond’s tailor” a controversial hard-rock makeover.

Both Martial and Caillaudaud – who were seen as a part of an emerging generation of thrusting young Paris designers – had previously worked at Givenchy.

They succeeded Guillaume Henry who left Carven to lead Nina Ricci having revamped the brand’s sleepy image in his five years in charge.

Carven – which was bought out in May by the Hong Kong-based Bluebell luxury group – halted its men’s line in July. – AFP Relaxnews