Johnny Coca is leaving Mulberry after five years. His last collection will be spring/summer 2021, to be unveiled in September.
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The brand has already started looking for a successor, WWD reports, although no other details have been disclosed.
Coca replaced Emma Hill in 2015, having previously worked at Celine as head design director for leather goods, accessories, shoes and jewellery. The Spanish-born designer helped turn Mulberry into a luxury lifestyle label, expanding the footwear and ready-to-wear categories, as well as introducing eyewear and trainers.
He also put a circular fashion model at the forefront of Mulberry collections. Earlier this year, Coca launched he sustainable leather Portobello tote, and the M Collection, bags and outerwear made using a blend of Econyl-branded regenerated nylon and sustainable cotton. In February, Mulberry launched a ‘Made To Last’ exhibition, which also featured a handbag exchange, where customers could put their current accessories towards their next investment.
“The passion and dedication I have seen at Mulberry has been incredible and I am honoured to have been part of the brand’s history,” said Coca.
Mulberry CEO Thierry Andretta said Coca’s creative vision had been a “key element in delivering our strategy to develop Mulberry as an international luxury lifestyle brand.”
The British label celebrates its 50th birthday in 2021. “We continue to focus on our strategy to build Mulberry as a global luxury brand,” added Andretta. “We remain committed to developing responsible, innovative products underpinned by a strong in-house creative team and our international direct-to-consumer omnichannel business model.”
From: Harper’s BAZAAR UK
