SALVATORE FERRAGAMO TAPS GUILLAUME MEILLAND AS MEN’S RTW DESIGN DIRECTOR

Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo has named Guillaume Meilland as its new design director for men’s ready-to-wear, completing its new trio of designers.

The company’s move to three new designers started in September with the announcement of Paul Andrew as its designer director for women’s footwear, followed by the appointment of Fulvio Rigoni as the design director for women’s ready-to-wear – a contrarian move against the design consolidation model currently happening within the fashion world.

“I am convinced that the work of these three designers, each with his own unique background but all united by their love of beautiful design and an immense, innate creativity in the service of research and innovation, will contribute to further strengthen our brand’s image, which the company has always developed upon the foundation of its internationalism,” said Eraldo Poletto, Salvatore Ferragamo’s CEO since August. “Each of the three new designers was selected for his ability to interpret the DNA of this brand which will continue to dictate how its identity is shaped in the light of its heritage and iconic style.”

Meilland began his career in 2002 at Louis Vuitton menswear. After collaborating on several different prestigious menswear lines, in 2007 he took over men’s sportswear design for Yves Saint Laurent, and in October of the following year he was named senior designer of Lanvin menswear, a position he left for Ferragamo.

“I am thrilled to be able to work for a brand as prestigious as Salvatore Ferragamo and with such an important history,” commented Meilland. “This is a momentous challenge and I plan to draw on the brand’s history and heritage to create modern men’s collections that look to the future.”

Meilland’s first collection will be unveiled in January.