(NEW YORK) Stuart Vevers has officially been poached by Coach! Speculation has been swirling for quite some time about the mega accessories brand’s next hire, in order to replace Reed Krakoff when he resigned after 16 years at the company in order to focus on his eponymous line. A long list of major designers, including Marc Jacobs, Nicolas Ghesquière, Clare Waight Keller, Derek Lam, Phillip Lim, and Emma Hill, have been mentioned as potential candidates for the gig. Hill also recently left her creative director role at Mulberry. Vevers had held the same position prior to Hill, before Vevers headed to Spanish luxury accessories brand Loewe. Vevers has been at Loewe for seven years.
In his new role, Vevers will be responsible for the creative direction of both the men’s and women’s design, branding, and retail aesthetic. He will report to president and chief commercial officer Victor Luis. On the financial front, Luis succeeded Lew Frankfort, who stepped down from his role in February, but will remain on board as an executive chairman. Luis’ role becomes official in January of 2014 and Krakoff officially steps down from his role in June of 2014. An official start date for Vevers remains to be determined; it’s anyone’s guess on who will succeed him at Loewe. Let the rumors begin!
