Designer Musical Chairs
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Zac Posen
It's been seven years since Brooks Brothers brought Thom Browne on board to design Black Fleece, a high-end, hipper spinoff under the Brooks label. Now, it's Zac Posen's turn. The designer was hired in June to oversee the women's mainline collection and accessories, while still maintaining his Zac Posen and ZAC by Zac Posen labels. His first Brooks Brothers collection will be Spring 2016.
Image: WENN
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Marissa Webb
Banana Republic is banking on J.Crew alum Marissa Webb to breathe new life into the brand, and so far, it looks like it's working. Webb signed on in April and Gap Inc., Banana Republic's parent company, subsequently bought a minority stake in the designer's eponymous brand. Her first collection debuted for Spring 2015 in November amidst rave reviews.
Image: Banana Republic/BFA
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Chris Benz
A two-year hiatus from the industry has proven fruitful for Chris Benz. The designer inked a contract in October as the next creative director at Bill Blass Group, LLC, which hasn't offered a women's collection since Fall 2012. Expect an official Bill Blass relaunch for Spring 2016.
Image: Getty
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Frida Giannini
Earlier this month, Page Six reported that Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini and Gucci CEO Patrizio di Marco were stepping down from the Kering-owned brand. Giannini will depart after her Fall 2015 collection in February; di Marco will exit in January.
Possible Successors: Riccardo Tisci, Christopher Kane, Joseph Altuzarra, Peter Dundas, Hedi Slimane
Image: WENN
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John Galliano
In 2011, John Galliano was famously ousted at Christian Dior after 15 years, following a public outburst at a Parisian cafe that involved racist and anti-Semitic insults. He's largely laid low the past three years, save for a three-week designer residency at Oscar de la Renta in January 2013 and a creative director role at L'Etoile, which began in May. He was appointed head of Maison Martin Margiela in October and will show his first couture collection for the house on January 12 in London.
Image: WENN
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Johnny Coca
In November, Mulberry poached Celine's Johnny Coca as creative director — a role that hadn't been filled for close to a year and a half since Emma Hill left. The accessories hotshot will start his new position in July 2015 and will be responsible for all of Mulberry's collections, including ready-to-wear.
Image: Mulberry Fall 2014, Imaxtree
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Olivier Theyskens
Former Nina Ricci designer Olivier Theyskens joined Theory in 2010 to design a capsule collection called Theyskens' Theory. The line launched for Fall 2011 and garnered editorial acclaim, but was discontinued by Pre-Fall 2014 due to slumping sales.
Meanwhile, Theyskens had been amassing more responsibility for Theory's women's, men's and accessories lines. But in June, the designer announced his exit in order to pursue other creative projects. His final collection for Theory was Pre-Spring 2015.
Image: WENN
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Peter Copping
Nina Ricci's former artistic director, Peter Copping, jumped ship to take over at Oscar de la Renta. His official start date was November 3, the same day de la Renta was laid to rest.
Image: Getty
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Ralph Rucci
To everyone's surprise, Ralph Rucci left his namesake company in November. Less than two weeks later, the firm laid off 15 workers in the atelier. A new creative director is expected to be named within the next couple months. In the meantime, Pre-Fall and Fall 2015 are being designed by an in-house team.
Image: Imaxtree
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Heidi Middleton and Sarah-Jane Clarke
In July, Sass & Bide Creative Director Heidi Middleton and Brand Director Sarah-Jane Clarke stepped away from the company they founded in 1999. Anthony Cuthbertson took over as design director and Bonnie O'Hare was hired as art director.
Image: WENN
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Andrea Incontri
In an effort to expand Tod's men's presence, Chairman and CEO Diego Della Valle hired Andrea Incontri in June as the creative director for the men's division with a focus on ready-to-wear. Incontri is best known for his namesake brand, which he launched in 2009.
Image: Getty
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Guillaume Henry
French fashion designer Guillaume Henry made a name for himself reviving Carven for the past five years. He announced his departure at the end of September; one week later, he was confirmed at Nina Ricci.
Possible Successors: Simone Rocha, Alexis Martial
Image: Getty
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Michael and Nicole Colovos
After an eight-year run to reestablish Helmut Lang, Artistic Directors Michael and Nicole Colovos threw in the towel. That was back in February, but a successor has yet to be named.
Possible Successor: Katayone Adeli
Image: Getty
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Richard Nicoll
Along with designing his own label, Richard Nicoll took on the role of creative director at Jack Wills in February. Nicoll told WWD that he chose the high street British brand because it was an "interesting and unusual choice." His first collection was Spring 2015.
Image: Getty
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Marco Zanini
Marco Zanini, who previously designed ready-to-wear at Rochas, was tapped as creative director at Schiaparelli in September 2013. Both his couture collections received critical plaudits, but WWD quoted sources saying the Milanese designer felt the label was "not exactly his fit." His departure was announced on November 7, 2014. No replacement has been named.
Possible Successors: Olivier Theyskens, Olympia Le-Tan, Alessandra Facchinetti
Image: Getty
