Top role for designer as Burberry's Bailey bows out

The company has appointed former Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci as its new chief creative officer.

It comes as new Burberry chief executive Marco Gobbetti, who took over from Halifax-born Mr Bailey last year, oversees a strategic overhaul at the group.

Mr Tisci, who spent more than a decade at Givenchy as creative director, will direct all Burberry collections and present his first for the brand in September.

Mr Gobbetti said: “Riccardo is one of the most talented designers of our time. His designs have an elegance that is contemporary and his skill in blending streetwear with high fashion is highly relevant to today’s luxury consumer.

“Riccardo’s creative vision will reinforce the ambitions we have for Burberry and position the brand firmly in luxury.”

In October, Burberry confirmed that Mr Bailey would down from the board, ending his 17-year stint at the high-end fashion house.

Mr Bailey led the firm as chief executive from 2014, but was succeeded by Mr Gobbetti in July 2017. He oversaw his last catwalk show for London Fashion Week’s biggest brand in February and is expected to cut all ties with the company by the end of this year.

He said the decision to leave was not an easy one: “I do truly believe, however, that Burberry’s best days are still ahead of her and that the company will go from strength to strength with the strategy we have developed.”

Mr Gobbetti previously worked with the new creative director when he headed up Givenchy from 2004 to 2008. Mr Tisci said: “I have an enormous respect for Burberry’s British heritage and global appeal.”