It looks like she had the inside track.
After interviewing a slate of prominent female candidates, Celine has opted for an in-house talent, Ivana Omazic, to become its next designer, WWD has learned.
According to a source here, 32-year-old Omazic, who joined Celine as a consultant last April from Miu Miu, will be named to head design at the fashion and accessories firm owned by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton. An announcement is expected shortly.
Omazic will succeed Roberto Menichetti, who exited Celine last May after a lackluster one-year collaboration. Although she had a hand in the cruise line already sold to buyers, Omazic is expected to show her first complete collection on the runway during Paris Fashion Week in October.
Born in Zagreb, Croatia, Omazic studied fashion at the European Institute of Design in Milan. Upon graduation, she joined Romeo Gigli for one year before moving on to Prada Group. There, she worked on the Prada Sport and Jil Sander brands, but she was most recently women's ready-to-wear design coordinator at Miu Miu.
Neither LVMH nor Celine officials could be reached for comment on Tuesday. However, it is understood the house was eager to find a designer willing to be devoted exclusively to Celine
