Kaitie Hillier & Luella Bartley named Directors of Marc by Marc Jacobs

[VogueDisciple93]

Luella Returns: The Wait Is Over

LUELLA BARTLEY has made her long-awaited return to fashion. The designer joins Katie Hillier in a new double-act, at the helm of Marc by Marc Jacobs - the first time that anyone other than Jacobs has had creative control over the brand.


While Bartley takes on the role of design director, Hillier has been named creative director at the diffusion label. Jacobs will still be involved in decision-making processes and in an advisory capacity - but will concentrate more on his mainline and commitments with Louis Vuitton.

"I'm very excited to have Katie here in her new role. Her creativity and energy inspires me and everybody she works with," Jacobs told WWD. "She is a great leader and a team player, and a great friend to Robert [Duffy] and me."

Hillier was hired first, and given the freedom to staff her own team. She immediately appointed Bartley - who she previously designed accessories for when she was running her own ready-to-wear label, Luella. The duo are expected to unveil their first designs for the brand for autumn/winter 2014-15. Expect an emphasis on quality, "interesting" capsule collections and and introduction of new product lines.

vogue.co.uk

 

[maxlinden]

This is exciting! I think Luella Bartley was a brilliant choice for the brand,,,,nit too familiar with Katie, as far as a knew she was a jewelry designer

 

[Chanelcouture09]

^Katie also works on the Victoria Beckham Handbags.

 

[thejarc]

I think this is really interesting in terms of brands trying to build their diffusion lines into full-blown brands on their own right. McQ hired Alistair Carr, MbMJ these 2 ladies, it will be interesting to see if other labels will take this step as well.

 

[Luxx]

This is a really fascinating and cool development. Love the idea of two people headlining things and both getting appropriate credit. So often the designers heading up the accessories side of things are never mentioned, even though their contributions are essential to the monetary success of so many big brands. Where would some of these labels be without shoes and handbags!

This is also magical for fans of Luella. Her presence has been missed - I expect a delightfully quirky collection.

 

[deflyricist2006]

This is fantastic news! I missed Luella dearly!

 

[Marc10]

This is really exciting news. I think we were all missing Luella in the business and Marc by Marc is right up her alley. Great things to come.

 

[Pricciao]

I hope we can see a full on Luella quirkiness in the future, so excited about it!

 

[BibiRose]

Great news! Loved Luella collections and was extremely disappointed when she had to quit the business. I hope that her designs for M by MJ will be as pretty as were the clothes and accessories under her own brand.