Neil Rasmus/BFANYC.com
Above Oscar de la Renta at the 2013 CFDA Awards, photographed with Sec. Hillary Clinton.
A succession plan appears to be in place at Oscar de la Renta with the appointment of Peter Copping as creative director, a role created for him.
The company says Copping will report to de la Renta, now 82, and Alex Bolen, its CEO and de la Renta’s stepson-in-law, commencing his role on November 3 and delivering his first collection for autumn–winter 2015 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York in February.
Copping will handle all product categories at the brand, including bridal and home décor.
Copping, a graduate of Central St Martin’s, was previously at Sonia Rykiel and Christian Lacroix, then studio director under Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton, and, most recently, artistic director at Nina Ricci.
De la Renta’s statement indicated that Copping will eventually succeed him. ‘I’m very happy Peter has agreed to join us. He is a great talent and along with our shared design sensibilities, we both have a deep curiosity about the wider world, from music and art to architecture and gardens. Our industry has not always done the best job when it comes to changes in design leadership. My hope is that, in leading this selection, and actively participating in the transition, I can insure the right design future for our company and brand.’
Copping said, ‘It is an immense pleasure for me to join Oscar de la Renta as Creative Director in November. After a career of 20 years in Paris, this is an important next step for me. Oscar de la Renta has defined American elegance for generations of women, and the opportunity to work with him and help ensure the future of the brand is very exciting.’
Oscar de la Renta remains privately held, with annual sales of $150 million.
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