Clare Waight Keller And Givenchy Part Ways
The designer has been at the brand's creative helm for three years
Photo: Getty
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Clare Waight Keller has stepped down as Givenchy creative director after three years at the brand's helm. Her last show for the maison took place on 1 March during Paris Fashion Week.
The designer made the announcement via Instagram, thanking Givenchy's "unsung heroes and heroines behind the scenes, for their contribution from product to communications and retail, and every global team member, partner and supplier in between".
Waight Keller increased Givenchy's international fame after designing the Duchess of Sussex's elegant wedding dress in May 2018. The brand has since become a favourite of Meghan Markle, who often chooses it for more formal occasions.
The first woman to be appointed Givenchy artistic director, Waight Keller brought the brand's couture back to the catwalk, and injected its ready-to-wear collections with a wearable, sophisticated modernity that women could effortlessly incorporate into their lives.
"From the heart ♥️ After three truly wonderful years, the time has come to close my chapter at Givenchy," she wrote on Instagram. "As the first woman to be the artistic director of this legendary Maison, I feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to cherish its legacy and bring it new life."
Although her future plans have not been disclosed, the designer said: "I am now looking forward to embarking on the next episode. Love and creativity remain central to what I do, and who I am, as does a heartfelt belief in kindness, and the courage to be true to your art."
Before her tenure at Givenchy, Waight Keller spent six years as creative director at Chloé. Prior to that, she worked as senior women’s designer at Gucci under Tom Ford.
Kaia Gerber in Givenchy’s autumn/winter 2020 show / Photo: Getty
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LVMH CEO and chairman Sidney Toledano thanked the designer "for her contribution to Givenchy's latest chapter".
"Under her creative leadership, and in great collaboration with its ateliers and teams, the Maison reconnected with the founding values of Hubert de Givenchy and his innate sense of elegance," he said. "I wish Clare all the best in her future endeavours."
A statement from Givenchy said that "new creative organisation will be communicated at a later date".
This article originally appeared on Harper’s BAZAAR UK.
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