Mulberry finally confirms creative director

British heritage label Mulberry has named designer Johnny Coca as its new creative director, after being without a creative boss since June last year, when Emma Hill quit after six years with the brand.

Coca, who is currently Celine’s head design director for leather goods, shoes, hard accessories, jewellery and sunglasses, will join Mulberry on July 8, 2015. As creative director, Coca will be responsible for all of Mulberry's collections, and will report to Godfrey Davis, chairman and CEO.

Commenting on his appointment, Coca said: "I very much look forward to joining Mulberry as their new creative director and to leading a new design direction at one of the very best British Brands."

Davis added: "We are delighted that Johnny is joining us. He has a wealth of international luxury and fashion experience that will help us bring new energy and innovation to Mulberry."

Mulberry names Johnny Coca as creative director

Coca has had a distinguished career both at Céline and within the LVMH group, where he worked for Louis Vuitton in accessories, he also currently teaches at Central St Martins and the press statement confirms that he intends to ensure Mulberry’s tradition of “encouraging new young talent” as he helps to “build the next generation” at the British label.

However, he does have big shoes to fill as Hill has been credited with turning the British firm into a globally recognised brand, and since her departure the Somerset-based group has had a turbulent year and has issued a string of profit warnings, as well as deal with the departure of its chief executive Bruno Guillon.

Rumours have been circulating since mid-October about Coca’s move from Céline to Mulberry, but at the time he refuted the claims saying that he was “planning to stay put” at the French label. Other designers who had been linked with the role include Blue Farrier, who recently departed Issa, and Hannah MacGibbon, former creative director of Chloé, as well as the likes of Erdem and Victoria Beckham.