Fashion label Nicole Farhi has appointed designer Joanna Sykes as its creative director.
Ms Sykes, who was formerly the creative director of Aquascutum, the 161-year old British heritage brand which collapsed into administration in April this year, will take up her new role at the beginning of September.
Kelso Place Asset Management, the private equity group, bought a majority stake in Nicole Farhi from OpenGate Capital in January. The brand, which encompasses womenswear, menswear, diffusion lines and homeware, was previously sold to OpenGate for just £5m by troubled high street retailer French Connection in July 2010.
Kelso Place acquired a majority stake in the Nicole Farhi business with a commitment to invest up to £15m over the next five years, the company said.
This latest move comes following a series of executive management restructuring decisions. In May Niki Scordi, chief executive, abruptly resigned after five years at the helm.
Interim replacement Francois Steiner, previously a managing director for European luxury labels Sonia Rykiel, Kenzo and Thomas Pink, was confirmed as the brand’s new permanent chief executive alongside the confirmation of Ms Sykes’ new position on Tuesday.
Ms Farhi, the eponymous founder of the brand who also retains a significant stake in the business, described Ms Sykes as “the perfect appointment for the company”.
“Nicole Farhi has always been about timeless style and effortless elegance. Jo understands these qualities and brings a fantastic eye for detail, as well as a great understanding of cut, proportion and fabrication,” she said.