Kris Van Assche announced as Berluti’s new Artistic Director

JUST over two weeks since the news broke of his departure from Dior Homme after an extraordinary 11-year term, the Belgian designer Kris Van Assche has today been announced as the new Artistic Director of luxury menswear brand, Berluti.

Van Assche’s appointment comes only days after Berluti revealed that its former artistic director, Haider Ackermann, was exiting the role after a stint of only 18 months and three seasons in the position.

Kris Van Assche

Berluti’s new Artistic Director, Kris Van Assche

Speaking of the appointment via a statement posted to his Instagram, Berluti’s CEO Antoine Arnault described the news as the “beginning of a new chapter for Berluti”. He continued,“I am delighted to welcome Kris Van Assche to Berluti. I have known him for several years, have always admired his work at Dior Homme and I am looking forward to working with him”.

Beginning of a new chapter for @berluti

A post shared by Antoine Arnault (@antoinearnault) on

Taking to his own Instagram account to share his excitement at the news, Van Assche said, “I have always wanted to build bridges between the savoir-faire, the heritage of a house and my clear-cut contemporary vision. Antoine Arnault spoke to me of his ambitions for Berluti and it is with great pleasure that I accept this new challenge which fits perfectly with my own will and vision.”

As head of shoes, leather goods, ready-to-wear and accessories collections, Van Assche is slated to debut his first collection for the brand in January 2019.

The news follows on the heels of similar shake-ups in the industry — in the last month alone, Kim Jones moved from Louis Vuitton to replace Van Assche at Dior Homme, with Virgil Abloh stepping into Jones’ place, whilst Olivier Lapidus exited Lanvin after a brief stint as creative director of the house, and Roger Vivier announced Gherardo Felloni as its new creative director.

by Thomas Marrington

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