Roberto Cavalli appoints Paul Surridge as the new creative director

Roberto Cavalli has named Paul Surridge its new creative director, continuing the recent trend of promoting behind-the-scene talent to a top spot, rather than hiring a star designer.

British designer Surridge studied at Central Saint Martins, before moving on to work at Calvin Klein in the Nineties, Burberry (under Christopher Bailey) and Jil Sander (under Raf Simons) in the Noughties, and most recently Z Zegna, where he was creative director and Acne Studios, where he acted as a creative consultant. His new role will see him take responsibility for “all of the group’s brands and for all creative functions”, a statement confirmed this morning, with his first outing for the brand slated to take place during the spring/summer 2018 showcase at Milan Fashion Week this September.

“I am honored and proud to carry forward the legacy of this extraordinary Italian house,” said Surridge today. “This is a unique opportunity to contribute a new chapter to the Roberto Cavalli universe, which positively celebrates the beauty, sensuality and power of women. It is my intention to show the passion I share for the codes and vision on which Roberto Cavalli built his brand while celebrating the excellence of Italian craftsmanship.”