Filippa K Taps Saint Laurent Alumnus as Creative Director – WWD

LONDON – Filippa K has a new creative director. The Swedish label has invited Liisa Kessler to lead its creative team, a seasoned designer who has spent the past decade at some of Paris’ top luxury homes.

Most recently, Kessler spent 5 years working under Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent. She has also held positions at Y/Project, Lanvin and Chloé, working alongside Clare Waight Keller.

Her appointment will “mark a remarkable shift in creative direction”, the company said, adding that it plans to stick to its ethos of mindful and natural consumption. Scandinavian colors.

Kessler will succeed label founder Filippa Knutsson, who stepped down as creative director in 2019.

“Filippa Knutsson was one of the pioneers who established the iconic style of Scandinavian minimalism in the early ’90s. Her vision for an uncomplicated, dreamlike and sustainable wardrobe is still relevant. as relevant today as when the brand was founded. I look forward to working with the teams on a new era for the home and continuing Filippa’s legacy of celebrating simplicity, style, quality and the power of ease,” said Kessler.

Rikard Frost, the firm’s chief executive, added that Kessler’s Scandinavian heritage – she has Finnish and German roots – and international career will help take the Swedish firm to the next level.

“Liisa displays a remarkable creative talent with an intuitive understanding of the craft and a keen eye for what comes next – values ​​integral to preserving our heritage while navigating Ambitious future of the house. Her unique background of Scandinavian and international influence offers a dual perspective that makes her a natural successor to Filippa Knutsson,” he said.

Kessler, who will now be based in the company’s Stockholm tailors and oversee all “creative aspects” of the business, will present its debut collection in June.