EXIT STUDIO LEFT: Julie de Libran, one of the creative engines behind Louis Vuitton’s fashion business, is no longer working in its Paris studio, market sources said.
As studio director of women’s ready-to-wear, de Libran has been the front woman for Vuitton’s cruise and pre-fall collections under former artistic director Marc Jacobs, who exited last October to concentrate on his signature fashion house.
It is understood his successor Nicolas Ghesquière, who is slated to unveil his first collection for Vuitton during Paris Fashion Week, has brought in a number of new collaborators, supplanting de Libran’s role.
The last collection under her purview was the pre-fall range unveiled earlier this week in New York and characterized as a team effort.
One source cautioned that de Libran remains under contract and could take on other assignments at the brand or parent LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, a luxury conglomerate that spans such names as Donna Karan, Fendi, Givenchy and Emilio Pucci.
Neither de Libran nor Vuitton officials could be reached for comment on Thursday.
Jacobs has credited the uberstylish de Libran, raised in France and California, with helping construct Vuitton’s rtw atelier, and he often shared the spotlight with her and other key deputies, including men’s studio and style director Kim Jones.
Popular among the fashion press, she had been touted as a possible successor to Jacobs by some French editors.
De Libran joined Vuitton in 2008 as a design director after a 10-year career at Prada, working beside Miuccia Prada to help establish the Italian firm with celebrity and event dressing. Her résumé also includes stints at Versace, Jean Charles de Castelbajac and Gianfranco Ferré.