Molly Grad has joined Gottex as head of design.
Grad succeeds Gideon Oberson, who left the company about a month ago “to pursue other interests,” according to a Gottex spokeswoman.
Grad will be based in London and will report to Kathy Van Ness, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Swim Experts Alliance, a swimwear and beachwear manufacturer consisting of two companies, the Israel-based Gottex Models Ltd. and the Montreal-based Christina America Inc.
Africa Israel Investments has been in the process of selling its majority stake in Gottex to Dan Elituv and Joey Schwebel, who already own the rest of the label.
Most recently, Grad served as senior designer at Gianfranco Ferré. A graduate of London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design for undergraduate and graduate degrees, she previously worked at Stella McCartney and Yves Saint Laurent.
Grad’s first Gottex collection will be unveiled for spring, and will first be shown during New York Fashion Week in September. The company has not yet set a date for its runway show.