Chemena Kamali

Over the past 20 years, Chemena Kamali has worked for two creative directors at the brand. Now she gets her chance to shape it, writes Tim Blanks.

New designers Chemena Kamali and Seán McGirr will make their runway debuts for the storied but stagnant luxury fashion houses in Paris this week. That, and what else to look for in the coming days.

Laurent Malecaze, currently chief executive of British menswear label Dunhill, will replace Riccardo Bellini, who is set to exit Chloé at the end of the year.

Kamali, a former design director at Saint Laurent, had previously been tapped to lead a parallel studio at Chloé as the brand prepared for Gabriela Hearst’s exit.

The designer’s last show for the Richemont-owned house will be on September 28. No successor has been named.

This week, Kering’s beauty strategy came into focus when the world’s second largest luxury fashion group announced that it is acquiring the niche fragrance brand Creed at a price close to $3 billion.

A former Saint Laurent design director Chemena Kamali is leading a parallel studio at Chloé, with Gabriela Hearst’s future at the Richemont-owned brand unclear, sources said.