Kate Spade New York has named Jonathan Saunders as its new executive creative director, a role he will step into on August 26. The Scottish designer, a Central Saint Martins graduate, brings more than two decades of fashion experience to the brand.
Saunders most recently served as chief creative officer at & Other Stories, the high-street label under H&M Group. His résumé also includes stints at Alexander McQueen, Diane von Furstenberg, Calvin Klein, Tiffany & Co., and Pucci. From 2003 to 2015, he ran his own eponymous line, earning a reputation for bold prints and clean tailoring.
The appointment signals a fresh chapter for Kate Spade, which has been searching for a new creative voice since the departure of former creative director Nicola Glass earlier this year. Saunders inherits a label known for its playful, feminine aesthetic, and his background in both luxury and accessible fashion suggests he may bridge the brand's heritage with a modern twist. Industry watchers will be watching to see how his signature use of color and pattern evolves the Kate Spade look.
Originally reported by Fashionista