On Gear Live: Why the ASUS ProArt PX13 GoPro Is the Ultimate Field Laptop for Creators

Emanuel Ungaro Loses CEO?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Fashion Designers, News, Rumors,

Jeffry AronssonJeffry Aronsson is believed to have left Emanuel Ungaro. The fashion house's chief executive officer (CEO) - who joined the company in June to "heal the bruises" of the label - has reportedly stopped commuting to Paris and is believed to have permanently returned to his investment and consulting firm Aronsson Group.

"Mr. Aronsson is still the acting CEO of Ungaro," Ungaro told WWD.

If the executive's departure is true, it is the latest in a string of high-profile exits from the fashion house. Giles Deacon became the sixth designer to leave in as many years when he quit in September after just two seasons. Before his exit, the company has seen Giambattista Valli, Vincent Darre, Peter Dundas, Esteban Cortazar and Estrella Archs work short stints for them since their founder retired in 2004.

Following his departure earlier this year, Giles said he was "proud" of what he had achieved at the French fashion house, but was keen to work ore with his Giles brand. He said, "I am very proud of the work that I - and my team - did at Ungaro, and it was a pleasure to work in Monsieur Ungaro's studio and with members of his actual atelier. I am going to concentrate on the global development of the Giles brand with some exciting one-off projects in the pipeline for next year - and I'm really excited about presenting the Giles Spring/Summer 2012 collection on Monday evening."


Advertisement

Kanye West Also Slams Lindsay Lohan for Ungaro

Kanye WestLindsay Lohan’s critically-slammed collaboration with Ungaro put off creating a fashion line.

The rapper described the designing efforts of the troubled actress - whose Spring/Summer 2010 collection for the French fashion house was heavily criticized - as “9/11 for celebrities doing fashion,” as it made him realize he wasn’t capable of creating a line himself.

“Did you not see the Lindsay and Ungaro collection? That was 9/11 for celebrities doing fashion. After that I thought, ‘Well I can’t do a line now.’ There are so many ups and downs, hurts and pains in fashion. It’s extremely frustrating, because I do have opinions on color palettes and fabrics, but do I have the time to pick out every belt buckle?”

The hip-hop star revealed meeting Chanel’s creative director in Paris made him realize the only way he could make a fashion collection work would be if he were closely involved with a designer.

“These women would die for Karl, they were so into perfecting that next dress, which no one else could make. I don’t have 20 years of fashion experience, and my father wasn’t a tailor able to train me. The only way it would work was if I sat next to a designer.”


Ungaro Hires Giles Deacon

Giles DeaconAfter about a month of speculation, Giles Deacon has now been confirmed as Emanuel Ungaro’s new creative director.

The British designer will replace at the French fashion house, with his debut collection being presented during Paris Fashion Week in October, and he is confident about his new role.

“Yes, I’m totally aware and respectful of the pressure but at the same time, I’ve run my own business for eight years and worked in lots of places. I think as soon as you start worrying and thinking about that too much, you’re not concentrating on doing good work, which is the most important thing.”

Deacon - who is likely to stay away from the catwalk for the first two seasons - will continue to produce his own line and wants to bring his own touch to Ungaro.

“I obviously don’t want to infringe upon my own line, but I like things that are very feminine, lots of color, great prints, great quality, some unusual cuts. All of those things that I like in the world of fashion design I’m going to bring to what I feel is appropriate for the Ungaro woman.”

Click to continue reading Ungaro Hires Giles Deacon


Mounir Moufarrige Quits Ungaro

Mounir Moufarrige of UngaroMounir Moufarrige has quit his job at the .

The Lebanese-born businessman - who had been the chief executive officer of the fashion label since 2006 - has left the company so he can focus on his other business interests.

Moufarrige has come under huge pressure recently after bringing Mean Girls actress Lindsay Lohan in as artistic director of the brand. The 23-year-old star’s debut line for the French fashion house was a critical flop when it was launched earlier this year.

While his focus will be on his other work, Moufarrige will apparently still remain a member of the company’s strategic committee and will oversee certain project and decisions. Marie Fournier has been named as Ungaro’s new general manager and will keep an eye on the running of the business.

Last month, Moufarrige defended his decision to ask Lindsay to get on board the company. He said, “We’ve got a celebrity and it’s a new concept, which we’re going ahead with. Ungaro, let’s recognize it, was a dormant brand, and now everybody’s talking about it today, so the level of awareness has improved greatly.”


Lindsay Lohan Facing the Axe at Ungaro

Asim Abdullah with wife IshaNot that it’s too much of a surprise, the House of Emanuel Ungaro’s chairman is desperate to axe Lindsay Lohan‘s contract with the label.

The Mean Girls actress’ debut collection for the French fashion house was a critical flop and her continued association with the brand has caused a row with chairman Asim Abdullah and CEO Mounir Moufarrige.

A source revealed, “Asim wants her out now. Department stores in the States have already told him they won’t be picking up the line if Lohan remains a collaborator, so it’s a serious issue. Mounir wants to keep her on because it was his idea to hire her in the first place. He’s trying to save face.”

A spokesperson for Ungaro’s chairman denied any rift between him and Mounir; the representative said, “Such an insinuation is totally absurd.”

Earlier this month, Emanuel Ungaro - who has had no contact with the fashion house since his 2005 departure - blasted Lindsay’s collection.


Lindsay Lohan Worked For Free

Lindsay with designer Estrella ArchsThe Lindsay Lohan-Ungaro debacle continues to be making headlines; this time, reports are saying that the starlet wasn’t paid for her creative advisor position.

The 23-year-old actress worked on designs with the fashion house’s new head designer Estrella Archs for three weeks, but was given $147,000 worth of free clothes in place of payment.

A source revealed, “Ungaro is not paying her at all to be a consultant for them. Her team is working to get Lindsay some form of payment from the fashion house, but right now they will only give her free clothes. The deal is perfect for them - they have nothing to lose, even though the clothes were not a big hit.”

It has even been claimed she paid for her flight and hotel at Paris Fashion Week herself, when her range debuted there earlier this month.  The line, which she described as “a dream come true,” was slammed as “underwhelming” and “non-skilled” by fashion journalists.

But speaking about her clothes, Lindsay defiantly said, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I didn’t expect everyone to be completely loving the collection.”


Advertisement

{solspace:toolbar}