British designer Waight Keller takes over at Givenchy

[PARIS] British designer Clare Waight Keller is to take over at Givenchy, the famed French fashion house said Thursday.

The 47-year-old left rival lapel Chloe earlier this month after six years at the helm, having pushed up sales of its floaty, romantic, 1970s-influenced clothes.

Givenchy has been without an artistic director since its long-serving Italian creator Riccardo Tisci left in January.

The designer, known for his love of fiery colours, is tipped to take over at Versace in the next instalment of the dizzying merry-go-round at the top fashion.

Tisci, 43, is credited with reviving Givenchy by cultivating links with a long line of celebrities including Beyonce, Madonna and Kanye West and his wife Kim Kardashian.

Givenchy chief executive Philippe Fortunato said Waight Keller would bring her own "singular sense of elegance and modernity" to the brand.

The label is renowned for its elegant line, epitomised by Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy who were both fans of its clothes.

During Tisci's 12 years at the brand turnover rocketed to a reported US$536 million.

His high-octane streetwear-inspired look has little in common with Waight Keller's more understated style.

Her gift for creating must-have accessories, however, may have been what caught Givenchy's eye.

Waight Keller made her name by turning Pringle of Scotland from a rather staid knitwear maker into a fashion brand.

She also worked for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and for Tom Ford at Gucci.

Waight Keller was replaced last week at Chloe by French designer Natacha Ramsay-Levi.

AFP