DVF Paves Way For Future

Diane Von Furstenberg has appointed Paolo Riva as CEO of her eponymous fashion house, in a move that she hopes will carry the label securely into the next couple of decades. The search to fill the position has taken two years and had to fit a very specific criteria.

"This is a most important decision for me. This is an heir, somebody to take it on for the next decades," von Furstenberg told WWD. "I want somebody who really loves product. We don't sell numbers. We sell dresses, we sell shoes, we sell accessories, bags. Numbers are extremely important, but I have a very special relationship with the consumer over the decades, and I've dressed generations of women, I'm talking to the Millennials. It's a love brand, it's very unique and people have to understand that."

Riva - formerly vice president of apparel and visual merchandising for Tory Burch (previous to which he was at Valentino and Salvatore Ferragamo) - perfectly fit the bill, and shares Von Furstenberg's enthusiasm.

"What is special about Diane is that she connects emotionally with women of all generations, all around the world. My vision is to unlock the brand potential by offering the relevant mix of products with a unique experience for the consumer. Only a well-orchestrated team can achieve that, and I look forward to leading that team."