Peter Copping Departs Oscar De La Renta

Peter Copping has stepped down from his role as creative director at Oscar de la Renta, the designer confirmed this morning from New York, where he has been based since he took the reins of the fashion house shortly before its eponymous founder's death in 2014.
Personal circumstances require me to return to EuropePeter Copping

"After almost two years at Oscar de la Renta, personal circumstances require me to return to Europe," said Copping in a statement released by the brand, reportsWWD. "I have loved my time in New York where I hope to return at some point in the future."

The designer's next moves are unknown at this stage, but his CV sets him up for a number of opportunities. Prior to arriving at Oscar de la Renta in October 2014, the Central Saint Martins graduate was artistic director at Nina Ricci for five years, and before that he worked at Louis Vuitton during the Marc Jacobs era as studio director for 12 years.

In a statement, Oscar de la Renta CEO - and stepson-in-law of the late founder - Alex Bolen said of Copping's exit: "We have always been in the business of creating clothes and two of our greatest assets are our design studio and atelier. Our team will continue to work on next season's collection with a keen focus on the level of sophistication and craftsmanship that are the hallmarks of our house. We wish Peter well in his future endeavours."

The door is now left open at the house to find Copping's successor, adding another vacant seat to be filled on the New York Fashion landscape after that of artistic director at Calvin Klein (which Raf Simons is widely reported to be filling later this summer).