Bailey Hires Burberry Design Director From Dior

Christopher Bailey is well aware of Burberry’s strengths – with almost 40 per cent of its revenue coming from accessories – and so, ahead of a summer of executive movement, he’s shoring up that area; hiring an accessories specialist from the Dior fold. Sabrina Bonesi will become design director of leather goods and shoes - a new role, WWD reports – and will oversee the bags, shoes and accessories for both the men’s and women’s collections.

Bonesi is not the only new girl in team Burberry this year; just over a month ago the company recruited one of Net-a-Porter’s co-founders, Claudia Plant, also in to a newly created role. Plant will serve as senior vice president, brand experience: a role that will see her work to “bring fashion and products to life for customers, and help to establish a strong editorial voice that will support brand and product initiatives”.

Bailey, who is currently both CEO and chief creative officer of the British house, will welcome new CEO Marco Gobbetti in July. Bailey will then become president, as well as retaining his chief creative officer role overseeing his new hires alongside the existing team – a set-up that he is convinced will work well for the brand.

“I will focus more specifically on design, the products, creativity, architecture, marketing, communication, experiences,” Bailey said when Gobbetti’s accession was announced. “He will focus more on the operational side, finance, retail and merchandising. I see this really as two pieces working together. We will jointly lead all the strategies and people.”