Adrian Josef becomes Creative Director at Navyboot

11 May '10

3 min read

From July 1, 2010, the designer Adrian Josef Margelist will be Creative Director at Navyboot, the Swiss premium brand for shoes and accessories. In this newly created function, he will be responsible for the creative brand direction: from the development of collections to visual brand communication. For the past two years, the 34-year-old Swiss designer has been Global Artistic Director at MCM, the accessories and bag specialist.

Being Creative Director and a Swiss designer, it is an exciting challenge and a great opportunity to position Navyboot internationally as a Swiss premium brand for shoes and accessories. Navyboot has great potential to become a top lifestyle brand“, Margelist explains the change to Navyboot.

Adrian Josef Margelist, Swiss citizen from the canton of Valais, received a master's degree at the renowned Istituto Marangoni in Milan in 2001 after fashion studies in Zurich. He started his professional career with Vivienne Westwood in London where he was promoted Assistant Creative Director after only three weeks. He designed bags and accessories for the leading «made in Britain» fashion label, visited the international fashion weeks and engaged in networking. The time in London was followed by three years as a designer and product manager for Fabric Frontline where he designed catwalk fabrics for Chancel, Dior, Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent.

From 2006 until 2008, Adrian Josef Margelist was Global Head of Design at ESPRIT and co-responsible for the label's new positioning. During the last two years, he held the position of Global Artistic Director with the MCM luxury label and helped the brand to a successful revival. From the MCM office of the accessories and bag specialist in Lugano, he coordinated the design teams in Florence, Milan, Paris and Korea. In Margelist's new activity with Navyboot, Flaviano Bencivenga will be at his disposal until the end of 2010. After that Bencivenga will leave the company at his own request to look for new professional challenges.

Philippe Gaydoul, Chairman of the Board, Gaydoul Group
“Adrian Josef Margelist has been on the Navyboot's radar for months as candidate of choice for the position of Creative Director. His professional career so far has been impressive and we're happy to have him with us as of July."

“With Adrian Josef Margelist we are pursuing the long-term objective of successfully positioning Navyboot as an international premium brand for shoes and accessories.”

“As Creative Director, Adrian Josef Margelist will be in charge of the creative direction of the brand. This means that he will be responsible for the development of collections and the visual brand communication.”

Adrian Josef Margelist, Creative Director Navyboot“Of course, I knew Navyboot and have observed the development of the brand in the past few months very intensively. When I received the request to develop the brand internationally as Creative Director, I didn't hesitate one second.”

“For me as Creative Director it is an exciting challenge and a great opportunity to position Navyboot internationally as the Swiss premium brand for shoes and accessories.”

“Navyboot has great potential to become an international top lifestyle brand. The brand's Swiss origin is nothing but an advantage in the international context.”

“My first Navyboot collection – the fall/winter collection 2011/12 – will be available at the stores in barely one year.”

Navyboot.

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