Sergio Rossi Taps Paul Andrew as Creative Director

Sergio Rossi has hired Paul Andrew as its new creative director, the brand said in a statement.

Andrew previously established himself with a namesake shoe line before going on to serve as creative director of Salvatore Ferragamo, where he was the first designer to oversee all categories for the family-owned brand. He exited Ferragamo in 2021.

Sergio Rossi described Andrew’s work as “daring and pragmatic, balancing handmade craftsmanship with the latest material and technological innovations.”

The brand, best known known for its $900 strappy sandals and slingback pumps, rose to prominence in the 1970s and ‘80s as its founder collaborated closely with the hottest couturiers of the era, including Gianni Versace and Azzedine Alaïa.

The brand was sold in 2021 to China’s Fosun Group, which has since rebranded as Lanvin Group, after a stint under private equity firm Investindustrial since 2015. Previously, Sergio Rossi was owned by French luxury group Kering, which struggled to achieve growth and profitability in the discount-prone luxury footwear niche.

Revenue fell 4 percent to €60 million ($65 million) in 2023, and the brand named a new chief executive, in November, Helen Wright.Owner Lanvin Group also named a new CEO, Eric Chan, following the exit of Joann Cheng, who had piloted the group’s New York IPO. Shares in Lanvin Group have lost 85 percent of their value since it went public in late 2022.”

With his creative design expertise and forward-thinking approach, Paul is set to lead Sergio Rossi into a new era of success,” Chan said in a statement. “This new direction for the brand aligns seamlessly with our mission to uphold its rich heritage while catering to the evolving tastes of our clientele.”