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Christopher Suarez

Founder, Ziggurat Ventures; Co-Founder and Director, Ssōne

His savvy, three-year business plan for partner Nicholas Kirkwood’s shoe label won them the prestigious BFC/Vogue Fashion Fund award.

Christopher Suarez

Christopher Suarez co-founded womenswear brand Ssōne in 2018 and serves as the director of the business. He has also founded the early-stage investor company Ziggurat Ventures. 

As the business brains behind the commercial success of Nicholas Kirkwood, Suarez oversaw the young label’s meteoric rise as one of the industry’s most celebrated luxury footwear brands favoured by the likes of Rihanna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. In September 2013, it was announced that luxury goods conglomerate LVMH had taken a majority stake in the label.

Suarez was born in New York, and studied history at NYU. In the early 2000s, Suarez stumbled on Nicholas Kirkwood 's booth at Première Classe, a Parisian accessories tradeshow, and the two formed a partnership, wherein Suarez co-foundd and became the CEO of the brand in 2005. The brand quickly gained recognition for the Central Saint Martins alumnus, Nichola’s Kirkwood’s architecture-inspired geometric aesthetic, and it’s incorporation of unconventional materials such as shaved stingray and rubberised suede. Following its commercial success that took the label to New York, into a partnership with Rodarte, a Swarovski collaboration and an enviable amount of fashion awards, the brand caught the attention of LVMH in 2013. Behind the brands rise, Suarez implemented the retail strategies that have seen the Nicholas Kirkwood label launch standalone stores in London, New York and Las Vegas.

In 2013, the brand also launched an e-commerce platform with worldwide shipping.

Just after the brand marked it’s 10-year anniversary, Suarez announced his departure from the company. His post was taken up by Sophie Brocard, SVP of fashion ventures at the LVMH group in the interim.

Career History

VITAL STATISTICS

NATIONALITYBritish, UK
LOCATIONUnited Kingdom
MEMBER SINCE2013

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Latest News & Analysis
Luxury

LVMH and Nicholas Kirkwood to Part Ways

The split is due to be completed by the end of the year, LVMH said in a statement.

Luxury

LVMH and Nicholas Kirkwood to Part Ways

The split is due to be completed by the end of the year, LVMH said in a statement.


Entrepreneurship

What It's Really Like to Be an Independent Fashion Brand During the Pandemic

A fledgling ready-to-wear label, a wholesale-dependent contemporary player and a venture capital-backed start-up share honest details as they battle for survival.

Entrepreneurship

What It's Really Like to Be an Independent Fashion Brand During the Pandemic

A fledgling ready-to-wear label, a wholesale-dependent contemporary player and a venture capital-backed start-up share honest details as they battle for survival.


Workplace & Talent

Power Moves | Maxim Names Editor, Nicholas Kirkwood CEO Exits, Cartier Appoints CEO

BoF compiles the most important professional moves of the week.


News & Analysis

Week in Review | Teen Retailers, Nicholas Kirkwood, Fashion Recognition Apps, Kitsuné, Très Bien

Just in time for some weekend reading, we recap the week on BoF.


Retail

Nicholas Kirkwood Launches in Beijing in Next Step of Expansion Plan

Today, British footwear label Nicholas Kirkwood opens its first own-brand presence in China, in partnership with Beijing department store Shin Kong Place. BoF sat down with the designer and CEO Christopher Suarez to find out how this new ‘jewel in the crown’ fits into a global retail strategy propelled by investment from LVMH.

Retail

Nicholas Kirkwood Launches in Beijing in Next Step of Expansion Plan

Today, British footwear label Nicholas Kirkwood opens its first own-brand presence in China, in partnership with Beijing department store Shin Kong Place. BoF sat down with the designer and CEO Christopher Suarez to find out how this new ‘jewel in the crown’ fits into a global retail strategy propelled by investment from LVMH.


News & Analysis

LVMH Eyes J.W. Anderson After Kirkwood Deal, Says Source

PARIS, France — LVMH is in talks to buy a stake in British fashion brand J.W. Anderson, a source close to the matter said on Friday after the No.1

News & Analysis

LVMH Eyes J.W. Anderson After Kirkwood Deal, Says Source

PARIS, France — LVMH is in talks to buy a stake in British fashion brand J.W. Anderson, a source close to the matter said on Friday after the No.1



News & Analysis

LVMH Acquires Majority Stake in Nicholas Kirkwood

LONDON, United Kingdom — LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has taken a majority stake in London-based luxury footwear brand Nicholas Kirkwood.  The

News & Analysis

LVMH Acquires Majority Stake in Nicholas Kirkwood

LONDON, United Kingdom — LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has taken a majority stake in London-based luxury footwear brand Nicholas Kirkwood.  The

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