PARIS, Apr 29, 2004/ FW/ --- LVMH announced this week that Roberto Menichetti had been appointed Artistic Director of Celine, replacing Michael Kors who vacated the post in March.

The 37-year old designer, Italian-born in America has extensive experience and rare knowledge of the international world of fashion and luxury. He led the revival of Burberry until March 2001 when he left the house to move to Cerruti where he was also Artistic Director.

But his stint with Cerruti was short-lived. He left after six months, and showing only one collection for the house. And since 2002, he had been developing his own label, launching it last February in New York during the Fall 2004 season.

And this week, he added another line to his résumé, Artistic Director for Celine.

“Although fashion is in a period of great transition, LVMH and its brands remain one of the most important forces in the industry. I am very pleased to be joining the women’s brand Celine as I have always been fascinated with the allure and sensuality of Parisian women. I look forward to the challenge that the continued evolution and potential of Celine represent,” Menichetti commented in a statement.

Under the LVMH stable, Celine has become an international network of 100 owned boutiques, and a strong presence in the best points of sale worldwide.

It is a house in complete expansion. The company is experiencing one of the fastest rates of growth in the industry. In 2003, Celine achieved double-digit organic sales growth. This progression has escalated during the first quarter in 2004.

Jean Marc Loubier, President and CEO of Celine, comments on Menichetti’s appointment: “With Roberto and his creative imagination and knowledge of products, we are reinforcing our ambition to establish Celine as a creative reference and a state-of-the-art brand in the world of fashion and luxury.”

Meanwhile, Givenchy, another house under the LVMH stable is still on the lookout for a replacement for Julien Macdonald who vacated his post as Artistic Director last March.

According to an announcement, the Givenchy has cancelled its Haute Couture show for the Fall 2004 season to be held in July 2004.

Ozwald Boateng, the newly appointed menswear designer will debut for Givenchy in Paris during the Paris Menswear season.

Boateng who had been showing his eponymous menswear label in Paris for the past several seasons will now show it in Milan.