Mr. Nilsson most recently held a similar position at Bill Blass in New York.

Previously, he worked for Christian Lacroix for eight years, and then collaborated two more years with John Galliano at Christian Dior Couture, before becoming Artistic Director of Polo Ralph Lauren.

He said yesterday "I look forward to drawing from the rich history of Nina Ricci and injecting further youth and femininity into the house".

Nina Ricci is a venerable Parisian Fashion House, and in its heyday, circa 1960, counted Jacqueline Kennedy among the list of clients. The appointment of Lars Nilsson as Artistic Director will certainly revive interest in the label.

Mr. Nilsson will work at the Nina Ricci Paris headquarters where he will have "responsibility for all creative aspects related to the development of the fashion portion of the company."

His first collection is scheduled to be shown at Paris Ready-To-Wear Fashion Week next October.

Founded in 1932 as a Haute Couture house, the company now concentrates on Ready-to-Wear, leather goods, fashion accessories, lingerie, and a men's line. The most famous Ricci perfume "L'Air du Temps" was launched in 1946. Nina Ricci was acquired by the Puig Group in 1998.