Yvan Mispelaere's is said to be joining Gucci as design director, working under creative director Frida Giannini. Mispelaere is currently part of the Chloé design team that gained fame under Phoebe Philo and continued without the designer when she resigned in January. He designed the last collection together with colleagues Blue Farrier and Adrian Appiolazza. He confirmed to WWD that he will join Gucci as soon as he has completed his stint at Chloé. A spokesman for Gucci said the company never comments on rumours. Ralph Toledano, Chloé's chairman and chief executive, also declined to comment on the "rumours" but said that the house would appoint a new creative director after its show in Paris .

Chloé sales more than doubled last year under creative direction of Philo. Despite her departure, growth at the fashion house continued "beyond expectations," said parent company Richemont. Mispelaere has previously worked for Prada in Milan and Valentino in Rome and was creative director of Louis Féraud.