It's official. Paolo Melim Andersson is Chloé's new creative director, confirming earlier news reports. The 34-year-old designer joins the firm from Italian design house Marni, where he worked for seven years. The Swedish national and Central St Martin 's graduate will start work immediately and has declined to give any interviews until he is settled. His first collection for the brand will debut next March.

"(Paolo's) mission is to find a new direction for the Chloé brand," said Ralph Toledano, Chairman and chief executive of Chloé, in an interview with WWD. "He will be given, like his predecessor, a lot of freedom to find his own way."

Toledano revealed that he had interviewed more than 30 candidates for the position of chief designer, before choosing Melim Andersson and admitted "the goal was to find someone talented, someone I believed in". The appointment was received with great enthusiasm by international buyers, who believed Melim Andersson's fresh approach is exactly what the brand needs to maintain its top position. Meanwhile, Marni declined to comment on Melim Andersson's departure or a potential successor.