Yuni Ahn to Depart Maison Kitsuné
The brand’s first official creative director is leaving after only three seasons.
2018’s creative director shuffle saw big names like Raf Simons and Kim Jones departing their posts and equally well-known creatives like Virgil Abloh and Riccardo Tisci taking on the mantle at new houses. One of the year’s more quiet additions was Yuni Ahn at Maison Kitsuné, who has now announced her surprise departure from the Parisian ready-to-wear brand via WWD.
Appointed to the creative director role in December 2018, Ahn took Maison Kitsuné in a decidedly fashion-forward direction, delivering progressive tailoring and retro sportswear alike. According to a Maison Kitsuné spokesperson, the decision for Ahn to step down after only three seasons was mutual.
“After significantly developing its internal studio team under the helm of Yuni Ahn, Maison Kitsuné will transition the design of the brand’s forthcoming collections to recent in-house key hires to be announced,” said Maison Kitsuné in a statement.
“We want to thank Yuni Ahn for the significant achievements accomplished over the engagement,” continued Gildas Loaëc and Masaya Kuroki, Maison Kitsuné cofounders. “We are deeply grateful to her for having set the path for our ambitions and will continue building on these foundations to further grow Maison Kitsuné into the independent Paris fashion house we’re aiming to become.”
The statement also reveals that Maison Kitsuné’s new creative director is already a member of the brand’s team and will be revealed after its upcoming Paris Fashion Week presentation later this month.
Ahn cut her teeth at Stella McCartney, Chloé and Miu Miu before joining Phoebe Philo‘s Céline, working under Philo as design director. Ahn lead Maison Kitsuné to begin showing during Paris Fashion Week during her tenure.
HYPEBEAST has reached out to Maison Kitsuné for comment. Currently, the French company has focused on expanding its Café Kitsuné restaurant chain, with plans to open a Maison Kitsuné hotel in Bali in 2021.
2018 was a tumultuous time for creative directors in fashion, as a host of large brands shook up their teams.
