Marco Colagrossi named new Creative Director at Emanuel Ungaro

By

Dominique Muret

Translated by
Susan Spies

Published
Mar 6, 2017

 Emanuel Ungaro is reorganizing its women's ready-to-wear. Not only is the French luxury label changing production partners, as Fashion Network reported last month, but it also on Monday announced the appointment of Italian Marco Colagrossi as new Creative Director, ending its collaboration with Fausto Puglisi.
 

The Sicilian designer, who has held the creative reins of Emanuel Ungaro’s women's wear collections since 2013, has decided to "devote himself to the development women's, men's and accessories lines for his own brand,” he said in a statement. The label said Puglisi's departure was based on a "mutual decision."

Marco Colagrossi has been named his successor. The 43-year-old Milanese designer will make his debut in Paris in June with the presentation of the label's cruise collection.

The designer's C.V. includes consulting stints for various luxury houses, including Giorgio Armani, where he was also senior fashion designer for women's wear. Prior to that, he worked for Dolce & Gabbana, where he started as a collection coordinator for the women's and men's lines before being named senior fashion designer in charge of ready-to-wear and special projects for celebrities.
 
Emanuel Ungaro had to cancel its runway show during this season's Paris Fashion Week, due to financial difficulties of its Italian manufacturer Modalis, which has been placed in receivership. The label has meanwhile signed a production agreement with another Italian factory, Cieffe, based in Soncino near Cremona.
 
Since 2005, the French luxury label has been owned by Aimz Acquisition, the investment fund of Pakistani-American businessman Asim Abdullah. In the wake of recent events, the house has now decided to take back its production in house for its ready-to-wear line.
 
To speed up its growth in the United States, it has also appointed brand management consultant Angela Casiero to oversee its North American market. Casiero is specialized in marketing, public relations and brand growth, having worked for labels such as Giambattista Valli.