In this age of huge luxury goods conglomerates - think LVMH, Richemont, the Prada Group - it's rare to come across a brand that manages to remain independent. Sonia Rykiel is one of the few that does, this year celebrating her 40^th anniversary in the business. With daughter Nathalie already on board as President and Artistic Director, the house has promoted Gabrielle Greiss to Creative Director. Working with the brand for the past six years, Greiss became Chief Assistant to Rykiel in 2005. A former student of Central Saint Martins, she has worked with Kostas Murkudis, Alber Elbaz at Lanvin, Anna Molinari and Martine Sitbon, as well as styling for Another Magazine, Mixte and Dazed & Confused. Her first collection in her new role will be for Autumn 2008.

In other designer news, Lars Nilsson's tenure at Gianfranco Ferré has already come to a premature end. The designer resigned earlier this month, in unclear circumstances. A spokesman for the brand said they are unlikely to replace him with a single designer, using the in-house creative team, who hastily put together the Autumn / Winter 2008/9 show, instead.  -Danielle Radojcin

Picture: Gabrielle Greiss, new Creative Director at Sonia Rykiel