Ungaro CEO resigns

Lindsay Lohan's design debut for Emanuel Ungaro during Paris Fashion Week in October was less than well received by critics and, with representatives of the house maintaining that her appointment stands, it seems that something else had to give: Mounir Moufarrige, the company's CEO, has resigned.

The move hints that all is not well at Ungaro, despite assurances to the contrary. Moufarrige awarded Lohan the role of Artistic Advisor alongside new Chief Designer Estrella Archs in September - having fired Esteban Cortezar to make room for the duo - and publicly defended them when their spring/summer 2010 collection was panned.

"Lindsay Lohan is not a designer, we are not pretending that she is. But she is a great merchandiser who can bring lots of ideas. You will soon see that," he told Fashion Wire Daily in response to the criticism. "I was looking at who was attracting lots of attention. Celebrities have replaced the models - Linda and Christy and Cindy - have all been replaced not by other models but by celebrities. We have a mature designer in Estrella combined with a star who commands international attention. We need to bring in younger and cooler and trends to Ungaro. This team can provide that."

According to WWD, Ungaro has confirmed that Moufarrige has handed in his notice, "withdrawing" from an operational role to devote more time to his other businesses - which include U-Boat and Welder, two fast-growing Italian watch companies - but would continue to advise the company as a member of its strategic committee.

He will be succeeded by Marie Fournier, 18-year veteran of the company, as general manager overseeing all operations. Lohan and Archs remain in place - for now.

ungaro.com

Picture: Emanuel Ungaro, spring/summer 2010.

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