After roughly a year as design director at Carven, Mark Thomas is leaving “to pursue other opportunities,” the Paris-based house said in a brief statement Thursday.
His next move could not immediately be learned and “the next steps of the house will be announced in due course,” Carven said, noting that its next Paris show will be for the spring 2027 season and unveiled later this year.
“His vision and designs have helped to establish the brand’s identity and style, and have positioned Carven firmly back on the fashion stage,” the house said of Thomas, adding: “Carven wishes Mark every success in the next chapter of his career.”
It is understood Carven’s sales have vaulted strongly since Thomas filled a vacancy left by Louise Trotter when she was poached by Bottega Veneta.
Carven fall 2026
Daniele Oberrauch/Courtesy of Ca
“I would like to sincerely thank every person I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the past few years for helping shape new chapters in this beautiful house,” he said. “I am deeply grateful to Madame Shawna Tao and Mr. Ye for the opportunity they gave me, and I hold the utmost respect for Madame Carven, who founded this maison in 1945.”
Thomas was referring to Ye Shouzeng, who founded fashion brand Icicle with Tao, his wife, in Shanghai almost 30 years ago, adding Carven in 2018 to create ICCF Group.
“As I look ahead to new adventures, I wish the brand continued success and a bright future,” he added.
A graduate of London fashion school Central Saint Martins under the influential professor Louise Wilson, Thomas joined Carven in 2023 as head of sartorial and creative collaborations.
Previously, he held various design roles at brands including Lacoste, Helmut Lang, Joseph, Givenchy and Neil Barrett.
The development at Carven is only the latest spin of fashion’s relentless revolving door of creatives, with Etro, Nina Ricci, Courrèges and Alaïa among European brands to have long-serving designers exit in recent months.
