Roksanda recruits first CEO

By

Dominique Muret

Published
Dec 15, 2014

Roksanda is taking flight. The ready-to-wear women's brand launched in 2005 by Serbian designer Roksanda Ilincic, above all known for its evening dresses, is accelerating its development now that it has received a minority-stake investment from Eiesha Bharti Pasricha, from the Indian Bharti family of investors.

After having changed its name, from Roksanda Ilincic to Roksanda, and the opening of its very first store in London last year, the brand has decided to hire its first CEO. And indeed it has announced the appointment of Carmela Acampora to this position in a press release. 

Ms. Acampora, who will take up her new position in January, joins the brand from luxury leather goods label Aspinal of London, where she held the position of Chief Operating Officer. She previously spent 13 years at British luxury brand Burberry holding various positions, such as Manager Director for Emerging Markets.

Philip Bueno de Mesquita will retain his position as Non-Executive Chairman of Roksanda, the house has said.

The arrival of Carmela Acampora falls in line with an ambitious development plan which includes strengthening the management team, opening stores abroad and launching its e-commerce.

After studying architecture and applied arts in Belgrade, her home town, in 2005 Roksanda Ilincic founded her brand in London, where she presents her collections and where she trained at Central Saint Martins.

Very quickly, her evening wear caught the attention of celebrities and their designers, appreciating her sense of colour, which are incongruous on the red carpet. Michelle Obama, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Keira Knightley, Emma Stone and Samantha Cameron, wife of the British Prime Minister, are among her most prestigious customers.

Over the years, the Roksanda label has enriched its offering with, in addition to ready-to-wear lines, a beachwear line and a children's wear line ("Blossom").