Introduction to Carven’s New Era

Carven is set to embark on a new journey with Mark Thomas at the helm as the brand’s Design Director. Thomas, a 49-year-old British designer, was promoted to the top job in March, following the departure of his predecessor, Louise Trotter, to Bottega Veneta.

Mark Thomas’ Debut

Among the dozen designer debuts this season, Thomas stands out as the only one to come from the brand’s existing team. Since Trotter’s exit was announced in December, Thomas has been overseeing the brand’s collections, including the Autumn/Winter 2025 and Pre-Fall 2025 lines, which were presented as look books in March and June. For his debut collection, SS26, Thomas drew inspiration from the idea of "our wife in Paris in summer, in this kind of balmy, warm time and what she would wear."

The Revival of Carven

The revival of Carven is a significant undertaking, given the brand’s tumultuous past. In 2018, the brand reported bankruptcy and was later acquired by China’s Icicles, now renamed the Eiszace Carven China France or ICCF Group. The brand has experienced creative volatility, with several designers coming and going, including Guillaume Henry, Alexis Martial, and Adrien Caillaudaud, and Serge Ruffieux. Trotter’s tenure, which began in 2023, was brief, lasting only three seasons.

Design Language and Future Plans

During her time at Carven, Trotter and Thomas developed a refined, minimalist, and portable design language, which received positive early reception. Thomas intends to build on this foundation, rather than deviate from it. "We are really satisfied with the place where we have arrived. The collections have only been in the store for about a year and a half. So they don’t have to break what starts to work. We just have to build on it," says Thomas. The brand has two boutiques in Paris and two in Shanghai, with plans to expand in the Chinese market, as well as 50 wholesalers, including Harrods in London, Printemps in New York, and Antonia in Milan.