The former Lacoste and Helmut Lang designer steps up to lead the French fashion house
Carven has announced the appointment of Mark Howard Thomas as its new design director, filling the role left vacant by Louise Trotter, who departed for Bottega Veneta last year. The French fashion house, owned by China’s Icicle, confirmed that Thomas has already completed work on the Fall 2025 collection and will oversee the brand’s upcoming runway show for Spring 2026.
Carven provided little detail about Thomas’ creative direction but stated, “the team will continue to build on the foundations and refine the codes and style forged for the house.” This suggests a continuation of the brand’s established aesthetic while incorporating Thomas’ vision into future collections.
A graduate of Central Saint Martins, Thomas studied under the influential Professor Louise Wilson. He joined Carven in 2023 as head of sartorial and creative collaborations before stepping into his new leadership role. His previous experience includes design positions at Lacoste, Helmut Lang, Joseph, Givenchy, and Neil Barrett, giving him a broad background in luxury and contemporary fashion.
With Thomas now leading design, Carven is positioning itself for a new phase, building on its established identity while shaping the brand’s future collections.
