The Tamesis
Mark Thomas and Cavan are parting ways.
“Carven design director Mark Thomas will leave the company at the end of this month to pursue other opportunities,” the French heritage brand, part of China’s ICCF Group, said in a statement. “His vision and designs helped establish the brand’s identity and style and firmly positioned Carven back on the fashion scene. Carven wishes Mark success in the next chapter of his career.”
“I would like to sincerely thank everyone I have had the pleasure of working with over the past few years to help me begin this new chapter in this beautiful house,” Thomas said. “I am deeply grateful. [Carven CEO] Ms. Tao and [ICCF Group president] Thank you Mr. Ye for the opportunity, and I have the highest respect for Ms. Carvin, who founded this brand in 1945. As I look ahead to new adventures, I wish the brand continued success and a bright future. “
Reviving Cavan is a major endeavor. In early 2018, the brand filed for bankruptcy and was later acquired by China Icicle Group and later renamed ICCF Group. Creativity also fluctuated. Guillaume Henry served as creative director from 2009 to 2014. Following his departure, Carven appointed two creative directors: Alexis Martial and Adrien Caillaudaud, who left in 2016. The last person to officially hold the position before Louise Trotter was Serge Ruffieux, who left in 2018 after three seasons.
Thomas joins Carven in 2023, reuniting with Trotter, who has worked with Joseph and Lacoste. Trotter left in December 2024 after just three seasons to join Bottega Veneta, while Thomas was promoted to the top job in March 2025. His first spring/summer 2026 show, held on the ground floor of the brand’s headquarters, felt like a continuation of the sophisticated, wearable design language he and Trotter began to develop.
“There’s no need to destroy something that’s starting to work. We just have to build on it,” Thomas told us Fashion before his first gig. His “excellent” sophomore performance at the National College of Arts and Crafts was said to be “definitely more guaranteed” Fashion RunwaYou are Amy Werner. Werner also praised the tank dresses and utilitarian coats that could be seen as “a modern take on the style of Caroline Bessette Kennedy.” love story“.
Thursday’s statement also read: “Next steps for the brand will be announced in due course this year,” noting that its next fashion show will be in spring/summer 2027.
