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Hervé Léger has appointed Michelle Ochs, the founder of New-York based womenswear brand Et Ochs and co-founder of women’s label Cushnie et Ochs, as creative director as it repositions for its next stage of growth.
Ochs will succeed Christian Juul Nielsen, who has held the position since 2018, Hervé Léger announced on Monday.
Ochs will oversee all creative projects for the French house’s dresses and sportswear collections, and will report to Melissa Lefere-Cobb, senior vice president and division head at Hervé Léger. With the new position, Ochs will move into an advisor role at Et Ochs.
“Michelle’s passion for creating unique and striking designs, combined with her deep understanding of the female form, will be instrumental in driving the growth and success of Hervé Léger. We are thrilled to welcome this celebrated designer to our team,” Lefere-Cobb said in a statement.
Ochs’s job will be orchestrating a comeback for the brand, best known for its bandage dresses. Ownership of Hervé Léger has changed hands several times since it was founded by designer Hervé L Leroux in 1985. BCBG acquired a majority stake in the label in 1998, which was originally owned by a subsidiary of the Canadian firm Seagram, for an undisclosed amount. Under BCBG ownership, Leroux was dismissed from the company and forfeited control of the brand.
In 2017, the brand was acquired by brand management firm Marquee Brands, and bought by Authentic Brands Group in the same year. Hervé Léger is now sold in more than 80 locations across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, the company said. It does not publicly share financial results.
“Hervé Léger is a historic fashion house. I am honoured to lead the team in this next chapter and make my mark on this iconic brand,” Ochs said in a statement.
Ochs attended Parsons School of Design in New York and co-founded the New York brand Cushnie et Ochs with Carly Cushnie in 2008. Ochs departed in 2018 after the brand’s 10th anniversary show and launched Et Ochs, her own label, in 2021.
Ochs will unveil her first collection for Hervé Léger at New York Fashion Week this September.
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