Wolford names Nao Takekoshi as new creative director

Translated by
Nicola Mira

Published
Feb 21, 2023

Wolford is back centre stage. The Austrian high-end lingerie and tights specialist, acquired in 2018 by Lanvin Group (formerly the Fosun Fashion Group), owner of Lanvin, Sergio Rossi, St. John and Caruso, has announced today the appointment of Nao Takekoshi as creative director.

A graduate of the Parsons School of Design in New York, Takekoshi began his career at Issey Miyake in Tokyo, before acquiring a global expertise by working with renowned labels such as Cerruti, Gucci, Donna Karan, Jil Sander and Calvin Klein.

Takekoshi is well-versed in creating evergreen essentials, and in 2021 he designed a capsule collection as his first collaboration with Wolford. 

He has now officially joined the Austrian label which, since 1950, has been creating innovative, comfortable and timeless products shaped around women’s bodies.

Takekoshi’s arrival marks an important milestone for Wolford’s strategic expansion. His goal is to enhance and modernise the label’s pared-down, iconic style, the fashion foundation for every woman’s wardrobe, while preserving a coherent global brand identity.

“[Takekoshi’s] contemporary vision of the brand and his focus on craftsmanship and technology embody a consistent, forward-thinking approach for [Wolford],” said Silvia Azzali, Wolford’s chief commercial officer.

Wolford is taking advantage of Takekoshi’s appointment to launch its brand-new advertising campaign, fronted by legendary singer, artist and fashion icon Grace Jones. Though the company is still currently in the red, this is a way to showcase the rejuvenation process Wolford has embarked on and to start a new chapter.

“This special collaboration between Wolford and Grace Jones represents a confirmation of Wolford’s fundamentals, as it pays tribute to the brand’s timeless style through a bold visual vocabulary,” added Azzali.

A long-established figure in the world of fashion and culture, Jones is once again showing her charisma. Throughout her career, she has explored the concepts of fashion and beauty, generating a lasting legacy. Jones has often been seen wearing signature Wolford items, from the Fatal dress to the Colorado bodysuit and the Mat De Luxe shaping bodysuit.