Roberto Cavalli has appointed British designer Paul Surridge as creative director, replacing Peter Dundas who left the luxury brand last autumn.

Central Saint Martins-trained Surridge most recently worked as a consultant for Acne, but before that had worked for Z Zegna, Jil Sander, Burberry and Calvin Klein. His first collection for Roberto Cavalli will be SS18 to be presented in Milan in September of this year.

Surridge said he was proud to continue the legacy of the Italian house founded by the designer of the same name in 1972. “This is a unique opportunity to contribute a new chapter to the Roberto Cavalli universe, which positively celebrates the beauty, sensuality and power of women. It is my intention to show the passion that I share for the codes and vision on which Roberto Cavalli built his brand while celebrating the excellence of Italian craftsmanship,” he said.

Cavalli CEO Gian Giacomo Ferraris described Surridge as “passionate, mature and an amazing team player who has a 360-degree vision on brands and branding”.