PARIS — Irène Leroux, founder and creative director of the Chanel-owned swimwear and lingerie firm Eres, said last week she would exit the firm at the end of the year.
Leroux launched the line in 1968 at age 23, baptizing it Eres after her parent’s multibrand store. Her successor as creative director is Valérie Delafosse, currently a freelance designer for Princesse Tam-Tam. Delafosse’s first collection for Eres will be spring 2008.
Leroux said she plans to pursue freelance design roles. “It’s time to try out new adventures,” said Leroux, reminiscing about the time she launched Eres’ first lingerie line in 1998. “I remember nervously pushing a rail full of lingerie across Fifth Avenue in the pouring rain to show to the Bergdorf Goodman team,” she recalled. The retailer asked for an exclusive.
“The brand has reached a point where it needs to change dimension and Delafosse is the perfect person for the job,” said Leroux.
Eres operates nine stores in France and the U.S., a franchise in Saint-Tropez and is sold in around 700 doors internationally. A store is also scheduled to open in Madrid next spring.