LONDON, Jan 8 (Reuters) - The heir apparent to the Burberry crown took centre stage on Wednesday as the Britishtrenchcoat maker presented its latest menswear collection inLondon, with its outgoing chief executive nowhere in sight.
The 158-year-old luxury goods maker, famed for its camel,black and red check pattern, said in October chief creativeofficer Christopher Bailey would also take up the chiefexecutive role in mid-2014, replacing Angela Ahrendts who isleaving for Apple.
The announcement heralded the end of a partnership creditedby analysts as having restored Burberry's cachet after itstrademark design became ubiquitous in the 1990s, and came amid awider management shake-up.
Stacey Cartwright, who served as Burberry's chief financialofficer for nine years before stepping down last year, said onWednesday she would be joining upscale department store chainHarvey Nichols as its chief executive.
At the end of a show pegged as the highlight of London'sseasonal menswear fashion week, Bailey took a bow to an audiencepopulated by fashion buyers and press from more than 20countries, as well as celebrities such as British singer PalomaFaith and Chinese actor Chen Kun.
The show, held in a glasshouse in London's KensingtonGardens and streamed live over the Internet, saw fresh-facedmodels strut down the catwalk in colourful map printed silkscarves, oversized slouchy coats and hand-held bags withLondon's skyline emblazoned on to many of the pieces.
Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British FashionCouncil, told Reuters she thought the collection was strong,with the variety of coats on show and bags among her highlights.
"It's going to be an exciting time for Burberry," she said."Christopher has really helped build the DNA of the brand, hasbeen very involved in many of the business decisions and isreally relishing, from what I understand, taking on the role."
The Burberry show capped a three day event which saw over130 brands including Alexander McQueen, Marks & Spencer and Topman showcase their latest autumn/winter menswearcollections.
Burberry (BRBY)
Marks & Spencer (MKS)