Following Christopher Bailey’s last show for Burberry only two weeks ago, today the brand’s new chief creative officer has been named in the form of Riccardo Tisci.

The former 12-year creative director at Givenchy left his position at the Parisian house last year. Since being appointed as a relative unknown in 2005, he masterfully navigated between streetwise menswear, brilliantly crafted couture and a darkly glamorous women’s ready-to-wear line. He can certainly be credited with being one of the first and most successful designers to introduce graphic pieces and high fashion trainers to the runway, elevating these staples into luxury must-haves.

After his exit from Givenchy, Tisci has been working on his ongoing collaboration with Nike, but his debut collection in September will be his first venture into ready-to-wear since SS17.

“I am honoured and delighted to be joining Burberry as its new Chief Creative Officer,” Tisci said in a statement. “I have an enormous respect for Burberry’s British heritage and I am excited about the potential of this exceptional brand.”

Other names tapped for the role had included Phoebe Philo and Kim Jones, both Brits. Tisci’s announcement, like that of Hedi Slimane at Céline, comes as something of a surprise – albeit a very welcome one. And although an Italian at the head of a very British label isn’t what many were expecting, England isn’t unfamiliar to him – Tisci spent years living, studying, and partying in London. After all, sometimes it takes an outsider’s distance to truly be able to see what makes a place unique.

Congratulations Riccardo – we can’t wait to see what you do!