MILAN — Barcelona-based bridalwear group Pronovias has named a latest chief executive officer.

Marc Calabia Gibert will officially take the role on Sept. 1, succeeding Amandine Ohayon, who’s leaving to pursue other profession opportunities. She joined in 2018.

Within the interim period Clement Kwan, currently a consultant for the bridal brand, is taking up the CEO role. 

Calabia Gibert will join Pronovias from premium mass market fashion brand Springfield, a part of Tendam group, where he served as general manager. Before that he was chief product and merchandising officer at Desigual and leverages 25 years of experience in the style and retail sector, having worked at Levi’s and L’Oréal-owned The Body Shop. 

“Pronovias has a number one position within the bridalwear sector with 101 years of history and a robust potential for further growth,” Calabia Gibert said. “It’s the most important bridal luxury brand with great status that will be scaled up internationally,” he added.

“The group has helped shape the worldwide bridal fashion industry as we understand it today, introducing novelties akin to the primary flagship stores and runway shows [of the sector],” he noted. 

Pronovias’ portfolio of brands includes the namesake label in addition to Atelier Pronovias and Nicole Milano, along with licensees for bridal collection of brands including Marchesa and Vera Wang. 

In 2017,  private equity firm Bain Capital, BC Partners agreed to buy a majority stake — 90 percent — within the Barcelona-based bridalwear company. Pronovias founder Alberto Palatchi retained a minority stake of 10 percent. The corporate’s collections of bridal and cocktail dresses are distributed through multibrand retailers and 95 flagships, globally.

“Pronovias is a market leader with a robust future ahead and we aim to support it over the following years,” said Bain Capital partner Sandro Patti, praising Calabia Gibert’s managerial skills and experience in fashion while thanking Ohayon for her contribution to the group.

She helped spearhead a digital transformation at the corporate, leading the brands toward the metaverse, for instance, with a view to engage brides wherever they’re. The move flanked other digital-driven initiatives, including a revamp of the web site and virtual appointments. She also played a pivotal role in expanding the corporate’s footprint within the U.S.