British designer Catherine Isabel Audrey Kidston, who founded the homewares and fashion label Cath Kidston, has stepped down from her role as director while retaining a 12% stake in the business.
Looking to concentrate on other business interest, Kidston had started distancing herself from the Cath Kidston business in recent years. She brought in and trained Christine Hafsten as her replacement for the creative director role, which she left in November 2014. Hafsten became head of creative when Kidston departed.
“Kidston has been an incredible sounding board for us all on the board. Her drive, spirit, entrepreneurism and design originality has been an inspiration to us all. She remains a very important brand ambassador for the company as well as a significant shareholder,” says chairman Paul Mason.
The brand Cath Kidston now has more than 200 shops globally, including presence in Japan and the Middle East.