MILAN — Italian outerwear brand Khrisjoy and cofounder and creative director Marzia Bellotti are parting ways.
“After eight years of an incredible journey and creative exploration, I will be stepping down from my role of creative director,” said Bellotti. “This decision was not made lightly, but after much reflection, I feel it is the right time for me to pursue new opportunities and challenges.”
Khrisjoy is controlled by the Alsara Investment Group, and Shahzad Akhtar, chief executive officer of the group, said “Alsara is grateful to Marzia Bellotti for her passion and vision on Khrisjoy. The brand has huge potential by building on its bold creative and joyful expressions.”
In January, Akhtar told WWD he was spearheading a further development of the brand, a puffer jacket specialist and eyeing store openings after Alsara Investment Group took full control of Khrisjoy in December.
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The group acquired a majority, controlling stake in the label in 2021. Since the acquisition, it has invested in bolstering the brand’s management team, developing its wholesale distribution, launching e-commerce operations and expanding product categories.
The brand held its first official presentation during Milan Fashion Week in February and will unveil its spring 2025 collection in Milan in September.
Positioned in the luxury range of the market and made in Italy, Khrisjoy has garnered a cult following with its Khris cocooning hooded puffer jacket. Bellotti established the brand in 2017 with Maurizio Purificato, who exited the company in December.
Alsara is an international private investment company based in Switzerland. Its portfolio includes Akoni, which produces eyewear for its namesake brand and is a licensee of Valentino and Balmain; investor Bidayat; design venture Fromm, which has been staging presentations in Milan during Design Week and Salone del Mobile; Egypt-based jewelry brand Azza Fahmy and handbag label Okhtein, and Flyroom. It is also gearing up to revive the Walter Albini brand, one of the founders of Italy’s ready-to-wear, and, last month, it revealed it was launching a brand called Retori, based in Milan, made in Italy and designed by Salma Rachid.
Alsara was founded by chairman Rachid Mohamed Rachid, who is also the chairman of Valentino and CEO of the brand’s parent company Mayhoola, which also owns Balmain and Italian menswear brand Pal Zileri.
