Louis Vuitton Appoints Johnny Coca As New Leather Goods Director

Louis Vuitton has announced Johnny Coca as its new Women’s Fashion Leather Goods Director, effective June 2. Coca’s appointment marks a return to the same brand where his training began back in 1996, working as a leather goods designer for Louis Vuitton until 2000.

Spanish-born and multilingual, Coca has had no shortage of formative experiences in design to prepare him for his new role. After moving to Paris, he studied at the Beaux-Arts and the Boulle school of applied arts. Coca also honed his craft as head design director for leather goods, accessories, shoes and jewelry at Celine under Phoebe Phillo, and most recently served as creative director at Mulberry for five years before departing in March.

Coca will work closely alongside Artistic Director Nicolas Ghesquière to create handbags for the brand, and he is welcomed back with open arms to the maison. According to Ghesquière, “I am happy to welcome Johnny at the Maison Louis Vuitton and very pleased that he is joining me on this journey that started a few years ago. The team and I look forward to working with him in the inspiring world of Louis Vuitton.”

For Coca, the return to Louis Vuitton holds a special meaning, one that reaffirms his dedication to design. “The journey now has come full circle, to the place where I was lucky enough to hone my passion first-hand and learn the fundamentals of leather craftsmanship,” said Coca. “It opens a new chapter in my own creative adventure, in an extraordinary laboratory that blends heritage and modernity.”