Johnny Coca exits Louis Vuitton after five and a half years shaping women’s accessories, marking the end of a pivotal creative chapter.
Johnny Coca, one of the most influential handbag designers in the luxury industry, has left Louis Vuitton after five and a half years as director of women’s fashion leather goods and accessories, as confirmed by WWD. His departure closes a significant chapter within the maison, where he contributed a distinctive, technical and craft-forward approach deeply aligned with the house’s savoir-faire.
Coca is widely remembered for his remarkable impact at Celine under Phoebe Philo, during which the brand cemented its position as a powerhouse in elite handbags and accessories. He later spent five years as creative director of Mulberry, transforming the British brand into a broader lifestyle proposition with new bag families such as the Amberley and Iris, while expanding categories including eyewear, trainers and men’s accessories.
In its statement, Louis Vuitton noted that Coca “brought his expertise and creativity to the collections and successfully launched the Louis Vuitton Accessories Design Graduates Initiative.” The house also wished him well in his next endeavours.
For his part, the designer expressed gratitude: “Thank you to Louis Vuitton and the LVMH Group for the opportunity of these past years together. I am grateful to the talented teams I had the pleasure of collaborating with in crafting remarkable collections. Together, we honoured the heritage of the house and carried forward a strong creative vision. Now it is time for me to continue on my own path with the same passion and commitment.”
Coca’s next move remains unknown. He was part of the leather goods team led by Nicolas Ghesquière, artistic director of women’s collections since 2013. When Coca joined in 2020, his initial focus centred on high-end bags and show pieces.
His departure also brings his career full circle: Coca began his professional journey at Louis Vuitton, working as a leather goods designer between 1996 and 2000. He later joined Bally (2004–2010) before becoming a key creative force at Celine and subsequently taking the reins at Mulberry.
Born in Seville to Spanish parents and later raised in Paris, the designer studied art, architecture and design at the École des Beaux-Arts, the École d’Architecture de Paris-Malaquais and École Boulle. His multicultural and technically driven background has cemented him as one of the most respected figures in contemporary leather goods design.
With his exit, the industry now watches closely to see where Johnny Coca will land next—whether as the latest star appointment of a competing maison, or at the helm of an entirely new creative venture.
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