French designer Yiqing Yin named creative head of Leonard

PARIS - French designer Yiqing Yin has been named new creative director of Leonard, replacing Italian Raffaele Borriello, the French fashion house announced on Wednesday.

Yiqing Yin, who is of Chinese origin, will present her first collection for Leonard at the Paris ready-to-wear shows in March.

Leonard management said in a statement she would continue to pursue her activities for her own label while being Leonard's creative head.

Leonard, which is known for its innovative printing techniques, has seen a string of creative directors since its foundation in 1958, including Maxime Simoens and Belgian designer Veronique Leroy.

"Her sophisticated creations, which show finesse and force, will add new pizazz to Leonard," the fashion house said.

Yin, who left China for France at the age of four, is a graduate of Paris' Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs.

She was awarded the Prix des Premieres Collections at the 2011 ANDAM awards which honour young French designers or those working in France.

She also shows at Paris haute couture week and creates her own read-to-wear collection.

Leonard is headed by Nathalie Tribouillard, daughter of Daniel Tribouillard who created the fashion house.

The brand is very popular in Asia where it has opened 115 stores.