Roberto Cavalli Replaces Creative Director, Closes Stores, and Cuts 200 Jobs

Roberto Cavalli's new owners are cutting 200 jobs, closing stores and replacing the fashion house's creative director in a reorganization aimed at making a profit by 2018.

Chief Executive Gian Giacomo Ferraris said the reorganization is necessary given the fashion industry is one where "only iconic brands with a coherent business model and an efficient organization can survive."

The company unveiled the plans Wednesday after announcing creative director Peter Dundas was leaving after only three seasons.

The Norwegian-born Dundas had worked at Cavalli during its heyday from 2002-2005 and returned in March 2015 after completing a seven-year run as Pucci's creative director. He had the delicate task of reviving a brand viewed as past its prime while retaining its most iconic elements after the house founder, Roberto Cavalli, sold a majority stake to private equity firm Clessidra.

Cavalli retains a 10 percent stake and remains a consultant.

The reorganization calls for closing Roberto Cavalli's Milan corporate and design offices and relocating them to Florence, closing some stores and reducing the global headcount of 672 by 200, a statement said.

Several other fashion houses have been undergoing similar reorganizations on both creative and administrative sides.