Scottish designer Kestin hare is stepping down from his Henri-Lloyd creative director role as he focuses on his own label that has continued during his two-year tenure at the relaunched Henri-Lloyd brand.

He’ll leave in May and plans to grow his Kestin brand both in terms of the products offered and the markets he sells in. His last collection for Henri-Lloyd will be for SS26.

Heritage British sailing brand Henri-Lloyd was acquired by performance sports specialist Odlo in 2022 and named Hare to its creative helm as it planned a wholesale comeback in early 2023.

Hare oversaw its creative direction as it refocused on its sailing origins with its return to wholesale for AW24 seeing it “making high-level, premium technical performance product inspired by, and aesthetically tailored to, the discipline of sailing and marine life”.

It will now “strengthen its in-house design team and develop its internal capabilities”

Knut Frostad, CEO of Henri-Lloyd, said: “Kestin and his team have done a great job in the two years they’ve been with us, helping us deliver a fantastic AW24 collection. There is still plenty to come from our collaboration with Kestin, with three upcoming seasons – SS25, AW25 and SS26. We’re excited to take these to market following the great reception of last season.”

As for Hare’s own label, founded 10 years ago, it has a store in Edinburgh and is stocked by over 90 retailers including high-end big names such as END. and Mr Porter. The target now is global growth.

With his focus now fully on his signature label, Hare said his two years at Henri-Lloyd have been “an amazing experience for me. I am grateful to have worked with an incredibly talented and committed team and I would like to thank everyone along the way who has been part of it”.