By Malene Birger appoints Mathilde Torp Mader as creative director

Premium Danish womenswear brand By Malene Birger has appointed Mathilde Torp Mader as creative director as it seeks to accelerate its international growth.

A graduate of Central Saint Martins Torp Mader has spent time at major luxury houses including Mulberry (her most recent appointment), Sonia Rykiel, Marni and Vanessa Bruno. She replaces Christina Exsteen and her appointment is effective 28 August.

While she will spend much of her time in the brand's home city of Copenhagen, Torp Mader will remain based in London as the brand is opening a new design studio in the UK capital.

By Malene Birger CEO Morten Linnet described her as "the perfect fit" for the brand. "Not only does she have a deep understanding of Danish fashion and an intuitive grasp of the spirit of By Malene Birger, she also brings a truly global outlook, which is just what we wanted to add to the brand. We have full confidence in Mathilde's contemporary, international vision of design and her ability to creatively guide the brand, helping us build momentum far beyond Scandinavia's borders," he said.

The brand is sold online and in 42 countries worldwide. In the UK it has a standalone store on Marylebone High Street and is available in a number of premium department stores and multi-brand retailers including Selfridges, Fenwick, Anna, Flannels and Net-A-Porter.com. The SS18 collection, recently shown at Copenhagen Fashion Week, will be Exsteen's last for the brand which said it owed her "a huge debt of gratitude" for her contribution.

"This is such a great time to join By Malene Birger. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to contribute to a Danish brand that I have such admiration and respect for - a brand which has always been designed by women for women," said Torp Mader.