’s creative director, Emma Hill, is parting ways with the label, it has been confirmed.

Further to a report published in WWD - which cited differences with management over ‘creative and operational strategy’ as the reason for the split - Mulberry has today released the following statement:

'Mulberry Group plc, the English luxury brand, makes the following statement in relation to press articles published this morning regarding the potential departure of Emma Hill, Creative Director, from the Company.

'Mulberry confirms that Emma has informed the Company that she wishes to leave after a very successful period at Mulberry during which she has built a strong and talented creative team working for her. The main SS14 collection has been completed and Emma continues to work in the business finalising the London Fashion Week collection which will be launched on 15 September 2013. The timing of her departure is currently under discussion and has yet to be finalised.'

British-born Hill, who replaced Stuart Vevers in 2008, has been instrumental in Mulberry’s phenomenal growth over the past six years thanks in no small part to the introduction of modern-icon bags including the Alexa and Del Rey, named for the stars who inspired them, and spearheading a focus on Mulberry’s catwalk collections.

She also introduced dogs to the Mulberry runways, creating a media sensation season after season.

The WWD report goes on to suggest that Hill may well be in the frame for the Coach job recently vacated by Reed Krakoff – though if rumours are to be believed, she’s up against some stiff competition for that, with Marc Jacobs, Nicholas Ghesquiere, Derek Lam and Phillip Lim among the other names being touted.