Pringle CEO Jean Fang described the departure as ‘a mutual decision’.

‘I want to thank Alistair for all his great efforts and contributions at Pringle,’ Fang said in a statement. ‘We will miss him and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.’

Carr will stay in place until 1 July, enabling him to art direct the autumn winter 2012 campaign and show his SS13 menswear collection at London Collections: Men in mid-June.

Pringle’s existing design team will produce all forthcoming collections. The brand said it would maintain its presence at global fashion weeks, albeit via presentation format rather than full-scale runway shows, ‘allowing resources to be directed towards the collections themselves.’

Carr joined Pringle in March 2011 with a brief to move the brand known for its cashmere twinsets in a more ‘cutting-edge’ direction. ‘He did breathe a new energy into it,’ ELLEuk.com Editor Carrie Tyler said of Carr, who previously worked at Balenciaga, Marni, Cacharal and Chloe. The designer dispensed with 'grandma knits' in favour of more contemporary designs. His had a rebellious air, underlined by the models’ bomber jackets and dip-dyed hair.