Irvine-based St. John Knits International Inc. is moving on to a new signature model, and a big one at that.
The women’s clothier has signed Angelina Jolie for its 2006 line, according to trade publication Women’s Wear Daily.
A source close to the company said St. John Chief Executive Richard Cohen plans to announce the Jolie hiring on Thursday.
Jolie would be St. John’s third model this year. The company, which is in the midst of transition under Cohen, started the year with longtime model Kelly Gray, daughter of the company’s founders.
Then in June, St. John hired supermodel Gisele B & #252;ndchen, in a move that surprised many watchers of the stately maker of women’s knit suits.
Gray and mother Marie Gray, the company’s designer, left in July. Kelly Gray remains a consultant. Patriarch Robert Gray retired earlier.
Cohen’s been putting his mark on St. John, a company synonymous with the founding Gray family. He came to St. John a year ago from the U.S. arm of Italy’s Gruppo Ermenegildo Zegna.
He’s sought to liven up St. John, best known for outfitting politicians and socialites. Jolie could be part of that effort. She resonates with younger women and also may appeal to St. John’s old guard with her work with the United Nations and other causes.
