It has been announced that Nicola Formichetti will be stepping down as creative director of Mugler. Joel Palix, chairman of the Clarins Fragrance Group and president of Mugler, which owns the brand, commented, "Nicola's communication skills and contemporary creations have attracted new customers and had a major impact on the brand's future." He said that future developments will be announced soon, but declined to specify a timeframe. Nicola stated, "My two years at Mugler have been a wonderful experience. Reviving the brand for a new era, including by making full use of the internet, has been a major challenge, but I hope everyone has enjoyed our proposal to offer a total high fashion experience." Nicola was born on May 31, 1977, in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture. Born to an Italian father and a Japanese mother, he has been active worldwide as the fashion director for Lady Gaga, V Magazine, and Uniqlo. He has been directing Mugler's men's and women's collections since the 2011-2012 Autumn/Winter season. In 2012, he launched his own label, Nicopanda.