Kate Middleton's Issa Engagement Dress Designer Quits Brand

Fashion house's Brazilian founder will pursue new business opportunities towards the end of 2013

By Rose Curiel May 23, 2013 11:02 PMTags
Prince William, Kate MiddletonChris Jackson/Getty Images

It's a wrap for Issa designer Daniella Helayel.

And we're not talking about the designer's iconic royal blue wrap dress famously worn by Kate Middleton to announce her engagement to Prince William.

The Brazilian-born fashion guru has decided to leave the company she founded back in 2004.

Her departure comes just a few years following her decion to sell a majority share of her label to Camilla Al Fayed, and rumors that the company almost went bankrupt after it rapidly spiked in popularity, thanks to the trusty Kate effect.

But Helayel has been quick to assure her fashion fans that the split was mutual, and the right move for her at this point in her life. 

"The time has come for me to move on to focus on my art, travel and other interests," Helayel said in a statement. "Creating Issa has been one of the most rewarding things in my life. I may be leaving, but the Issa girl will live forever in my heart."

And her legend as the designer behind one of the most legendary frocks of our time will undoubtedly live on, too!

Helayel will continue to work with the brand to see through its collaborations with Banana Republic and Brazil's C&A, but the company has already announced Blue Farrier, who has logged time working with Stella McCartney and Chloe, as its new creative director.