Abraham Ortuño is the new creative director of Camper and CamperLab

The Spanish footwear company has announced the appointment of Abraham Ortuño, founder of Abra, as the new creative director of Camper and CamperLab. This change marks the beginning of a new era for the Mallorcan brand and places one of the most interesting voices in footwear today at the helm of its creative universe.

From now on, Ortuño will be responsible for directing the creative vision of both the product and brand communication, overseeing the development of Camper and its more experimental line, CamperLab. His first chapter will come with the Fall/Winter 2027 collection, which will be presented in early 2027 and launched in June of that same year.

The designer takes over from Finland’s Achilles Ion Gabriel, who announced his departure from the company in January after more than six years at the helm of the creative project. The Spring/Summer 2027 collection will be the last under his direction, closing a chapter in which CamperLab established itself as one of the most interesting creative laboratories in contemporary footwear.

For Miguel Fluxà, the company’s CEO, Ortuño’s arrival represents a natural step towards the future of the brand. In Fluxà’s own words, the designer ‘represents a new generation of creative leadership’, highlighting his in-depth knowledge of footwear and his ability to combine culture, design and innovation from a global perspective.

Born in Alicante, Ortuño has built his career at the intersection of craftsmanship and experimentation. Before launching Abra in 2019, he worked with some of the most influential houses in the industry, including Jacquemus, JW Anderson, Loewe and Kenzo. During that period, he participated in the development of several designs that quickly became recognisable pieces within the fashion circuit, such as loafers and mules shaped like animal paws for JW Anderson.

For Ortuño himself, taking on the creative direction of Camper is also something of a homecoming. ‘As a Spanish designer, Camper has always represented the pinnacle of our country’s design heritage: a brand that fearlessly balances Mediterranean pragmatism with a deep sense of playfulness,’ he explains. His intention now is to engage with that historical archive while introducing a more subversive energy to both the main line and CamperLab. ‘We are going to push the boundaries of footwear, mixing irony, craftsmanship and contemporary culture.’

The news comes at a key moment for the CamperLab universe. The experimental line recently celebrated its first fashion show during Paris Men’s Fashion Week, where Ion Gabriel’s vision materialised in a proposal that expanded the project into ready-to-wear and accessories. Added to this is the opening in 2025 of a new store in the Parisian neighbourhood of Le Marais, consolidating its presence within the international circuit.

With Ortuño at the helm, everything points to Camper entering a particularly interesting phase: a blend of Mediterranean heritage, experimentation and a new creative generation. The first glimpse will come in 2027, but the message is already clear: Camper wants to play a strong role in the global footwear market once again.