Hedi Slimane Exits YSL

Hedi Slimane Exits YSL

 

In a whirlwind affair, Kering and Yves Saint Laurent made a joint announcement on Friday that Hedi Slimane has left the position as creative director for Yves Saint Laurent.  Anthony Vaccarello was announced on Monday to be Slimane’s replacement.

Chairman and CEO of Kering, the luxury group that owns YSL, was only complimentary regarding Slimane’s work of the past four years at YSL. “What Yves Saint Laurent has achieved over the past four years represents a unique chapter in the history of the house. I am very grateful to Hedi Slimane, and the whole Yves Saint Laurent team, for having set the path that the house has successfully embraced, and which will grant longevity to this legendary brand.” Slimane’s exit from YSL has been attributed to an inability to come to terms on a contract renewal as his contract expired Thursday.

Rumors have been circulating for several months now that Slimane would be vacating YSL, and from these rumors questions rose: where will he go next? What will he do? Who will replace him? Vaccarello’s placement answers one question, but the others are left hanging. An unquestionable talent, Slimane rose in the company in the ‘90’s, moving from marketing to designer, before leaving to work as creative director as Dior Homme, where he was also the first menswear designer to receive the CFDA award for international designer. In 2012, after leaving Dior to focus on photography projects, Slimane returned to YSL, bringing with him a revolutionary idea of the house’s style, and over 20% growth annually.

Luca Solca, the head of luxury goods at Exane BNP Paribas, stated in response to the news, “Saint Laurent is the fastest growing brand in the Kering portfolio. Pilati had done a lot before, but it’s Slimane who has found the sweet spot. The challenge is not so much that of finding a replacement, but choosing the right one. This is more art than science, I’m afraid.”

As far as Vaccarello is concerned, the expressions have been optimistic, “I am extremely pleased to have Anthony Vaccarello take the creative helm of Yves Saint Laurent,” said Francesca Bellettini, president and ceo of Yves Saint Laurent. “His modern, pure aesthetic may be the perfect fit for the maison. Anthony Vaccarello impeccably balances components of provocative femininity and sharp masculinity in his silhouettes. He could be the natural choice expressing the essence of Yves Saint Laurent. I’m enthusiastic about getting into a fresh era with Anthony Vaccarello, and together bringing the maison further success.”

 

Hedi Slimane Exits YSL