After much speculation, one of fashion's most lauded designers and visionaries, Hedi Slimane, has just been announced as Celine's new artistic, creative and image director.
WWD reports Slimane - who left Saint Laurent as creative and image director in 2016 - will join the LVMH brand on February 1 and will unveil his first collection for both men and women next September during Paris Fashion Week.
According to LVMH, Slimane said of his appointment: 'I am delighted to join Bernard Arnault [CEO of LVMH] in this all-embracing and fascinating mission for Céline. I greatly look forward to returning to the exciting world of fashion and the dynamism of the ateliers.'
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Chanel's creative director Karl Lagerfeld congratulated the designer on his new role at Céline, adding: 'I am enchanted, what a great choice.
'It will be great.'
In his new role, Slimane will be reunited with Sidney Toledano, the chief executive officer of Dior, who recruited the designer to reinvigorate the couture house.
The 49-year-old takes over Céline from Phoebe Philo, who announced her resignation from the brand last December after 10 years at the helm.
The choice of Slimane is a big step for Céline, following Slimane's pioneering influence as the designer of Dior Homme between 2000 and 2007.
In the years that followed, the French-born artist divided opinion in the fashion industry with his decision to change the name of Kering-owned label Yves Saint Laurent to Saint Laurent Paris.
Speaking of his decision to change the name, Slimane told Yahoo Style: 'It can be through different ideas and mediums, but Yves is always on my mind, it is a constant point of reference.'
Pierre Bergé, Yves Saint Laurent's longtime friend, business partner and co-founder of the label, told the New Yorker in 2006: 'People now in men's fashion design just do it for the runway and their press. With Hedi, it's completely different.
'He has a wonderful sense of the clothes. He has a wonderful technique. For Hedi, the idea of the customer, that is very important. Other designers know nothing about the customer. They have scorn. I don't respect many fashion designers, but I respect Hedi very much.'
Watch this space.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
