Courtesy of Hedi Slimane
Hedi Slimane is joining Céline as its new creative, artistic and image director, reports WWD. The designer is set to join the LVMH-owned fashion house on February 1, and will unveil his first collection as creative director for the label in September during Paris Fashion Week. In his role he will oversee all collections produced by the house along with expanding the label into couture, men’s fashion, and fragrances. Slimane succeeds Phoebe Philo, who recently stepped down from her role as Céline’s creative director after nearly ten years.
“I am particularly happy that Hedi Slimane is back within the LVMH Group and taking the reins of our Céline Maison,” Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH said in an official statement. “He is one of the most talented designers of our time.”
Echoing on his statement, Slimane says about his appointment at the French fashion house: “I am delighted to join Bernard Aranult 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.”
The French photographer and designer, who was born to a Tunisian mother and Italian father, has previously served as the designer of Dior Homme between 2000 and 2007. He went on to reinvent the house of Yves Saint Laurent, which he re-named as Saint Laurent, between 2012 and 2016. He parted ways with Saint Laurent after a four year tenure in 2016, during which he succeeded in more than doubling revenues to the tune of about $787 million within three years.
