On October 2nd, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton announced in a statement that Hedi Slimane will be stepping down as Celine’s creative and image director. This news has sent shockwaves through the fashion industry, sparking widespread speculation about his next move.
Since taking over at Celine in 2018, Slimane has dramatically transformed the brand with his unparalleled creative vision. Notably, his introduction of menswear for the first time in Celine’s history attracted a new customer base and expanded the brand’s diversity. Additionally, he ventured into fragrances and beauty, further enhancing Celine’s presence and influence.
Slimane’s achievements at Celine go beyond simply redefining luxury. LVMH praised him in their statement, saying, “Celine has experienced exceptional growth and established itself as an iconic French couture house.” They added, “The holistic vision of Hedi Slimane, his exigence and rigour have made it possible to redefine the codes of Celine whilst reaffirming its feminine and Parisian roots.” Although LVMH does not report individual brand performances, it is estimated that during his tenure, Celine’s sales doubled, reaching an annual revenue of approximately €2.5 billion.
However, rumors suggest that recent contract negotiations faced difficulties, with disagreements between Slimane and LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault thought to be a major factor. As the market experiences a rapid slowdown, questions arose about whether Slimane’s vision remained essential for the brand’s future.
There is speculation that Slimane may be headed to Chanel, but other brands are also being considered as potential destinations for the designer.
Meanwhile, attention is turning to who will succeed him at Celine. Pieter Mulier, creative director of Alaïa, and Michael Rider, who previously oversaw womenswear at Ralph Lauren, have emerged as potential candidates. Regardless of who is chosen, maintaining the momentum that Slimane built and guiding the brand to the next stage will be a significant challenge.