On October 2, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton officially announced the departure of Hedi Slimane from Celine, and that Michael Rider would succeed him as the new Creative Director. Rider’s tenure is set to begin in early 2025, and he will be responsible for the creative direction of all of Celine’s collections, including womenswear, menswear, leather goods, accessories, and couture.
Rider previously worked at Celine for ten years as Design Director under Phoebe Philo, making his return something of a “homecoming” for him. Most recently, he served as the Creative Director of Polo Ralph Lauren from 2018 until this past May, and he also has experience as a Senior Designer at Balenciaga.
Celine’s CEO, Severine Merle, expressed her excitement, stating, “I am delighted to welcome Michael back to Celine, a maison that he knows intimately. Michael’s creative talent, together with his genuine nature and strong connection to Celine’s heritage make him a natural choice to continue to build a long-lasting success for the maison.”
Slimane’s departure comes at a time when rumors had been circulating for several months that he might take on the role of Creative Director at Chanel. Slimane has built an impressive career, having previously served as Creative Director for Yves Saint Laurent and Dior Homme, and the fashion industry is eagerly watching to see where his next move will take him.
Meanwhile, anticipation is building around how Rider will shape Celine’s future. How will he blend Slimane’s dynamic style with the traditional aesthetic of Celine from Phoebe Philo’s era? The next collection will certainly be highly anticipated.