Newsflash: Hedi Slimane Joins Céline

The guessing game is over … Smack in the middle of the Men’s and Couture shows, LVMH announced that beginning February 1,  current Saint Laurent Creative Director of menswear and womenswear, Hedi Slimane, will be Phoebe Philo’s successor at Céline.

I am particularly happy that Hedi is back within the LVMH Group and taking the reins of our Céline maison. He is one of the most talented designers of our time. I have been a great admirer of his work since we collaborated on Dior Homme, which he launched to global critical acclaim in the 2000s. His arrival at Céline reinforces the great ambitions that LVMH has for this maison. — Bernard Arnault, LVMH Chairman and Chief Executive

This was shocking news to me as there really wasn’t much indication of Slimane’s departure at all, so he wasn’t even one of the probable contenders for the current round of designer musical chairs. I don’t know what this is going to mean for Céline because I stand on #TeamPhilo because how could I not – from the Paddington bag when she was at Chloé to the Luggage, Trio, Phantom, Box, and Trapeze, she’s the queen of turning cult bags into classics with her quiet confidence.

Slimane, on the other hand, made a statement the moment he stepped into his role at the helm at Saint Laurent by entirely revamping the brand and its image (I still have my “Ain’t Laurent Without Yves” tee!). That said, props to him for turning the brand around, and making it young, hip, urban, and endowing it with street style cred. Will he do the same for Céline?

I am delighted to join Bernard Arnault 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. — Hedi Slimane

Image via French Vogue