After a remarkable seven-year run, Hedi Slimane is stepping down from his position as creative director at Celine. In a statement released on Wednesday, Celine acknowledged Slimane’s impact, stating, “Under his creative and artistic direction, Celine has experienced exceptional growth and established itself as an iconic French couture house.” The statement continued, “The extraordinary journey taken together over the last seven years has made Celine a house with a formidable foundation for the future.” While Celine has yet to announce a successor, the fashion world is buzzing with anticipation.
Slimane joined Celine in February 2018, succeeding Phoebe Philo. His arrival marked a significant shift for the brand, as he brought his signature style – a blend of Parisian elegance and Los Angeles rocker glam – to the forefront. Before Celine, Slimane held prominent positions at Yves Saint Laurent and Dior Homme, where he notably introduced the skinny silhouette that became a defining trend of the early 2000s.
Upon joining Celine, Slimane quickly made his mark. He dropped the accent from the brand’s name, redesigned the logo, and introduced menswear to the lineup. His debut collection for Spring/Summer 2019, featuring a blend of men’s and women’s wear, drew mixed reactions, with some critics finding his vision a departure from Celine’s previous identity. However, his subsequent collections, particularly the AW19 collection with its bourgeois French girl aesthetic, were met with more widespread acclaim.
Slimane’s impact on Celine’s business was undeniable. Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH, the parent company of Celine, had ambitious goals for the brand when Slimane joined, aiming for sales to reach €2 billion to €3 billion within five years. By 2023, Celine’s sales had surpassed those targets, reaching an estimated €2.6 billion, making it LVMH’s third largest fashion brand, trailing only Louis Vuitton and Dior. Slimane also expanded Celine’s product portfolio to include fragrances in 2019, with a makeup line set to launch this autumn.
Despite achieving remarkable success, Slimane gradually receded from the public eye. He opted to forgo live runway shows after the pandemic, preferring to showcase his collections through film. In December 2022, Slimane staged his first physical runway show since the pandemic in Los Angeles, his adopted home, with a collection titled “Age of Indieness.” This collection hinted at a possible future for Slimane, a potential eponymous brand drawing on his signature aesthetic.
In early September, Slimane unveiled his SS25 men’s collection through a 13-minute film titled ‘The Bright Young,’ further solidifying his commitment to unconventional presentations. During Paris Fashion Week, he also released an SS25 film titled ‘Un Été français,’ showcasing a tweed-heavy collection that sparked speculation about a possible move to Chanel, a brand known for its iconic tweed designs, which is currently seeking a new creative director.
Slimane’s departure from Celine leaves a void in the fashion world. His influence on the brand, both creatively and commercially, is undeniable, and his next move is sure to be eagerly watched by the industry. With his blend of Parisian sophistication and rock-and-roll edge, Slimane’s future endeavors are likely to be just as captivating as his tenure at Celine.
