Just one week after the Kering-owned YSL dismissed rumors that designer Hedi Slimane was stepping down after just three years at the storied French luxury label, WWD reignited chatter today with an article today saying negotiations had broken down. According to the article, YSL has already identified a front runner, Belgian-born Anthony Vaccarello, who has been the head creative for Versace’s Versus brand since last September. In response to queries from WWD, the label said it doesn’t comment on rumors.
Just yesterday, YSL announced on Twitter that on January 24h the label would show its men’s collection for the first time in Slimane’s adopted city, Los Angeles. Titled “Saint Laurent at the Palladium,” the event according to press will be a tribute to the Los Angeles rock scene, which has greatly inspired and informed Slimane’s designs.
The label also Tweeted a news article (below) highlighting Slimane as winning a menswear first-place ranking for the fifth year in a row by the Journal du Textiles, an odd item to highlight for a company supposedly preparing to replace Slimane.
Slimane’s departure would be a big loss for YSL. While criticized by some fashion purists for his rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic, luxury customers have responded enthusiastically with the label’s sales doubling in his first two years at the brand.
SAINT LAURENT BY HEDI SLIMANE RANKED FIRST FOR THE 5TH CONSECUTIVE SEASON OF JOURNAL DU TEXTILE’S MENSWEAR RANKING pic.twitter.com/YksB7U1wAT
— Yves Saint Laurent (@YSL) January 12, 2016
