Anthony Vaccarello In at Saint Laurent, Out at Versace
The rumors are true: Anthony Vaccarello will succeed Hedi Slimane at Saint Laurent. On Monday morning it was announced that the Belgian designer would be vacating his position as the creative director of Versus Versace, the Italian company’s cool sister brand. Shortly after, Kering, Yves Saint Laurent’s parent company, confirmed Vaccarello’s hiring.
“I am extremely happy to have Anthony Vaccarello take the creative helm of Yves Saint Laurent,“ Francesca Bellettini, President and CEO of YSL, said in a statement. "His modern, pure aesthetic is the perfect fit for the maison. Anthony Vaccarello impeccably balances elements of provocative femininity and sharp masculinity in his silhouettes. He is the natural choice to express the essence of Yves Saint Laurent. I am enthusiastic about embarking on a new era with Anthony Vaccarello, and together bringing the maison further success.”
“I am very proud to welcome such a vivid and young force among today’s creative fashion talents to Yves Saint Laurent,” Kering’s chairman and CEO, Fran?ois-Henri Pinault, added. “Anthony Vaccarello’s unique style will greatly express the maison’s creative signature and fashion authority, building on the brand’s solid foundations, and further developing it to realize its full potential.”
Just hours earlier, the Versace Group divulged that Vaccarello would be leaving his post. “While I’m sad to see him leave the Versace family, I wish Anthony Vaccarello tremendous success with his next chapter,” Donatella Versace, vice said in a statement. The 33-year-old Vaccarello was tapped as guest designer in 2013 and then instituted as Versus Versace’s official creative director in 2015. While he only maintained the role for a year, he produced sexy, young, and fresh pieces. He also has his own eponymous label, launched in 2010, which is known for its innovative cutouts and high leg slits.
Rumblings in the fashion world have been swirling since Paris Fashion Week that Vaccarello would take over at Saint Laurent upon Slimane’s exit. Slimane, who’s credited with rebranding the iconic French fashion house, disclosed his departure on Friday.
Vaccarello will present his first collection in October during Paris Spring/Summer 2017 fashion week. Vaccarello said, “Mr. Saint Laurent is a legendary figure for his creativity, style and audacity. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the history of this extraordinary house.”
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