Hedi Slimane to replace Phoebe Philo as Céline designer

It seems Hedi Slimane isn't finished with fashion yet. On Sunday morning, LVMH announced that it had appointed the iconoclastic designer to be the new Artistic, Creative and Image Director of Céline, effective 1st February.

Slimane will show his first collection for the French fashion house in September 2018.

'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,' Slimane said in a statement.

The unorthodox title hints at Slimane's wide remit at Céline. Along with womenswear, he will oversee menswear, couture and fragrances. Although these are all new business areas for the fashion house, menswear will mark a return to form for Slimane, who made his name in his seven years as Dior Homme designer.  

In announcing the appointment, LVMH positioned the hiring as a bid to 'ensure a further era of exceptional growth and development' for Céline.

'I am particularly happy that Hedi is back within the LVMH Group and taking the reins of our Céline Maison,' said Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH. '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. Hedi will oversee and develop all creativity for both women’s and men’s fashion, but also for leather goods, accessories and fragrances. He will leverage his global vision and unique aesthetic virtuosity in further building an iconic French Maison.'

Slimane served as Saint Laurent's creative director from 2012-2016, leading the house through a redefining period of growth. He changed the house's name, altered its logo, redefined its imagery (he is also an accomplished photographer), opened a new atelier in his home base of Los Angeles and courted a new, younger clientele and fan base - all divisive moves that nonetheless ushered the brand to double-digit, year-on-year growth. 

He succeeds Phoebe Philo, who, in her decade at Céline, rose to become one of the most revered designers in the fashion world. Under her guidance Céline transformed into a hit factory - for handbags, shoes, coats, sunglasses and jewellery, not to mention jumpers, dresses and skirts.

Philo will show her final collection for the house at Paris Fashion Week in March.