After a transformative seven-year run, Hedi Slimane is stepping down from his role at CELINE. During his tenure, the LVMH-owned house expanded significantly, introducing new categories like menswear and beauty, and establishing itself as a modern megabrand.
Slimane, who took the reins at CELINE in February 2018 following Phoebe Philo’s departure, was previously known for his work at Yves Saint Laurent and Dior Homme. Famous for creating the skinny silhouette at Dior and for dropping “Yves” from Saint Laurent’s name during his return as creative director in 2012, Slimane’s influence has been felt throughout the fashion world. At CELINE, he made bold changes, including dropping the accent over the “e” in Céline and revamping the brand’s logo before his first show. His Spring Summer 2019 debut was initially met with criticism, but his Autumn Winter 2019 collection marked a successful pivot to a bourgeois French aesthetic, earning widespread praise.
Under Slimane, CELINE’s sales rose from nearly €1 billion to €2.6 billion in 2023, making it LVMH’s third-largest fashion brand, overtaking Fendi. Slimane also introduced CELINE fragrances in 2019, with a makeup line slated to debut soon. In a statement , CELINE said, “Under his creative and artistic direction, CELINE has experienced exceptional growth and established itself as an iconic French couture house. The extraordinary journey taken together over the last seven years has made CELINE a house with a formidable foundation for the future.” The company has yet to announce a successor.
Despite his growing influence, Slimane largely stayed out of the spotlight and scaled back live runway shows after the pandemic, opting for alternative formats like fashion films. His final works at CELINE included the SS25 men’s collection film titled “The Bright Young” and the tweed-focused SS25 film “Un Été français,” both released outside the traditional fashion calendar.
As Slimane moves on, speculation about his next steps is swirling, with many wondering if he will take the helm at Chanel, which is yet to appoint a new creative director.
