Just days after Celine released the video of their spring/summer 2025 collection, LVMH has confirmed that the designer who has had the most opportunities with the group is leaving the brand

After seven years holding fort and doing things his absolute own way, Hedi Slimane is leaving Celine. Rumours have been circulating for months—at least since April—that he wanted to step down amid contract negotiations that has been described as “thorny” (he is also known to demand a high salary), but it is not until now that LVMH has made it official. Early speculations pointed to the possibility that he would join Chanel, a Maison still without a designer since Virginie Viard departed on June suddenly. But other than contractual tensions, it appeared that Mr Slimane is fairing well with Celine. Just last season, he gave Celine a fine-tuning by introducing a more his autumn/winter 2025 collection, opting for a look that has been described as more Parisienne haute bourgeoisie (rather than his usual indie cool) that we thought was strong with welcome chic. And then just last week, there was the video of the spring/summer 2025 collection (he still eschewed IRL shows), which was strong on tweeds and neat, boxy little Chanel-ish suit-jackets, which spurned even more talk that he was headed to taking on the double Cs.

In a statement released to the media just hours earlier, the world’s largest luxury conglomerate expectedly lauded: “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.” It did not say why the passage, if “extraordinary”, could not be continued. There was no mention of a successor. Or when Mr Slimane will call it his last day at the house. But, as always, industry chatter has been swift and audible. Amid gossips in the French capital of who would be going where, two strong contenders for the Celine post have emerged: Pieter Mulier of Alaïa, former right-hand of Raf Simons, and who is apparently a close friend of Delphine Arnault and the lesser-known Michael Rider, formerly from Celine under Phoebe Philo and currently with Ralph Lauren. Hedi Slimane, keeping typically silent, has not said what his plans would be next. The Chanel post is still up for grabs. No doubt, more to follow.

Watch this space for further developments. Illustration: Just So