Hedi Slimane To Replace Stefano Pilati at YSL

Hedi Slimane - is he returning to YSL?

"Another day, another report of a massive shakeup at a major fashion house. Hot on the heels of news that Raf Simons would leave Jil Sander (he showed his last collection for the label today in Milan)–and that Jil Sander would return to her eponymous label–come reports that Hedi Slimane will return to YSL, replacing Stefano Pilati as creative director. 

is raf simon leaving Jil Sander?!

A source told the AFP “[Slimane] will become the new creative director at YSL,” and that “the contract has been signed by both parties.” According to the AFP, the appointment will be formalized during Paris Fashion Week, which starts Tuesday, February 28. WWD is also citing a “Paris source,” as saying that Slimane “is poised to take over the design helm at YSL.” PPR, the parent group of YSL, would not comment to WWD but the French Twittersphere seems to indicate that a confirmation from PPR is forthcoming. 

Slimane started his career with a bang as the creative director of YSL in 1996, where he stayed until 2001. He then left to serve as creative director for Dior Homme until 2007, where he revolutionized menswear with his slim androgynous aesthetic. Since then his talents have been missed in the design world as he’s pursued art and photography. 

Rumors of Pilati’s departure from YSL have dogged him for years, despite his showing a series of strong and well-reviewed collections the last few seasons. (Remember that back in September, Suzy Menkes reported Raf Simons would succeed Pilati.) But, as WWD points out, his contact is up in a month. When asked about renewing Pilati’s contract, PPR chief executive Francois-Henri Pinault told the paper, “I won’t make any comments about any designers.”

Maybe this is why Pilati seemed so unfiltered in a recent interview with Vice UK? 

Could next week be Pilati’s last collection for YSL? And where will he go? And where will Raf Simons go? And who will be named at Dior, if they name a new creative director at all?

This never ending game of fashion musical chairs is making our heads spin." (fashionista)

by Leah Chernikoff

via fashionista