ANTHONY VACCARELLO IS IN AT SAINT LAURENT

Yves Saint Laurent and Kering have confirmed the appointment of Anthony Vaccarello as creative director of the maison Yves Saint Laurent, effective immediately. The news comes just two days after the official announcement of Hedi Slimane leaving the house. Vaccarello will present his first collection for the maison in October 2016, during Paris spring/summer 2017 fashion week.

The 36-year-old designer has been creative director of his eponymous brand since 2009, which he founded following two years at Fendi. He has also spent three years at Versus Versace, first as an independent consultant designer and then, since 2015, as creative director. A graduate of La Cambre in Brussels, Vaccarello was the grand prize winner of the renowned Hyères International Festival of Fashion and Photography in 2006, and won the prestigious ANDAM Fashion Award in 2011.

“Mr. Saint Laurent is a legendary figure for his creativity, style and audacity,” said Vacarello. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the history of this extraordinary house.”

“I am extremely happy to have Anthony take the creative helm of Yves Saint Laurent,” said Francesca Bellettini, president and CEO of Yves Saint Laurent. “His modern, pure aesthetic is the perfect fit for the maison. He impeccably balances elements of provocative femininity and sharp masculinity in his silhouettes, and is the natural choice to express the essence of Yves Saint Laurent.”

François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of Kering, added: “I am very proud to welcome such a vivid and young force among today’s creative fashion talents to Yves Saint Laurent. Anthony’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. Together with the entire Yves Saint Laurent team, Anthony will strongly contribute to the maison’s growing accomplishments.”