King of rock star chic Hedi Slimane steps down from Saint Laurent

Designer Hedi Slimane – the man credited with creating the skinny jeans look – quit the French fashion label Yves Saint Laurent on Friday. His departure was announced in a brief statement by YSL’s parent group Kering which paid tribute to the way “he has brought back its utmost modernity and fashion authority.” The 47-year-old’s exit has been long predicted, with clear signs for some time that all was not well despite his legion of celebrity fans and soaring profits. He was accused by some of denigrating the hallowed legacy of the label’s founder Yves Saint Laurent with his grungy rock star chic inspired by the American west coast music scene.

I am very grateful to Hedi Slimane, and the whole Yves Saint Laurent team, for having set the path… which will grant longevity to this legendary brand.

Kering chief executive Francois-Henri Pinault

Profits have rocketed in the four years Slimane has been in charge, with revenue doubling as he gave the haute couture brand a street style edge. But the raised eyebrows when he dropped the Yves in Yves Saint Laurent in 2012 and then relocated the design studio to Los Angeles. Despite negative reivews, his designs were a hit with customers and he was praised for invigorating the brand which had been in danger of stagnating. "(What) Yves Saint Laurent has achieved over the past four years represents a unique chapter in the history of the House,“ said Mr Pinault.

This repositioning has granted a new life and a new story to one of the most important French Couture Houses, with undisputed success.

Kering statement

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