Saint Laurent confirms appointment of Anthony Vaccarello as Creative Director

By

Dominique Muret

Published
Apr 4, 2016

Saint Laurent didn't waste any time. Just a few days after announcing the departure of its Creative Director, Hedi Slimane, specifically on Thursday 1 April, it has appointed his successor: Anthony Vaccarello.

The young Italian-born Belgian designer is indeed the "Yves Saint Laurent Artistic Director effective immediately," as announced by luxury Kering group in a press release, confirming the ever-increasing rumours.

Having studied at Brussels' La Cambre, he was the grand prize winner of the Hyères International Festival of Fashion and Photography in 2006, and won the Andam Fashion Award in 2011. The 36-year-old designer, who launched his brand in 2009, most recently spent three years at Versus Versace, first as an independent consultant designer and then, since 2015, as Creative Director.

Versus Versace announced the designer's departure on Monday: "I am sad to see him leave the Versace family but I wish Anthony Vaccarello great success in this new chapter opening up to him," said Artistic Director Donatella Versace in a release.

Known for his flattering cuts for the female figure and his sexy and rock'n'roll style, the designer is considered to be one of the most gifted of his generation.

"The modernity and purity of his aesthetic go perfectly with the spirit of the House. Anthony Vaccarello's cuts seamlessly balance the elements of provocative femininity and those of acute masculinity. Anthony Vaccarello is a natural choice to express the essence of the Yves Saint Laurent house," said Francesca Bellettini, the CEO of Yves Saint Laurent.

He will debut with the Saint Laurent spring/summer 2017 collection.