There’s no fashion designer as divisive as Hedi Slimane.
His appointment as creative director for Saint Laurent in 2012 started with a PR drama. Cue the “Ain’t Laurent Without Yves” fiasco and his publicised falling out with fashion critics like Cathy Horyn. But the dissenters who doubted Slimane’s debut for the brand were soon silenced as the cash registers keep on tilling. As of last year, revenues for the brand reportedly hit US$1.08 billion (S$1.46 billion).
But just as Slimane’s journey seems to be starting its peak, the brand announced today that the four-year stint is over. The brand will not be renewing Slimane’s contract which ends this week. With plenty of musical chairs happening among the various luxury houses, it’s anyone guess now where this designer will be heading up to next.
In the meantime, Imran Jalal charts the ways this maverick has made Saint Laurent such a big part of pop culture today.
