The news comes shortly after the presentation of the brand's Spring/Summer 2025 collection in Paris.
During his seven-year tenure, Slimane orchestrated a comprehensive transformation of the historic French house, implementing notable changes including the simplification of the brand's logo by removing both the accent mark and "Paris" designation. Under his direction, Celine achieved unprecedented financial success, with reports from Business of Fashion indicating the brand's revenue doubled to approximately €2.5 billion.
The departure follows months of industry speculation, particularly after sources close to the matter revealed to Business of Fashion that negotiations between Slimane and LVMH had reached an impasse over contract terms. This tension had been building since early 2024, though both parties maintained public silence until now.
LVMH acknowledged Slimane's impact in a statement to Women's Wear Daily: "Under his creative and artistic direction, Celine has experienced exceptional growth and established itself as an iconic French couture house." Slimane's legacy at Celine adds to his impressive portfolio, which includes influential periods at both Dior Homme and Saint Laurent.
The luxury house wasted no time in announcing its future direction, revealing Michael Rider as its incoming artistic director. Rider, who previously held the position of creative director at Polo Ralph Lauren, brings a fresh perspective to the storied brand. The appointment was made public through Celine's Instagram stories, signaling the house's readiness to embrace its next chapter.
This transition marks the second major leadership change for Celine in recent years, following Slimane's 2018 succession of Phoebe Philo. The fashion industry now watches with interest as Rider prepares to shape the future direction of one of luxury fashion's most prominent houses.