Anthony Vaccarello leaves Saint Laurent after a decade; Kering to name successor
Representative image: Pexels / Pixabay
Kering confirmed on October 9, 2026, that Anthony Vaccarello is leaving Saint Laurent after about ten years as creative director; a successor is due soon.
What Happened
Anthony Vaccarello is leaving Saint Laurent after about ten years as the Paris fashion house's creative director, its owner Kering confirmed on Friday, October 9, 2026. Kering said a successor would be announced shortly. Kering chief executive Luca de Meo thanked the Belgian designer, crediting his creative vision and exacting standards with strengthening the house's influence, and Saint Laurent chief executive Cedric Charbit said Vaccarello had lifted the brand to the front rank of desirability and image. The exit had been widely expected: his Spring/Summer 2027 show in Paris on September 29 was seen by many in the industry as a farewell.
Key Facts
- Kering confirmed Vaccarello's departure from Saint Laurent on Friday, October 9, 2026.
- He became creative director in 2016 and led the house for about a decade.
- His last show was the Spring/Summer 2027 collection in Paris on September 29.
- Kering said his successor would be named soon; no one had been officially announced at the time of writing.
- Fashion press reports name Chloe's creative director Chemena Kamali as a widely tipped candidate, but this is speculation, not an announcement.
- According to a Barclays note cited in reports, Kering told analysts the decision was about the brand's long-term prospects, not recent financial results.
- Saint Laurent is the latest Kering label to change designer, after Gucci, Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta.
Why It Matters
Saint Laurent is one of the best-known houses in the Kering group, and its creative director shapes the look of everything it sells, from the runway to the shop floor. Vaccarello defined the label for a decade, and his departure removes one of the longest-serving designers in a group that has been changing fast.
The move fits a wider reset under Kering chief executive Luca de Meo, who has been overhauling the group's brands. Gucci, Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta all switched creative directors last year. Changing the designer at Saint Laurent too means almost all of Kering's big houses will now be judged on new creative teams at the same time, a high-stakes bet for the group.
For readers following women in the fashion business, the succession is worth watching. The name most often mentioned in fashion coverage is a woman, Chemena Kamali, who leads design at Chloe. If she were chosen, a woman would take the creative helm of one of Paris's best-known houses, though nothing has been decided.
There is also a lesson for designers and fashion students in India. At global houses, creative directors increasingly serve fixed chapters of a few years, and owners now change them when they want a new direction for the business, not only when sales fall. Building a recognisable signature, as Vaccarello did, remains the currency that wins these jobs.
| Kering house | Recent change of creative director |
|---|---|
| Gucci | Changed last year |
| Balenciaga | Changed last year |
| Bottega Veneta | Changed last year |
| Saint Laurent | Vaccarello's exit confirmed October 9, 2026; successor to be named |
Impact
Short-term: Attention turns to who will take over Saint Laurent and when the first collection under the new designer will show.
Long-term: With most of its major brands under new designers, Kering's recovery will depend on whether these fresh creative teams can revive demand together.
Who is affected: Saint Laurent's design teams and staff, Kering investors, retailers and buyers who stock the brand, and customers who follow its style.
Key Takeaway
Kering confirmed on October 9, 2026, that Anthony Vaccarello is leaving Saint Laurent after a decade, extending a sweeping change of designers across the group.
Questions and Answers
Why is Anthony Vaccarello leaving Saint Laurent?
Kering has not given a detailed public reason. According to a Barclays note cited in reports, the company told analysts the decision was driven by the brand's longer-term prospects and was unrelated to recent financial performance.
Who will replace him?
Kering said a successor would be announced shortly. Fashion press reports mention Chloe's Chemena Kamali as a leading candidate, but no appointment had been made.
How long was Vaccarello at Saint Laurent?
About ten years. He was appointed creative director in 2016, and his last show for the house was in Paris on September 29, 2026.
Which other Kering brands have changed designers?
Gucci, Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta all changed creative directors last year as Kering chief executive Luca de Meo reshapes the group.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
Seven Indians on Fortune's Most Powerful Women Asia 2026; Roshni Nadar Malhotra No. 8
Warm parenting at age three linked to stronger teen brain reward response, study finds
Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
