1.2160830-3796485386
(FILES) This file photo taken on October 1, 2012 shows French-born designer Hedi Slimane acknowledging the public at the end of the Saint Laurent Spring/Summer 2013 ready-to-wear collection show in Paris. Hedi Slimane, the designer who pioneered the skinny look at Dior and Saint Laurent, is to take over at Celine, the brand's owners LVMH said on January 21, 2018. The 49-year-old French-born creator is one of fashion's biggest and most enigmatic names, and his future has been surrounded by speculation since he walked away from Saint Laurent last year. / AFP / MARTIN BUREAU Image Credit: AFP

Veteran fashion designer Hedi Slimane has been named the new creative director of the edgy Paris brand Celine.

Slimane, who gained critical and commercial success as Saint Laurent’s designer during 2012-2016, will replace outgoing British designer Phoebe Philo, whose departure was announced in November.

In a statement on Sunday, Celine parent company LVMH praised Slimane’s “talent and his remarkable ability to anticipate and express in a unique way the evolutions and desires of his age.”

French-born, Italian-Tunisian Slimane previously worked for LVMH as designer of Dior Homme during 2000-2007. He was credited with contributing to the influential skinny menswear aesthetic.

Calling Silmane “one of the most talented designers of our time,” LVMH head Bernard Arnault said he was “particularly happy that Hedi is back within the LVMH Group.”