Celine announces new artistic direction as Hedi Slimane departs

In a significant shift for the iconic Maison Celine, the brand has confirmed the departure of Hedi Slimane, who has served as Artistic, Creative, and Image Director since January 2018. Slimane’s time at Celine was marked by a pivotal redefinition of Celine’s identity, emphasising its feminine and Parisian roots while expanding into new territories like menswear, couture, and haute parfumerie.

As Slimane steps down, Celine is thrilled to announce the appointment of Michael Rider as its new Artistic Director, effective early 2025. Rider returns to the maison after an illustrious career, which includes pivotal roles at Balenciaga and a decade as Design Director under Phoebe Philo at Celine. Most recently, he served as Creative Director at Polo Ralph Lauren.

Severine Merle, CEO of Celine, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I am delighted to welcome Michael back to Celine. His vision, creative talent, and strong connection to Celine’s heritage make him a natural choice to continue building the maison’s success.”

Rider himself remarked, “Celine is a maison with values very close to my heart, and I am honored to come back and shape its future.”