Key facts
- Anthony Vaccarello is leaving Saint Laurent after a decade as creative director.
- Kering announced the designer's departure on Friday.
- Vaccarello was appointed in 2016, succeeding Hedi Slimane.
- Under Vaccarello, Saint Laurent reached over €3 billion in annual sales in 2023.
- Kering's shares are down 31% this year.
- Saint Laurent's revenues fell 9% in 2024 and 6% in 2025.
Belgian designer Anthony Vaccarello is leaving Saint Laurent after a 10-year tenure as the brand's creative director, its owner Kering announced on Friday. Vaccarello, who took the helm in 2016, was credited with transforming the French couture brand into a global luxury powerhouse, particularly by capitalizing on strong demand from China. Under his direction, Saint Laurent's annual sales surpassed €3 billion in 2023.
However, the brand has recently experienced a slowdown, mirroring a wider industry trend. Saint Laurent's gross revenues saw a 9% decline in 2024 and a 6% drop in 2025, before stabilizing this year, according to Kering. The company, whose shares have fallen 31% year-to-date, is currently undergoing a broader group revamp led by CEO Luca de Meo, with a renewed focus on the Chinese market being a top priority.
Vaccarello sought to maintain the label's Parisian identity while expanding its global reach, notably through ventures into film production, including the Cannes-winning "Emilia Pérez." Saint Laurent was the last major Kering brand to retain its creative director amidst industry-wide changes at other group labels like Gucci, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta. Kering stated that a new creative director for Saint Laurent will be announced soon and is scheduled to report its third-quarter sales on October 22.