Saint Laurent Confirms Anthony Vaccarello's Departure After Ten Years
Saint Laurent has confirmed that Anthony Vaccarello is stepping down as creative director after ten years. His final collection for the house was shown during Paris Fashion Week, featuring gold-toned reinterpretations of Yves Saint Laurent signatures. The Belgian designer had previously led his own label and worked on Versus Versace before joining Saint Laurent.
Vaccarello’s exit was confirmed after Saint Laurent had earlier disputed the speculation. His farewell S/S 2027 collection, staged beneath three large chandeliers near the Eiffel Tower, recast house signatures in gold, spanning outerwear, tailoring, and ruffled blouses. At his final bow, he gave keys to his son Luca.
During his tenure, the Belgian designer, formerly behind his own label and Versus Versace, expanded Saint Laurent’s cultural reach. He launched Saint Laurent Productions, the first fashion-house film production arm, backed titles including Emilia Pérez, and won 2026 CFDA International Designer of the Year as revenues surpassed €3 billion.
The change may unsettle Saint Laurent’s staff, collaborators, and loyal customers who associate Vaccarello’s era with a distinct aesthetic. His departure could prompt speculation about the house’s next creative direction, affecting designers, models, production teams, and fashion media. It may also influence how luxury brands balance cinematic spectacle with commercial growth, though the ultimate cultural and economic effects may depend on his successor and the brand’s strategy.