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Hedi’s Fate & The Arnault Succession Effect

Rumors that Hedi Slimane will be replaced at Celine could just as easily have been seeded by Hedi as by his bosses. But don’t discount the rise of Delphine Arnault, the eldest LVMH heir, in determining whatever happens next.

Hedi Slimane
I’m sure Bernard Arnault does have a soft spot for Hedi Slimane, who has made him a lot of money over their on-again, off-again, 20-plus year relationship. Photo: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage
Lauren Sherman
April 25, 2024

On Tuesday, I started getting pings from the most insidery of industry insiders that Michael Rider, who designs the Polo women’s collection at Ralph Lauren, might move to Celine to replace Hedi Slimane, who might have another act ahead of him. Then, hours later, a story popped up on WWD speculating that Rider—who worked under Phoebe Philo at her Céline before heading to Polo—was at least being considered for the job. (Rider was also speculated to be in the running at the time Philo left, too. The gig went to Hedi instead, a coup for then-LVMH fashion group C.E.O. Sidney Toledano.)