Saint Laurent splits with Anthony Vaccarello after 10 years

Saint Laurent, the Paris fashion house owned by Kering, the French luxury group, is parting ways with Anthony Vaccarello. The house confirmed the departure on October 8, 2026. It ends a 10-year run for Vaccarello, its creative director, the designer in charge of collections and image, who had led the house since 2016 Kering.

In its announcement, Saint Laurent said Vaccarello played a key role in its development. It credited him with helping to strengthen its identity and influence across fashion and culture. It added that it would soon unveil its new creative leadership. No successor was named WWD.

The house is run by president and chief executive officer Cedric Charbit. Its owner, Kering, which describes itself as a global, family-led luxury group, has been led by chief executive officer Luca de Meo since September 2025. Kering’s other creative houses include Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, McQueen, Brioni and its jewellery and eyewear names, working across ready-to-wear, the standard-size clothing lines, leather goods, jewellery, eyewear and beauty.

His last show may already have happened. On September 29, Vaccarello sent out a head-to-toe gold collection of slinky dresses and textured tailoring at Paris Fashion Week. The all-gold look closed his spring showcase in Paris. Reuters described the night as one that may be his finale.

Vaccarello will still take a bow in New York. He is due to receive the International Designer of the Year trophy at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards on November 2 in New York City. The awards are run by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the United States industry body.

He took the Saint Laurent job in 2016. The house had announced the departure of his predecessor, Hedi Slimane, on April 1 that year. His team in the early years included Chemena Kamali, who served as women’s ready-to-wear design director from 2016 to 2023 before becoming creative director of Chloe.

The end of the decade-long tenure was reported as part of a wider revamp across the group. That is a lot of change at the top in a short period. Details of what comes next at Saint Laurent have not been released.

For fans, this means a short wait. One era closed in gold in Paris. Another will open when the house names its next lead.