Update: Phoebe Philo Isn’t Leaving Céline (Phew!)
There’s no truth to the rumours according to senior management at the French fashion house
Update (09/02): Senior management at Céline have assured employees that creative director Phoebe Philo is not preparing to leave, stating that the company and the designer “are more motivated and committed than ever to their partnership and will continue to create beautiful products.”
Rumours began circulating last week to suggest that Philo was planning to announce her exit from the brand after eight years at the helm. An internal memo sent around the company acknowledged that these reports were based on “rumours, not truths”, according to WWD.
Neither Philo, Céline or LVMH have commented publicly on the rumours.
Original article (07/02): Speculation is mounting to suggest that Phoebe Philo might be preparing to leave Céline after eight years as creative director.
Since joining the LVMH-owned Céline in 2008, Philo has been credited with transforming the once-tired fashion house into one of the most coveted and respected (not to mention imitated) labels in the world, celebrated for its elegant, minimalist designs that women – and fashion editors – worldwide want to wear.
Nothing has yet been confirmed by either Philo or LVMH, but rumour has it that the designer has been in discussions with the Richemont group – which owns brands including Cartier, Azzedine Alaïa and Chloé, where Philo worked alongside Stella McCartney in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
While many might have been hoping for a Philo-Alaïa union, a spokesperson on behalf of the Tunisian-born couturier released the following statement: “Azzedine Alaïa S.A.S. formally denies any rumours related to changes in the creative direction of the Maison Alaïa”.
Of course, there’s always that top job at Dior up for grabs…Watch this space.
Via Harper’s Bazaar UK