Former Saint Laurent creative director Hedi Slimane is taking the reigns at Céline.

Late last year Phobe Philo announced her departure from LVMH-owned brand Céline, where she had been creative director for nearly a decade. Philo is credited with defining Céline’s understated and feminine aesthetic. Now her replacement has been announced, former Dior Homme and Saint Laurent designer Hedi Slimane. Slimane is an unexpected choice for the French brand, so it should be interesting to see how Céline develops under his leadership. Slimane will be artistic, creative and image director of Céline and is set to start on February 1. Slimane will also expand the label into menswear, couture and fragrance.

In a statement LVMH chairman and chief executive Bernard Arnault said of Slimane:

“He is one of the most talented designers of our time. I have been a great admirer of his work since we collaborated on Dior Homme, which he launched to global critical acclaim in the 2000s. His arrival at Céline reinforces the great ambitions that LVMH has for this maison.”

His first collection for Céline will be shown in September at Paris Fashion Week, stay tuned!