The fashion rumour mill is in overdrive with speculation that Anthony Vaccarello could be preparing to leave Saint Laurent after a decade at the helm, with Chemena Kamali now being tipped as his potential successor.
The story has been building for several weeks as rumours first surfaced in August surrounding possible changes at both Saint Laurent and Chloé, before Spanish publication Invogua reported that Vaccarello’s ten-year contract would not be renewed. The report was subsequently denied by Kering and removed from the publication’s website.
The speculation gained fresh momentum on September 8, when fashion insider account BoringNotCom posted that Vaccarello was allegedly on his way out, with Kamali, currently Chloé’s creative director, positioned as his replacement. The account has a notable track record for predicting creative-director moves, but the claim remains unconfirmed.
Kamali would be a particularly intriguing choice. Before taking the creative reins at Chloé in 2023, the German designer spent seven years at Saint Laurent, serving as Women’s Ready-to-Wear Design Director under Vaccarello.
Since joining Saint Laurent in 2016, Vaccarello has transformed the house into one of Kering’s most commercially powerful brands, while establishing a sharply sensual, highly recognizable aesthetic. Under his direction, Saint Laurent’s annual revenue grew dramatically, making the possibility of his departure all the more significant.
For now, however, nothing has been confirmed by Saint Laurent, Kering or Chloé. Vaccarello remains officially at the house, with Saint Laurent scheduled to present its Spring/Summer 2027 collection in Paris on September 29.
Still, with Paris Fashion Week around the corner, the possibility of a Vaccarello exit, and a Kamali homecoming, is one of the most intriguing stories circulating in fashion right now.