Stefano Pilati has stepped down from his role as creative director of Yves Saint Laurent and Jil Sander says she has ‘daring’ plans for her return to her eponymous label.
The designer – who joined YSL as design director in 2000 after stints at Giorgio Armani, Prada and Miu Miu, and took over from the then-creative director Tom Ford in 2004 – has decided to part ways with the French fashion house although he has not announced where he is going.
In a statement, YSL said, “He has been instrumental in the rebuilding and repositioning of an iconic French luxury brand. Under Stefano’s guiding vision and artistic direction, the house has become a contemporary reference in high fashion.”
Pilati will present his final YSL collection on March 5 at Paris Fashion Week and the brand will announce a new creative director – rumoured to be Hedi Slimane – “within weeks”.
PPR chairman and ceo François-Henri Pinault said, “I join Paul Deneve and the house of Saint Laurent in thanking Stefano for his dedication and contribution to the story of Yves Saint Laurent. I personally wish him all the best.”
The designer officially announced she would be going back to her own label after leaving in 2004 and says she can’t wait to get back to work.
She told WWD, “At the moment, there seems to be a craving for authenticity and clear visions. I am confident that this is the time for modern sophistication, for attractive, wearable fashion which is true to the new century. I do have strong convictions which evolved but never radically changed over time. I never tried to be provocative, but I never indulged in nostalgia, either. Fashion is experimentation, and if you keep the sophistication, it can also be eccentric. You have to break rules, if there is a good reason. And now is the right time to be daring, there are few new ideas.”
Jil – who will be replacing Raf Simons – says going back feels like the right thing to do.
She said, “It feels very natural, even though it is like a miracle. My head is already there. I feel that things happen for a reason and open up new opportunities. Life is full of challenges and surprises.”
