Why Saint Laurent’s new creative director has put his own label on hold

The Fashion Month excitement ramps up

Belgian-Italian fashion designer Anthony Vaccarello, has confirmed that he will not show his eponymous label this season in order to focus on his new responsibilities at Saint Laurent.

When he was appointed as Hedi Slimane’s successor at the house in April, the 36-year-old designer said he would ‘pause’ his own brand from October, but today a statement from the 8-year-old brand declared that it will not present a collection for spring/summer 2017.

Anthony Vaccarello, AW16

‘This adventure has been amazing but I now feel the need to fully focus on this new project,’ Vaccarello said via a statement, and went to on to thank ‘everyone who supported his brand since its launch in 2008 and made it so successful.’

His ‘new project’ will debut at Paris Fashion Week, when she shows his hotly anticipated first collection for Saint Laurent on September 27. With just four weeks to go, his need to clear some space in his diary is understandable.

The ex-Versus Versace creative director - and Donatella Versace Protégé - is known for his sexy, second-skin dresses, and fashion critics are eager to see what changes he brings to the storied French house. His muse and BFF Anja Rubik is the perfect poster girl for his racy designs with her limby and sculpted physique, and will no doubt walk in the show.

Having already teased the collection with a series of cryptic clothes-less campaign images, Saint Laurent looks set for an even sexier new era.

Credit: instagram/YSL

We are yet to find out what Hedi Slimane will do next. Following a much-publicised fall out with the brand over the non-compete clause in his contract - in which Slimane allegedly wanted this clause to be reinstated – he’s kept a very low profile (via The Fashion Law).

The fashion month excitement is seriously ramping up now...