On Wednesday, October 2, Celine announced that Michael Rider will replace Hedi Slimane as its artistic director. His appointment to the LVMH-owned maison will take effect in early 2025.

The American designer, who graduated from Brown University in Rhode Island in 2002, began his career with Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga, where he worked as a senior designer from 2004 to 2008. After his Balenciaga stint, Rider joined Celine under Phoebe Philo, working as a design director for a decade. Following Philo’s departure in 2017, he took on the role of creative director at Polo Ralph Lauren in 2018, which he left at the end of May this year.

“I am delighted to welcome Michael back to Celine, a maison that he knows intimately,” said Séverine Merle, Celine CEO, in a press release. “Michael’s vision, creative talent, genuine nature and strong connection to Celine’s heritage make him a natural choice to continue building long-lasting success for the maison”.

Rider said, “Celine is a maison with values very close to my heart and a beautiful heritage to build on. I am honoured to come back and shape the future of the [brand] together with the Celine team.”