Saint Laurent Ends Partnership With Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello

Kering is parting ways with Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello after a ten-year tenure. This is the latest leadership shift in a group-wide effort to update the luxury conglomerate’s portfolio. The move follows a period of financial pressure for the brand and its parent company, as they attempt to reverse a multi-year slump in global luxury sales.

"The focus of the new designer will be in currently under-represented product categories, such as women’s daywear and menswear, in high-end leather goods, and less-penetrated regions such as China/Asia," Barclays analysts noted in a recent research brief.

Financial Performance and Strategic Realignment

The departure of Vaccarello occurs as Kering manages revenue volatility across its fashion houses. Saint Laurent, historically one of the group's most reliable performers, experienced gross revenue declines of 9% in 2024 and 6% in 2025. Internal metrics suggest the brand’s revenue stabilized in 2026, but the company remains under pressure to demonstrate long-term growth potential to shareholders.

Kering shares have declined 31% year-to-date as CEO Luca de Meo implements a group-wide revamp aimed at streamlining operations and sharpening the brand identities of its various houses. The strategy involves leadership changes and a fundamental shift in product mix to capture market share in categories where the brand has historically underperformed.

What Is at Stake for Kering

For the luxury conglomerate, the success of this transition is critical. The shift toward higher-end leather goods and an expanded presence in Asia represents a pivot away from the aesthetics that defined the Vaccarello era. By targeting specific product gaps in women’s daywear and menswear, Kering intends to broaden its appeal beyond the brand's traditional core demographic.

Kering stated that a successor for the creative director role will be announced soon. The incoming lead will be tasked with executing this new strategic mandate while maintaining the brand's heritage as the group continues its corporate restructuring efforts.