By Shaked Yanko
Ben Rosser/BFA.com
Michael Rider has been appointed as the new creative director at Celine, marking a significant shift for the luxury fashion house owned by LVMH. The announcement was made today, revealing that Rider’s role will commence in early 2025. He will oversee the creative direction for all collections, including womenswear, menswear, leather goods, and accessories.
So who is Michael Rider? After graduating from Brown University in 2002, Rider began his career at Balenciaga in 2004. Here he worked under Nicolas Ghesquière and after four years with the brand. Rider's return to Celine is particularly meaningful, as he previously served design director for the brand under Phoebe Philo. His tenure at Celine coincided with the brand's peak, when Philo's minimalist aesthetic defined its global appeal. Following Philo's departure in 2017, Rider went on to become creative director at Polo Ralph Lauren in 2018 where he stayed until May 2024.
Celine AW16
Rider's appointment follows the departure of Hedi Slimane, who led the brand since 2018 and successfully increased Celine's sales significantly, achieving approximately €2.6 billion in 2023. Severine Merle, CEO of Celine, expressed her enthusiasm for Rider’s return, stating that his deep understanding of the brand and its heritage makes him a natural choice to guide its future. Rider himself shared his excitement about coming back to Celine, emphasising the brand’s values and heritage as key elements for his new role.
Though less well-known than Slimane, Rider has significantly shaped the fashion landscape. His work at Polo Ralph Lauren breathed new life into the preppy aesthetic, seamlessly merging its classic American heritage with modern elements.
As Rider steps into this position, he faces the challenge of continuing the momentum built by Slimane while infusing his own creative vision into the brand. Celine is known for its chic and youthful appeal. However, Rider’s recent success at Polo Ralph Lauren suggests he has the expertise to resonate with contemporary audiences. Balancing innovation with Celine's storied past will be crucial as he embarks on this new chapter in the brand's evolution.
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