During a spring 2027 runway show held beneath the Eiffel Tower, Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello made a gesture that many interpreted as a farewell. While Kering has not officially confirmed a departure, rumors regarding the Belgian-Italian designer's exit are intensifying across the fashion industry.
A symbolic set of keys at the Eiffel Tower show
The speculation began during the recent Saint Laurent spring 2027 presentation, where Anthony Vaccarello performed an unexpected act on the runway. According to the report, the designer handed a set of keys to a young boy seated in the front row. While some attendees viewed the moment as a heartwarming display of intergenerational support, the fashion commentariat saw it as something far more calculated.
For many industry observers, the act of giving away the keys served as a visual metaphor for Vaccarello preparing to hand over the reins of the house. This symbolic gesture has added weight to the whispers that his decade-long tenure at Saint Laurent may be reaching its conclusion.
The jump from 1.22 billion to 2.6 billion euros in sales
Anthony Vaccarello’s potential departure comes at a moment of unprecedented financial strength for the luxury brand. Since taking over the creatie direction in 2016, succeeding Hedi Slimane, Vaccarello has overseen a massive period of growth. Kering reported that Saint Laurent's sales climbed to 2.6 billion euros in 2025, a significant increase from the 1.22 billion euros recorded when he first assumed leadership.
This financial trajectory has cemented Vaccarello's legacy as a designer who could translate high-fashion edge into massive commercial success. His abilitty to maintain the brand's signature fine tailoring while driving record-breaking revenue makes his possible exit a high-stakes moment for Kering and the broader luxury market.
The September 8 BoringNotCommon report fueling exit rumors
The rumors gained significant momentum following a specific post from a fashion insider. On September 8, the anonymous critic at the BoringNotCommon Instagram account reported that Vaccarello was preparing to exit Yves Saint Laurent following his recent Paris show. The report even suggested that other industry figures, such as Chloé's current creative director Chemena Kamali, might be part of the shifting landscape of luxury leadership.
While the fashion world often relies on such anonymous tips, the timing of the BoringNotCommon report aligns closely with the subtle cues seen during the spring 2027 show. Without an official statement from Kering or Saint Laurent, the industry is left to decipher whether these reports are mere gossip or a precursor to a major leadership announcement.
The search for a successor to Vaccarello's brand of glamour
As the possibility of a leadership change looms, the industry is left asking who can possibly fill the void left by Vaccarello.. Fashion editor Shelton Boyd-Griffith noted that Vaccarello was one of the few remaining designers making a persuasive case for sex and glamour, leaving a question of whether a successor can maintain that specific identity.
There are several unanswered questions regarding the future of the house. It remains unverified whether Kering has already begun scouting for a new creative director or if the brand intends to pivot its aesthetic entirely. Furthermore, some observers have pointed to the finale of the spring 2027 collection—a black ball gown made of diaphanous chiffon—as a potential "mourning look," though this remains purely speculative. Until Kering provides clarity, the fashion world is left searching for more Easter eggs in the brand's recent collections.
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