Anthony Vaccarello Leaves Versus Versace

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Following Friday's news that Hedi Slimane has left Saint Laurent, Versus Versace confirmed Sunday that Anthony Vaccarello will no longer serve as creative director for the brand. While still unconfirmed, it's expected that Vaccarello will take the reigns at Saint Laurent May 1st.

"While I’m sad to see him leave the Versace family, I wish Anthony Vaccarello tremendous success with his next chapter," Donatella Versace said in a statement. Vaccarello was first appointed as a "guest designer" for the brand in 2013, then named creative director in 2015. (For everything from his ago to his resumé, see our Anthony Vaccarello explainer here.)

Vanessa Friedman makes an interesting note in the New York Times' coverage of the shift:

Though most of the attention will now be on Mr. Vaccarello’s plans for the Saint Laurent label, his ascension further bolsters Ms. Versace’s position as something of a talent spotter and Versus as a potent launching pad for other designers.

As creative director of Versus, Vaccarello follows Jonathan Anderson, who went on to successfully revamp Loewe (owned by LVMH, which also took a minority stake in his own J.W. Anderson line), and Christopher Kane, whose line has since had a majority stake bought by Kering. The movement of Vaccarello from Versus isn't just exciting for the future of Saint Laurent; it also opens an interesting spot for a designer who might be the next next big thing.