Phoebe Philo to leave Céline, no news on future plans

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Dec 22, 2017

Phoebe Philo is to leave LVMH-owned Céline after 10 years at the label and following months of rumours around her long-term plans.

And it seems she isn’t headed to any of the currently vacant top design jobs with reports that she won’t be joining any other labels in the near future. The rumour mill had seen her as a potential successor to Christopher Bailey at Burberry.

Her unspecified future plans are presumably due to a non-compete clause in her contract, although this hasn’t been specified and it could be a decision by Philo herself. She has chosen to take time out from the high-pressure role of a creative director on more than one occasion before now.

Céline’s AW18 collection, to be shown in Paris in March, will be her last and her design team will take up the reins for future collections until a new creative head is named. 

LVMH chief Bernard Arnault described her time at the label as “a key chapter in the history of Céline” and said he was “very grateful” for her work there, but added that “a new era of development for Céline will now start.”

One of the most respected designers in today’s fashion industry, Philo joined Céline in 2008, moving the brand away from the aesthetic of its years under Michael Kors and then Roberto Menichetti. 

Her shows became can’t-miss events on the Paris schedule as she mixed a modernist and minimalist sensibility with an eye for detail and the coolest version of luxury around. Her uncompromising vision was a key inspiration source for the high street and her tenure also saw the label enjoying big success with a number of the decade’s major ‘It’ bags.

Prior to Céline she had taken time out, as mentioned, after leaving Chloé. At that label she had at first worked with Stella McCartney, later taking over as creative chief when McCartney left to launch her own label and being widely praised for her work there.