It was reported by WWD on Saturday that YSL Creative Director Stefano Pilati was to be succeeded by Hedi Slimane after his contract expires next month.
This morning rumours were confirmed that Pilati is leaving the brand he has worked for for more than a decade, yet no confirmation has been made as to who is to replace him or where he is headed.
The news follows last weeks headlines that Raf Simons is set to leave Jil Sander and that he was headed to the brand, despite PPR officially dismissing these rumours in September.
With the the post for Creative Director at Dior still vacant and Jil Sander returning to her eponymous label, there is set to be a big shake up with two of PPR's biggest labels over the coming year.
Last year rumours were rife as to who was finally to replace Galliano after his highly controversial departure from fashion heavyweight Christian Dior, everyone from Alaia to Marc Jacobs was in the frame. The most recent name thrown into the mix was Raf Simons, who currently is Creative Director at Jil Sander, although nothing was confirmed from either side.
Today, after Times fashion critic Cathy Horyn tweeted 'Jil Sander company has just confirmed that Raf Simons is leaving' it seems that the most recent speculations are in fact true. Jil Sander then released a statement confirming the rumours.
"The Jil Sander Group and Raf Simons, announce today that Mr Simons will leave his position as creative director. Jil Sander Group and Raf Simons agreed that the designer will step down from his position as of 27th February 2012.
Raf Simons was appointed Jil Sander creative director on the 1st July 2005 with his first big collection being men's Fall/Winter 2006. The women's Fall/Winter 2012 will be his last for the company.
Jil Sander thanks Raf Simons for his dedicated commitment to the brand, throughout these years, and wishes him the very best for teh future. Jil Sander will communicate the appointment of a new creative director in the next few days"
With reports that Jil Sander herself is to return to the helm of the brand, we look forward to any news whether Simons is in fact to take control over at Dior.
2011 has certainly been a positive year for the fashion industry, from the controversy of Galliano's sacking from Dior to Versace's huge launch for H&M. Here are my highlights of the year.
Style Crush - Chloe Moretz
She may only be 14, but Chloe has literally had me Googling everyone of her outfits this year, from the LBD she wore at the premier of I Am Number Four to the winning velvet top/pencil skirt combo worn at the Paris premiere of Hugo.
A hard choice considering other luxury e-tailers such as Net-a-Porter and Matches but My-Wardrobe won me over with their easy navigation, features and more importantly their Christmas room, a handy little section dedicated to helping you find the perfect gift or party dress.
Story of the Year - Diors New Man
After the suspension and consequential sacking of Galliano after his anti-semantic remarks in February of this year, the fashion rumor mill went into overdrive with news of his replacement. With everyone from Alaia to Alber Elbaz being fingered as the front runner for the job, it appeared that Louis Vuittons' Marc Jacobs was the definite successor after months of negotiations as reported in credible fashion sites such as Vogue and WWD. We're still waiting for the official announcement but supposedly Jil Sander's Raf Simons is currently in talks with the French fashion giant and is said to be 'hammering out the final details'.
Rosie has without a doubt had her most successful years yet. Not only is she one of Victoria's Secret's 'Angels' but the 24 year old moved in with beau Jason Statham, starred in Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon, became the new face of Marks & Spencer's alongside the perfection that is Ryan Reynolds, won the new Burberry Body campaign and starred on the cover of Vogue in the UK and German. That's only to name a few.
Television Advert - Paco Rabbanne One Million
So it's not a female scent, it's not the best male scent, but put together the gorgeousness that is Mat Gordon and the beat of The Chemical Brothers 'Do it again' and your onto something. It makes me dance every time it comes on!
Ad Campaign - Chanel
Freja Beha Erichsen showed just how worthy she was of Lagerfeld's approval this year with this A/W 2011 ad campaign in which she was styled by Carine Rotfield in these Parisienne shots.
Duo - Dakota and Elle Fanning
We've known Dakota since she starred in 2003's The Cat in the Hat but little sister Elle only became big this year after appearing in Super 8 and appearing at the MTV Movie Awards in the cutest D&G playsuit. The duo have not only hit headlines in the style stakes but have also caused controversy when Dakota's 'Oh Lola' ad campaign for Marc Jacobs was banned by the ASA as they described it as 'sexualising children'.
Wedding - Breaking Dawn
It was a year for weddings in 2011 with Kate Middleton, Kate Moss, Sophia Coppolla, Lily Allen and Zara Phillips all tying the knot. The dresses created were, for the most part, off the charts. My favourite however was without a doubt, a fictional one. The fourth installment of The Twilight Saga saw two of the story's main characters, Edward and Bella say 'I do' with Carolina Herrera creating the highly anticipated gown.
Not only did he put flat shoes back on the map for SS 2012 but the Scottish designer followed in the footsteps of Erdem to win the New Establishment Award and launched a new collaboration with J Brand. He's not only gone and made neon fashionable again, but was also announced to remind Italian designer Donatella Versace of her late brother Gianni after the two worked together on the brands sister line Versus.
Well hear is an ending no one saw coming. After months of whispers that Marc Jacobs was headed to take over the helm of french fashion giant Christian Dior after John Gallianos highly publicized rants, it appears that Jil Sanders creative director Raf Simons is to take the job instead.
WWD reported earlier this morning that Christian Dior are currently closing the deal with the Belgian born designer, and are focusing on the final details including how much notice must be worked at Jil Sander and so on.
Simons, known for his minimalism, is said to have been the second choice after negotiations between Dior and American designer broke down after Jacobs huge salary demands and his wish to take his entire design team from Vuitton over to Dior.
