Slimane Shoots Down Own-Label Rumours

Hedi Slimane has dismissed rumours that he's in the process of establishing an eponymous label following his exit from Yves Saint Laurent. The designer - who generally keeps his counsel on unfounded reports - took the unusual step of tweeting a legal letter from his personal account yesterday.

"For the record, Hedi Slimane has never had in the past, let alone now, the intention or desire to launch a brand under his name," it said, "and therefore denies recent rumours (including in WWD) of alleged encounters with investors, in Paris or Doha, where Hedi Slimane has in fact never been."

The letter - attributed to his Paris-based legal representative, Hervé Temime - also took the opportunity to publicly thank his design team as well as Saint Laurent's former partner, and fervent Slimane supporter, Pierre Bergé.

"Hedi Slimane wishes to extend a public and vibrant tribute to his entire team, to whom he will be forever grateful and loyal," the statement read. "Hedi Slimane dedicates these four creative and inspiring years to Pierre Bergé."

Having quashed those particular whispers, the LA-based creative may have less luck burying stories linking him to another top job at a major luxury house. Following his commercial success at Saint Laurent, it's likely that a raft of labels are clamouring to entice him to join them - with a position helming Chanel menswear before taking over from Karl Lagerfeld one day the industry's current favourite conjecture.