After Hedi Slimane's seven-year reign, the American designer is set to take over as Celine's new creative lead.

Michael Rider has been thrust into the spotlight as the new artistic director of Celine, taking over from the Hedi Slimane. Rider&rsquo;s appointment comes after a tenure at Polo Ralph Lauren, where he served as the creative director of the women&rsquo;s line. However, this new chapter at Celine is far from unfamiliar territory for Rider. His deep connection to the brand, cultivated during his decade-long stint as the ready-to-wear design director under Phoebe Philo, sets the stage for an exciting homecoming.
Rider, a graduate of Brown University, began his career at Balenciaga, working closely with Nicolas Ghesqui&egrave;re from 2004 to 2008. In 2008, he joined Celine under Philo&rsquo;s creative direction, helping to shape the minimalist and modern femininity that defined the brand&rsquo;s golden era. During his time at Celine, Philo&rsquo;s aesthetic made the house synonymous with quiet luxury and refined elegance. Rider&rsquo;s experience at the helm of Polo Ralph Lauren, where he revitalized the brand's preppy heritage with a contemporary twist, further solidifies his reputation as a designer who balances heritage with innovation.
Here&rsquo;s everything you need to know about the designer taking over the iconic French maison.

Michael Rider is no stranger to Celine.

He spent ten years working at the maison under Phoebe Philo, serving as the ready-to-wear design director from 2008 to 2018. During that time, Celine became synonymous with minimalist sophistication, and Rider was right in the thick of it. "Celine is a maison with values very close to my heart and a beautiful heritage to build on," he shared.

He&rsquo;s built quite the r&eacute;sum&eacute;.

Before his time at Celine, Rider worked under Nicolas Ghesqui&egrave;re at Balenciaga, where he honed his skills as a senior designer. After leaving Celine, he joined Polo Ralph Lauren as the creative director for the women's line in 2018. At Ralph Lauren, he gave the brand&rsquo;s signature preppy look a fresh, modern spin.

The fashion world is buzzing about his next move.

Celine CEO Severine Merle couldn&rsquo;t be more thrilled to have Rider back, calling him &ldquo;a natural choice&rdquo; to continue the house&rsquo;s success. But with Slimane leaving behind a bold legacy&mdash;complete with rockstar vibes and sleek menswear&mdash;Rider faces the challenge of honoring that while infusing his own vision. Fashion insiders are already buzzing about what his debut collection, expected in 2025, will look like. Will he nod to Slimane&rsquo;s sharp aesthetic or pull back toward Philo&rsquo;s beloved minimalism?
Either way, fashion fans are eager to see what Rider brings to the table as Celine steps into a new era.

Image courtesy of Celine.

Who Is Michael Rider? What to Know About Celine's Creative Director

Who Is Michael Rider? What to Know About Celine's Creative Director

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