Official! Phoebe Philo is Leaving Celine after 8 years!

 

Philo-philes the world over are freaking out over a report that Phoebe Philo, who's rebuilt Celine from top to bottom into the juggernaut it is today, could be leaving after eight years with the brand. It has been reported today that Philo will be departing after the fall 2016 collection shows in Paris this Fashion Week. According to the site's sources, Philo is headed not for the much-discussed open spot at LVMH sibling brand Dior, but for the designer spot at Richemont-owned Azzedine Alaïa. We've reached out to a Céline spokesperson for comment and will update this when we hear back.

 

In August, the New York Post suggested that the designer was looking for "a way out," suggesting that work-life balance could be the culprit — while Philo's family and her design headquarters are both in London, she was tiring of the frequent trips to Céline's Paris HQ. (Though it's unclear how a jump to Paris-based Alaïa would rectify that.) Whether or not this turns out to be true, it will surely inspire a run on her lace-trimmed slipdresses come spring.