Pierre Berge accepts YSL name change (Photo : Reuters)

The news about Hedi Slimane's decision to change the label's name from Yves Saint Laurent to Saint Laurent Paris caused quite a stir in the fashion world. Many wondered how former CEO, Pierre Bergé, felt about this change. Turns out that Bergé is fine with it, in fact he's "very happy" about it. Bergé, who was very close to the late namesake designer, has always strived to uphold the regard of the label, being critical of every creative director the house has had.  However, Bergé is quite pleased with Slimane as the current mastermind behind the label.

"I am very, very happy today to have Hedi Slimane because he is a great fashion designer and he has a great talent, a huge talent. I like him, he is a friend and he worked for Saint Laurent a long time ago and he's a member of the family, of the YSL family."

What possibly won over Bergé's heart was Slimane's plan to restore the label to its "original branding" from when Saint Laurent launched RTW in 1966 and "restoring the house to its truth, purity and essence - and taking it into a new era." Basically the true YSL but this time without the "Y".

"I'm very happy. Anything that makes the house more Saint Laurent is welcome." Bergé told WWD.

Another thing that makes him happy? "I am happy that Stefano Pilati is gone, just as I was happy when Tom Ford left." Yes, Berge is quite critical when it comes to YSL (or Saint Laurent Paris).

Another change by Slimane is the design location; he will work in Los Angeles as opposed to the traditional Paris. Bergé is also fine with that saying, "The creative studio is in a designer's head, it resides within the person [...] Hedi lives in Los Angeles. He should be left to do fashion in a city he likes." Looks like Slimane is here to stay for the long haul.

Slimane's first collections, women's resort and men's spring 2013, will be revealed to buyers only from June 28 to July 4 at the Grand Palais in Paris. He is currently casting models for the anticipated runway show for the fall. 

Like Us on Facebook