Anthony Vaccarello

Anthony Vaccarello
Name	Anthony Vaccarello
Birth date	1979
Birth place	Brussels, Belgium
Nationality	Belgian
Occupation	Fashion designer
Years active	2002–present
Employer	Saint Laurent

Anthony Vaccarello Anthony Vaccarello is a Belgian fashion designer noted for his work in luxury womenswear and for serving as creative director of Saint Laurent. He gained prominence through a succession of collections in Paris and Milan and through collaborations with major fashion houses, artists, and boutiques. Vaccarello's career links him to a broad network of industry institutions, designers, photographers, and retail groups.

Early life and education

Born in Brussels in 1979, Vaccarello studied at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts and pursued further training at La Cambre, establishing early connections with Belgian art school traditions associated with designers such as Dries van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester. He later moved to Antwerp and engaged with institutions like the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Antwerp), a school tied historically to figures such as Martin Margiela and Walter Van Beirendonck. Early internships and assistant roles brought him into contact with ateliers in Paris, Milan, and New York City, exposing him to houses including Fendi, Gucci, and Versace.

Career

Vaccarello launched his eponymous label in the mid-2000s, presenting early shows in Milan and Paris and participating in events organized by groups like Pitti Uomo and Paris Fashion Week. His runway and presentation history intersected with platforms such as Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode and retail partners such as Moda Operandi and MatchesFashion. In 2015 he was appointed creative director of Saint Laurent, succeeding Hedi Slimane and working under parent companies including Kering while engaging with executives from LVMH and Richemont circles. Throughout his tenure he coordinated with ateliers in Florence, merchandising teams in London, and flagship stores on Avenue Montaigne, collaborating with photographers from Vogue (magazine), Harper's Bazaar, and Dazed (magazine).

Design style and influences

Vaccarello's aesthetic synthesizes references from historic designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Coco Chanel, and Helmut Lang with contemporary influences like Alexander Wang, Thierry Mugler, and Azzedine Alaïa. Critics compare his cut and tailoring to work from Givenchy (brand) and Balenciaga (brand), and his use of leather and tailoring draws parallels to Rick Owens and John Galliano. He cites cultural touchstones including artwork by Pablo Picasso, photography by Helmut Newton, and music by David Bowie and Iggy Pop as part of his creative lexicon, aligning his approach with museums and galleries such as the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris, the Centre Pompidou, and the Guggenheim Museum.

Major collections and runway shows

Key presentations included his breakout collections at Paris Fashion Week, showrooms at Tranoi, and capsule events at Maison de la Photographie. Notable Saint Laurent shows under his direction took place on venues like Pont Neuf, in Los Angeles, and during joint calendar moments alongside Milan Fashion Week and London Fashion Week. He collaborated with set designers and creative directors who have worked for houses such as Prada, Chanel, and Dior (brand), and his collections were covered in editorials by Vogue Paris, Vogue Italia, i-D (magazine), and W (magazine).

Collaborations and commercial ventures

Vaccarello has pursued collaborations with retailers and brands including projects with Net-a-Porter, capsule drops through Yoox Net-a-Porter Group, and partnerships for product lines with manufacturers linked to Kering. He worked with photographers and artists associated with publications like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Wall Street Journal, and participated in merchandising initiatives with department stores such as Harrods, Galeries Lafayette, and Barneys New York. His commercial strategy involved licensing and distribution networks involving players like PPR (now Kering) and logistics partners operating across Europe and Asia.

Awards and recognition

Vaccarello's work earned attention from institutions such as the Council of Fashion Designers of America press and features in lists compiled by BoF (The Business of Fashion), Vogue, and WWD. He received nominations and accolades from European fashion prizes associated with organizations like Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and recognition in annual summaries by Time (magazine), Forbes, and The New York Times style coverage. Industry peers including Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, and Donatella Versace have acknowledged his contributions in interviews and profiles.

Personal life and public image

Vaccarello maintains a public profile through interviews with outlets such as Vogue, Interview (magazine), and Elle (magazine), and appears at events hosted by cultural institutions like Cannes Film Festival, Venice Biennale, and fundraising galas tied to amfAR. His social visibility intersects with celebrity clients drawn from film, music, and art circles including stars represented by agencies like Creative Artists Agency and publications covering celebrity fashion such as GQ (magazine), Esquire, and People (magazine). He resides and works between Paris and Milan, continuing to shape contemporary luxury fashion.

Category:Belgian fashion designers