Ludovic de Saint Sernin exits Ann Demeleumeester

The long series of separations between brands and young hot designers continues. BoF reported this morning that Ludovic de Saint Sernin has parted ways with Ann Demeulemeester after a series of disagreements with the company's management. Most amazing detail of all is that De Saint Sernin had created for the Belgian brand, now in the hands of Claudio Antonioli, only one season - a very short time indeed to give any brand a new direction and vision. It is now unknown if the collection will actually be produced. 

Saint Sernin's first and only collection for the brand had greatly divided the public and critics between those who saw in it an overly personal reinterpretation of the great Belgian designer's work and those who appreciated its simplicity and references to the archive. The problem now, however, is not for De Saint Sernin, whose eponymous brand has found its audience and good success, but for Ann Demeulemeester, whose owners will have to figure out whether to go ahead with collections designed by the design team or whether to rely on a new creative director in a climate that De Saint Sernin's very rapid exit, certainly does not make light of.