Kering to pay $13M to Hedi Slimane over non-compete clause

Cara Delevingne for Saint Laurent Paris’ Le Collection de Paris

Hedi Slimane, the former creative director of Saint Laurent Paris, will be paid $13 million by the label’s parent company Kering Group after the designer took the conglomerate to court over his non-compete agreement.

Mr. Slimane filed legal action against Kering on June 22 in an attempt to extend the non-compete agreement he signed with the conglomerate four years ago when he joined Saint Laurent. According to Kering, Mr. Slimane’s legal action was fueled by a desire to receive the financial support he would be given if still under contract (see story).

Contractual obligations
In its explanation to WWD, Kering stated that Mr. Slimane’s non-compete clause in his Saint Laurent contract prevented him from working with a competitor for a year, but this was lifted when he exited the company.

When Mr. Slimane brought Kering to French commercial court it was to renew his agreement. This move has been regarded as Mr. Slimane’s way of saying that he does not intend to start at another fashion house for the time being.

On June 29, the French commercial court in Paris ordered Kering to pay Mr. Slimane $13 million. Kering has expressed its desire to appeal the decision, and that the agreement negotiations are ongoing.

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Regarding the requested settlement sum, Leon del Forno, a spokesperson for Herve Temime, the law firm representing Mr. Slimane, said in a statement, “It’s a sum that is written into the contract. We simply asked for the application of the clear and strict terms of the contract.”

Mr. Slimane ended his nearly four-year tenure as creative and image director of Saint Laurent Paris in April. At the start of the year, rumors regarding a contractual disagreement between brand and designer suggested his exit (see story).

from Apparel and accessories – Luxury Daily https://www.luxurydaily.com/kering-to-pay-13m-to-hedi-slimane-over-non-compete-clause/
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