Paris (AFP)

The Paris Commercial Court has dismissed the Kering luxury group in two proceedings against Hedi Slimane, former artistic director of its brand Yves Saint Laurent, in a dispute that has lasted since 2016.

Hedi Slimane, 51 years old, is since February 2018 artistic director of the house Céline (LVMH group). Between 2012 and 2016, he was creative and image director of Yves Saint Laurent, brand of the Kering Group owned by François-Henri Pinault.

In June 2016, Kering was sentenced in summary by the Paris Commercial Court to pay $ 13 million to Mr. Slimane who claimed the application of a non-competition clause at the end of the contract that linked him with the group.

In a judgment on the merits of December 3, AFP consulted, the court dismissed Kering's request for the return of the $ 13 million paid to the California company that manages the commercial rights of Hedi Slimane.

He also condemned the group to pay 20,000 euros to the stylist and 20,000 euros to his company for the costs incurred.

Another judgment on the merits, also delivered on 3 December by the Paris Commercial Court, concerns the shareholders' pact passed in 2013 between Kering and Hedi Slimane - a minority shareholder in Yves Saint Laurent's capital - providing, inter alia, a right to information on the accounts of the claw.

Upon the departure of Hedi Slimane in 2016, Kering terminated this shareholders' agreement, a termination challenged by the stylist.

In its judgment, the court describes as "irregular the unilateral termination" and indicates that "the shareholders' pact is not outdated". He also condemns Kering to pay 50,000 euros for the costs incurred.

Asked by AFP Wednesday, the lawyer Hedi Slimane did not comment on these decisions.

The Kering group, also contacted, did not want to react either.

A third procedure opposes Hedi Slimane and Kering and relates to the variable part of the stylist's remuneration for the last year of the contract. Kering was sentenced in 2018 to pay him 9.3 million euros. The group appealed.

Gifted by fashion, Hedi Slimane gave Yves Saint Laurent a new lease of life by attracting a young and trendy clientele thanks to its androgynous looks and fitted cuts. It had boosted the performance of the brand, increasing its revenue from 353 million euros in 2011 to 974 million in 2015.

© 2019 AFP