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Michael Rider, creative director of Polo Ralph Lauren women’s, is exiting the brand at the end of May.
A representative for Ralph Lauren confirmed the departure in an email on Monday: “Michael Rider has made the decision to leave Ralph Lauren. We are fortunate to have a deep bench of exceptional creative talent throughout our company who have worked closely with Ralph for many years.”
Rider joined Ralph Lauren in 2018 and has been credited for revamping the mid-priced women’s Polo line and bringing it upmarket. His successor is Karen Brown, an 18-year Ralph Lauren vet whom the brand says has been “instrumental in the repositioning of women’s Polo alongside Michael”.
The announcement heightens speculation that Rider is heading to Celine to replace Hedi Slimane. WWD reported in April, quoting sources, that Rider was the frontrunner to take over the role of creative director at the LVMH-owned brand. Slimane, according to the report, would step down later this year.
Rider would be making a return to Celine in the role: he worked as the label’s ready-to-wear design director under Phoebe Philo from 2008 to 2018. Prior to that, he was a senior designer at Balenciaga.
Rider has not disclosed where he’s heading next. Celine declined to comment.
Updated to include response from Celine. (14 May 2024)
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