Anyone who's anyone is writing open letters (or open raps) to front-row veteran and respected fashion critic Cathy Horyn these days. Hedi Slimane apparently wanted in on the cool-kid trend, because he, too, wrote an open letter (above) to the New York Times' authority on all things stylish, calling her a "schoolyard bully" and (gasp!) an average writer.
Fashionista's got a pretty impressive breakdown of the whole feud, which, according to Horyn herself, includes eight long years of loathing on Slimane's part. He denied the critic, who he also called a "publicist in disguise," access to his spring '13 show on Monday — a major snub for someone who's probably #1 on most designers' invite lists.
Since hiring Hedi Slimane, YSL has gone through a lot of ups and downs. From multiple re-brandings to some questionable PR tactics, which make Slimane's accusations about Horyn's motives look pretty hypocritical (as documented by Business of Fashion), it hasn't been smooth sailing in recent months. And while the spring '13 show was one of the most buzzed-about all Fashion Month, the reviews have been mixed. Though that tepid reception is still a lot warmer than the one given to reporters and editors backstage at YSL: The brand's PR team announced that, in a very unusual move for such a big name, Slimane would be taking absolutely no questions. Yikes.
Maybe this is all an elaborate scheme to make the brand seem mysterious and, therefore, subconsciously increase consumers' willingness to buy. Maybe it's just a new creative head being press shy. But either way, it doesn't look great. (Fashionista)