François Arnaud wore Saint Laurent to honor Vaccarello’s exit
The Heated Rivalry actor, a new brand ambassador, paid tribute to the departing creative director at the WWD Honors in New York.
François Arnaud walked the carpet at the WWD Honors in New York on Tuesday wearing an oversized Saint Laurent suit, offering a tribute to the house’s departing creative director Anthony Vaccarello.
The navy jacket featured broad shoulders and wide lapels, paired with matching trousers cut so wide they nearly covered his black leather shoes. Underneath, he wore a pale blue striped shirt and patterned navy tie.
“As you know, this last collection was his swan song at Saint Laurent and I think he is just a master,” Arnaud told WWD. “His ten years there were a perfectly masterful blend of elegance but also a rock and roll quality, and that’s kind of what I like about his designs. We just threw this on and it felt like a great fit.”
Vaccarello’s tenure at Saint Laurent
Vaccarello presented his final collection for the house on Sept. 29 in Paris, marking the end of a decade as creative director. Parent company Kering announced his departure on Oct. 9, closing a tenure that began in 2016.
Arnaud’s relationship with the design
When asked what inspired the specific suit, Arnaud admitted uncertainty. “I don’t know what inspired it, actually,” he told WWD with a laugh. “You’ll have to ask Anthony. But I love it, it was an immediate crush.”
The actor described his own dressing philosophy as preferring “loose on top, tight at the bottom, or the other way around,” while trying “to be somewhat elegant and classic but also add a little element of playfulness.” He credited Vaccarello’s work with pushing him further in that direction. “I feel like it’s allowed me to lean more into this kind of rock and roll, high-brow low-brow,” he said.
About the event
The 2026 WWD Honors took place at Cipriani South Street in New York. The ceremony recognized design excellence across the industry, with Bernard Arnault receiving the John B. Fairchild Honor and other leaders in fashion and retail honored for their contributions to the field.
This article was compiled by the Glamorade editorial desk from the official announcements and reporting listed under Sources.
