MILAN - If Jil Sander can come back to Jil Sander, could Hedi Slimane return once again to Yves Saint Laurent?
According  to a Paris source, Slimane, who exited as the designer of Dior Homme in  2007, is poised to take over the design helm at YSL, where he burst on  to the fashion scene in the late Nineties with his modernist,  androgynous men’s wear.
A spokesman for PPR, parent of YSL, had no comment.
As  reported, YSL has yet to indicate if it will extend its relationship  with Stefano Pilati, who succeeded Tom Ford as the brand’s chief  designer in 2004. Pilati’s latest contract is due to expire next month.  The fall-winter YSL show is scheduled for March 5 in Paris.
Earlier  this month in reporting 2011 results, PPR chief executive  Francois-Henri Pinault lauded that YSL made a “giant step” forward in  terms of profitability, and that growth prospects are “very good.”  Full-year sales at YSL advanced 31.4 percent last year while operating  income grew more than fourfold. 
Asked about renewing Pilati’s contact, he replied: “I won’t make any comments about any designers.”
The  Italian designer has been dogged by replacement rumors throughout his  YSL tenure, even as the business has demonstrated continual improvement,  fuelling by his winning handbag and shoe designs. Pilati’s fashions  also continue to enjoy a high profile in fashion magazine.
Since  exiting Dior, Slimane has devoted himself to photography and relocated  to Los Angeles. Although he has never designed a women’s collection,  Slimane has long enjoyed the support of YSL’s old guard, including the  likes of Pierre Bergé, Catherine Deneuve and Betty Catroux. During his  Dior days, he did small quantities of his slim suits in small sizes for  his female fans.
Slimane could not immediately be reached for comment.