Hedi Slimane and LVMH renew talks

Hedi Slimane has renewed talks with LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault about the launch of a Hedi Slimane fashion house, WWD reports

Sources describe the recent talks as serious, pointing to the designers excellent relations with the luxury giant.

Slimane said he walked away from Dior "freely" after failing to reach an agreement about a Dior-backed Hedi Slimane house. Ownership of the Slimane brand name and control rights were said to be among the contentious issues during the initial talks.

But Slimane left the door open to reconciliation, posting a letter on his Web site shortly after exiting Dior Homme thanking Arnault for trusting him with the project. "I hope he will understand my position and decision, if not now, then hopefully with some time," Slimane wrote.

Arnault is said to want to lure Slimane back into his stable of fashion stars, prizing the 39-year-old's design prowess and wide-screen brand vision.