Gayville's most fashionable circles have been speculating about Hedi Slimane's seemingly surprising departure from Paris-based Dior Homme. Known for his slick, skinny suits, Slimane has posted a very special note on his website, clarifying conjecture that he refused to sell his name to LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the luxury conglomerate responsible for Louis Vuitton (obviously), Marc Jacobs, Givenchy and Fendi, among countless others.

Apologizing for his English, Slimane first admits to enjoying his time at Dior and, as he says, "living in a movement". Protracted and increasingly frustrating negotiations, however, proved to be too much for the frail-looking fashionista. At the end of his contract last July, he writes, he decided to leave the company.

Executives attempted to dissuade Slimane by offering him his own line, for a price and, of course, his name. Slimane may have been tempted at first, but his integrity won out...

I tried to make things work for about a year. However, I had the feeling it was not the right project for me. There are areas I will not compromise with at all when it comes to my work and setting up a label under my own name. I always kept in mind the precedence of some designers I admire who were in a similar situation, and chose the other path. Perhaps in another time in my life, under other circumstances, my name, and the management of a company under my own label would be considered differently, Right now I feel it is very important to stay true to my principles, and the idea I have of fashion.

The Out-backed Stylelist reports that Kris van Assche will be taking the Dior Homme saddle. Hopefully he'll be able to sustain Slimane's success. Although, it shouldn't be too hard, the Belgian designer previously once worked as the French man's assistant.

As for Slimane: he enjoyed his new-found freedom at the VMan/Calvin Klein party last week - looking as stylish and oh-so-skiddish as usual...

Dior parts with star designer [IHT]