PARIS, Mar 13, 2003/ FWD/ --- The house of Leonard has severed its relationship with joint creative directors Olivier and Michele Chatenet.

Better known as E2, the husband and wife team presented their fourth collection for Leonard on Saturday afternoon.

"That was our final Leonard show," Olivier told FWD. "It's disappointing, that's for sure. But if you had to put it in a nutshell, Mr. Daniel Tribouillard [Leonard's owner] didn't like what we were doing."

No word yet on a replacement for the duo. A spokeswoman for the house told FWD, "There is no decision yet on who will succeed Olivier and Michele. No one has been appointed."

Despite being axed, Chatenet insisted: "We still think that Leonard has amazing potential. It's a great label, capable of creating great accessories and other products. But much work needs to be done."

The Leonard spokeswoman insisted that the parting was "very friendly." However, when asked if the departure was indeed "amicale," Chatenet countered, "Not really. I'd say, if anything, pretty bitter."

The Chatenets, some of the first designers to create fashion from vintage and flea market finds, were a surprise choice when hired in 2001 to design for Leonard, a decidedly bourgeois house best known for its colorful silk prints. Now, the search has begun for their successor.