TRIOMPHE CELINE WOMEN SUMMER 2020
Filmed in Paris by Hedi Slimane. Hedi Slimane is a French photographer and fashion designer. From 2000 to 2007, he held the position of creative director for Dior Homme (the menswear line of Christian Dior). From 2012 to 2016, he was the creative director for Yves Saint Laurent.
Since February 1, 2018, Slimane has been the creative, artistic and image director of Celine.
From 1992 to 1995, Slimane assisted fashion consultant Jean-Jacques Picart on the centenary of the project “monogram canvas” of Louis Vuitton. The project invited seven fashion designers—Azzedine Alaia, Helmut Lang, Sybilla, Manolo Blahnik, Isaac Mizrahi, Romeo Gigli, and Vivienne Westwood—to reinterpret the monogram canvas in celebration of its longevity.
In 1996, Pierre Bergé installed Slimane in the position of ready-to-wear director of men’s collections at Yves Saint Laurent and later he became artistic director. After the Black Tie collection for autumn-winter 2000–01, which foreshadowed the advent of Slimane’s silhouette, and the debuts of “skinny,” he chose to leave YSL, declined the offer of creative directorship at Jil Sander, and accepted the position of creative director for menswear at Christian Dior. In June 2001, he headed up the launch of Dior Homme’s first fragrance under his creative control, named Higher. He designed the packaging and worked with Richard Avedon on the accompanying advertising campaign.
In April 2002, Hedi Slimane was the first menswear designer to receive the CFDA award for International Designer. David Bowie, whom Hedi Slimane dressed for his tours, presented the award.
Thanks in part to Slimane, Dior’s couture business, which includes ready-to-wear and accessories, increased volume and profit by 41 percent in 2002. Brad Pitt had Slimane create his wedding suit for his marriage to Jennifer Aniston. Although he never designed a womenswear collection, he dressed female celebrities including Madonna and Nicole Kidman during his tenure at Dior. He furthermore created stagewear for groups such as The Libertines, Daft Punk, Franz Ferdinand, and The Kills, and artists such as Mick Jagger, Beck, and Jack White.
Slimane commissioned original soundtracks for his runway shows for Dior Homme, created by artists such as Beck, Readymade FC (Jean-Philippe Verdin), and bands such as Phoenix, The Rakes, and Razorlight. The track “In the Morning” was composed by Razorlight exclusively for the Dior Homme show. Slimane was known for working with emerging avant-garde artists. Readymade FC composed “F Me” (2001–02) and the legendary “Flexion” (2002–03). These New Puritans, composed “Navigate, Navigate” for the last défilé of Dior Homme in January 2007. Slimane became known for redefining the male silhouette, widely recreated in fashion and advertising (fashion and fragrances).
SOUNDTRACK: ALEXANDRA SAVIOR “SAVING GRACE”