Hedi Slimane
 | |
| Born | 5 July 1968[1] |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Paris, France[1] |
| Nationality | French[1] |
| Occupation | Fashion designer, photographer[1] |
| Known for | Dior Homme and an androgynous skinny silhouette in menswear[1] |
Hedi Slimane (born 5 July 1968) is a French fashion designer and photographer. He became known for an androgynous skinny silhouette in menswear and served as creative director of Yves Saint Laurent from 2012 to 2016 and as artistic, creative and image director of Celine from 2018 to 2024.[1]
Early life and education
Slimane was born in Paris to an Italian mother and a Tunisian father. He learned photography before his teens and began making his own clothes at the age of 16.[2] He studied art history at the École du Louvre in Paris, graduating in 1992, and subsequently worked as an assistant to fashion consultant Jean-Jacques Picart. In 1992, he worked with Picart on an exhibition marking the centenary of Louis Vuitton's monogram.[1][2]
Fashion career
Early design leadership
Slimane became menswear director at Yves Saint Laurent in 1996 and the house's men's artistic director in 1997. In January 2000, he presented the Black Tie collection, which introduced the skinny silhouette that became closely associated with his work. He then left Yves Saint Laurent and took charge of Christian Dior's men's line.[2][1]
At Dior, Slimane rebranded the menswear line as Dior Homme and directed the launch of its first fragrance, Higher, in 2001. He designed the fragrance's packaging and worked with Richard Avedon on its advertising campaign. Music also became part of his runway presentations: he commissioned original soundtracks from young bands and was associated with musicians including Mick Jagger, Jack White, the Libertines, Franz Ferdinand and the Kills.[1][2]
After ending his Dior Homme tenure in the mid-2000s, Slimane concentrated on photography. He was succeeded at Dior by Kris Van Assche in March 2007.[2][1]
Later creative direction
In March 2012, Slimane was appointed creative director of Yves Saint Laurent. The label was renamed Saint Laurent Paris in June of that year. He left the position in April 2016.[2][1]
In January 2018, it was announced that Slimane would become artistic, creative and image director of Celine, effective the following month. During his tenure, he expanded the brand to include menswear. He left Celine in 2024.[1]
Photography
Slimane pursued photography alongside his fashion career. His books include Intermission (2002), Berlin (2003), Stage (2004), London Birth of a Cult (2005), about musician Pete Doherty, and the four-volume Anthology of a Decade (2011). He launched the online photography blog Diary in 2006. His photographs documented musicians, the Berlin club scene and other aspects of youth culture.[1][2][3]
Design and cultural influence
Slimane's work drew on rock music, youth culture and the visual languages of photography and performance. His narrow cuts, slight androgynous models and refusal to assign fixed genders to clothes challenged conventional menswear categories; the resulting style was described as the "silhouette Slimane".[3] The design approach also influenced his work at Saint Laurent, where he connected the house's collections with musicians, artists and rock-inspired styling.[3][2]
Recognition
In 2002, Slimane became the first menswear designer to be named International Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. David Bowie presented the award.[1][2]
See also
- Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
- Celine Dog (Milady earring)
- Meline Teddy (Milady shirt)
- Indie Sleaze
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Naomi Blumberg. "Hedi Slimane". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 2026-09-22.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 Lauren Milligan (1 March 2012). "Hedi Slimane". British Vogue. Retrieved 2026-09-22.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ingrid Marie Jensen (22 February 2021). "HEDI SLIMANE: THE DESIGNER WHO HAS RESURRECTED ROCK 'N' ROLL GLAMOUR". Please Kill Me. Retrieved 2026-09-22.