What Did People Really Think of Hedi Slimane’s First CELINE Collection?

Hedi gonna Hedi. HYPEBEAST [Features]( October 5, 2018 [What Did People Really Think of Hedi Slimane’s First CELINE Collection?]( Hedi gonna Hedi. [Hedi Slimane Celine Reactions]( KIM WESTON ARNOLD / INDIGITAL.TV Following the rebrand, the teasers and the spread of posters — eight months since he was named artistic, creative and image director — Hedi Slimane unveiled his first collection for CELINE. Since his appointment, there had been one key question: would the collection follow in CELINE’s lineage, or would Slimane bring his trademark skinny fits and rock’n’roll-inspired designs? The answer was definitively the latter. In his only interview before the show, Slimane discussed breaking from CELINE’s tradition. Speaking to Le Figaro, Slimane revealed that, for him, “The weight of the past is not as heavy as it is at Dior or Saint Laurent. We can break free of it more easily… There’s no constraint, no model that is linked to a very important legacy.” With this in mind, Slimane’s first collection bore little or no relation to the decade-long tenure of Phoebe Philo. Instead, the collection followed in the footsteps of Slimane’s previous work, first at Dior Homme and most recently at Saint Laurent. Lack of diversity [Hedi Slimane Celine Reactions]( KIM WESTON ARNOLD / INDIGITAL.TV The reaction to the collection has been largely critical. Speaking after the show (which he describes as “an ode to youth and skinniness in black and sparkle”) critic Angelo Flaccavento explains that he sees it as “Slimane doing the Slimane cliche.” A similar sentiment comes from Lawrence Schlossman, brand director at Grailed: “I guess I’m more disappointed in myself than anyone for expecting something new from a designer who only has interest in playing the same note over and over again. Frankly, it’s become clear it’s the only note he knows how to play.” Flaccavento also raises another point concerning where Slimane’s CELINE fits into the modern landscape. “It’s an idea of mock-alternative French chic he has already explored at Saint Laurent,” he says of Slimane’s vision for the house. “Which poses a problem, since at Saint Laurent Anthony Vaccarello is carrying on the line set by Hedi before him. Now we have two identical brands, with the paradox that the original version is at CELINE.” The nature of Slimane’s collection — including skinny suiting and big shoulders — makes it impossible to avoid comparisons to his earlier work. “At best, Slimane’s CELINE men’s debut is his Dior Homme, minus any earth-shattering shock and awe” says Schlossman. “At worst, it’s his Saint Laurent: gauche and vapid.” [READ FULL ARTICLE ON HYPEBEAST →](   [Go to Preference Centre](     [More HYPEBEAST Features]( [[FASHION]( [Paris Fashion Week SS19 Street Style Sees Graphics and Layered Outfits]( [[FASHION]( [8 Drops You Don't Want to Miss This Week]( Get The App Free on iOS and Android Follow 2018 HYPEBEAST Limited. All Rights Reserved [Manage Subscriptions]( You can unsubscribe by click [here](3D--7691c0776d289b9ba2373dabe72a8a7f7405ab272fbf6992957b2bfaedda4c26). It may take 48 hours to complete the unsubscribe process. Contact subscription@hypebeast.com for assistance on any enquiries. You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to HYPEBEAST's marketing emails. You can unsubscribe from us any time by clicking [here](3D--7691c0776d289b9ba2373dabe72a8a7f7405ab272fbf6992957b2bfaedda4c26). Our Mailing Address: HYPEBEAST, 10F, KC 100, 100 Kwai Cheong Road, Kwai Chung, Hong Kong