Designer Hedi Slimane is plotting a fresh direction for the label, writes Aznim Ruhana Md Yusup
HEDI Slimane was blasted by critics when he debuted his collection for Celine for Spring/Summer 2019 in Paris.
In her review, Vanessa Friedman of The New York Times said Slimane was repeating himself and his work at Dior Homme and Saint Laurent.
Popular Instagram account Diet Prada was equally scathing, saying, “With the likes of Anthony Vaccarello and Alexandre Vauthier churning out more elevated mega-watt 80s-inspired collections in recent years, Slimane's now look high-street by comparison.”
Celine’s signature elegance under former creative director Phoebe Philo with her wide legged trousers and sweeping coats was replaced by Slimane’s party girl looks of thigh high hemlines and shiny, tiny dresses.
While Philo loyalists balk at what the brand has become, Slimane is clearly plotting a fresh direction.
His strategy seems to include increased media coverage through celebrity dressing, as a way to insert the brand into the public’s consciousness. Hey, it worked for Balmain, okay?
First to step out in the new Celine was 50 Shades star Dakota Johnson in a red sequined minidress for the Suspiria film premiere in Los Angeles. Then Natalie Portman turned up wearing a Celine suit at a different Hollywood event.
Meanwhile, Lupita Nyong’o attended an awards ceremony in New York in a sparkling black minidress. Emma Stone also wore a mini Celine dress and Lady Gaga attended an event in Los Angeles in a double breasted suit.
So far it’s only suits and minidresses. There were no long, sweeping dresses from Slimane that could see Celine appearing on the red carpet during awards season.
But bear in mind that celebrity dressing is a synergy between the star’s stylist and the brand’s publicity machine. If Slimane wants to make it happen, then we’re probably going to see more Celine on the red carpet.