Fashion designer Hedi Slimane was born on July 5, 1968, in Paris, France. Self-taught from the age of 16, he graduated from Sciences Po and studied art history at the Louvre. In 1992, he joined the British fashion brand Jose Levy, rising from assistant to fashion director in just three years. He then worked as an assistant to fashion consultant Jean-Jacques Piccard. In 1997, Yves Saint Laurent appointed him artistic director of its men's line, Rive Gauche Homme. The following year, he worked on Saint Laurent's jeans line, but left the company in 2000 after being caught up in Gucci's takeover spree. In 2000, he became the first creative director of Christian Dior's men's line, Dior Homme. The 2001-02 Autumn/Winter collection he presented there caused a huge sensation in the fashion world of the time. His rock, minimalist, slim-fitting style, based on a black color scheme, had a huge influence on the fashion industry to come, and his iconic skinny jeans became a global hit. In 2002, he was named Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

When his contract with Dior expired in 2007, Hedi decided to leave the industry. He worked as a photographer, but returned to Saint Laurent as creative director in 2012, where he remains active to this day.