Celine presented its Spring/Summer 2019 collection in Paris. It was the debut collection by Hedi Slimane, who took over as artistic, creative, and image director this season.


It was the most anticipated show of the season. A stellar lineup, including Karl Lagerfeld, Lady Gaga, Catherine Deneuve, and Virgil Abloh, sat in the front row.

The French Republican Guard played drums quietly. A metallic door appeared in the middle of the darkness, and male and female models alternated from within. Hedi Slimane himself was responsible for all direction, including the set design. The collection's theme was "Parisian Nights." Targeting a younger generation, the collection showcased an edgy rock style that completely redefined Celine's image. The women's styles were micro-minis. Stunning couture work was evident in dresses adorned with giant ribbons around the chest, "dancing dresses" paired with men's jackets, and dresses made of delicate lace and shimmering metallics. Many signature Hedi Slimane pieces, such as narrow ties and biker jackets, were featured, and the color palette was, of course, noir. While the tailored styles were generally slim-fitting, the collection had a slightly relaxed feel, with varying jacket lengths and trousers tucked in for large pockets.



All looks in the newly launched men's line are unisex and can also be worn by women. While the skinny silhouettes seen in Hedi Slimane's previous collections at Dior Homme and Saint Laurent are common, each piece seems to have evolved into a minimalist, chic design. One standout among the collections was the collaboration with Christian Marclay, an artist known for his work spanning the realms of music and art. The collection featured a total of 96 looks, making it a truly voluminous collection.



While studying at the Louvre University, Hedi Slimane reportedly spent most of his nights at nightclubs such as Les Bains Douches in Paris. The debut collection, reflecting the energetic mood of the times, was a polar opposite to the image of Celine that previous creative director Phoebe Philo had established over the past decade, and it's hard to deny that it left many of the brand's previous fans behind. However, with Hedi Slimane sticking to his own style, there's no doubt the house will be able to attract a new demographic. It may be too early to draw conclusions, but the voyage of the new Celine has only just begun.