Hedi Slimane has chosen James Chance as the icon for Celine's Fall/Winter 2019-20 season. Hedi presented his first collection as Artistic, Creative and Image Director during Paris Fashion Week's women's collection in September last year, and this time, he presented a collection during Paris Men's Fashion Week for the first time. James Chance's presence, performing a saxophone solo at the finale of the final day of Fashion Week on January 20th, was undoubtedly a new approach aimed at new Celine fans across generations.

James Chance, who appeared as a member of the Contortions on the 1978 New York post-punk compilation album "NO WAVE," made a big impact with a portrait of him sporting a pompadour and a bruise around his eye. His performance itself fused jazz and punk, and as he later took on the name James White, he was also influenced by the stage style of funk king James Brown. He visited Japan in 2010 and 2016, and has many fans in Japan who have been with him since the 1980s.




Hedi Slimane, who has continued to inspire new menswear since 2000 with his base in the slim style of rock and roll, has launched his latest collection under the theme of "London Diary" and, as in his previous works, expresses traditional tailored items in materials such as tweed, cashmere and leather, however, the silhouette has been squared compared to last season, with a more classical balance. While the comora style, animal prints, and rider jackets, exemplified by James Chance's beloved 50s suits, remain part of Hedi's wardrobe, they will surely attract new Celine customers.



Hedi has once again taken Polaroids of the punk's diary, which traveled from New York to London and back again, and these images will be pinned up on street corners around the world. A generation and demographic that has never heard of Hedi's Dior Homme or Saint Laurent will recognize it on social media and join a new circle. That's the kind of era we live in.


Text: Tatsuya Noda