The long-awaited show has finally been released within the confines of a screen and to the beat of New York.
Creative director of Celine, Hedi Slimane, seamlessly combined an elegant sense of androgyny with moments of textured grunge during the digital presentation of the brand’s Homme Summer 24 collection, “Delusional Daydream.”
After the menswear show, originally set to take place in July, was canceled, Slimane decided to replace a typical in-person unveiling with a digital representation of the collection appropriately nicknamed: “The Show That Never Was.”
The film was shot within the walls of Paris’ La Gaîté Lyrique culture center and Monaco’s Palais Garnier opera house and featured classical ballet dancer Laurdis Seidel. The soundtrack guiding each intricately dressed model and strategically placed b-roll shot is LCD Soundsystem‘s 2005 album Losing My Edge, an elegant nod to New York City’s iconizied cultural sound.
Keeping harmonious with the sound of the film, the creative vision for the show originated with Slimane’s early 2000s aspirations of documenting emerging talent in New York City. Inspired by his own photographs of artists such as Nate Lowman, Dan Colen and Banks Violette, Slimane channeled the creatives into a line of menswear that challenges one’s perception of decorum.
Along with pumping music, those who view the film will get a glimpse of leather-heavy clothing as models pass mirrored walls shining with gold accent lighting. Featured on the runway are nods to historic moments in men’s fashion including couture bustiers and satin bows inspired by 17th-century court and ceremonial portraits, and wide satin command sashes ties on the right hip with a traditional “ballonne knot.”
Additional nods were made to celebrate the history of the creative director’s career as well. “Le tailleur [the tailor], present throughout the collection, is in the tradition of the early days of suiting and black silhouettes by Hedi Slimane when creating Dior Homme,” said Celine in a statement. After rediscovering his own codes of skinny black ties on white shirts, five-centimeter collars, slim low-rise pants and slightly flared jeans, Slimane had the exclusive fabrics assembled on old looms to recreate some of his signature favorites.
Designed with an appreciation for New York-based art, culture and music, and embellished with a nod to classic textiles and techniques, the collection acts as a love letter to the busy city’s artistic renaissance and the creative director’s own evolved vision.
All images courtesy of Celine.
