Designer Hedi Slimane canceled the Men’s Summer 24 show in Paris scheduled for July 2023 due to protests in France. During this period, Slimane shot a film in Paris and Monaco, featuring scenes with classical ballet dancer Laurends Seidel at prominent locations like the Garnier Opera House, the Gaîté Lyrique, and Le Grand Rex.
In the early 2000s, Slimane began capturing a new art movement in New York, involving artists such as Dash Snow, Nate Lowman, and Dan Colen. A notable group show, “Sweet Bird of Youth,” in July 2007 at Arndt & Partner in Berlin, featured works by these artists.
The show “Delusional Day Dream” pays tribute to the vibrant New York music scene and revisits the 2005 “LCD Soundsystem” album. Slimane, recalling his connections to the New York art scene, collaborated with Dash Snow’s estate to incorporate his artworks into the collection. Post-lockout, Slimane documented the resurgent New York generation, focusing on portraits of musicians, artists, and clubgoers.
Slimane’s collection revives his early 2000s styles, including skinny black ties on white shirts with the “5” collar, shiny effects, and low-rise pants with a 5 heel. Jeans often made of plunged lambskin feature a slight flare.
The collection draws inspiration from 17th-century French court and ceremonial portraits, specifically Pierre Mignard’s royal images, influencing the couture bustiers and satin bows. These command sashes, sometimes adorned with gold, are tied in a “ballonné” knot at the hip. “Le tailleur,” a consistent element in the collection, honors Slimane’s early days of suiting at Dior Homme, with rare textiles woven on antique looms.