Hedi Slimane Interview

Before moving ahead, read the interview.

Rarely do I believe that articles need a “response”, but solely based on the fact that this is Hedi Slimane’s first interview in almost three years, it seems an opportune decision. Hedi Slimane has somehow mastered the art of control by letting things happen in his wake. It seems almost ridiculous to repeat that he’s invented the skinny silhouette, the leaving design at the height of your career (Martin Margiela, Helmut Lang), a new dance style called jerking, a new found fascination with young boys in Britain, and much of the indie aesthetic. While it may be hard to believe he single-handedly created all of this, it’s pertinent that he definitely had a hand in bringing all of these styles out of obscurity. The one thing I find strange is how many people haven’t heard of this man. He’s seemingly created so much in so little time but if you found five strangers who knew his name you’d be on a roll. I’ll be surprised if everybody that reads this knows who I’m talking about even though my readership is as niche as The Drums — the band Hedi Slimane believes will start a new movement.

The most peculiar thing in this entire phenomenon is how Hedi Slimane, or whatever genius seems to be possessing him, is immaculate at selecting the next big thing, at predicting the next wave to hit our shores. And equally peculiar, is that I think he is right, with bands like The xx, who seem to live along the same strain as The Drums, growing exponentially in popularity. While I’m not qualified in music, I think Hedi is onto something. The other thing about him that I cannot escape, is how his genius is the most subtle at self-proclaiming what has come and what is to come. The future of fashion, they call it. Hedi’s genius predicts that the internet is the biggest frontier that could possibly wipe out magazines (a battle that’s already started), take out fashion shows, and jeopardize everything a university major was required for. According to Hedi, the fashion industry is headed in the same direction that the music and film industries have recently been transported to, to the demise of the industry heads who have been trying to control the pandemonium. Subtle comments like, “In general, luxury fashion houses are like royalty. They live to preserve and cherish the crown jewels and the symbols of their divine power, no matter what it takes.” The translation: luxury fashion houses better make sure every bloody stitch they sew contains an ounce of “luxury power”, royalty and structure or they could be in danger of evaporating into myth.

The basic nature behind this article is that the future is exciting, and if you haven’t learned how to embrace it then you’ll soon find yourself having little relevance to fashion whatsoever. Invent something new.

Is there anything else you would like to say about the “future of fashion” that I neglected to ask?
Oh, well, at the end of the day, the future is always the same story, minus the digital revolution and its collaterals. The future has to be bright. It is the nature of fashion to evolve, only this time it might evolve more than ever, with seat belts optional.

Tweet