Hedi Slimane for Dior Homme: "Doing Things"
(Photo below: Hedi Slimane with Karl Lagerfeld backstage during the Spring 2003 Dior Homme show Photo by Javier Mateo.)

PARIS, Feb 25, 2003/ FW/ --- Hedi Slimane was born in Paris on the 5th of July 1968 to an Italian mother and Tunisian father. He took a circuitous route to fashion design after having first studied art history. His ultimate career was probably predestined, given that as a child he fell asleep on reams of fabric while watching his mother, a seamstress, at work.

From 1992 to 1995, Hedi worked as assistant to Jean-Jacques Picard for several fashion projects, most notably the centenarian of the monogram by Louis Vuitton.

His rise to fame began in July of 1997, when he was handpicked by Pierre Bergé to be Artistic Director of the Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche men's line. His razor-sharp tailoring, as well as his exotic approach to men's wear soon began to catch the attention of Hollywood's fashion elite. Ultimately, he was selected to design the black satin redingote worn by Brad Pitt at his wedding to Jennifer Anniston on July 29, 2000.

With the sale of Yves Saint Laurent to the Gucci Group in late 1999, Hedi chose to leave after his "Black Tie" collection for Autumn / Winter 2001-02. In July of 2000, he was appointed Creative Director for Dior Homme, as well as manager for the global image of the label.

Since joining Dior Homme, Hedi has transformed the line into the hottest ticket in town, drawing the attention of a galaxy of admirers. From Karl Lagerfeld and Elton John, to Justin Timberlake, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman, David Bowie, Mick Jaggar and Sarah Jessica Parker, the list of celebrities wearing his creations is growing. Hedi's tenure at Dior Couture has also brought the company tremendous commercial success, as the corporation posted healthy profits in 2002, despite a stagnant world economy

Hedi has now presented five collections for Dior Homme, all of which have drawn rave reviews from fashion editors worldwide.

In September 2001, he was awarded the Man of the Year Award for emerging talent by the American GQ.

In April 2002, he was named International Designer of the Year by the CFDA.

A timid and reticent perfectionist, he avoids the limelight, though his graciousness toward the press and his admirers has earned him universal respect.

As Hedi puts it, "The less I explain, the better I do. Honors are important for others. What interests me, is doing things."

Dior Homme Spring 2007 Photo by FW

Menswear Fall 2006 (Photo by FW)

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