Hedi Slimane in July 2005.Photo: Getty Images
Hedi Slimane, the hollow-eyed waif designer for whom Karl Lagerfeld lost 90 pounds, is out at Dior Homme, according to WWD’s redoubtable Paris bureau chief, Miles Socha. Even though Slimane is an international superstar who single-handedly made a moribund label into the hottest thing on the planet — his ultraskinny black suits changed the way men dress — he’s reportedly getting tossed from the LVMH-owned company for diva-ish behavior and protracted contract negotiations. (His contract was left unsigned for nearly a year, as reported yesterday.)
Chris van Assche, an equally somber-looking Belgian, will supposedly replace Slimane at Dior Homme. So the fun speculation surrounds free-agent Hedi’s next gig. In today’s high-low friendly fashion climate, there are options aplenty. Our guesses:
1. Slimane will launch his own line with backing from a rival luxury-goods group like Gucci;
2. Work his transformer magic on another dusty name (Hanae Mori? Pierre Cardin?); or
3. Take over H&M
We hope Hedi gets his own line. Considering women loved to wear the pants he designed for men, imagine what he could do with dresses. Or he could just sit around and eat baby food all day. Whatever he wants. —Janet Ozzard
The Hedi Days Are Over [WWD]
