Amidst rumours that CELINE Creative Director Hedi Slimane was in the process of leaving the illustrious French Maison, we got an unexpected and stunningly opulent presentation for the Winter 2024 menswear collection. This presentation is another off-schedule extravaganza from Slimane cutting out the necessity of a live show in place of a perfectly executed video presentation. Inspired by Hector Berlioz’s 1830s ‘Symphonie fantastique,’ Slimane presentation is wrapped in stunning visuals and vast vistas, channelling the revolutionary energy of the composer and his work out in the desert, backdropped by sky-high mountain and unkempt farmlands.
Considering the unusual destinations and location for the presentation, CELINE utilizes the highways as runways; blacked-out helicopters deliver a CELINE-branded sound system on a vacant highway. The collection itself features well-dressed cowboys in denim and pocketed button-down shirts. Collarless blazers are turned into capes, and of course, the brand’s signature motorcycle jackets make their appearance. Despite the desert location, we get pinstriped pea coats, giving a militarily uniform energy, and they are accessorized with wide-brimmed hats and shrunken square-framed sunglasses.
The collection as a whole is no small feat with Slimane presenting 43 looks, including 12 couture pieces all of which you can see above.