Beginnings.
Hedi Slimane studied art history and political science in Paris, and he was also trained as a tailor. He first worked for luxury marketing extraordinaire Jean-Jacques Picart before being hired as the Director of Art and Collections at Yves Saint-Laurent in 1997.

Career Highs.
After Tom Ford and Gucci acquired YSL, Slimane turned down offers to create his own Gucci line and to design for Jil Sander. Instead, he opted to work for Christian Dior, where he created the Dior Homme line and was named the 2002 International Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. One year later, he became the Creative Director for all of Dior's men's fragrances, which he also created.

Elegance is a progressive concept.
                                 - Hedi Slimane

Slimane left Dior in 2007. The house wanted him to stay so badly that they offered to finance his own line that he would create himself. After six and a half months of negotiating, Slimane ended the dealings, claiming that he did not want to compromise his name and his artistic freedom. Since then, he has been working on contemporary art exhibitions and his own photography, and audiences are still waiting for his own, private line to debut.

Legacy.
Slimane's interest in music, contemporary art and indie culture have helped to shape his silhouettes, which are typically very slim and have an edgy, rock inspiration to them. His influence brought the indie rock look and attitude to the masses.

Slimane's collection for Christian Dior at Paris Fashion Week 2004. 

                                               - Olivia