Every fashion insider is familiar with Karl Lagerfeld’s 2001 weight loss, and the man behind it — Hedi Slimane. The German designer famously shed 40 kilos in a effort to slip into the slim-fitting suits Slimane was then creating for Dior Homme. It was a very physical show of admiration, and the two men have continued to express their mutual respect for one-another with Slimane custom-making blazers for Lagerfeld to this day.
It’s little surprise that rumours of a collaborative effort pop up every now again, especially now, with Hedi Slimane taking time away from the fashion world post-Saint Laurent. But Chanel aren’t overly pleased with the whispers, yesterday issuing at statement to WWD explicitly ruling out the possibility. “The house of Chanel has no projects with Hedi Slimane,” they label offered, continuing, “Chanel doesn’t work on the launch of a Chanel men’s wear collection.”
Meanwhile, talk that Riccardo Tisci may join Versace continues, much more credibly than the chatter about Slimane’s new appointment. At a recent Nike event, Tisci teased “there are very interesting things on the table now and I’ll make a decision before summer.” We might not see a Chanel shake-up, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t major changes on the way.
Credits
Text Isabelle Hellyer
Photography Mitchell Sams