CELINE Spring-Summer 2025 ‘Un Été Français’: Hedi Slimane’s Nostalgic Ode to French Summer

In a dazzling reveal of French savoir-faire, Hedi Slimane's latest offering for CELINE, "Un Été Français" (A French Summer), transports us to a world where the sultry notes of American pioneering musicians Nico and The Velvet Underground's 'Femme Fatale' mingle with a melancholic homage to the recently departed French singer Françoise Hardy. Slimane's sharp streaks of eyeliner trace the memory of a youthful Hardy, capturing both the vivacity of her prime and the poignancy of her recent loss.

Presented against the opulent backdrop of the Château de Compiègne, the Spring-Summer 2025 collection muses on the golden age of French culture, reinvigorating 1960s nostalgia with contemporary Parisian elegance. Slimane designed the collection while rereading Françoise Sagan's novel "La Chamade," infusing literary inspiration into his sartorial vision, all while paying tribute to Hardy's enduring influence on French style and music.

Slimane, ever the auteur, unveiled his latest vision through a captivating film and campaign shot on location at the historic Château de Compiègne. The choice of venue is no coincidence; this former royal residence has a rich history. On May 14, 1770, in the forest of Compiègne, Marie Antoinette first met Louis-Auguste, the future King Louis XVI. Later, the château became a favored summer residence for the French court, with Louis XV transforming and extending it in 1751. It was also cherished by Napoleon III, providing a fitting stage for Slimane's exploration of French heritage and its crossroads with modernity.

This collection further builds upon Slimane's long-standing fascination with youth culture. In 2003, the designer documented the London and Paris youth scene, from Saint-Germain to South Kensington. He captured a unique style emerging at the time: young, affluent women with an indie sensibility, often seen in babydoll dresses, who were becoming prominent figures in the English concert scene. This archival inspiration breathes new life into the current collection.

Building upon Slimane's intellectual inspirations, as seen in CELINE’s SS24 show, "Un Été Français" paints a captivating portrait of youthful exuberance and learned sophistication. In Image 2 (below), we see a striking black and white mini dress that epitomizes the collection's playful spirit. The sleeveless bodice gives way to tiers of alternating black and white fringe, creating a dynamic, textured silhouette that evokes both the frivolity of a summer party and the refinement of high fashion. The model's short bob and headband complete the 1960s-inspired look, while her pose against the classical architecture creates a compelling contrast between modernity and tradition.

Image 3 sees Slimane's masterful reinterpretation of the classic tweed suit. The black and white houndstooth pattern of the cropped jacket and pleated skirt offers a fresh take on boarding school chic. The ensemble is cleverly paired with a shimmering gold blouse and layered necklaces, adding a touch of romance and whimsy to the structured suit. This delightful look perfectly embodies the collection's vision of youthful energy and sophisticated French allure.

Another standout look, as seen in Image 4, features a pale pink tweed suit that brings home the boarding school aesthetic. The cropped jacket with its gold buttons and patch pockets exudes a sense of polished nonchalance, while the pleated skirt adds a touch of girlish charm. The look is elevated by a voluminous white ruffle collar, reminiscent of the romantic blouses favored by 1960s icons.

For after-dark allure, Slimane offers suspended silk dresses embroidered with two-tone feathers, sequins, and giant rhodoid flowers lacquered with crystals. Summer dresses in broderie anglaise, inspired by Jane Birkin, are hand-crocheted and embellished with crystals and silver sequins. Both showcase the exquisite craftsmanship of CELINE's ateliers.

Image 7 presents a striking example of Slimane's evening wear vision. A sleek black mini dress adorned with tiers of shimmering paillettes captures the spirit of 1960s go-go dancers while maintaining a thoroughly modern silhouette. The model's bob haircut and headband complete the retro-chic look, proving that Slimane's eye for detail extends beyond the clothes to every aspect of styling.

Complementing the ready-to-wear, Slimane introduces a range of covetable accessories. This season, CELINE offers a new standout piece, the Teen Bag Joséphine (Image 8), available made-to-order in the CELINE ateliers, features an extended curved handle and comes in polished or lacquered shades of crocodile, as well as ruby, emerald, and amber lizard.

Graphic slingbacks in exotic lacquered leathers – lizard, python, and crocodile – add a touch of luxe to every ensemble. Meanwhile, layered Celine necklaces worn over sequin-embroidered sleeveless pieces lend a consistent opulent touch to the collection.

In a holistic approach to his vision, Slimane introduces new additions to CELINE's Haute Parfumerie line and beauty collection. The 'Un Été Français' fragrance (Image 10), worn by the models in the film, captures the essence of languorous Mediterranean summers with notes of bergamot, petitgrain, neroli, jasmine, vanilla, and a gorse accord.

In his olfactory journal, Slimane provides a poetic glimpse into the inspiration behind the scent:

Complementing the fragrance, the new CELINE Beauté collection makes its debut. The models in the 'Un Été Français' film wear eyeliner 'in the spirit of Greco,' showcasing Slimane's comprehensive vision for the CELINE woman.

As we see in Image 12, the collection transforms a simple garden into a runway as models, clad in flowing black gowns, stand like sentinels among perfectly manicured hedges – a visual metaphor for the timeless nature of lasting style.

With "Un Été Français," Hedi Slimane once again demonstrates his unique vision, creating a collection that is poised to influence the wider fashion industry while remaining distinctively CELINE. This offering is a triumph of French elegance, harmoniously blending the carefree spirit of youth with the ever-desirable sophistication of high fashion. Slimane's "Un Été Français" offers a welcome respite – a chance to bask in the glow of an eternal French summer, where every moment is infused with the ineffable magic of Parisian chic.