20 October 2023 |
During the last few years Celine has opted to show on their own schedule, often eschewing the runway in favor of polished videos that offer slick cutaways to the clothes. Shot in locations that range from Château Vaux-le-Vicomte just outside of Paris to the Stade Louis II in Monaco to the South of France, the vibe is decidedly French. For spring 2024 they’re back with another short film, showcasing their latest collection. Called Tomboy, Image Director Hedi Slimane directed the ten minute spectacle at La Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris. One of the city’s oldest cultural institutions, it serves as a library that houses the French royal collections since the end of the Middle Ages. It also happens to be across the street from the brand’s atelier.
Set to Too Much Love by LCD Soundsystem, the collection opens with a model reading a leatherbound book stamped with the gold Celine logo. Clad in a skinny black suit, the ensemble is a reminder of what Slimane does best – sharp androgynous tailoring. The camera lingers for a beat and then the music kicks in as the rest of the cast criss-cross the cobblestone courtyard outside of the library before strolling through the Salle de Lecture du Département des Manuscrits et de la Musique.
From there, you get a rapid paced view into what else Slimane excels at, namely separates that look deceptively casual and easy, yet cool. A matching leopard print jacket and mini anchored segue to cutoffs and a leather jacket, both paired with tough boots are prime examples of this as is a pair of plaid boxers, worn with fuzzy-lined suede boots. It’s California by way of Paris, especially when you factor in the track suits and caps. The combination has proved to be irresistible to the brand’s clients but there are also plenty of grown up looks like long dresses worn with blazers and knee high boots as well as denim and leather trousers. For evening, there are mini dresses as well as gauzy gowns but it’s the sparkly gold and silver styles that will really be a hit.
Accessories are always a focus with Celine and the show introduces a headphones collaboration with Master & Dynamic. The combo makes sense, what else would she accessorize with, if not headphones to block out the world as she strolls through the city? Also worth noting is the introduction of the Victoire bag, a new addition to the Triomphe family. The flap bag with chain handles can be seen in black, tucked under the arms.
While the short movie is mainly focused on presenting the looks in a traditional manner, spliced into the footage are short clips from a different shoot. Slimane has a knack for tapping the right young Hollywood stars and this time it’s no different, as you’ll see the likes of musician Stella Rose and actress Esther-Rose McGregor making guest appearances. Expect to see much more of those two in the future.
