Hedi Slimane, the oh-so-sh y head of Saint Laurent, can’t help but see the world in black and white

by Sarah de Brun

If video killed the radio star, then style blogs annihilated the fashion world. For the past decade, any best-dressed 20-year-old with a photographer boyfriend has cunningly snuck their way into a world that was once invite-only. As far as Hedi Slimane is concerned (by the looks of his visual diary, HediSlimane.com), if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

With a past rich in photography and design, his passion is felt through images applied to said site. While fashion bloggers upload their “outfit of the day” pics just to see young girls drool, Slimane uses his platform as a peek into what he experiences. Black and white snips of latenight concerts, city escapes, and candid moments are influences for the rock-chic designs of Saint Laurent. Slimane took the position as Creative Director for the fashion house in 2012 after Stefano Pilati stepped down and flipped the identity of the YSL woman.

While Pilati instilled an aura of drama in each collection (especially noted in Fall 2010’s “Flying Nun” show), most designs remained sophisticated and gorgeously safe. Upon Slimane’s arrival, a vision-makeover took place starting with Yves Saint Laurent rebranding as simply Saint Laurent. Dropping just one name and enlisting Slimane’s fresh, new eyes to rework the classic (dare I say dated?) luxury brand jumpstarted SL into the hip entity it is at this moment. It could almost be imagined as the guy in the back of class re-emerging as the cool kid after a long summer break. He was always just there—very likeable, but now stands out with that rebel edge, and suddenly everyone wants to be him.

A fan of designing his own wardrobe and a frequent inhabitant of the darkroom as a kid, Hedi’s résumé lists tailor apprenticeships, an assistant position to Jean-Jacques Picart at Louis Vuitton, Men’s Ready-to-Wear Director at Yves Saint Laurent in 1996 (where he debuted the life-altering skinny fit to the world) and then Menswear Creative Director at Christian Dior in 2001, as just a sprinkle of his many accomplishments.

Abstaining from launching a namesake brand, Slimane ventured back into fashion and portrait photography once exiting his role at Dior in 2007.

Though fashion stands out as his #1 strength, Slimane has stayed true to his love of art and photography and proves to be just as successful in this arena. He’s acted as Guest Editor to New York’s ultra-cultured Visionaire magazine, has published ten books including compilations of black and white photographs covering legendary live rock concerts and Berlin seen through the eyes of the French talent. Lady Gaga and rock band Phoenix have entrusted Slimane with past album covers when he’s not designing for music royalty like Madonna, Mick Jagger, and David Bowie.

As he continues to hold the reigns at Saint Laurent and update his personal site as often as a teen revises his or her social profile pic, Slimane’s strengths lie in spreading the style of beatnik-glamour, Frenchnonchalance, disco-darlings, and rock-and-roll leather. Reminding us to look around and take it all in, he proves that inspiration can be found in everything we come in contact with and staying true to yourself throughout your career, personal life, and hobbies is beyond cool.