Cause Me Pain Hedi Slimane

I have a tee shirt from House of Holland's designer line that reads, or rather shouts in big red block letters, "CAUSE ME PAIN HEDI SLIMANE." Usually when I wear it out I get a few confused and unfamiliar glances. Hedi Slimane is one of the people whose name remains unknown by many (outside the fashion world) but whose designs and general aesthetic reverberate out into increasing spheres of influence.

As the designer for Dior Homme from 200-2007, his slimmed down suiting and louche musician sensibility made him an instant icon. Although he has retired from design he still communicates his point of view through his prolific blog/photo diary hedislimane.com, as well appearing behind the camera for magazine photo spreads.

Slimane's photos are stark and modern but never empty or unimportant. Unkempt yet refined. Harsh yet glamorous. Largely black and white, his portraits are honest and confrontational. They highlight style and uniqueness without seeming posed or self congratulatory. They are the documentation of people and moments who are allowed to exist naturally and then to evolve. You get the sense that these are moments like beats, moving to the next and the next on and on in a rhythmic series but remaining beautiful and necessary in their brief time to continue and define their place in the song.

The reason why I respect Hedi Slimane, besides an instant indefinable aesthetic connection, is that he always seems to be moving forward. He is literally and figuratively capturing the world in motion. There is no clinging to an idea of a romanticized past. No re-creation, no sense of the desperation trap fashion can easily excite themselves into. Just now and beyond. He delves into the moment, uses and defines it to the highest degree of design and experience, and then moves seamlessly into the next now. The thread of constant evolution.

I still get strange looks when I wear my shirt, but I don't mind. It is only a moment.

All images from www.hedislimane.com