CELINE SS25 collection, titled “Un Été Français,” is a nostalgic ode to French summers and a tribute to the youth culture that Hedi Slimane has always celebrated. Designed in May 2024 while rereading Françoise Sagan’s novel “La Chamade” and listening to Nico and The Velvet Underground, Slimane has crafted a collection that combines literary inspiration with timeless Parisian cool. The result is a wardrobe that captures the spirit of carefree elegance, steeped in a sense of nostalgia and sophisticated rebellion.
The heroine of “Un Été Français” embodies a melancholic charm reminiscent of the late Françoise Hardy. With her black silk jersey headband, short fringe, and bob hairstyle, she exudes the quintessential French cool girl vibe. A sharp streak of eyeliner adds to her mystique, paying homage to Hardy’s iconic style.
Classic boarding school attire is reinterpreted in CELINE’s signature way, with pleated skirt suits tailored in light summer cashmere or meticulously hand-embroidered, paired with short summer coats in suede or glazed lambskin. The juxtaposition of tailored pieces with more playful items like embroidered twinsets adorned with sequins creates a look that is both nostalgic and strikingly modern. Pencil skirts and mini A-line skirts add to the collection’s versatility, offering options that shift from youthful playfulness to structured sophistication.
The romantic influences extend into the eveningwear, where suspended silk dresses are hand-embroidered with two-tone feathers, sequins, and large lacquered rhodoid flowers. Dresses inspired by Jane Birkin, made entirely of broderie anglaise, hand-crocheted, and embroidered with crystals and silver sequins, offer a casual yet luxurious option for warm summer evenings. The architectural evening dresses, draped in black silk faille, evoke an understated drama that embodies Slimane’s flair for fusing structure with fluidity.
Accessories play a vital role in “Un Été Français,” adding an extra layer of luxury to each look. CELINE necklaces are layered over sleeveless t-shirts embroidered with translucent sequins, imbuing a relaxed beachside vibe with a touch of glamour. The collection’s footwear includes graphic slingbacks crafted from exotic lacquered leathers, including lizard, python, and crocodile. The exotic materials, paired with classic silhouettes, add an edge to the collection that aligns with Slimane’s love for contrasts—mixing opulence with ease.
Completing the collection is the made-to-order Teen Bag Joséphine, produced in the CELINE ateliers. With its curved handle and option to be carried by hand or worn over the shoulder, the bag offers both versatility and sophistication. Available in polished or lacquered shades of crocodile and vibrant hues like ruby, emerald, and amber lizard, the bag serves as the perfect accessory for the heroine of “Un Été Français”. Slimane’s Summer 2025 vision for CELINE encapsulates a French summer full of understated luxury, evoking both the nostalgia of youth and the elegance of timeless design.
View the campaign in the Gallery below:
this looks to me like a job proposal for Chanel, are you going there Hedi Slimane?