Hedi Slimane - Publicity - H 2016
Getty Images; Courtesy of Arise PicturesWhile the fashion world waits for Hedi Slimane’s next move, the former Saint Laurent creative director isn’t hiding.
Pret-a-Reporter found him mixing and mingling with a very Hollywood crowd on Wednesday night at Brett Ratner’s Hilhaven Lodge on Benedict Canyon in Beverly Hills, where the filmmaker hosted several hundred guests to announce a RatPac Entertainment partnership with the United Nations on a TV anthology project with writer-producer David Raymond titled, In Harm’s Way.
Slimane, in his preferred uniform of skinny black jeans, a tuxedo jacket and a silk scarf tied around his neck, looked safe, sound and quite relaxed during an intimate VIP cocktail reception held inside the lodge. Though he politely declined a request for comment about the night’s festivities or, of course, future plans after departing his Saint Laurent post after three years, the designer did open up to longtime pal Eva Chow.
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Slimane and a Saint Laurent-clad Chow got close in long conversation on the sofa for nearly an hour, while other invitees like Sharon Stone, Stevie Wonder, Dakota Johnson and later, Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Courtney Love, sipped champagne nearby.
COUCH CONVERSATION: Eva Chow, left, and fashion designer Hedi Slimane attend the special event for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hosted by Brett Ratner and David Raymond at Hilhaven Lodge on Aug. 10, 2016. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for Arise Pictures)
Could Slimane and Chow have been talking about that settlement or be plotting a new L.A.-based fashion brand for Slimane? That’s anyone’s guess, but Chow did gush when asked about the coincidence of wearing Saint Laurent in Slimane’s presence. “He’s a friend and I’m a huge fan,” she smiled. “And I’m usually wearing one of three designers, Hedi for Saint Laurent, Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy or Alaia. Tonight I wanted to wear something easy and comfortable and not overdressed but chic. Saint Laurent always does that.”
As for what Slimane is doing this summer besides attending backyard house parties peppered with famous faces and a Sinatra-inspired jazz band, a source close to the designer said he’s enjoying some time off and has no plans to leave Los Angeles.
So the waiting game continues.
