Hedi Slimane Conjures Celine's First Unisex Fragrance Collection

Hedi Slimane continues to stake his claim at Celine. The French designer has introduced the Haute Parfumerie collection, which consists of eight scents for the day, and three for evening. It is the second fragrance in the fashion label’s history, following the 1964 debut of Vent Fou. Indeed, under Slimane’s leadership, Celine has started to adhere to standard business practices—beefing up the brand’s e-commerce presence, and adding the remunerative beauty category—that his predecessor, Phoebe Philo, effectively disregarded.

This evolution also applies to Celine’s overall aesthetic. Where Philo stuck to an artfully-inclined sensibility, with exaggerated lengths and soft color palettes, Slimane imbues his collections with a rock ‘n’ roll edge, continuing with the glittering mini dresses, fitted biker jackets, and slim suites that he brought to his past stints as creative director of Saint Laurent and Dior Homme. His overriding signature, though, is the effortlessness with which he blends masculine and feminine elements to create dynamic looks. And it would appear that he is incorporating this non-binary mindset to Haute Parfumerie.

Not only does the line of scents steer clear of mixing notes that are traditionally for men or women, the design also plays into the unisex attitude. Inspired by Art Deco and late 17th-century Classicism, the rectangular containers are made of amber-hued glass that features sharp-edged fluting, and is topped with a black lacquered cap. Sleek and cool, these eau de parfums perfectly bottle up the vibe that Slimane has brought to Celine.