Helena Christensen and Hedi Slimane at the Dior Homme Party
Amanda Lepore at the Dior Homme Party
Amanda Hearst at the Dior Homme Party
Hedi Slimane Hosts A High-Concept Fete For Dior Homme
Maya Singer
Fashion Wire Daily March 11, 2004 - New York -
SONIC YOUTH HEADLINES; HIPSTER CROWD WONDERS, ‘HUH?’
Last night’s soiree celebrating the opening of Manhattan’s Dior Homme story had more than a few attendees in a state of confusion. Host Hedi Slimane, the Dior Homme designer, not only hosted the party but also planned it down to the smallest detail, from the decoration of the raw West Side space in a stage-set theme to the rocker-chic staff that both served drinks and then, walking around with small buckets, collected the empties.
And the invite list was just as high-concept, a mix of uptown fashion types such as Vogue’s Grace Coddington, downtown darlings including Bay Garnett of Cheap Date and designer Benjamin Cho, an inevitable smattering of models (Missy Rayder, Helena Christensen, Sophie Dahl), it-girls (Hope Atherton, Amanda Hearst) and photographers (Craig McDean, Terry Richardson), plus a plethora of art, music and all-around scenemakers, including Vincent Gallo , Matt Damhave, Ryan McGinley, Jeffrey Deitch, David Byrne and David Blaine , and members of the bands Interpol and FischerSpooner.
“Who put together the hipster guest list? I’m so confused,” one Dior womenswear publicist was overheard saying. “I mean, I kind of get it, but…”
Given that Slimane had tinkered with every component of the evening, having designed the stage lights illuminating the room, the platforms where, to one side, patrons lounged on foam-core mattresses, and to the other side, servers who looked as though they’d been kidnapped from their gigs at Arlene’s Grocery handed out mini-bottles of Moet, it was fair to wonder whether he’d also placed a few ringers in the crowd itself. People who aren’t, you know, “known,” but look as though they should be. For some reason. You had to give Slimane credit: Once the room filled up, the mix worked.
But alas, the menswear designer did slip up on one not-so-incidental detail. Fashionable ladies tottering around four-inch heels and wearing nought but camisoles under their furs were forced (along with the guys) outside, down the block, and into a trailer in order to “use the facilities.” Granted, once inside the trailer loo, someone had taken care to turn on the heat and, weirdly, pipe in classical music. But it did put a damper on things – more than one gal was heard commenting, “I want more champagne, but…”
Of course, people who have seen Sonic Youth at any of the outdoor festival dates the band has played over its long and storied career are more than familiar with the toilet-related sacrifices one must make in order to ROCK. (So maybe Slimane had chosen the trailer toilet on purpose. Hm.) And sharply at midnight, right when they were supposed to take the stage – something that never, ever, ever happens at a real rock show – Sonic Youth appeared. And at least for fans, once that happened, the whole evening began to make a lot of sense
photos & article by fwd
.. but of courZZe.. just dont get too upset now faust 
