Borrowing from the youthful, rebellious essence of the previous Spring Summer presentation in Monaco, Celine’s Fall Winter 2021 show titled ‘Parade’ begins with a black and white film sequence paired with sharp cuts of the runway at gardens by André Le Nôtre at the Vaux-le-Vicomte château. Further developing Hedi Slimane’s vision of French identity, the collection features sweeping dresses, shearling and leather vests, glittering sequined tops along with distressed denim, faded plaid shirts, tweed jackets and oversized coats and blazers. The models glided across with windswept, yet effortlessly chic hair and handbags casually tucked away under their arms, conveying a sophisticated yet downtown Parisian style fused with the current ’90s grunge revival.

During a time of travel restrictions and quarantine lockdowns, Slimane’s utopian, daydream universe in ‘Parade” is likely to strike an emotional chord amongst his loyal followers, as well as Gen-Z audiences who might draw parallels to their own hopes and anticipations for the near future. Slimane looked to French poets to explore the emotional side of the collection, drawing inspiration from a famous quote by Charles Baudelaire: “My youth has been nothing but a tenebrous storm, peered now and then by rays of brilliant sunshine.”

The shows ending perfectly encapsulates the dreamscape that Slimane is weaving. Featuring a young deer, fairytale-like bell skirts, gleaming dresses, and fireworks over the garden, Celine delivers the perfect package of melancholic glamour.