Trends in fashion tend to recycle almost every two decades, either with a reimagination of what it once was, or a misrepresentation of what it was supposed to be. Sometimes however, there always seems to be a few trends that don’t exactly disappear, staying consistent towards their aesthetic regardless of the context of the present, all while lingering between subcultures as die-hard fashion enthusiasts refuse to let them die.
One particular trend in 2025 that has stood out with this phenomenon is the “Hedi Boy Invasion” scattered around Tiktok and Instagram. We’ve all seen them — mod haircuts, skinny jeans, skinny scarves, leather jackets, and beat up sneakers or chelsea boots. The Hedi Boy invasion, referring to Hedi Slimane, has run rampant throughout the year, re-emerging around the same time Slimane parted ways with Celine.
It also followed the rise of the once forgotten era of indie sleaze, with electroclash acts such as The Hellp, The Dare, Extra Small and 2hollis dressing up in similar fashion. The culmination of music and fashion merging has led to the existence of a new cult-like following for Hedi Slimane. The growth was so exponential that even dedicated “Hedi Investigator” Emma Winder had to experience the cultists in person to figure out what makes a Hedi Boy, a Hedi Boy.
With his departure from Celine nine months ago, Hedi Slimane has gone off the grid from the press and public eye. Now residing in LA, Slimane is on a temporary hiatus from fashion, doing photography under his new Instagram account @hedislimanehomme. As we revisit the rich history of all things Hedi Slimane, we also want to explore how his signature style has resurfaced in the mainstream, and how it has built a following of devoted Hedi Boys who continue to keep his vision alive.
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Slimane took his work with the intention of seeking an alternative style of menswear fashion. During an episode of the @throwingfits podcast, Nicolas Gabard of Husbands stated that Hedi Slimane made tailoring relevant again through body types that did not exist, that it was about fantasy and dreaming, implying the unrealistic and skinny silhouettes he had become known for. This was a juxtaposition towards men’s fashion in the early 2000’s, where models on the runway were mainly muscular and well-rounded, styled in silhouettes reflecting those beauty standards.
After a brief stint working for fashion consultant Jean-Jaques Picart, Slimane began his career at Yves Saint Laurent in 1996, where he eventually became the artistic director of its menswear division. He introduced his ethos on the runway for his “Black Tie” collection in 1999. Blending inspirations from youth subcultures and rock & roll music, the show marked the start of a defining era for Slimane, who continued to fine tune his designs and silhouettes over the years with the same concept, regardless of which house he would work under, making his style truly recognisable.
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But although Slimane’s approach to design has remained relevant in today’s fashion, many have criticised it for being lazy and repetitive, oftentimes edging on not being inclusive due to its skinny fits and silhouettes. That being said, we invited two fashion-heads deep into collecting Slimane’s pieces for their opinions on his aesthetic and the current state of it all.
Zhang Yong, 21
When did you first discover Hedi Slimane’s work?
It was from his work at Dior. I was drawn to the rebelliousness and rock-inspired aesthetics. I think most people’s introduction to Hedi would be through his work at Dior Homme as well, due to the popularity and attention it gained back then. And even now, I think Hedi’s work at Dior remains his most popular and sought after.
Why do you think Hedi Slimane’s work has attracted such a cult following?
I believe it was due to his consistency in his design language and the versatility of the clothes. I feel that Hedi has created many designs that are timeless. He often portrays different stylistic characters in his work, and I think the best part about it is the fact that anyone can just wear what resonates with them with his designs.
Has Hedi’s work ever influenced the way you dress or how you see yourself?
Yes, definitely, most of my closet is Hedi’s designs and I definitely plan to collect more. In terms of the way I view myself, I feel confident when I wear his designs. It makes me feel empowered and comfortable in a way.
Who or what do you think defines the term Hedi Boy?
Personally, I dislike the term as it’s very superficial and I believe that style and fashion does not always need labels. However, Hedi has taken many inspirations from many different sources as well, from music artists, creatives and so on. I think this can be seen through his photography and styling, and in my opinion, looking at what Hedi draws inspiration from is the best way for you to style and wear his clothes.
Do you think the Hedi Boy ideal is accessible to everyone, or is it built on exclusivity?
I think that there is a sense of exclusivity for sure. Besides the clothes themselves being expensive and hard to find, Hedi’s designs are often not very inclusive for sizing, and it reinforces the skinny ideal for sure. I think that anyone could wear Hedi, but there is definitely a sense of elitism sometimes from certain followers of Hedi when it comes to his work.
Ahmad Ilyas, 21
What was your first introduction to Hedi Slimane’s work?
My first real glimpse into Hedi’s world was during his time at Saint Laurent. That’s when I really noticed his design language — all those skinny silhouettes, leather jackets, and that dark, grungy vibe that felt so different from everything else back then.
Why do you think so many people romanticise the Hedi Boy look?
Because deep down people want to look effortlessly cool, nonchalant, or mysterious, like they’re living this chaotic nightlife. The look sells a fantasy, and people love buying into it.
Do you see the Hedi Boy aesthetic as timeless or as a nostalgia trap?
Honestly, it’s both. Hedi’s work has a timeless edge. Skinny tailoring and rock-and-roll will always come back. But right now, with everyone jumping on it again, it can feel a bit like playing dress-up. Sometimes it feels more performative than real personal style.
How do you see the Hedi Boy epidemic influencing street style or men’s fashion today?
It’s had a huge impact. Skinny is making a big comeback when just a few years ago it was all about oversized everything. Now, luxury grunge is back in the spotlight and people want that raw, messy edge again.
Do you think Hedi’s legacy will still matter in 20 years?
Absolutely. His influence is already bigger than just the clothes. It’s a whole attitude that keeps resurfacing. Just like other iconic designers whose work still shapes fashion decades later, I think Hedi’s legacy will keep finding new cults of followers.
Whether you see the Hedi Boy invasion as a timeless rebellion or just another nostalgic trip waiting for its next revival cycle, one thing’s clear: Slimane’s vision has never really gone away. Even as he steps back into the shadows, his skinny silhouettes, cigarette-soaked mood, and rock-and-roll edge keep finding new devotees ready to slip into the cult.
Maybe that’s the paradox of Hedi Slimane’s world. It is exclusive yet endlessly imitated, stuck in the past yet always resurfacing. And as long as there are kids willing to stand in dark clubs with leather jackets and skinny jeans, maybe the question isn’t whether Hedi Boys will fade, but how many more times they’ll come back.
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