Hedi Slimane Loves L.A.'s Art Scene

Hedi Slimane's departure from the fashion world has been lamented far and wide. But the design Reanaissance Man isn't being lazy. Staying on fashion's periphery by shooting Prada campaigns, Slimane has also further immersed himself in the L.A. art scene.

Over the past few years, Slimane has made L.A. a semi-permanent residence, assembling a studio at the Mandrake Bar -- an easy-going drink spot opened by Justin Beal and Drew Heitzler amid Culver City's art galleries -- where he takes photos of L.A.-based artists for his personal website and sites like Dazed & Confused's digital publication. Slimane hopes that putting these taste-makers in front of a lens will in turn give Los Angeles's art scene a new face. "The sense of expansion [and] the possibilities offered to artists to experiment with space, remind of Berlin. Besides, the tradition of Southern California art has always [had] a strong impact on me," he admits.

Still enquiring minds want to know if he'll be back in fashion any time soon. Thankfully he divulges: "It is an interesting time now to observe and see how design -- and the rules of the industry around it -- will evolve and eventually transform."

(via WWD)

-- Seth Plattner