For Celine’s A/W21 collection, Hedi Slimane brought a contemporary spin to the chivalric codes of the medieval period. In last season’s collection films, the brand touched down on the colourful tarmac of sports stadiums and motorsport racing tracks, in the south of France and Monaco, but for autumn, Celine’s models emerged on horseback, brandishing ‘Celine’ emblazoned flags, and galloped as heroic knights, to the keep of the Château de Chambord in France’s Loire Valley.
Italian architect Domenico da Cortona is believed to have designed the majestic Renaissance château, which features an interior with 440 rooms and 84 staircases and a façade boasting 800 asymmetric columns, constructed to resemble an imaginary skyline. For Celine’s A/W21 film, models strode among its outdoor pathways and bastion towers, sporting armour for today – ripped denim layered with leather jackets, hoodies, ruffle-neck shirts and chunky chain necklaces.
Designed originally as a hunting lodge for François I, Château de Chambord boasts a double-helix staircase, the design of which has been attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. The two spirals never meet, and ascend three floors of the château, meaning that two people can climb each staircase without ever crossing paths.
While the architectural origins of the Château de Chambord remain unconfirmed, Slimane’s rebellious, rocker-centric take on stylistic chivalric codes very clearly bear his signature. They’ll encourage noble poise wherever your choose to hold court. §
