Brands like Dior, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent have always sold a piece of Paris — the world’s temple to luxury fashion — along with their handbags. But France’s bi-polar relationship with luxury is boiling over once again.

Le créateur a téléporté les salons du XVIIIe siècle français dans le monde moderne de la culture de l'image, devenant un gourou pour tous les grands noms de la mode. Son esprit lui survivra, écrit la chroniqueuse de mode Laurence Benaïm.

The designer beamed the salons of 18th century France into the modern world of image culture, becoming a guru to all of the great names in fashion. Despite his death, his spirit is everywhere, writes French fashion commentator Laurence Benaïm.

Ahead of his Celine debut, Hedi Slimane talks to Laurence Benaïm for Le Figaro. BoF brings you the exclusive English translation of a rare sit down with one of the most secretive designers in fashion.