PARIS, July 6, 2005 - Of the after hours events that sparkled during Paris
men’s fashion week, none could possibly outshine Hedi Slimane’s birthday party, held Tuesday evening at the hip club Le Triptique on Rue de Montmartre.

Models and band members started congregating late in the evening, huddling together around tables and meandering through the catacomb-like basement. French, British and American, the 55 models drawn together for the Dior Homme show were chosen for their chiseled features and natural beauty. One guy sheepishly admitted that he was sixteen and a half, and another proudly announced that he had already turned twenty. With girlfriends and admirers in tow, the space quickly burgeoned with young people.

Hedi Slimane, who was 37 on July 5, chose to celebrate his birthday with friends and acquaintances. Music was provided by Alan McGee, Carl Barat, Cazals, The Others and The Paddingtons.

It was well past midnight when Karl Lagerfeld and Stephen Gan arrived, and after an initial foray into the smoky sub terrain, the world’s most polished couturier elected to return to street level to breathe in the fresh air. A light rain was falling outside, as the hour grew late, then later.

At last Hedi arrived, stepping out of a limousine and into the throngs of well wishers.

As champagne flowed from magnums of Möet et Chandon Brut Impérial, and beer bottles began to stack up towards the ceiling, the night grew only younger. For the young, and the young at heart, life was one huge party that rolled on until dawn’s early light.