Wednesday, March 4, 2009

American Digs for French Designer Hedi Slimane

BUYER: Hedi Slimane
LOCATION: Beverly Hills, CA
PRICE: $4,100,000 (reportedly)
SIZE: 4,562 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
DESCRIPTION: ...Dramatic 1 story mid century by architect Rex Lotery on almost 20,000 sq. ft. flat. Pristine condition. Hi ceilings & glass walls open to manicured gardens. Water features & large pool, tall bamboo. Light, bright, open & airy interior w/ clerestory glass, teak louvres, terrazzo floors, step-down living & family rm w/ bar, gourmet kitchen w/ brkfst...

YOUR MAMAS NOTES: A couple weeks ago, on February 18th to be exact, Your Mama was yakking with a gal we call Nelly Knowsitall who was generously serving up all kinds of celebrity real estate dirt. Sometime during our lengthy interchange, Ms. Knowsitall whispered in our big ear that after tooling around town for several weeks in a gorgeous green vintage Rolls Royce searching for new digs in Los Angeles, fabled French fashion designer Hedi Slimane and his man-pal finally settled on a Rex Lotery designed house in the Trousdale Estates area of Beverly Hills that was last listed at $4,650,000.

For all the children who do not follow the insular and rarefied world of dreadfully expensive men's habiliment, let Your Mama give y'all a crash course on our Mister Slimane. In the late 1990s, after resigning from a plum post at YSL over differences with notoriously autocratic Tom Ford (who at the time was designing the women's lines for YSL), Mister Slimane landed at the venerable Christian Dior label where he took over designing duds for Dior Homme. It was here, at Dior, that Mister Slimane rose to near mythic fashion world status for making fashion forward men around the world want to be as thin and malnourished looking as a female catwalkers so they could fit into one of Mister Slimane's signature skinny suits.

Mister Slimane's reputation as a mercurial maverick of the dernier cri became substantial enough to warrant a lengthy profile in The New Yorker. The article rather disturbingly revealed that the naturally thin Mister Slimane maintained his super slender boyish figure by eating baby food. As extreme (and probably untrue) as that sounds, it pales in comparison to the absurd but often repeated rumor that high-fashion guru/grandpa Karl Lagerfeld once subsisted on Pepsi Max alone so that he could lose enough weight to fit into one of Mister Slimane's skinny suits. Jeezis children, Your Mama just hopes that is true because, if it is, it's just too dee-voon and dee-lishus we can't stand it.

Anyhoo, Mister Slimane left Dior back in 2007 and soon decamped for the glitz and glam world of Los Angeles where word on the celebrity real estate gossip grapevine is that Mister Slimane and his man-friend scooped up a contemporary crib on an itty-bitty Beverly Hills cul-de-sac.

Interestingly enough one of the children was interested in purchasing this house last year and at the time she queried Your Mama about what we thought of the place, it was listed at $5,500,000. However, more recent listing information shows the last asking price was $4,650,000 and it is Your Mama's understanding that Mister Slimane managed to purchase the property for just $4,100,000. If that figure is accurate, and we'd bet our long bodied bitches Linda and Beverly it is, Mister Slimane (or his peeps) drove a hard bargain for the fashionista property purchaser.

Prop records show the recently rehabbed house was built in 1962, sits on a flat .46 acre lot and measures 4,562 square feet. One section of listing information we were able to obtain shows the house includes 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, while the listing description indicates there are 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms plus a staff room and bath. We trust Mister Slimane will let us know which figures are accurate.

The new Slimane domicle is approached via a gravel driveway that leads to a rail-less concrete bridge that stretches over a moat like water feature that is quite simply not safe for toddlers or anyone like Your Mama who downs a few cocktails before going to a cocktail party. To the right of the entry is a formal dining. The terrazzo floors featured in the entry and the dining room spill down three or four steps to the "formal" living room which opens to the pool terrace through a tall wall of windows. The living room shares a two-sided fireplace with the family room which also sports terrazzo floors and a wall of glass that opens to the pool deck. The family room also features built in bookshelves with space for a flat screen (or course) and a large built in bar where the boozers sit on low poofs and the bartender, preferably a shirtless one, stands at eye level a few steps down.

The island kitchen, with its lovely orange accents (we can't help it, orange is Your Mama's favorite color), looks well stocked with plenty of cabinet space, work space, and of course, a full complement of high end stainless steel appliances. An adjacent breakfast area provides easy access to the outdoors where Mister Slimane and his man-friend, should they ever choose, can grill and chill.

The property does not offer Mister Slimane any views of Los Angeles but the back yard is completely surrounded by tall hedges which will enable Mister Slimane to sunbathe his boyishly lean an lithe little body in the nood without being spotted by the nosy neighbors.

Presumably Mister Slimane continues to maintain a pied in Parisian real estate where Your Mama understands he occupies (or until recently, occupied) a lovely apartment in a bee-yoo-ti-ful brick faced building on the Quai Voltaire in Paris' 7th arrondissement which overlooks the Seine and the the Louvre and which happens to be the same street pencil thin fashion queen Karl Lagerfeld reportedly calls home.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice!!! I Love. Personally I have enjoyed some of the newly revamped properties in the Trousdale Estates.

Anonymous said...

I know he was doing quite a few shoots in LA [as a photographer] over the past few months, but I'm really surprised he is living / plans to live there ... He's so the opposite of what everything LA stands for ... All his references/inspiration in music, photography, fashion & even casting models is very London centered ... or more specifically very east London centered ...

Interesting choice of house, not what I would have picked but hey ho ... I'm still trying to get over the fact that Hedi Slimane is living in Beverly Hills ... who would've guessed.

Anonymous said...

Actually if you read some stuff about him, LA has long been one of his cultural references and he's been spending a great deal of time here for a while.

I know people like to think of LA as being a cultural waste pit filled with fake tits, but there's really a lot more there if you bother to scratch the botoxed surface.

Anonymous said...

*gasp* He/they bought my favorite house in BH. This would explain why the home's website was recently taken down. Be good to this house, babies, it's a keeper.

Anonymous said...

I am curious to know when Trousdale Estates became fashionable. It was tacky when it was new, wasn't it? Of course, it's all relative. Once upon a time Pasadena wouldn't have been caught dead in BH at all... of course there is a chance that I'm behind the times, given to pining, as I am, for the the Pasadena of Monty Beragon (before he lost his dough)....

Anonymous said...

Not a big fan of this house.

I used to be in construction and we had to fill in the water under a moat entrance way like this, because it was a BIG liability. Some late night party person or a kid on a trike could fall in and sue/die. YOU have to watch yourself with a entrance like this. No railing or edging is a risk. Not watching where you are stepping with groceries or large items in hand, could even badly hurt the owner.

The inside needs help. Looks like poorly done retro with the furniture, molding, and cabinets?

Anonymous said...

Pasadena?

Trousdale properties often have AMAZING views. Some of the ugliest houses in LA. but many have been redone and are looking sweet now.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Trudes--do i have questions for you, like, is he really amazing in the sack etc? Is Tantric all it's cracked up to be? But I digress. I suppose my only real interest in Trousdale is getting to the bottom of its essential mystery: were Ned and Hugh lovers, or not?

Anonymous said...

This home comes together perfectly, imo. I absolutely love the tasteful use of colorful accents, art, furniture, rug, and walls, juxtaposed with an abundance of natural wood tones, all interspersed throughout the light and bright yet muted background of this home's thoroughly modern open spaces. Beautifully imagined and well executed; vibrant, yet welcoming and comfortable. It looks and I'm sure feels like a home, unlike more uber-modern residences which have a too harsh and sterile vibe to them, at least for my taste. I would have to add a sparing in design but sturdy hand railing to the moat entrance though.

Madam Pince said...

I'm with Mama & Anon 2:45 -- that rail-less entry scares the s**t outta me. A lawsuit waiting to happen!

Anonymous said...

I love the house except for two things: the kitchen cabinets and that deadly entrance.

Otherwise, I really like it. The Trousdale Estates are a great part of BH if you ask me because it's a community.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love this place. One of the few houses mama's shown us that I could feel comfortable in as is.

Just think of the fun you could have with that moat - betting on which drunk falls in first; fog machines & lights for Halloween - and perhaps pirhannas or eels for April fools. Love it!

Anonymous said...

Trousdale started out fabulous, went downhill in the late 70s when it became a mecca for immigrants from a certain country that starts with an "I" who bastardized the midcentury houses. Now it is turning back into beautiful neighborhood.

3:11 - The real truth about what was going on between Ned & Hugh went to the grave with Lucy.

Anonymous said...

Anon 5:01pm: Re Lucy--as it should have, I suppose, the truth going with her to Rosedale or Forest Lawn or wherever, I mean. And poor Estelle--oh, the crosses that woman had to bear. As for Trousdale--thank you for that info. I have always wondered if Milburn and Margaret DrysDALE's house was actually in TrousDALE. It would seem the perfect place for their early-'60s-mansard swankienda, complete with Imperial out front. And tell me--do you think we'll ever know if ole' Harry had Betty offed?

Anonymous said...

First, allow me to address the 5:01. "...immigrants from a certain country that starts with an "I" who bastardized the midcentury houses." Certain country? I see you're a major fucking asshole. Just sayin' ... And BTW, Trousdale was never completely fabulous. Its a collection of super-sized homes that are not entirely unlike the smaller homes found in Mt.Olympus or in the Dona tract over in Studio City. It is a beautiful area by virtue of the trees and views alone. There is nothing awe-inspiring about the architecture. Rather, Trousdale contains an architectural style that many today view through a very romantic lense as they reflect upon the '60s.

Anonymous said...

it is encouraging to drive through trousdale and see so many homes being remodeled, and not in an old country style. as for this house on maytor, it will need some work to fix a few problems, like bad flooring in the bathrooms, the transition between some rooms is a trip hazard, etc. some not so great tile work. trousdale very up and coming!

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:48 - Let's not.

Anonymous said...

C'est degoutant!

StPaulSnowman said...

please pass the raita and Peshwari naan. I really liked the beautiful moated entry. You would just have to avoid clumsy guests, drunk guests and, of course, attorneys. This is why architecture is the fettered step sister of the arts............inspections, permits, liability. It is pretty sad really.

Mike Cook said...

Are we all really that unsteady on our feet?

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous home! The living area overlooking looking over to the pool is very nice.

Anonymous said...

No Bentley, some of the children are old as the hills (or just feel a need to say something negative about every one of Mama's articles).

The house is fabulous.

lil' gay boy said...

Have always loved this place, even though it crowds the lot and is surrounded by streets on three sides.

But it's cleverly sited & landscaped; enough to make the most of a tight fit. As for the "controversial" entry, if needs must, I'll crawl, thank you very much. And I would not permit an occupied Maclaren stroller within spitting distance of the edge of the driveway, anyway.

Someone obviously cared well for this mid-century.

Anonymous said...

mmmmm. I picture him redecorating decorating in stark shades of grey and black.

Anonymous said...

Trousdale Estates was always known for great views. You could have bought a lot there for $35,000 when it was first developed. Some of the homes were small and over the years, most have been re-done.
If you are up near the top, you go through a set of brakes every year....coming down the hill. They have Beverly Hills Police/Fire and Schools etc. Overall, it's all about the views and living in the City of Beverly Hills. I remember when Groucho Marx,Dinah Shore and Richard Nixon lived there.

Anonymous said...

What's up with that bedroom decor?

Kryptonitesf said...

exactly as Bentley says, "are we really that unsteady on our feet?"

it's just KNOWING the path is shall we say, unforgiving that gives us the heebie jeebies.

that said, it is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

as for drunks, children and the elderly, i say stock the moat with small, cute piranhas and leave it all in god's hands!

lil' gay boy said...

Oooo, Krypto, I like the way you think...

Anonymous said...

Great house , looked at it about a year ago , Needs some updateing, I recently bought a home in trousdale that i am restoring to its origanal glory , I have always loved this area and the wonderful Mid century Homes. unfortunatly many of the homes have been changed from mid century Dream homes to Tacky looking vegas Strip clubs . I am happy there is alot of homes in the area that are starting to be restored and updated . Steve Herman is doing 3 homes down the street from me and it looks like he is doing a great job .

Anonymous said...

On a recent visit to LA I spent a lot of time driving up in this area. Some really nice mid century moderns that reflect the era when Trousdale was developed.

But yes I too was shocked by the awful Persian palaces---what the %&^% were they thinking?