Tuesday afternoon, holla. It's crap outside in my city and all I want to do is eat chocolate/cheese covered food stuffs and get into bed. But there's always fashion to perk me up, and yesterday's INSANE Saint Laurent show was enough to motivate me for the rest of my days.
It was Hedi Slimane's debut as designer for the formerly named YSL, which is now, more simply put, Saint Laurent. He did not disappoint.
Hedi's been spending gobs of time in the states of late, in particularly Los Angeles. I agree with style.com's review- it shows. Here were clothes that felt very Laurel Canyon in the 60s, but also would be at home in any rock/model/cooler than cool chick's closet. I've talked about the chick before- it's that girl who lives somewhere amazing yet slightly disheveled, may or may not wash her hair every few days just to give it the right crunch, wears leather year round, and can drink any man under the table, and curse profusely while under there as well. She's that girl who always looks profoundly and deeply cool no matter what- Kate Moss is pretty much the poster child for the chick look, and this collection was made just for her and chick fans everywhere. I'm so one, ps. There's nothing I like more, really.
Cathy Horyn, who is very much on most designers shite list of late, was one of the few to pan the collection- calling it derivative and not at all fresh. And Robin Givhan liked it but wondered how any "real" women could fit into these clothes. (Please tell me how that's different from any other runway show). Regardless of some negativity, the collection to me perfectly captured the essence of Saint Laurent at its best- hip, happening, sexy, and cool. LA girls are notoriously in this genre, and Slimane surely got inspired for the very rockish style of Angelenos- though I love the very vintage YSL touches like the pirate lacing and new take on le smoking. I am sure that types who like to channel more Golddust woman than ladies who lunch were thrilled with these looks- and there's no doubt boho fans like Rachel Zoe are probably still passed out cold from how awesome these looks were. Think Betty Catroux, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Anita Pallenberg, Marianne Faithfull, Stevie Nicks, and all the other cool chicks everywhere who love to wear black (lots of black), slouchy hats, and menswear inspired silhouettes you could cut with a knife. These clothes are for girls who are familiar with Gram Parsons, are a bit more Edie Sedgwick than Edie Beale, and are sexy little creatures of the day, but more often of the night. There were loads of trousers, fabulous maxi dresses, and something for just about every woman who is rock and roll at heart. I'm fully in love with this collection. Is it anything new? Nah, not necessarily. But these are clothes to covet- the boho girl is no longer a flight of fancy trend, it's a full blown style archetype that is almost classic in its ability to speak to a certain type- regardless of age or body shape. These are looks for girls who know their style- year after year I return to a more rocked out, boho look, because it's where I'm most comfortable. Maybe you're not going to wear a skinny suit (Hedi's have always been INSANE), but any of us can wear a flowy maxi and a big hat- those printed looks in particular could solve any Spring wardrobe snafu. I WANT IT ALL.
Bravo to Hedi Slimane and his first collection at the helm of the giant pirate ship known as Saint Laurent. It's a fabulous legacy and you're killing it. California sure looks good on you, and I suspect it's going to look good on lots of chicks next season, as they snap up these pieces or the many High Street copies that will be derived from this great collection. And that's what's up this I love rock and roll and Hedi Slimane rules my world kind of Tuesday in the 212. Yow. It's fun being a girl. XO