Yves Saint Laurent: Is Black A Summer Color?
Image Courtesy: Strike WashU
For fashion lovers and style icons, Fashion Week is always a time to look forward to. While it is hard to save your seat at one of these shows, Saint Laurent has taken an untraditional route this year and offered us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in their show through a ten-minute video.
One model walking after another on a narrow path of sand dunes towards the horizon; this is how Saint Laurent debuted their 66-look ready-to-wear summer 2021 collection. While it might sound strange, I was speechless. From each piece to the styling to the production of the show as a whole, it is absolutely breathtaking. If you’re an avid fashion week viewer, I hope you’ll agree with me in that I honestly don’t believe I have seen a show of this caliber yet. Saint Laurent surpassed any and all expectations I had.
Let me preface this review by saying I have always been a supporter of Saint Laurent’s fashion, but this particular collection blew me away. The collection is full of unique clothes that still manage to fit a ready-to-wear vibe. It seems to me like Saint Laurent pretty much did the impossible.
Anthony Vaccarello (Creative Director) creates an atmosphere in the show that seems almost symbolic of life in quarantine. The collection is titled “I wish you were here” emphasizing the loneliness of quarantine and a yearning for human interaction. This aspect of quarantine is further highlighted as the models walk on a continuous path to nowhere. Yet, there is a beautiful juxtaposition as the calming music in the background reminds us of the serenity and peacefulness of quarantine.
The collection boasts a striking mixture of materials and styles that speak volumes. There are dresses, jumpsuits, coats and jackets, bodysuits, trousers, and blouses, basically any item type you could imagine. Not only are traditional spring/summer materials used, but the collection also experiments with the use of furs and feathers on the neckline and sleeves of vibrant, playful prints. I love that Saint Laurent took a risk here and included the touch of fur and feathers. There is certainly no lack of creativity here and I believe these elements catch the viewer’s eye.
Monochrome looks take the center stage of this collection, and I must admit, I love it. I have always been one to dress in all-black and appreciate looks that can still stand out despite featuring mainly one color. The reason these monochrome looks are so beautiful is that the styling of them is absolutely impeccable. Necklaces, sunglasses, belts, and purses with hints of gold are tastefully paired to each piece.
Each look speaks for itself, but I obviously have some favorites in mind. Let’s start with look 24, which is my all-time favorite. Who wouldn’t want to wear this mini leather dress? It features pockets, which are always useful, and buttons that add nicely to the design. If it was available to me, I would buy this dress right now to match with black chunky booties.
Moving on to look 25, I am obsessed with this fur coat. The length is perfect, and the coat is stylish yet also satisfies the need for warmth. This piece truly stands out and anyone walking down the sidewalk in this is sure to be labeled as a style icon.
Lastly, look 6 is clean and flawless. I am in love with neckline and keyhole as well as the pockets. It’s sophisticated and chic at the same time.
Now, you might be asking how wearable is this collection? I truly believe that these looks could enter into mainstream fashion for some of the more elite groups. The collection plays on blazers with multiple pockets and boasts a variety of jumpsuits and pantsuits that fit perfectly into upscale business attire. Maybe this isn’t everyday fashion, but I certainly think it can be worn on more occasions than avant-garde looks that often dominate the runways. Perhaps this isn’t wearable for the typical person, but aren’t all high-end fashion brands structured to please the elite?
You can find the Yves Saint Laurent runway show here.
Strike Out,
Writer: Hannah Bash
Editor: Talia Chairman
Graphics: Courtney Huang
St. Louis