For the past year Saint Laurent has received nothing but backlash! First, outrage struck over the re-branding of the name, previously Yves Saint Laurent, next there was the lead up to Hedi Slimane‘s debut show – which excluded a number of top editors and finally Cathy Horyn decided to start a Twitter feud with the designer and fashion house. With all this in mind Slimane’s second collection has been highlight anticipated – just what would be bring to the table and could it change fashionista’s minds about the rebrand?
At first spectators of this seasons show compared it to last seasons. It was held in the same venue, Grand Palais, where a A-listers such as Kirsten Dunst, Jessica Chastain and Garrett Hedlund sat front row.But when the lights dropped and music started, everyone soon became aware they weren’t just watching a ‘classic’ Saint Laurent show.
Model, Hanne Gaby Odiele opened the show wearing a flimsy black and and gold mini dress with an over sized flannel like cardigan. Setting the mood for the rest of the show, the collection was full of grunge inspired pieces. Think boyfriend flannels, baby doll dresses, leather bralets and short skirts. The closing of the show saw a model strut her stuff down the catwalk wearing a floral print school girl dress.
Where as Slimane’s first menswear show, which you can watch here, featured outfits inspired from the late Kurt Cobain, this collection was all about Courtney Love. The LA based designer explained the theme of the show being ‘”California Grunge” – making sure it was clear that the collection was based on Courtney post Seattle.
As expected the media went on a rampage after the show! Some loved it, others hated it! Actually a lot hated it. Booth Moore from the LA Times took to Twitter: “Am I watching Saint Laurent or Topshop?” she said. In contrast Leandra Medine a.k.a the Man Repeller tweeted: “You’re doing it, Saint Laurent! (Insert resounding YES! here).”
Unfortunately, the outrage over the new collection makes perfect sense. It’s evident from the pieces put on show and teenage models that this collection is definitely aimed at a younger audience. With the question being posed that Saint Laurent priced will drop to become more affordable, targeting a younger market than their once ‘luxury’ consumers, many fashionistas still aren’t happy with the rebrand. We on the other hand love it! What do you think?
Photos: Fashionista / IMAXtree
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