The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
PARIS, France — Hedi Slimane delivered an ode to the rockabilly styles of the 1950s with a twist of glam rock in an energetic Saint Laurent Paris menswear show Sunday.
Most of the looks, like pointy buckled "winklepicker" shoes with white socks, bolo ties, greased hair, red bandana neckscarves, sleeveless black leather and leopard jackets — as well as his signature skinny pants — produced no great fashion surprises. At points, the 44 ensembles even seemed a touch repetitive, delivered predictably on stomping near-adolesecent models.
But crucially, the vision of this spring-summer 2014 collection felt much more at ease and consistent in its style than the almost directionless rebellion of last season.
Among the looks were also some great, imaginative single pieces, like one show-stopping black piped red jacket that could have come straight out of a 1950s cabaret. Elsewhere, a "Grease"-style leather waistcoat featured a great, removed section at the back to expose the sparkly undergarment.
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Items like this will no doubt ensure that Saint Laurent under Slimane continues to sell buoyantly, as it has for the last 12 months. Elements of the 1970s and '80s infused this musing nicely, with shiny, skintight black pants sported alongside a rock 'n' roll leopard tuxedo and black mesh undergarment.
The program notes, which list nothing but the pounding soundtrack, are testament to where this designer's priorities lie: His Saint Laurent shows are where fashion and music fuse.
By: Thomas Adamson
Copyright (2013) Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
From analysis of the global fashion and beauty industries to career and personal advice, BoF’s founder and CEO, Imran Amed, will be answering your questions on Sunday, February 18, 2024 during London Fashion Week.
The State of Fashion 2024 breaks down the 10 themes that will define the industry in the year ahead.
Imran Amed reviews the most important fashion stories of the year and shares his predictions on what this means for the industry in 2024.
After three days of inspiring talks, guests closed out BoF’s gathering for big thinkers with a black tie gala followed by an intimate performance from Rita Ora — guest starring Billy Porter.