Fashion & Style: Since the 1960s, the house of Yves Saint Laurent has been one of the most looked forward to shows of the year. The inter-seasonal collection previews for Spring/Summer 2009 Preview & Cruise 2009 Preview were modern looks for the house whose founder passed away earlier this year. The collections paid tribute to a designer who gave the world feminine menswear-based pieces mixed in with edgier trimmings and accessories.
Spring/Summer 2009 Preview
The YSL Spring/Summer 2009 Preview was a stunning combination of scaling back to stay relevant to the ever-changing times, yet had plenty of whimsy to lighten the heart.
Of the collection, head YSL designer, Stefano Pilati says, "I felt for an extreme simplicity, but it has to be feminine and a bit audacious. Lifting the spirits was making sense to me."
The collection was an array of stunning footwear and Japanese-inspired minimalism combined with unusual shapes that still managed to be wearable, like the drop-crotch pants that Pilati began showing a few years ago and showed more of with this collection.
Colors varied from deep blacks and navies made light-hearted by appearing on flowing, shimmering fabrics to lighter colors found on YSL signature pantsuits.
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Standouts from the collection include intricately woven gladiator sandals and sexy skirts that could be tamed down for the office but spicy enough to be worn at night.
Boxy jackets were combined with slimmer, yet still roomier trouser pants of varying lengths.
Cruise 2009 Preview
If you're planning to get away this winter, the clothes from the YSL Cruise 2009 preview will see you through for smooth sailing.
Little black dresses with decadent belted coats are the perfect wrap for an evening. Animal prints recur throughout the collection, whether in subtle muted tones or brilliantly colored montages.
There are also a lot of suits in the collection, evoking images of the past when a suit could take you anywhere, just by slipping on or off the jacket.
Colors are relaxing combinations of black and beige and come in a stunning array of fabrics from soft cottons to shiny leathers.
One of the standout pieces is Look 17, a modern riff on a classic skirt and white T-shirt. The white t-shirt has a boat color and cutout sleeve that perfectly compliments an above the knee pencil skirt with bold embellished belt. For comfort, the romper makes a great daytime look for lounging about the cabana. Look 9 is reminiscent of the classic style of Jackie O, especially with oversized sunglasses for daytime. The boatneck and defined waste is a subtle yet sexy classically shaped dress with some subtle details to make sure it is not a dress easily forgotten.
Strappy black heels are de rigeur for most of the collection, day or night.
YSL Previews are in stores now, waiting to be worn on luxury vacations.
For LxM Carly Zinderman
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