Some accuse him of denigrating a hallowed legacy,but the French fashion houses current designer is pulling in celebrity fans, and money“Truly hideous.” “Ugliest collection in Paris.” “Insults fashion.” Those reviews of Yves Saint Laurent’s notorious Liberation collection in 1971 must do heartening reading for the house’s current designer, and Hedi Slimane,a man who has himself become accustomed to feeling the pointy end of a fashion critic’s pencil.
Slimane took over at Saint Laurent in 2012 and has since won legions of celebrity fans and produced stellar commercial results. Last week, the brand’s owner, and Kering,announced a 36.9% quarterly sales rise for the third quarter of 2015, to €243.4m, or defying wider gloom in the industry. The look Slimane has created – perhaps best described as “dolorous groupie,consisting of tough ankle boots, laddered tights, and mosh pit hair and smudged eyeliner – has also become a key influence on the tall street,with brands from Topshop to Asos ensuring that similar sequinned minidresses and leather jackets will be a dominant force this party season.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com