Saint Laurent during the Spring/Summer 2013 Runway - H 2012
MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/GettyImagesWe can just see the emails flying across the Atlantic now.
All over Hollywood, stylists are sending missives to Paris with their choices of gowns from Hedi Slimane‘s new Saint Laurent show, which just wrapped up Tuesday. We bet Elizabeth Stewart gets first dibs, as her client Jessica Chastain was sitting front row, and Stewart’s other clients (Jennifer Lawrence, Amanda Seyfried) will surely be dying to get their hands on these beauties, too.
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As if it weren’t enough that the collection was built around L.A. rocker chic — skinny pants, tight jackets, lovely bowed blouses, big felt “Penny Lane” style hats (think Kate Hudson in Almost Famous) — Slimane’s gowns were breathtaking, and better than that — they were new.
We can’t see a single design that doesn’t look like it’ll be snatched up by actresses momentarily. Look out, Chanel and Valentino, there’s a new eveningwear guy in town.
The first group of Slimane’s gowns were all in black and mostly chiffon. Many had deep V-necks, partially obscured by cool tassle necklaces, tight waists (some with wide belts) and some full tiered hippie skirts, or some closer to the body. They first appear like long dresses that L.A. goth girls might wear, but they boast gorgeous detail, amazing fit and lots of new sleeve styles for gowns. (And gowns with sleeves is still even a novel concept!)
Ladies over 40 are going to be thrilled to have this option, as will women in colder climates. Slimane did poet sleeves, puffed sleeves — and the most interesting one, a short puffed sleeve in opaque black — with a sheer puff long sleeve under it. Totally novel. As we’ve said all along, spring 2013 is about the return of puffed sleeves and ruffles.
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At the end of the show, Slimane let loose with color. Among the standouts: a stunningred lacy gown with a crocheted fringe poncho over it, which will have Florence Welch on her knees.
A few gowns had what we call “mullet skirts” — shorter in front, longer in back — a look Nicole Kidman has always been partial to. Then the gowns got looser, more like chiffon caftans with volume and no waists, reminiscent of YSL himself and his love of the looks of Morocco.
They may not have the “fancy” of typical red carpet gowns (no peplums, bustles, beads, one shoulders, pleats or fishtails, none of the frippery we’re used to seeing on stars), but take our word for it — at least five to ten of these dresses will be sailing before our eyes very, very soon. The New Gown, as we see it, is about to debut.
