Saint Laurent’s SS26: A Parisian Tale in Three Chapters

Look 47

As I settled down tonight to watch the livestream of the SS26 YSL show I switched on my tv to be met by a very large pixelated view of Madonna. Which then came into focus and transitioned to a picturesque view of the most beautiful venue I have ever seen! The venue was exquisitely right in front of the Eiffel Tower! Front and centre! They had tailor made the runway - completely covered in white hydrangeas to configure the three famous letters intertwined like the classic YSL logo. It was otherworldly, it was ethereal, it was regal. Setting the scene no doubt for an equally luxurious collection. 

The show took place at 8pm EST, allowing the Eiffel Tower to stand tall and shine brightly in full force. The entire tower could be seen from the seats of all guests, these seats were colour coordinated in a beige colour, to match the flooring , allowing the YSL floral display and the collection itself to stand out the most.

YSL did not disappoint with the collection, nor who got to witness it first hand! The show brought in a healthy amount of celebrities such as Charli XCX, Lila Moss, Renée Zellweger, Shalom Harlow, Amelia Gray, Iris Law, Zoe Kravitz, Hailey Bieber, and even Central Cee, among others I’m sure I missed! 

The show started abruptly with hardly any warning, just a swift change in music - much more rich, emotive and powerful. Then the first model took the runway in a boxy silhouetted leather jacket, practically drowning a silk shirt underneath which had a collar tied in a large bow - loved this detail! And a matching pencil skirt in matching leather, very much serving the most elegant cool girl aesthetic. 

The tones during the first half of the show seemed to be classically YSL, with purely white, black, and an occasional dark brown colour palette - some of the looks even beared a very similar resemblance to one another, all with large bows coming from the shirts, and lots of leather, boxy silhouettes and all with the most extravagant jewellery!

Each and every model had very large gold earrings (each one the size of my hand), grand in design and in material, either dripping with pearls, or various coloured crystals. They accentuated the looks tremendously - as did cyborg sunglasses which were sported by all models! 

The cinematography throughout the entire livestream was outstanding, showing all the details as well as zooming out for full effect on the venue and its prime location! The models weaved in and out of the YSL floral lettering while looking bodaciously opulent, walking with grace, style and elegance, each look giving very much YSL energy but modernised, for the modern woman who wants to dress up but also remain comfortable and semi-casual. 

Watch the entire livestream now:

Overall there were lots of leathers, as well as this weird shiny lightweight fabric that began to emerge around Look 16 (below) - a dark plum coloured trench, that resembled the same texture as a Ziplock bag! However the colour was divine, as were so many others that came after, this first trench was the beginning of an 18 look series and sub-collection of similarly constructed garments (many trenches) all in various hues.

Some burgundy, khaki, orange, beige, olive, rust, cherry, teal, various nudes and of course classic black! All made of this mystery thin fabric, some skirts, dresses, lots of trenches, and even some capri style trousers - Look 20. Bella Hadid even made her SS26 runway debut, wearing orange belted blouses & capri in Look 31 - left! 

Don’t get me wrong I don’t hate it, I would have to first hand see the garments to accurately comment on their composition, but from where I was watching (the livestream) I wasn’t convinced. I loved the first section and had lost hope after the plastic sheeted trenches, but it was at this point the show shifted for a third and final time as an immense gown came into view. A black gown made of a similar, less shiny version of this thin lightweight fabric. It had a layered skirt and accentuated shoulders. It was bold, exciting and fresh! 

This continued for the final 15 looks as gowns each as immense as each other came onto the runway, in an assortment of colours - gold, olive, rust, then grey, then a bold emerald green - Look 41 - which I loved! Each model was walking so fast, almost as if running away from something. The large train on all of them blowing in the wind and bouncing with every step!

Every gown was a sister, or cousin of the one before - differing slightly in construction but holding the central theme, there were mountains of pleats, explosions of ruffles, bold silhouettes and so many colours! Mustard yellow, then Anok Yai in a plum purple, dark orange, chocolate brown, then a unique twist at Look 46 - a tri-colour feature of various neutral shades! Switching it up! 

Look 50

By now the entire YSL runway was completely covered with beautiful women each in unique, colourful gowns, living and enjoying their beauty as they walk against the wind. Look 47 (above) was one of my favourites, in a neon orange colour, as bright as a flame - the model was glowing against the Eiffel Tower night light. It was exceptionally magical, as was the final look, the gown with the most ruffles to ever be put on a dress… the closing look (right) came in a striking fuschia hue - covered in towers of cascading ruffles, pleats and every overly feminine technique you can think of! 

Different music begins to play and I question if there could possibly be more… but it was the que for the final chapter of the show. The finale! All of the looks came out once more, starting with the classical casual elegant woman vibe. All blacks, whites, leathers, silks, bows, gold jewels, pearls, baker boy hats.

Then the second sub-collection with the emergence of colour and thin materials! Each model weaving in and out of the YSL lettering beautifully, allowing every angle to be seen for all guests. Then the gowns begin to come out one by one, trains flowing behing them, zooming out the camera shows the beginning black/white looks on one side and the colourful gowns on the other! Contrasted completely, yet complimented still as the entire collection is fueled by a feeling of overwhelming opulence.  

breathtaking!!!

Of the three different sub-collections within this larger SS26 Collection Anthony magically merged them all using the middle as a middle ground for the three. And as for Ready-to-Wear the gowns may not be everyday approved for anyone other than Marie Antoinette, however I am seriously craving one of the opening looks leather jackets!

The final walk around by Anthony Vaccerello was truly inspiring, he didn’t bow, he didn't shy away from the camera but he also didn’t take away from the true focus of the collection - the clothes! The entire experience was exceptionally beautiful, I may just go rewatch it now…

With love, 

Mimi x