Speaking Style

While many other designers were giving a blast from the past with their retro-inspired shows, Stefano Pilati at Yves Saint Laurent went the opposite direction and straight into the future. Black bowl-cut wigs, blacked out eyes and black makeup gave a futuristic, slightly gothic feel to the styling. It definitely wasn’t inappropriate; the cuts were nothing short of dramatic, giving great emphasis on cut, just as Pilati wanted.

 

You’re likely to notice a couple of pieces here and there that display the inescapable new fashion trend of retro. Most of it, however, has very sharp cuts and severe lines to the extent that a lot of the clothes look molded instead of simply fitted. Looseness and flow were provided by the 80’s banana-cut pants and the heavy-fabric skirts – rather a stark contrast to the fitted tops.

 

Color-wise, YSL is on the same fashion trend as Chanel and a good number of other fashion houses. Grays, beiges and blacks dominated the color palette on the runway, emphasizing the severe and austere look of the collection. There were some touches of color like a shiny gold one-piece dress or a baby blue jacket with some sheen, but these were few and far in between.

 

Geometry was obviously a major element in Pilati’s collection for Fall 2008. Geometric silhouettes and severe, almost straight cuts would serve as a concise description for the collection. Not everyone will find it sexy, but the restraint and the execution certainly made for very chic pieces. Perhaps, for just this season, you might want to switch to Pilati’s aesthetic of making a bold statement instead of just looking pretty.

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