First look at Hedi Slimane's debut Saint Laurent couture collection
![The brand's newly furnished Rive](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i86GZgq2gBdxDy4DsgyJJT-415-80.jpg)
In January 2014, Saint Laurent's tailoring and flou atelier moved into Paris' historic Hôtel de Sénecterre at 24 Rue de L'Universite, reuniting the brand with its Rive Gauche roots. Built in 1685 by Thomas Gobert – the building planner of Louis XIV – the 2,100 sq m site's restoration was overseen by Saint Laurent creative director Hedi Slimane in the traditional 18th century French style.
Today, the designer unveiled his debut couture collection, shot onsite within the newly furnished building's palatial surrounds. The numbered, one-of-a-kind women's and menswear pieces, which recapture the spirit of the Rive Gauche – Le Smoking, bow blouses and silken gowns included – each sport the iconic Yves Saint Laurent label (in ivory silk no less), and will only be available to close friends of the house.
The site's interiors, shown to their full glory in Slimane's new couture campaign (pictured here), showcase an eclectic mix of traditional and deco furnishings in addition to an African undercurrent, tied to the house founder's exotic sphere of influence. Covering three floors, the salon couture is located on the first floor and the flou and tailleur ateliers on the second and third floors respectively.
Other modernist furnishing touches, curated by Slimane, include pieces by Jean-Michel Frank, Paul Dupré-Lafon and 1930s designer Elizabeth Eyre de Lanux, (Slimane's favourite modernist and the creator of a parchment desk that previously belonged to Yves Saint Laurent), while above the building's grand staircase, Slimane commissioned American artist Garth Weiser to paint a black and white diptych.
Outside, the property's precise, geometric garden has been replanted from 18th century archives with the help of a historian. 5 Avenue Marceau, the address of the last couture house, has since became La Fondation Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent, and here in its historic heart of Saint Germain a new vigour burns strong.
The site's interiors, shown to their full glory in Slimane's new couture campaign images (pictured here), showcase an eclectic mix of traditional and deco furnishings in addition to an African undercurrent, tied to the house founder's exotic sphere of influence
The numbered, one-of-a-kind women's and menswear couture pieces recapture the spirit of the Rive Gauche – Le Smoking, bow blouses and silken gowns included. Left, American artist Garth Weiser's black and white diptych, which sits above the building's grand staircase
Built in 1685 by Thomas Gobert – the building planner of Louis XIV – the 2,100 sq m site's restoration was overseen by Hedi Slimane in the traditional 18th century French style
Each piece sports the iconic Yves Saint Laurent label (in ivory silk no less) and will only be available to close friends of the house
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
-
Phaidon’s new Graphic Classics is a lavish greatest hits of graphic design
Graphic Classics is a compendium of seven centuries of visual culture, from the everyday and ephemeral to visionary works that reshaped our world
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Birley Chocolate hits the sweet ’n’ chic spot in London’s Chelsea
The new Birley Chocolate shop, a sibling to Birley Bakery, is a confection of colour as delicious as its finely crafted goods
By Melina Keays Published
-
Feel at home at Auberge, Château La Coste's new inn for culture lovers
Auberge La Coste sits at the heart of the art-filled estate, minutes away from the joyful town of Aix-en-Provence
By Harriet Thorpe Published
-
Saint Laurent’s ‘Tan Lines’ collection is made for the heat of summer
A host of warm-weather essentials get the Saint Laurent treatment in Anthony Vaccarello’s ‘Tan Lines’ capsule – from bikes and tennis balls to swimwear and handbags
By Jack Moss Published
-
Celine’s pilates collection makes for a deeply luxurious workout
Hedi Slimane’s pilates collection for Celine contains all your workout essentials, reimagined in the designer’s singular style – from leather kettlebells and weights to a Triomphe reformer machine
By Jack Moss Published
-
Pre-Fall 2024’s defining looks combine sharp silhouettes with a soft touch
A play on texture defines the Pre-Fall 2024 collections, seeing clean lines and pin-sharp tailoring meet soft-to-the-touch fabrics. Here, photographer Mattia Parodi captures the season’s best looks
By Jack Moss Published
-
Hedi Slimane’s latest menswear collection for Celine is a Hollywood epic
Hedi Slimane presents his Winter 2024 menswear collection for Celine in a cinematic short film directed by the designer in California’s Mojave Desert – featuring helicopters, cowboys, and a motorcade of Cadillacs
By Jack Moss Published
-
The best fashion moments at Milan Design Week 2024
Scarlett Conlon discovers the moments fashion met design at Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week 2024, as Loewe, Hermès, Bottega Veneta, Prada and more staged intriguing presentations and launches across the city
By Scarlett Conlon Published
-
Extraordinary runway sets from the A/W 2024 shows
12 scene-stealing runway sets and show spaces from A/W 2024 fashion month, featuring Murano-glass cacti, rubber armchairs, flashing orbs and more
By Jack Moss Published
-
Saint Laurent closes fashion month with a secret menswear show
Anthony Vaccarello held his latest Saint Laurent menswear show at Paris’ Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection on Tuesday evening, rounding out fashion month with a collection infused with a louche, 1980s sensuality
By Jack Moss Published
-
Saint Laurent’s Champs-Élysées store showcases Anthony Vaccarello’s monumental vision
A vast new Saint Laurent store on Paris’ Champs-Élysées reflects creative director Anthony Vaccarello’s rigorous, monumental approach to design
By Jack Moss Published