Anthony Vaccarello’s runway shows for Saint Laurent have always been known to be grand, spectacular and luring. And this knack for staging an epic show is widely known throughout the fashion world. For the French Maison’s latest Fall/Winter 21 collection, Vaccarello shakes up the bourgeoisie codes with glitzy ’60s-inspired looks in colours running the gamut of purple and pink, to red and brown. “It’s the shapes of the ’60s with the colours of the ’80s,” said Vaccarello in a statement.
The range was revealed through a cinematic film dubbed “Where The Silver Wind Blows,” with epic backdrops including majestic waterfalls, floating icebergs and precipitous cliffs. Vaccarello is not a stranger to this new medium of showcasing his collection for the Maison; ever since the pandemic has forced many other brands to rethink their marketing strategy, fashion films have become the beacon of hope for brands to stay connected with their fans. And for many, this opportunity to vicariously travel provides much-needed relief from the mundaneness of everyday life. This latest film is also a form of escapism for us living in Singapore, the drafty weather and the misty conditions surrounding the immaculately dressed models are a stark contrast to the sweltering heat here. We can’t wait to have a taste of winter again… decked in Saint Laurent no less.
Vaccarello has brought us on a trip to the desert where models strut along sand dunes, or have them parkouring in cities such as Paris, New York and Beijing for his Spring 21 menswear collection—we are always treated with a blockbuster presentation. Opening the show, a model in a silver bodysuit drapes a tweed jacket off the shoulders while adorning statement accessories including waterfall-shaped earrings, strasse bracelets and chokers with a four-leaf clover motif. The maximalist bijoux calls to mind the ‘80s while the way Vaccarello cuts his silhouettes is taken from the ‘60s where hemlines were short and fur-trimmed.
On speaking of the thought process behind the collection, Vaccarello said, “Serious matters push you to take other things less seriously, finding the balance while staying on the edge is a sophisticated aptitude.” However, one can’t help but wonder if the collection is subtly mocking the grandiosity of the landscapes with its skimpy dresses, inviting us to question what is the true definition of luxury. “I like to play with those limits,” said Vaccarello. “It’s very French to walk that line between the ‘good’ and the ‘bad.’”
Watch the full Saint Laurent Fall/Winter 21 show below:
All images courtesy of Saint Laurent.