Hedi Slimane's Best Runway Moments at Saint Laurent

Posted by Abbie Anker on Saturday, May 25, 2024

Spring 2013

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For his controversial debut, Slimane introduced some witchy women in the spirit of rock star Stevie Nicks—complete with lace-up leather, flowing black chiffon and pointed hats.

Pre-Fall 2013

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Commencing a legacy of celebrating young musical talent, Slimane shot Sky Ferreira in style elements that would become his mainstays: black lace, capes and duffer coats.

Fall 2013

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Fall exited the '70s and entered an era of '90s grunge, leveraging ripped denim, plaids and ultra-feminine details like florals against edgy lace-up boots, set to the sounds of
North Cali garage band Thee Oh Sees.

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Resort 2014

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Resort 2014 put an emphasis on the Saint Laurent bags that would become staples for everyone from girls at the clubs in logo chain-strap cross-bodies to working women with top-handle classic nanos. Who's to say she's not the same girl?

Spring 2014

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With Le Smoking jumpsuits, lip prints and high-shine, one-shoulder fitted party dresses, Slimane brought the Saint Laurent woman back to the heyday of Debbie Harry at Blondie and emphasized some Yves Saint Laurent hallmarks.

Fall 2014

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And just like that, Slimane took his time machine back to a youthquaking London in the 1960s—making it his own with enviable statement fur coats and high-octane mini dresses. The invites were done by John Baldessari, illustrating the designer's support of the LA art scene.

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Resort 2015

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In one of his most overtly bohemian collections, Slimane's Resort 2015 ladies referenced late '60s bohemia, which Slimane dubbed "Psych Rock's New Rising," according to the place cards on seats at the show.

Spring 2015

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Set to a custom soundtrack by Al Eide, the Spring 2015 show was more cool-girl fare, but this time with playful feminine prints, a bold color story and even a sparkling turban. It's all about the accessories, after all.

Pre-Fall 2015

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Taking a quick break from Cali cool, Slimane paid homage to young Parisian musicians like Vickie Chérie, Leo Bear Creek and Melody Prochet, who were part of his "Paris Sessions" project and sat front row at the show. The clothes, naturally, celebrated a cool Parisian bohème.

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Fall 2015

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Short, tight leather mini dresses slit up-to-there, cigarette pants and skinny ties and a beauty look that falls somewhere between Siouxsie Sioux and a Robert Palmer girl brought Slimane back to the '80s for Fall 2015— to drive home the idea, there were even some shredded stockings.

Resort 2016

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The Resort season should be about laidback vacation vibes, no? Slimane thought so, titling this collection Surf Sound: A Tribute to Contemporary Californian
Surf Music Culture. We can easily see the Saint Laurent girl in a Fair Isle poncho listening to music outdoors at sunset in Venice Beach.

Spring 2016

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In a nod to Saint Laurent fan Courtney Love, models donned tiaras for Spring 2016. Bias-cut slip dresses, chubby furs, sheer mini dresses and Kate Moss-at-Glastonbury knee high boots finish this glam-rock seasonal story.

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Pre-Fall 2016

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Slimane skipped the whole Paris scene for Pre-Fall 2016, showing his collection in LA before New York Fashion Week, thus allowing for a slew of buzzy front-row possibilities including Justin Bieber and Courtney Love. This collection felt most 1970s Yves Saint Laurent, with wide-waist belts, Victoriana elements, flowing midi dresses and velvet details—all ultra-luxe and perfectly tailored.

Fall 2016

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And for what we've come to know as his Saint Laurent swan song, Slimane put on his very own couture show in Paris for Fall 2016, complete with chairs with engraved plaques for each guest and a full-on Reagan-era '80s homage. There were dramatic sleeves, ultra-minis, ultra-plunging dresses, fur coats that enter the room before the girl does and overt, unapologetic glam like we haven't seen in years. Even if you didn't like it, it's impossible to say it wasn't impactful—which may be a statement that encompasses Slimane's full tenure at Saint Laurent (skip the Yves).

Headshot of Kerry Pieri

Kerry Pieri is Harper's Bazaar's Digital Fashion/Features Director. Kerry oversees the fashion vertical for BAZAAR.com, including launching digital covers, styling celebrity features, and managing recurring features including Brand Watch and My Life in Three Looks. In addition, Kerry edits the “best of” each season, from shoes to bags, denim and coats, and is consistently looking for shifts in the fashion realm to lend a voice. Kerry formerly served as the Editorial Director of  StyleCaster.com and as a producer at Full Frontal Fashion. She lives in New York with her husband Steve, and baby girl Lila Sky.

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