The runways
Some looks, like this dress, are created to attract attention in fashion shows, which is the main purpose of catwalks. As an example, we have the collection to which this dress belongs, which is strongly inspired by the circus and ballet. In addition to presenting the new collections each season, they strengthen the brand’s image and positioning in the industry.
As is often the case in YSL’s work, where colour, pompoms and harlequin print are no strangers, this dress is the perfect blend of both inspirations. The bow-tied waist, the tulle and the shape of the skirt are reminiscent of ballet, while the colourful dyed feather pompoms are reminiscent of the circus, clowns and harlequins. All these aesthetics and references are reinforced in the fashion show with the dancers that the models wear.
In 1945, with the intention of reviving Parisian fashion, the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture created the first fashion calendar, the basis for which is followed today at the main Fashion Weeks. Today, there are two basic types of collections: Haute Couture and Prêt-à-Porter, which can be divided into 4 seasons: Spring-Summer, Autumn-Winter, Cruise and Pre-Fall. Some brands also have Holiday collections for the end-of-year festivities and, of course, we also have the capsule collections that can be surprising and limited edition.
Yves Saint Laurent, one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, is known for revolutionising fashion with his bold and sophisticated approach. By the 1980s, already established as an icon, Saint Laurent continued to explore the fusion of haute couture and ready-to-wear, while maintaining his hallmark of timeless elegance and impeccable cuts.
His creativity would continue to shine through with collections inspired by art and global culture, reflecting his fascination with painting, exoticism and androgyny. Emblematic garments such as the women’s dinner jacket, the safari jacket and the Mondrian dress defined his legacy and reaffirmed his impact on contemporary fashion.
