Our wardrobes are in the process of becoming substantially more stylish thanks to the arrival of several new luxury boutiques on our shores, opening between now and the end of the year in Westfield Newmarket. One of the first to welcome us through its glamorous doors was Saint Laurent this week, and the fact that it’s the first time the storied fashion house has had a standalone boutique in New Zealand makes this foray all the more exciting.
The Maison has a rich history. Founder Yves Saint Laurent was one of the greatest designers of the 20th century — he changed the way women dress, both when he got his start as a fashion wunderkind, named Creative Director of Dior at only age 21, and when he founded YSL in 1961. He introduced many styles and principles that have informed the fashion landscape to this day; the legendary Dior Trapeze dress that catapulted him to stardom, famed androgynous silhouettes like the Le Smoking tuxedo and his safari jackets, as well as designs that bridged the gap between fashion, art and culture.
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Anthony Vaccarello has been the brand’s Creative Director for five years now, after taking up the mantle from predecessor Hedi Slimane in 2016. (Slimane was responsible for dropping the Y from the Saint Laurent brand.) Vaccarello’s penchant for reinterpreting heritage YSL styles for the present-day consumer, while amping up the signature sensuality that he harnessed back when he helmed his own eponymous label, has ensured Saint Laurent remains eternally sought after by tastemakers, celebrities and style-savvy shoppers the world over.
The new Westfield store is a suitably glitzy destination, decked out in light and dark marble with chrome and mirrors galore. You’ll find a curated yet substantial selection of women’s and men’s collections, including ready-to-wear and accessories — currently, pieces from Fall 2021. We’ve got our eye on the achingly cool leather Kate booties, with Western-inspired details and chunky high heels; the men’s double-breasted, striped woollen jacket; and the Le Monogramme bucket bag, seen on ‘It girl’ (and Saint Laurent V.I.P) Hailey Bieber.
