It was 1966 when Yves Saint Laurent introduced the iconic Le Smoking tuxedo jacket. It was the first tuxedo jacket for women. While it is known today as Saint Laurent’s signature look, and one of the most influential iconic designs of the 20th century, it received a lot of criticism when it was first unveiled. If you wore a YSL pantsuit in the ’60’s, you were considered daring, and you weren’t allowed to wear pants as a guest, in a restaurant or hotel. Despite this, the look was adopted by many high profile celebs such as Catherine Deneuve, Liza Minnelli, Lauren Bacall and one of my fave style icons Bianca Jagger.
Over the years, we have seen many different versions of Le Smoking. It is so iconic that it has been found in every YSL collection since 1966, in one version or another. We have seen it in different fabrics, and even worn as a dress since it was first introduced. Even though YSL designed Le Smoking is different iterations, his favourite remained the one he designed in 1966.
Saint Laurent believed that the reason Le Smoking reached iconic status, is not that it represented fashion, but an attitude.
“For a woman, Le Smoking is an indispensable garment with which she finds herself continually in fashion, because it is about style, not fashion. Fashions come and go, but style is eternal.”
This summer, the Bowes Museum, www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk and the Foundation Pierre Berge (his longtime partner in life and business), are collaboarting to create Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal, which will be presenting a comprehensive display of the french designer’s life and work.
In honour of this fascinating exhibit, Farfetch, www.farfetch.com/uk/shopping/women/saint-laurent/items.aspx has asked YSL inspired fashion bloggers to participate in a YSL contest, incorporating the Style Is Eternal concept, and the YSL items available at www.farfetch.com/uk/shoppinh/women/saint-laurent/items.aspx
When it comes to YSL, I can’t help myself…..I completely adore the classic YSL look, from the bold and stark contracts of the black and white (which I am a big fan of, as you can tell from my ootd pics), to the signature hat (yes hats also happen to be my faves)….I created 2 looks. one casual and one classic…sorry I just couldn’t help it. Le Smoking kept telling me to keep smoking le Look!
For a casual yet classic YSL look, the combination of denim, blue and silver, against a black tuxedo, is as timeless as a James Dean picture, in the same way he posed in that black motorcycle jacket and real smoking cigarette. This look will never fade.
For a more dressed up look, Le Smoking is smoking hot in black leather, a look which will withstand the test of time.
If you happen to be in the UK this summer, this exhibit is a must see. If you can’t make it, you must get a glimpse of the latest YSL collection at www.farfetch.com.
Remember to Always Be Styling My Lovelies xoxo
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