Saint Laurent

At the forefront of French fashion for over 50 years, Saint Laurent’s unique brand of refined style comes with a dose of tough-luxe edge. After founding his eponymous couture collection in 1961, it was Yves Saint Laurent’s Rive Gauche prêt-à-porter line – and the unveiling of Le Smoking, a feminine take on the timeless tuxedo jacket – that was fêted with democratising fashion and making the brand’s covetable couture accessible for a younger, fashion-forward demographic. Under the watchful eye of creative director Hedi Slimane from 2012 to 2016, the brand served up beatnik-inspired men’s and womenswear with a louche, Parisian aesthetic, while It bags come in the form of the Sac de Jour and iconic Monogramme styles and towering Tribute sandals remain a party shoe mainstay. Today the label is helmed by ex-Versus Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello.