It Takes a Woman With a Little Attitude to Wear Saint Laurent's Newest Collection

Saint Laurent's Spring '17 show was guaranteed to be a spectacle before anyone even got to it. Following Hedi Slimane's departure, Anthony Vaccarello's at the helm for his first season. But continuing the designs as we've known them wasn't Vaccarello's priority. The designer, who crafted a namesake collection branded in sex appeal and sultry cuts, told Vogue his priority at Saint Laurent is "not about the garments, my idea of YSL lies in the attitude and how we handle things. There are fabrics like leather, vinyl, velvet, lace, but then they're put on a girl of today."

Yes, put on a woman of today with a liberal '80s twist. Sleeves and shoulders were puffed, heart-shaped necklines dominated, and there were tinges of metallics and one-shouldered silhouettes. To Vaccarello's point, it wasn't a time capsule; simplicity grounded the ostentatious bits — a longline vest or a clean pair of black pants prevented things from getting too costume-y, as did the sexiest looks. The designer proved his mastery in dressing a woman's curves with sheer paneling. But whether you choose the NSFW cocktail dresses or gravitate toward the pared-down denim and leather, the attitude to pull if off is not optional.