Yves Saint Laurent returns to couture

Back in 2002, Yves Saint Laurent showed his 200^th and final couture collection for his eponymous label. Today, it was announced that Hedi Slimane, the brand’s creative director since 2012, will be overseeing Saint Laurent’s return to couture.

The new atelier is housed inside Hôtel de Sénecterre, a 17^th century mansion in Paris’ 7^th arrondissement. The space will be divided into three areas: the Atelier Flou, for dressmaking; the Atelier Tailleur, for tailoring; and the Salon Couture, for clients to try on the garments. Other features include a “geometric garden”, which was proposed by Slimane.

The collection will be even more exclusive than those by typical couturiers, and will only be available to “friends of the house”, a spokeswoman announced. Each piece that leaves the atelier will feature an ivory silk-satin label, be numbered and recorded in detail within a gold monogrammed book.

“Hedi began to recompose the traditional couture ateliers of the house in 2012,” the brand announced this morning, “The ateliers are now at the centre of the Saint Laurent project by Hedi Slimane. The ateliers also produce commissioned hand-made pieces for movie stars and musicians. Hedi determines which of these pieces will carry the atelier’s hand-sewn couture label ‘Yves Saint Laurent’. These couture pieces may be women or men, a tuxedo or an evening dress, daywear or eveningwear.”

Slimane has shot a new campaign in black and white to promote the new couture line. Titled “Rue de L’Université”, the shoot features models posing and frolicking around the new premises, surrounded by modernist, Art Deco and 18^th century French furniture from the house and Slimane’s personal private collections.