After a two-year hiatus, Bella Hadid made her runway comeback at Saint Laurent's Paris Fashion Week presentation.
The 27-year-old model, who was once a highly sought-after face in the fashion industry, has been conspicuously absent from the catwalks since she took a step back in 2022 to focus on her health after being transparent about her ongoing battle with Lyme disease, reported BreakingNews.ie.
Hadid made an impression with her manly large suit and tie, thick-framed, tinted glasses, and sleek hair. Throughout the show, Yves Saint Laurent's own Seventies wardrobe was referenced multiple times, including in Hadid's ensemble. The label's creative director, Anthony Vaccarello, presented the collection with flowing suits and layered overcoats.
Supermodel royalty Kate Moss and Linda Evangelista were seated front row for Saint Laurent's spring/summer ready-to-wear collection, which was hosted at the house's historic Rue de Bellechasse offices. It was the epitome of old school elegance and modern refinement.
Yves Saint Laurent famously said, "Chanel freed women, and I empowered them." This emotion undoubtedly ran through Vaccarello's collection, which was inspired by the designer.
Vaccarello, who assumed leadership of the company in 2016 and is renowned for redefining it, succeeded in presenting a masterclass in understated luxury with maximalist touches. Following last year’s muted utilitarian motif, this collection altered tack, displaying precise and fitted power suits alongside colorful brocade broad-shouldered jackets.
The runway featured an abundance of anthracite, black, and deep plum suits, featuring wide-legged pants and double-breasted jackets that alluded to Yves Saint Laurent's signature look.
This season, Vaccarello focused entirely on control and accuracy, creating clothing that was flawlessly tailored but never monotonous. It was a change from the provocative, revealing looks of previous seasons, reinforcing the idea that sometimes having all the clothes on gives you power.
Even though the first daywear was more understated, the accessories gave the collection the perfect touch of style. Rich gold bracelets, loose ties, and shoes covered in jewels added a dash of the glitz that is synonymous with Saint Laurent to every ensemble.
With these striking, standout pieces, Vaccarello honored YSL muses like Loulou de la Falaise, equating the generally subdued looks with the brand's legendary past.
But as the presentation went on, Vaccarello changed from elegant tailoring to opulent eveningwear, bringing color and fun into the lineup. As brocade blazers and transparent blouses made their debut, the catwalk was illuminated by rich jewel tones from the 1970s, ranging from fuchsia to canary yellow.
The change from formal suits to festive evening clothing seemed to be a tribute to Yves Saint Laurent's heyday in the 1970s, when the brand was known for its audacious glamor. It served as a reminder that Vaccarello's vision is progressive but not at the expense of the house's lengthy past.
Saint Laurent's longstanding association with bohemian high society and artistic circles was honored by the opulent fabrics and stunning accessories that accentuated even the more carefree pieces in the collection, like as pyjama-inspired tunics and flowing pants.
Zoe Kravitz, who has always embodied Saint Laurent cool, was spotted in the star-studded front row wearing an all-black lace outfit that complemented the collection's subtle splendor.
Vaccarello's spring/summer collection was a celebration of Yves Saint Laurent's legacy and a masterclass in striking the right balance between power and restraint, elegance and edge.
Bella Hadid's victorious comeback in a sleek suit demonstrated why Saint Laurent is still a representation of classic sophistication and that sometimes the biggest statements are made in the most understated ways.