Saint Laurent is not for the faint-hearted.

The SS16 show started with a bang - with diagonal rainbow lights that spun around in the background before the models stomped their way for the namely 'Surf Sound Collection'. Before I go on about creative director Hedi Slimane's magic, the brand likes the idea of getting in touch with the artsy side. The invitations arrive every season in a neat, printed A5 black book full of artwork by a chosen artist. For this season, Saint Laurent collaborated with Billy Al Bengston, an iconic pop culture painter, who is appropriately from Venice Beach in California. The abstract colours of the book come into real life - like a dream come true for colour hungry fans of Saint Laurent. Apart from the classic plaids and leopard prints here and there, Slimane incorporated bomber jackets with palm tree prints, tie around scarves, and leather trousers; these looks are accessorised with Kurt Cobain sunnies, striped socks and pom beanies.

It was a Californian dream. Floors completed with palm trees all over in purple and orange 'sunset' hues. The sun-bleached/surfer hair went hand-in-hand with the particular grunge aesthetic Slimane was going for. As inspiration was taken from Billy Al Bengston's colourful prints, the mood of the collection had to be more playful; the brighter colours used was more cheerful when compared to Slimane's more comfortable black and white palette. And quite frankly, the word grunge has always been quite abstract to me. But where Urban Dictionary comes handy, it's about 'making little effort and dressing comfortably'. It's hard to imagine how Saint Laurent clothing can be comfortable considering its standard skin-tight leather trousers and jackets. But Slimane seemed to have taken it down a notch this season and made his clothing more appropriate for daily wear. The way jackets and coats hang looser on the shoulders; also notice how there was little or none of the black leather boots Saint Laurent is so accustom to. On a day-to-day basis, we're all a little bit more comfortable running around in white sneakers.

The finale came with an abundance of metallic YSL logos that fell from the roof. If that doesn't hypnotise you into a Californian dream, then you should probably buy a ticket to LA and sit by Venice beach in your newly bought thrift shop tie-dye tee. 

To be continued... #tbc