Sandra‘s Closet

Launched in 2015, Le Vestiaire des Parfums is a tribute to Yves Saint Laurent’s style.
The collection translates into unique scents the Couturier’s singular flair for turning the most basic garments into sophisticated, androgynous, timeless silhouettes. That special twist defining the Saint Laurent attitude.

TASTE FOR TENSION
Inheriting the couturier’s spirit, Le Vestiaire des Parfums is a collection of bold signature fragrances, each inspired by one of the house’s iconic pieces, materials or addresses. Each expressing Yves Saint Laurent’s taste for tension, his effortless singularity, his instinctive and elegant sense of provocation.

TRANSCENDING CODES
The pieces of this Vestiaire complement each other. Blending classic notes with high-quality ingredients, they transcend the codes of gender to reveal an attitude. Le Vestiaire des Parfums is the story of Saint Laurent told in another language, just as universal as haute couture’s. And like haute couture, the collection is made to measure: the measure of each wearer’s imaginary world.

TUXEDO
ÉPICES – PATCHOULI

THE INSPIRATION
In 1966, Yves Saint Laurent invented his version of the Tuxedo by turning it into women’s eveningwear. Matching the authority of masculine tailoring with provocative femininity, he introduced a novel, androgynous attitude in couture.

THE OLFACTION
TUXEDO is as troubling as the iconic suit whose name it borrows. The lushness of Patchouli attracts and embraces, while the sensual intensity of Spices mesmerizes and arouses. Charismatic, TUXEDO captivates.

BLOUSE
ROSE – ANGÉLIQUE

THE INSPIRATION
In 1962, Yves Saint Laurent turned the humble cotton smock into a delicate silk blouse. Finding inspiration in a functional garment to invent a sophisticated weapon of seduction: the gesture sums up the couturier’s boldness and freedom.

THE OLFACTION
This taste for creative transgression is reflected by the scent of BLOUSE: a single, fragile Rose draws unexpected energy from vibrant green Angelica and cool Pink Pepper. In its duality, BLOUSE reveals its perfect modernity.

GRAIN DE POUDRE
ACCORD VIOLETTE – SAUGE

THE INSPIRATION
In the mid-60s, Yves Saint Laurent borrowed this strict, grainy fabric from the masculine wardrobe to design timelessly sophisticated couture dresses and suits.

THE OLFACTION
The scent of GRAIN DE POUDRE translates this bold alchemy by draping the familiar, powdery fragrance of Violet in the coolness of Sage. A subtle, elegantly modern interplay between the masculine and the feminine.

SAHARIENNE
NÉROLI – MUSCS BLANCS

THE INSPIRATION
By adapting the Safari jacket for women in 1968, Yves Saint Laurent combined freedom with elegance. In his hands, the symbol of exotic adventures became seductive and alluring.

THE OLFACTION
SAHARIENNE captures this perfect balance between animal magnetism and extreme sophistication, blending the addictive sensuality of a creamy white Musk with a fresh, vibrant Neroli. Troubling, SAHARIENNE reveals a fascinating, untameable nature.

TRENCH
AGRUMES – IRIS

THE INSPIRATION
With Yves Saint Laurent, the quintessentially virile trench-coat became a symbol of femininity. The couturier endowed it with a mysterious, intense charm that gave off a whiff of danger and of the forbidden.

THE OLFACTION
As chic as the piece that inspired it, TRENCH wraps a velvety, dark Iris in the purebred delicacy of Neroli. A play on light and shadow, the legend of TRENCH is still utterly contemporary.

CABAN
POIVRE ROSE – TONKA

THE INSPIRATION
The sailor coat was introduced in the Saint Laurent wardrobe in 1962, its pared-down lines resonating with the couturier’s innate sense of style.

THE OLFACTION
CABAN translates its commanding style into scent by matching the sharp radiance of Pink Pepper with the lush warmth of Tonka Bean. Sleek and empowering, CABAN claims simplicity as the ultimate form of elegance.

CAFTAN
ENCENS – BENJOIN

THE INSPIRATION
His time in Marrakesh and Tangier inspired Yves Saint Laurent, who turned the fluid lines of the traditional caftan into a strikingly modern, iconic piece.

THE OLFACTION
The couturier’s Oriental reveries have in turn inspired CAFTAN, whose mysterious allure blends dark, velvety Incense with lush, radiant Benzoin. Mysterious and vibrant, CAFTAN is a tribute to far-flung journeys.

JUMPSUIT
MAGNOLIA – BERGAMOTE

THE INSPIRATION
JUMPSUIT. In 1968, the functional overall of car racers, aviators, parachutists – hence its name, the «jump» suit – and astronauts ascended into the stratosphere of high luxury. Daring, dashing yet unexpectedly elegant, Yves Saint-Laurent’s first short evening jumpsuit in black silk jersey was acclaimed by the fashion press as a bold new fashion statement. The couturier had discovered the true beauty of a utilitarian garment, turning it into an archetype of fashion.

THE OLFACTION
Colourful and empowering. The scent of spring, when its giant, tulip-shaped flowers bloom on trees. Joyful, captivating, as bright as the morning light. The citrusy brightness of Bergamot picks up when magnified by the full radiance of Magnolia Flower, in an echo of the House’s vibrantly coloured jumpsuits.

CAPELINE
LYS – VANILLE

THE INSPIRATION
Throughout his career, Yves Saint Laurent would play on the capeline’s paradox: a nonchalant way of going incognito that is also the most spectacular of accessories. Worn since the Middle-Ages as a protection against the sun, the wide-brimmed hat sailed to catwalks. A centerpiece crowning a sleek silhouette.

THE OLFACTION
Sensual and nonchalant. The majestic Lily bloom could inspire the form of an extravagant capeline. Its name in French_LYS_ forms the anagram of Yves Saint Laurent’s initials_YSL. No wonder the heraldic Lily was the couturier’s emblem. It embodies a sensual grace with its pure, elegant white, and its sophisticated facets. Twisted with the warm, creamy, and suave Vanilla absolute, it reveals a sensual and nonchalant character.

Stay tuned as I will show you soon my new scent from the YSL – Le Vestiaire des Parfums. Do you have an idea for which I went?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © YSL Beauty
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored.

The House of Yves Saint Laurent celebrates a half-century of fragrance creation. Fifty years marked by unforgettable elixirs, fragrances that have become references, benchmarks, icons.

This fall, «Le Vestiaire des Parfums» will launch, a wardrobe of fragrances, that includes 5 new scents that are inspired by the house’s iconic fashion creations.

THE TRENCH

Trench coat from Yves Saint Laurent’s  F/W 99 collection.

Trench is a citrusy fragrance with dry cedar and iris.

THE CABAN JACKET

The first cabin jacket in 1962.

Caban is a sensual fragrance with notes of pink pepper, rose and tonka bean.

THE SAFARI TOP

Veruschka in YSL Safari Ensemble by Franco Rubartelli, Vogue Paris July/ August 1968.

Saharienne is fresh due to its ingredients of neroli, wild herbs and white musk.

THE CAFTAN

Yves Saint Laurent loved Morocco and caftans himself.

Caftan is an oriental scent that contains incense, benzoin, galbanum and musk.

THE TUXEDO

Created in 1966, the ‘Le Smoking’ tuxedo suit for women was the first of its kind to earn attention in the fashion world. Photo by Helmut Newton.

Tuxedo is the most masculine among the five with notes of patchouli and a spice accord.

Available from November 2015 for CHF 350 (125ml) each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Yves Saint Laurent

The muse of Yves Saint Laurent and inspiration for his iconic and famous tuxedo died yesterday at the age of 63 after a battle with a „long illness“.

Loulou de la Falaise was an elegant beauty, a true fashion icon of her time. She entered the house of Yves Saint Laurent as both muse and jewlery designer in 1972 where she stayed until Saint Laurent retired in 2002. After that, she launched her own signature label.

De la Falaise is survived by her husband, Thadée Klossowski de Rola, a French writer, and their daughter, Anna.

The Yves Saint Laurent Holiday Look 2011 has instantly become an hommage to this amazing lady.
RIP Loulou de la Falaise!

LoL, Sandra

Introducing the Yves Saint Laurent “Holiday Look 2011”. YSL international make-up artist Lloyd Simmonds pays tribute to the Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo, the absolute garment in a masculine-feminine wardrobe, enhanced by a satin sash, a velvet lapel, a bow-tie.
In doing so, he has recreated a new palette of seduction, placing the emphasis on expression, on the force of an attitude.
“The tuxedo? It’s the icon of the Yves Saint Laurent wardrobe. A reference to the pictures of Helmut Newton. The famous ‘smoky eye’. A signature eye.” – Lloyd Simmonds

Inspired by the tuxedo, the Palette Noir Terriblement and the Palette Blanc Terriblement both celebrate the emblematic spirit of evening clothes that move effortlessly throughout time. Nestling inside a beautiful gold case, adorned by a pleated belt and embroidered with the Yves Saint Laurent logo. It can be worn around the wrist like a bracelet, a nocturnal fetish.

Palette „Noir Terriblement“ – CHF 89,00 (Limited Edition)

The black tuxedo. Eye Shadow in 5 colors. 4 variations of black and a shimmering white in the middle. Black velvet, black silk, black moiré, black lamé, white satin, fabric turning into eye colors in the magic of an evening where black is unveiled in a play on shadow and light.

Expert’s secret by Lloyd Simmonds: “The best thing is to choose your black and use it as a base applied with the flat brush. And then to ‘smoke’ it with a round brush to blend the product so that the edges are invisible.”

Palette „Blanc Terriblement“ – CHF 89,00 (Limited Edition)

The white tuxedo. The complexion illuminator palette. Shimmering silver, shimmering pink, shimmering violet. Three white hues delicately lit up with precious pearls, catching the light like a magnet to give an absolute glow effect.

Ombres Duolumières – CHF 65,00

Contrasts and highlights for sparkling eyes in two different colour combinations: Silver moiré / Black Flannel, Gold lamé / Velvet black.

Manucure Couture n°6  – CHF 49,00

Make a show of style and colour right down to the fingertips. The hand becomes the most luxurious fashion accessory.  Yves Saint Laurent’s “Duo Terriblement Noir”: Two blacks. One matte and one glossy. An ultra–graphic feel for the season’s most radical, most ‘couture’ duo. A reprise of the contrasts of powder texture and satin lapels, they are complementary to give an ultra–sophisticated, infinitely black finish.

Golden Gloss – White shimmering gold collection – CHF 46,00

Transparence and light, wear it alone or added to a lipstick to give a white gold shimmer on the lips. Available in: White Gold Diamond, White Gold Opal, White Gold Quartz, White Gold Amethyst 48 (pictured left), White Gold Topaz 47 (pictured right).

My beauty must-have: The limited edition palette “noir terriblement” for the perfect smokey eyes.

LoL, Sandra

On the S/S 2011 runways, there was an Yves Saint Laurent mood in the air. Many designers got inspired by the late master of colour and the father of the trouser suit.

The reason for this was probably the beautiful first posthumous retrospective of Yves Saint Laurent’s career with an exhibition of over 300 garments that took place last year at the Petit Palais museum in Paris. On display were his creations from his debut at Dior in 1958 up to the sumptuous evening dresses of 2002.

In 40 years of being a fashion designer, YSL revolutionized the female wardrobe by borrowing the tuxedo, the trouser suit and the safari jacket from men’s clothing in order to dress women, thereby transferring the symbols of power from one sex to another.

In 1961 Yves Saint Laurent decided to create his couture house. Just under 50 years ago, in January 1962, at the age of 26, he created a cultural shockwave by opening his first haute couture show with a caban jacket and trouser ensemble directly inspired by a fisherman’s pea coat.

The era in particular that was referenced for S/S 2011 was the 1970’s when Saint Laurent spent a tremendous amount of time at his second home in Marakkesh in his beautiful Majorelle botanical gardens. While being there he was greatly influenced by traditional Morrocan dressing and the gardens. His ashes were scattered there when he died in 2008.

I am in love with all those collections that are paying tribute to one of the greatest fashion designers of the 20th century and took the runways by storm. Therefore I put some collages for you together. I included photos of the exhibition of his previous creations to demonstrate the versatile references.

Enjoy this feast for the eyes.

LoL, Sandra