When a figure who has defined a fashion house for ten years says goodbye, it’s inevitable that the conversation fills up with assessments, nostalgia and questions. The departure of Anthony Vaccarello from Saint Laurent, after a decade at the helm of its creative direction, is the kind of news that gets discussed in newsrooms, friend group chats and social media threads. Here is a calm look back, without drama and with practical ideas for your everyday life.
What we know (and what we don’t) about the news
Vaccarello arrived at Saint Laurent in 2016, after Hedi Slimane’s tenure, and has since become the creative face of the house. As for the details of his departure, such as the reasons, the timing or who will take over, the wisest course is to wait for official statements from the brand and its group. When there’s this much noise, it pays to distinguish between what is confirmed and what is mere speculation.
So instead of guessing, let’s talk about what we can analyze: the aesthetic we associate with his era and what we can learn from it.
The hallmark of a decade: what we recognize in his Saint Laurent
When we think about his work, a handful of ideas keep recurring and have influenced the way many people dress, even outside the world of luxury:
- Tailoring with character: blazers with defined shoulders, trouser suits and the classic tuxedo worn by day or by night.
- Black as the protagonist: a color that simplifies, visually lengthens the whole outfit and goes with almost everything.
- Contrasts: structured pieces next to flowing fabrics, shine against matte, leather with silk.
- A self-assured sensuality: more about attitude than about showing more or less skin.
An important idea: style isn’t a size
Runway aesthetics are usually presented on very specific bodies, but the underlying ideas, such as a good silhouette, a dominant color or a well-thought-out contrast, work on any body. It’s not about fitting a mold, but about borrowing what makes you feel comfortable and leaving the rest.
How to bring his aesthetic into real life
1. A blazer that truly fits you
The structured blazer is probably the easiest piece to translate. What matters is that it respects your shoulders and lets you move. If you need to adjust it, a trip to a tailor can often transform a simple garment. You can wear it with jeans, a shirt dress or flowing trousers.
2. Monochrome in black (or in the color you prefer)
Dressing in a single tone creates a continuous, very flattering line and takes the effort out of deciding what to pair. If black isn’t your thing, it works just as well with navy, dark green, chocolate or cream. Play with textures, such as knit, cotton, satin or faux leather, so the outfit doesn’t look flat.
3. A touch of shine without overdoing it
A statement earring, a shoe with a bit of patent leather or a satin blouse is enough to give a simple look an evening feel. You don’t need to cover yourself in sequins to get that effect.
4. Comfort above all
A sophisticated garment you can’t wear comfortably loses all its charm. Choose fabrics with some drape, waistbands that don’t pinch and lengths that make you feel like yourself. This applies to every age: elegance doesn’t expire or belong to one particular decade of life.
Affordable and sustainable alternatives
Taking inspiration from a luxury house doesn’t mean spending like one. Here are a few ways to get close to that style without breaking the bank:
- Secondhand and vintage: thrift stores, flea markets and resale platforms often hide well-made blazers, coats and trousers.
- Swapping with friends and family: organizing a shared wardrobe or a clothing swap afternoon is fun and free.
- Alterations instead of purchases: shortening, taking in or changing buttons extends a garment’s life and adapts it to your body.
- Buy few pieces, but versatile ones: a good blazer and a straight-leg trouser give you more options than ten fleeting trend items.
- Take care of what you already own: washing gently, using proper hangers and storing your coat well makes a difference to how long it lasts.
So what now? A chapter closes
Changes in creative direction are common in fashion and tend to open a period of some uncertainty and plenty of curiosity. Some will miss the current style and others will hope for something different. The interesting part is that a decade’s influence doesn’t vanish overnight: ideas about tailoring, silhouette and attitude will remain present in wardrobes and on the streets for a while.
While we wait for official announcements, it may be a good moment to look at your own wardrobe with fresh eyes and ask yourself which pieces make you feel good, which ones you repeat without thinking and which ones you could combine differently.
Something to take with you
Runway fashion is a starting point, not an instruction manual. From Anthony Vaccarello‘s time at Saint Laurent you can take away a simple lesson: a well-chosen piece, a coherent palette and plenty of confidence in wearing it are worth more than any label. And that is within reach of every size, age and budget.
What do you think of this news? Is there a piece from his era that has inspired you? Tell us, because the best style ideas tend to come from conversations among people who actually get dressed every morning.
