Yves Saint Laurent Re-See

By Alex Fury, 14:09 Wed 10 Mar 2010

The new rosary, courtesy of YSL

A flash of papal purple

Walk like a mohican

The Tribute sandals were the tip of the iceberg (no Chanel reference implied): Stefano Pilati's latest collection for Yves Saint Laurent was an unequivocal ode to the house itself, complete with almost talismanic cut-out golden figures of iconic YSL silhouettes, and ripe for a re-see yesterday from a devout convert since 2004 - a.k.a. me. Pilati himself denied any religious signification to this collection of bourgeoise wimples and cassock-like frocks in puckered silk, coloured in a rich ecclesiastical palette: maybe we're just reading our own view's of Sant Laurent's saintly heritage into the mix? Up close, as ever, the details were stunning - gathered rosettes of duchess satin, organza and ostrich feathers formed into choirboy ruffs and dresses with all the grand solemnity of an Archbishop's robes. Okay, I'll stop now. For Pilati, the collection was all about protection, illustrated by panels of transparent PVC worked into and over the flawless black tailoring, and press-studded onto chic document cases. If you're wrapping yourself up against the cold world next winter, I can't envisage a chicer way to do it. Oh, and those Tribute sandals were still there - this time with a mohican of goat hair and a chunkier, clunkier pedestal-bottom heel. Should protect you from toppling on Right Bank cobblestones a treat.