Catwalk on a Sand Dune's Crest - Saint Laurent Takes Distancing in its Stride

Saint Laurent’s presentation of its 2021 Women’s Summer collection showed models walking on the crest of a tall sand dune in the middle of a honey-colored desert. (Saint Laurent)
Saint Laurent’s presentation of its 2021 Women’s Summer collection showed models walking on the crest of a tall sand dune in the middle of a honey-colored desert. (Saint Laurent)
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Catwalk on a Sand Dune's Crest - Saint Laurent Takes Distancing in its Stride

Saint Laurent’s presentation of its 2021 Women’s Summer collection showed models walking on the crest of a tall sand dune in the middle of a honey-colored desert. (Saint Laurent)
Saint Laurent’s presentation of its 2021 Women’s Summer collection showed models walking on the crest of a tall sand dune in the middle of a honey-colored desert. (Saint Laurent)

There were no spectators, no influencers, no fashionistas, at Saint Laurent’s presentation of its 2021 Women’s Summer collection, only drone footage of models walking on the crest of a tall sand dune in the middle of a honey-colored desert.

Every year, France’s top fashion houses compete to find the most spectacular locations in Paris to host their women’s wear shows, but with catwalks closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, brands now try do outdo each other with spectacular locations for their online-only shows.

Already in the first wave of the pandemic in April, Saint Laurent, owned by the Kering conglomerate, broke away from the usual twice-yearly calendar of women’s catwalk shows in Paris.

It revealed its latest collection on Tuesday, designed by Anthony Vaccarello, with a 10-minute Vaccarello fashion film called “I wish you were here”.

Models, some of them struggling to walk in the sand with high heels, showed off sensuous evening wear, others boardroom-ready conservative pantsuits.

The models also donned tight-fitting ribbed skirts under black leather jackets, figure-hugging black dresses with a top-to-bottom zipper, sheer halter dresses and gold-and-black brocade jackets.

The looks were interspersed with some flowing dresses with floral motives. Many models sported YSL-branded mini beltbags to match.

As night fell over the desert - Saint Laurent declined to reveal the location, only saying it was “a desert in the north” - models walked along a ridge of fire burning on the dune’s crest, the flames reflected in the evening sparkle, gold embroidery and Claude Lalanne-designed jewelry.

Saint Laurent said the film was “an invitation for escapism”, without specifying from what. From COVID-19, presumably, and from the year 2020.



L'Oreal Buys British Skincare Brand Medik8

A logo is seen over the entrance of Cosmetics company L'Oreal building in Paris, August 16, 2013. (Reuters)
A logo is seen over the entrance of Cosmetics company L'Oreal building in Paris, August 16, 2013. (Reuters)
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L'Oreal Buys British Skincare Brand Medik8

A logo is seen over the entrance of Cosmetics company L'Oreal building in Paris, August 16, 2013. (Reuters)
A logo is seen over the entrance of Cosmetics company L'Oreal building in Paris, August 16, 2013. (Reuters)

L'Oreal is to acquire British skincare brand Medik8, its owner, Britain-based private equity firm Inflexion, said on Monday, boosting the French cosmetics giant's offering in the fast-growing dermatological skincare market.

The size of the deal was not disclosed. Medik8 focuses on vitamin A-based anti-aging creams and serums.

"The partnership with L'Oreal will allow Medik8 to deepen its presence in existing markets and expand globally. As part of the transaction, Inflexion will retain a minority shareholding in Medik8," the private equity firm said in a statement.

L'Oreal's dermatological beauty division, which includes major brands like CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, and SkinCeuticals, has been its fastest growing in recent years, reaching revenues of 7 billion euros ($7.99 billion) last year, after growing almost 10% on the year before.

The business, which also has the highest profit margin among its four divisions, has boomed on growing consumer interest in science-backed products, though growth has slowed recently due to rising competition.

L'Oreal executives said this year they were pursuing acquisitions and looking to revive flagging growth. The company acquired Korean skincare brand, Dr.G, in December and also bought a minority stake in Oman-based perfume house Amourage last year.