OpinionParis Fashion Week: if it ain't broke...

Yves Saint Laurent SS13. Photo: Jing Zhang

Hedi Slimane's debut at the Yves Saint Laurent label was a defining event this season. People were expectant as soon as the Los Angeles based designer was named as Stefano Pilati's successor. Because of the rebrand of label and much of its imagery, most were expecting something dramatically different on the catwalks. The results however, were surprisingly far more familiar (and commercial) than expected, especially for those who have followed the label over the years. Little jackets, blouses and flattering skinny pencil trousers opened - all very traditional YSL. Then it was all sexy, dresses and romance, a la the Tom Ford at YSL era all those years ago, with a ubiquitous wide brimmed hat that brought a little bit of the American West into the equation.