YSL takes in day and night

DRAWING inspiration from the elegant 1950s and 1960s, Yves Saint Laurent presents accessories to equip a woman from head to toe.

In the past, the company has tended to concentrate on shoes for evening and cocktail wear but, this season, it offers elegant designs for day as well, with more pointed toes and higher heels.

'High heels are in fashion this season, in various sizes, and they look smart with all the new suits and twinsets,' said retail manager Michele Tsoi.

This season there are three new heel heights for daywear, from 4.5 cms to 7.5 cms, and the shape of the heel is square. Pure evening shoes have gently tapering shapes and slender triangular heels of 8.5 cms or 5.5 cms.

'Styles with the strap across, like you used to wear to school, are really in fashion,' said Ms Tsoi. 'YSL has some with the T-bar and one with one bar across, and this is very much the trend for shoes.' Also popular are geometric shapes like Oxfords with a high-sided, square cut; high-heeled suede boots with tassels, or patchwork boots; and casual models in hide with an embroidered YSL logo and micro-rubber soles.

'They've done styles for daywear in a variety of materials, such as satin, patent and suede. A lot of people are wearing satin for daytime now,' Ms Tsoi said. 'Patent and leather are still prominent and you see a little bit of pearlised patent.' Also in the collection is crepe, grosgrain, steel or bronze nappa, croco-printed patent, embossed iridescent leather, velvet, moire, metalised suede with panther print and glossy snake-printed suede.