I’ve had a bit of a crush on Yves Saint Laurent since their pre-fall bags started rolling out, and it doesn’t look to be ending any time soon. I normally prefer things with a bit more of an edgy look, so this might be a sign of maturation on my part. Or maybe the bags are just that good – maybe they’re so well-designed that it’s impossible not to find some kind of attractiveness in them, no matter what your personal taste.
I’ve had a bit of a crush on I’m not sure which one it is, but I’m absolutely sure that I love the Yves Saint Laurent Flap Shoulder Bag. There’s a beauty in its simplicity that I find irresistible.
And really, how could you not love it, or at least appreciate the restrained hand that created it? The leather that YSL chose is sumptuous, textured and with slight color variations, but none of those things is present in quantities that would make the bag look over-processed or unedited. The folds that create the flap are elaborate and luxurious, but when you look at the closed bag, they all fall perfectly in to line.
The hardware on the bag might be my favorite aspect. The hook handle attachments are something that YSL has shown on several other bags this season, and I can’t get over how much I like them. They’re sculptural and elegant while still being thick and tough; it’s an effect that matches exactly with the soft but weathered leather that makes up the bag, and the details are subtle enough to not overwhelm the deceptively simple construction.
I know some people will say that this bag is boring, but I would strenuously disagree. Everything that’s done with this bag is done with the utmost care and attention to detail, and I’d rather that a designer focus on getting a few key things exactly right than bog down a bag with poorly conceived design elements just for the sake of visual interest. My love affair with YSL continues. Buy through Saks for $1895.
