A Storied French Fashion House’s Makeover Reaches Houston: 21st-Century Shopping in The Galleria

While French fashion house Saint Laurent is preparing to show part one of its Fall 2016 women’s ready-to-wear collection this month in L.A. (where creative director Hedi Slimane moved in 2008), the house’s Houston disciples are experiencing a change-up of their own. As part of Slimane’s “reform project” upon taking the reins in 2012 (you may have noticed the name and logo transformation from YSL to Saint Laurent), the brand’s boutiques worldwide are in the process of an architectural redesign that contemplates a modernist approach to the French decorative arts — or at least its essence: Art Deco for the 21st century, with clean, modern lines and a predominantly monochromatic palette.

The stores will be outfitted with white statuary marble for the floors and fitting rooms and black silk marble for the dado rails with nickel- or gold-plated brass for the Art Deco-inspired vitrines. All furnishings in the space will be replaced with modern vintage pieces by Adnet, René Herbst, Breuer, Prouvé, André Sornay and others.

Until the reopening (date TBD), you’ll find Saint Laurent in a temporary space on the second level in The Galleria, near Neiman Marcus. But rest assured, even the provisional milieu will be reflective of Slimane’s very pointed (and potent) aesthetic.