The Saint Laurent spring/summer 2016 men’s collection demonstrated designer Hedi Slimane’s well-known talent for taking a grungy aesthetic and giving it a laid back, glamorous appeal. Slimane titled the collection “Sound Surf: A Tribute to Contemporary Californian Surf Music Culture.” Fittingly, an original song composed by Swimmers paired with the collection titled, Like Harry Dean Stanton.
Several looks were inspired by the artwork of Billy Al Bengston, whose use of cool tones and soft borders is reflected in the menswear line. And artist Lucia Ribisi collaborated to work on a leather jacket, covering it with various colors of sequin patterns and the word “baby” on the back.
The looks are the epitome of California cool, with customized leather jackets with designs that range from dinosaurs to palm trees against sunset colored patchworks. Soft beanies and denim jackets added to the effortless vibe. There’s music, art, surf, and sand in this collection that feels utterly authentic.
