YSL's Stefano Pilati unveils ‘New Vintage’ collection

The launch of Yves Saint Laurent's "New Vintage" collection this autumn, is part of a growing trend – an exploration of its heritage and a new way for shoppers to get their money's worth. The pieces in YSL's new venture are made using patterns from previous collections, and material left over from different seasons. New Yorkers had the first look at the new/old concept in June when it launched at Barneys, where sales assistants reported 75 per cent of the collection was snatched off shelves in the first hour and a half. It sold out within a matter of days. This autumn, YSL's next take on old-but-new hits London, Paris, Hong Kong and Milan too. Stefano Pilati, the brand's creative director, claims that the collection is his response to the moral issue of "sustainability". But Pilati is earnest in his hopes to attract shoppers looking for sturdy buys in an uncertain climate. And even for those of us whose budgets are rather more conservative, the message stands. All the fabrics and designs come only from the years that Pilati has been at the helm of the company, so the capsule collection will effectively be his legacy, creating instant collector's items. The pieces, which will hit British stores in November, are still being worked on by Pilati.