an August Sander photograph
Lost and Found A/W 09
Yohji Yamamoto A/W 09
YSL’s Le Smoking
Those who are partisans of the “classics” understand the meaning behind “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” In the mercurial world of fashion, it’s always refreshing when the essence of something that is classic, can maintain its ground in the face of fashion trends.
A well-fitting jacket, the color black, great tailoring, long and lean silhouettes are elements that comprise a timeless look. It’s a look that transcends time periods and gender boundaries. Though the core of the classic look of the jacket and pant ensemble has proven to stand the test of time, variations of it have developed and evolved over the years.
Designers like Yohji Yamamoto can always re-invent the archetypal look of a gentlemen (such as the one portrayed in the famous August Sander photo). Yamamoto, who is also inspired by Sander’s photographs, presents a variation of this look every season, and does not limit it to just men. The late, great Yves Saint Laurent did the same during his career. YSL was well known for transferring the look of an elegant man onto the female form with “Le Smoking.” The cycle then continues as new designers re-interpret the look in their own way. The fact that this look continues to evolve and maintain its essence shows that timelessness trumps the come-and-goings of trends.
