Runway Report: Paris Fashion Week--YSL Fall/Winter 2012/2013--Stefano Pilati's Final Collection!

Ciao & Adieu: Stefano Pilati takes his final bow at YSL

After being with the famed French house since 2000 and serving as head designer since 2004, Stefano Pilati exits the historic House of Yves Saint Laurent (which is now owned by PPR) after yesterday's Fall/Winter 2012/13 show. 1940's (or 80's depending on how you see them!) broad shoulders (very old-school Saint Laurent), nipped-in waist, leather, chain-mail detailed dresses, were shown as part of this last Pilati-designed collection. Colors included black, grey, maroon, moss green, ivory.

Stefano Pilati has been rumored to be out for at least a year now at YSL. His accessories have continued to sell well, particularly the shoes and his designs for YSL did make an impact on the red carpet--whether to movie premieres, parties or award shows, but, the talk among the fashion industry insiders was that the clothes had been languishing at retail for some time.

WWD is reporting that according to "sources," former Dior Homme designer Slimane is the "frontrunner" to succeed Pilati. It would be a return for the French designer to YSL, as Slimane applied his skills in sleek, skinny-trousered menswear to Yves Saint Laurent men's in the late '90s.

Stefano Pilati gave this quote:
“I exit the house with fierce conviction in all that we have achieved and deep gratitude to those who have supported me along the way... I wish the maison Yves Saint Laurent and its new creative director the very best for the future."

Below are some images from YSL Fall/Winter 2012/2013 followed by the full runway video of the show/collection: