>> It's all about black at Yves Saint Laurent — and not just on the runway.  Owner PPR just announced that after ten years of losses, the brand finally broke even in 2008.  Appropriately enough, Stefano Pilati sent out a Fall 2009 collection that was — you guessed it — mostly black, quilted, pinstriped, and in leather; apparently Pilati worked with automakers to cultivate some pieces in materials usually used in high-end cars.  Spring 2009 face Claudia Schiffer was in front row, and just as suspected, Caroline Trentini finally appeared as an exclusive, closing the show.  Pilati, who notably is one of only two designers in the industry who works without a stylist — the other being Giorgio Armani — riffed on YSL's heritage power-dressing, and the message was powerful; maybe a little too powerful for Yulia Kharlapanova, who had to take her shoes off.
*image: source, source