A New Read on YSL’s Manifesto Fragrance
Stefano Pilati may have bowed out of Yves Saint Laurent after his pitch-black show in March, but the olfactory finale of his tumultuous stint at the house will occur when Manifesto, the house’s new juice, hits stores in Europe (early September) and the U.S. (early 2013).
The very word Manifesto brings to mind Pilati’s tenure, as it references the loose-bound YSL booklets handed out on city streets during Fashion Week in a bid to give the brand a more democratic, agit-prop feel. A spokesperson confirmed to Hint that the Italian designer indeed had a hand in the fragrance, although he was more involved in Parisienne.
The scent itself has all the subversiveness of a Jackie Collins novel. In an hourglass-shaped bottle, the eau de parfum is a user-friendly cocktail of jasmine and green notes that include lily-of-the-valley and blackcurrant (bringing to mind In Love Again). And although actress Jessica Chastain appears in the campain with her hands dipped in purple paint, she looks more sexy art-class teacher than first-time voter.
It was also confirmed to us that the fragrance would keep the house’s famous Cassandre logo and that Hedi Slimane would obviously be involved in all beauty activity. Manifesto comes at a time when everything happening at the maison comes under intense scrutiny. Needless to say, this fall will be all about Yves. Or should we say Saint Laurent?