Saint Laurent Says It's Sexy To Read

What do Addison Rae and John Waters have in common? Besides being camp icons, they both star in Saint Laurent’s new series of short films, As Time Goes By. Alongside Charlotte Gainsbourg, Chloë Sevigny, Cooper Koch, Joey King, and more, Saint Laurent retells Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time with some help from director Nadia Lee Cohen. Known for her references to the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles and the glamour of lost eras, Cohen’s work has made her fashion's favourite photographer, and the perfect choice for Saint Laurent's latest cinematic masterpiece.

Proust's seven-part novel (which was the inspiration for the fashion films) was a favourite for Yves Saint Laurent, adding a tenderness to the cinematic homage. The critically acclaimed work has been dubbed one of the most profound explorations of memory, love, and time ever written, its sweeping narrative resonating deeply with Saint Laurent’s own philosophy of style. Proust’s meticulous attention to detail, his introspective exploration of the passage of time, and his ability to capture fleeting moments of beauty mirror the essence of Saint Laurent’s timeless designs.

Emotions are played out in Saint Laurent fashion with the trailer for the series showcasing warm winter scenes and sultry nights out. Garments elevate each shot through the use of tactile fabrics and opulent silhouettes adorned with the iconic YSL logo in gold. Books in hand, each shot of the A-list cameos is teeming with hidden meaning and subtle references to Proust's exploration of time and memory. Narrated by Charlotte Gainsbourg, the series follows passages of Proust’s text, exploring six themes, love, togetherness, dreaming, desire, time, and memory.

Just as the Narrator of In Search of Lost Time delves into how his past has shaped his present, these films promise to be a snapshot of how far Saint Laurent's sartorial legacy has come. Rooted in the iconic allure of the legendary couturier, Vaccarello celebrates Saint Laurent with his celebrity cast across a stunning visual landscape. Each scene becomes a reflection of the brand’s evolution—where timeless elegance meets modern audacity. The cast, a mix of established stars and rising talents, embodies the spirit of Saint Laurent’s designs, evoking a sense of rebellion, sophistication, and irresistible magnetism.

Proving it's sexy to read, we suggest you join in on the literary fun before the campaign comes out. Watch the trailer for As Time Goes By, directed by Nadia Lee Cohen for Saint Laurent above.