Like any newcomer at any company, even Stefano Pilati had serious doubts during this 12-year tenure at YSL. The designer celebrated his last collection for the storied fashion house this past month at Paris Fashion Week, but really opened up for “Fashion Talks,” an annual series hosted by the French Institute Alliance Française, to speak about his next step as well as the ones he's taken leading up to now.
Regarding on his first show for YSL — which took place when Saint Laurent was still alive and Pilati worked under Tom Ford — Stefano admits he thought, "Do the show, get it over with. They’re going to fire me straight away." Four years later, the Milan native would become chief designer, earning much praise for his contributions and setting a high bar for the arrival of his successor Hedi Slimane.
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In a company with so much history, Pilati was also fortunate enough to work with Saint Laurent before his death in 2008. “One thing I wanted to keep completely intact," her says in the interview, regarding the time following YSL's passing, "was to be spontaneous and instinctive, which is what Mr. Saint Laurent taught us.”
Like any epic career — although don't expect this to be the end of the journey — Pilati looks forward to one thing we doubt he's had enough of in the past 12 years: sleep. What's even more important than finally cashing in on that a much-deserved vacation? Pilati also shares that he's currently "really happy." Read more of the designer's reflections on WWD (no subscription, required!). (WWD)
Photo: Via WWD