YSL whirl

The second-floor display was inspired by Holts’ vice president of fashion direction Barbara Atkin’s trip to the Montreal show, which, incidentally, is but a hop away from the Sherbrooke Street location. Atkin took full advantage of Holt Renfrew’s partnership with Lynda Latner of vintagecouture.com, who stocks the rack of vintage that always grabs me at the top of the escalator, to show off an array of Saint Laurent. The store’s crack visual team assembled the nine outfits, perching mannequins on painted boxes that were paid tribute to the designer’s famous, hand-drawn “Love” cards.

I started my visit at the huge, pink and orange YSL logo (with added halo), fronted by a mannequin covered, bikini-style, in orange roses. Circling the centre of the store are iconic pieces from some the designer’s most fabled collections, ranging from two examples of the le smoking to an exotic 1977 pink-and-turquoise skirt suit with a tassel belt and the most subtle shimmer. There were prime examples of early ’80s poufs and ruffles, as well as a peasant dress and some dark, romantic florals that would look right at home this fall.

You can get a taste of some of the pieces here, but to take in all of the sumptuous fabrics and details, you’ve got see for yourself. The installation will only be at the store for another week, so hustle. While you’re there, be sure to take a peek at the displays of fresh designs from the graduating class of Ryerson’s fashion design program that are scattered throughout the store.