Yves Saint Laurent

Profile

Yves Saint Laurent makes cutting-edge fashion that's bold but still sophisticated. That style is reflected in its New York City flagship store: Black tiled floors, mirrored walls, and giant white ceilings help create a shiny, sleek haven for shoppers. Black marble columns frame the two-story boutique, which houses YSL shoes, handbags, and ready-to-wear lines for men and women. Saint Laurent himself stepped down from this label in 2002, passing control of collections to designer, and Tom Ford disciple, Stefano Pilati. As spacey techno music plays, shoppers can waft from the handbag-laden lobby to a tiny cosmetics counter displaying YSL's famous Pure Rouge lipstick, among other goodies. Down the hall is an all-white shoe salon featuring sunken leather couches, white limestone walls, and rows of shoes illuminated by stark spotlights. Upstairs, carpeted black nooks showcase YSL's trademark silk ties and satin balloon skirts, as well as the season's latest offerings, all made with the design house's noted razor-sharp tailoring. — Faran Alexis Krentcil