Saint Laurent is once again dominating the headlines with its latest boundary-pushing creation: luxurious gilt-wrapped condoms. This bold move follows a long line of revolutionary designs from the iconic fashion house, such as the groundbreaking “le smoking” tuxedo and figure-hugging dresses that have left a lasting impact on the industry.
The brainchild of designer Anthony Vaccarello, these extravagant condoms made their debut on his Instagram account, featuring the striking New York artist David Alexander Flinn as the face of the campaign. In a daring advertisement titled “The Love Affair,” Flinn boldly bares it all while being admired by Polish supermodel Anja Rubik, who is clad in Saint Laurent attire. This provocative campaign represents a departure from Vaccarello’s previous controversial ads, which had been criticized for their perceived objectification of women.
Throughout his tenure at Saint Laurent, Vaccarello has consistently pushed the boundaries with his edgy and daring designs, which have included ultra-short miniskirts and sexy leather hotpants. Despite the brand’s continued commercial success, Vaccarello’s bold aesthetic has faced scrutiny for being too risqué. The designer himself has voiced frustration with what he views as a restrictive “new puritanism” that stifles artistic expression.
The gold-wrapped condoms, brought to life by London-based German photographer Juergen Teller, are now available for purchase at Saint Laurent’s flagship store in the heart of Paris. Vaccarello joins a growing number of fashion designers who have ventured into the realm of sexual health, including Alexander Wang’s collaboration with Trojan under the cheeky hashtag #ProtectYourWang, as well as Demna Gvasalia’s distribution of striped condoms as invitations for his final Vetements show.
With this daring and unconventional move, Saint Laurent continues to defy norms and challenge societal expectations within the fashion world. Their willingness to tackle taboo subjects and spark conversations sets them apart as leaders in the industry, unafraid to make waves and provoke thought.
For more information on Saint Laurent’s latest creations, visit their official website here. To explore the intersection of fashion and social issues, check out this insightful article here.
