Saint Laurent’s Music Project has so far been a portraiture series of punk, grunge and alt icons of our time dressed in the label, from Kim Gordon and Courtney Love to Marilyn Manson, Beck, Christopher Owens, Ariel Pink and Daft Punk (the latter feel almost beyond era thanks to their recent Chic-infused sonic time-travel, in contrast with a year 2050 look). Now Hedi Slimane pays tribute to the greats of blues and rock ‘n’ roll, three talents at the foundation of music as we know it.

Mr B.B. King, Mr Chuck Berry and Mr Jerry Lee Lewis – it’s important to use ‘Mr’ in this company – are leaders of an expression, who Slimane has admired since he was a teenager. And these rebel gentlemen are surely close to the musical preferences of Monsieur Yves Saint Laurent too.

Taking a road trip across the south and mid US in search of the icons this summer, each were photographed in their surroundings, wearing Le Smoking and Teddy Tux stagewear especially made for them (note that a live performance from any is a precious gift).

The act is one which twists from Ty Segall and Thee Oh Sees, AW13’s soundtrackers, back to the 20th century classics. When Daft Punk re-edited Junior Kimbrough for the inaugural Saint Laurent show last October, it was the moment the (figurative) Rubik’s Cube of the historic and the now aligned. Getting dressed you can play that idea too – it happens subconsciously whenever you throw a Le Smoking with jeans.

Mr B.B. King
Las Vegas, Nevada
September 8th 2013
Mr. King wears his Saint Laurent “Le Smoking”

Mr Chuck Berry
Saint Louis, Missouri
September 7th 2013
Mr Berry wears his Saint Laurent “Teddy” Tux

Mr Jerry Lee Lewis
Nesbit, Mississippi
August 15th 2013
Mr. Lewis wears his Saint Laurent classic “Teddy” Tux