“Fashions fade, style is eternal.”
As always here on The Planet, emotional displays are not only not acceptable, they are not done. However, that doesn’t translate into allowing a day to pass without marking the loss of a mind that was as gifted as it was fragile, and as creative as it was critical. Of course, we speak about the death of Yves St. Laurent, and we know it isn’t as though he were actively sketching designs today, coming up with another trapeze dress…
Or another line based on an artist’s work, like the Mondrian collection from 1965…
Or creating another incredible wedding gown like the one Claudia Schiffer is wearing from the 1997 Haute Couture Collection…
No, it’s not the loss of Monsieur Saint Laurent actually coming up with these brilliant ideas now, in a contemporary manner of speaking that is difficult. It’s the idea of him not being here to do it anymore that is hard. And there is such a vast distinction between the two.
If there is a wistful tone to the post, it is because there is also the notion that he was the last of the trio that defined fashion: Coco Chanel, Christian Dior and Yves St. Laurent. And when one says goodbye to the last of a group that spanned generations, a group that dressed not just TP’s mother, but grandmother as well, then you are saying “Au revoir” to something quite special, something that transcended mere apparel or accessories. Methinks The Princess is showing her age.
And leaving teardrops on the keyboard.
Tags: Christian Dior, claudia schiffer, Coco Chanel, YSL, yves saint laurent, Yves st. laurent
June 3, 2008 at 2:30 am
Wow. Beautiful post. I couldn’t stop staring at the Mondrian dresses. Is that pic really from 1965? The only real clue that it may not be from present day is (I think) the white gloves that the model on the left is wearing. Those dresses are so fresh, so beautiful, so timeless….wow. Oh, and I also love the obvious parallel that art is fashion and fashion is art. What an amazing, talented man.
June 3, 2008 at 2:49 am
Aren’t the Mondrian pieces incredible? I was so grateful there was a color photo to use in the post. I was more than fortunate to have a little Mondrian-style jumper during the 60’s that I simply wore to death in squares of grey and black and red and cobalt blue. Not YSL of course as he didn’t do Children’s, but very much “in the style of…” and I just adored it, much to the distraction of everyone!
June 3, 2008 at 6:16 pm
TRES SAD.
June 3, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Dear!
thanks a lot for adding me!
i really enjoy your blog
YSL is a master, but always will be remembered for his great criations!
AMAZIng post!
a kiss,
see you,
KIra
June 3, 2008 at 7:41 pm
lovely, and great pictures, that wedding gown, my goodness.
amazing how current most of his fashions look, sign of true genius.