YSL

The death of Yves Saint Laurent, a lauded french-algerian couturier, has put a somber mood on France and Paris the last week. I just wanted to say something about him...

I didn't grow up in the 1970s, when he was at his greatest height...but in recent years I have come to really like the YSL menswear offerings (and the womenswear hasn't been half-shabby either). However, I recently read a book written by Alicia Drake called The Beautiful Fall which chronicled the life and happenings of both YSL and Karl Lagerfeld, from adolescence up to the most recent years, and as much as I respect and applaud his everlasting effect on fashion, I must say that I don't think he and I would have gotten along. He was emotional, unpredictable, addictive, and overly fixated on beauty and youth (both of which I find to be overrated).

Anyway, I just felt like making a word about him. It is very sad that he is gone, and I think the world of clothing is forever changed because of him, I just didn't like him much (from what I can tell), as a person...

That said, Karl Lagerfeld isn't much better. Nor is Tom Ford. Or Marc Jacobs. Visionaries, yes. Geniuses, probably. Pleasant/enjoyable to be around/get along with, probably not.

If I had to pick a designer who I feel would be most down to earth and pleasant to spend time with, I would have to go with Miuccia Prada. Or Vera Wang. I also read an insightful article about Barbara Tfank. And maybe Peter Som.