Saturday, June 7

Yves


Even though a few days have already gone by since we first heard of Yves Saint-Laurent's death, I would like, as an ever-lasting admirer, to acknowledge what an immense void he has left. One that shall never possibly be refilled again. Firstly, I would like to point out what a dreadful parade his funeral was. Models laughing, fellow designers waving at the crowds, hideously dressed. Thankfully, Stefano Pilati —either out of natural respect or as a requirement— both mourned and looked soberly elegant.
Secondly, as much as I would love to write myself a retrospective from the bottom of my heart, I don't feel I could do him any justice. That is why I would like to share that of an insider. Paul Smith, in his blog on Vogue.co.UK, managed a sincere short tribute I personally loved for lacking that sentiment-less pompous prose texts of the sort had everywhere else:

"It's incredibly sad about Yves Saint Laurent - he was too young to die. He was for me, like for many designers, a huge encouragement and influence - there was a newness about his work that was so special.
He took it to the next stage and he just had a sparkle that no one else has. I was fortunate enough to see some of this first haute couture shows in his Paris salon - one in particular I remember was in homage to the Vietnam war and it was all in black. Then he did the famous see-through blouse in clear silk chiffon.
The audience literally took a mass in-take of breath - as if we'd been watching a firework display. Obviously the fact that he pioneered le smoking for women proved how modern his thinking was.
Pauline and I went to his last couture catwalk presentation and afterwards, in his salon, we were privileged to be able to order from samples of all his past collections, including the famous Mondrian jersey dress and all the key pieces I remember from his career. We ordered Pauline a le smoking suit from 1967 - the year we met. Then we were invited to his retirement dinner later on - with Catherine Deneuve and Loulou de la Falaise and incredible people - so Pauline wore the suit to that.
He was such a great man and it is a timeless, wonderful fashion house. In the Sixties and Seventies we lived in Nottingham and our treat was to go to Rive Gauche in Paris and I'd just try to afford anything for Pauline - even just a scarf. Then as we worked more and had a little more money we kept going. Somewhere in storage Pauline has the beautiful red fox fur coat - not very P.C. now - but we bought quite a lot of the ready-to-wear over the years. He really meant a lot to us."
Paul Smith

[Pictures credit: YSL.com Vogue.co.uk & Men.Style.com]



You will be enormously missed.


I'm off.

20 comments:

WendyB said...

I want to see the fox fur coat.

Winnie said...

You're right. That was so lovely and heartfelt!

Jillian Hobbs said...

how sad :(

Char Ruiz Manjarrez said...

You are so right. Stefano Pilati looked so elegantly sad. As we all feel.

C.

Chloé Van Paris said...

This is sad indeed.
But when YSL retired he was very lonely in his depression.
It always the same...

ellie said...

Really an excellent post about him.

Thanks for the comment too.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Rebecca, The Clothes Horse said...

I think is his being remembered incredibly well. His work is so highly respected and revered.

Andy said...

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Check it, comment it !
xxx

Andy said...

I posted something new..
Check it, comment it !
xxx

Ashleigh said...

r.i.p. He was and always will be an inspiration to many

atelier said...

Nice post. He was a genious, and it's so sad!

I'll try to do a MA in fashion journalism in London for course '09-2010, where are u going to study fashion journalism at?

Danz said...

Thanks for the wonderful comment inaki :) I really thought people would have much more respect for him. That's really very sad because he definitely deserves it after all he has contributed to the fashion.

Ray TETAUIRA said...

vivienne westwood was particulary sexy and scandalous compared to Pilati's sadness chic elegance !!

Coco's Tea Party said...

Wow Stefano Pilati does look good there. Like a more stylish mix of Chris Martin and Justin Timberlake
I like it!

Mary-Laure said...

What a beautiful tribute!
In my post about St Laurent, I also linked to Pierre Bergé's moving eulogy of his partner, and an interview of Suzy Menkes from the Herald Tribune.
This week's French ELLE also features a beautiful recollection.
I was really sooooooo sad to learn Saint Laurent is no more... How we'll miss him!

Jay Puc said...

a genius is gone
so sad :(


x

Jay

riz said...

We just blogged about the same thing!... Yes his influence has spread widely though it is little acknowledged!

hila said...

What a beautiful post for a beautiful man. Yves was my first fashion love.

atelier said...

I think I am going to try in St. Martins, but it's going to be so difficult get a place there because English is not my first language... Anyway, I'll try, and second in my list are Kingston University and also yours;)! so maybe we'll see, but I will try for next 2009-2010 course.

Andy said...

Goodbye YVES!

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X