Art & YSL

In an article by the WWD Staff writers, tribute is payed to one of the most celebrated designers of our the time, the late Yves Saint Laurent.

A tribute payed in artwork.

This week, thousands of Parisians flocked to the Grand Palais to view the designer's 700+ piece collection that once filled his apartment that he shared with his parter, Pierre Bergé. Most of the art is up for sale. Auction goer Betty Catroux noted, “'It’s only now I realise how lucky I was to live among such beauty,' adding she’ll accompany Bergé through 'every minute' of the three-day sale. 'We are a close family you know. We never leave each other’s side.'"

The art is being displayed in replica rooms of Saint Laurent's apartment, and the special set up allows visitors to see the art close up, almost within arms reach. The reason? Scenographer Nathalie Crinière says, “that's because they’re still part of life, there’re not in a museum yet,” he explained. Crinière directed a team of 250 people who worked on the installation non-stop for a week.

The art is a hodge-podge of sculpture, classical pieces, and post-modern works. Renowned painters, including Picasso, Matisse, Mondrian and Degas, round out the beautiful display. “'It’s a beautiful homage but it’s very sad, I saw these pieces several times in Yves Saint-Laurent’s homes,' mused Hubert de Givenchy."

Because You're Worth It

The multi-facited brand that reminds women everywhere that they're worth it has been on a steady track to reinvent their image for 2009. In a WWD article by Jennifer Weil, the mega-brand is planning several upcoming changes for the company, including "up[ping] its advertising outlay while at the same time cutting its number of stockkeeping units, introducing lower-priced items, implementing a hiring freeze in certain markets and focusing on innovative products."

L’Oréal's CEO Jean-Paul Agon hopes that by incorporating these changes to the company, they will grow faster this year than other cosmetic brands. Like many companies, L’Oréal faces adversity in 2008, "with a slowdown in markets and also inventory reductions by our distributor customers who themselves were subjected to very difficult financial pressures."

North America seems to be a tough market for the company; even though mass market succeeded very well, the U.S. specifically was slightly sluggish. For 2009, the company hopes to accelerate their advertising campaign.

As for the new, innovative products, several items are in the works. For example, Lancôme’s new Oscillation mascara, which Agon hopes will "add another way the firm is adapting to the current crisis is by introducing more accessibly priced products to brands such as Garnier, L’Oréal Paris and Vichy, in order to reach a wider audience."

Overall, L’Oréal is optimistic about 2009. The more affordable items will most likely be their biggest help, but only time will tell.

Back to the Future

If you have your hand in several honey pots, something sweet is bound to happen. Designer Vera Wang can relate. With a very large and impressionable stake in the fashion world, Vera not only designs RTW apparel, but also bridal gowns, homewares, and perfume. You could say she lives a charmed existence.

In an article from WWD by Marcie Young, the author explores the future of Vera Wang. Specifically, shoes.

Collaborating with St. Louis based Brown Shoe Co. she's adding high-end shoes that match her clothes perfectly. Says Wang, “It’s very much a stylish-girl-meets-street attitude. There is a bit of femininity and toughness.” The shoe collection includes ballet flats, espadrilles, sandals, clogs, pumps, and boots.

Matching the vision of several of her compatriots, Wang has had great success with her secondary line, Vera Wang Lavender Label. Much like Prada's Miu Miu and Chloé's See By Chloé, the Lavender Label offers all of the beautiful design aesthetics of her regular line, but at a fraction of the price.

This next step is only natural for Wang, who not only has an A-list following, but major commercial appeal as well. Wang has to ability to resonate with women everywhere, and says that, "All my [products] are an expression of my own personal design vocabulary. Details on a dress can inspire bed linens or stationery, while jewelry or embellishments can adorn a bag or shoe.”

With the current economic situation of this country, it's especially prudent that Wang is giving options for everyday women with the Lavender Label. Not everyone has the disposable income necessary for lavish designer shopping spree. The secondary lines help the woman who wants to look fantastic and chic, but without maxing out her credit card. Of course, items are still not "cheap" by some women's standards. However, Wang feels that the quality of the products she offers speak for themselves.



Runway images from Style.com

The Fashion Big Top

Every year, twice a year, fashion comes to New York. The mecca for fashionable men and women everywhere, Bryant Park Fashion Week is a seen and be seen kind of event. A who's who of the industry, we see who's the toast of the town, the It Girl, et cetera.

Now, it seems that everything is getting scaled back. Blame it on the recession if you will, because grandiose is no longer in style.

In an article for WWD found here, written by Veronique Highland, we witness the symbolic death of fashion week, as the iconic Week is being moved from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center.

A look back on the past decade and a half spent there:

The tents opened in 1993, with a DKNY show. The tents were a welcome surprise, as in the past most shows were conducted in cramped showrooms. The general consensus? The tents? good. The clothes? Eh. They could stand to liven up a bit.

And so they did. But so did the festivities within. Soon, sponsors became involved, much like a sporting event or an Olympic team. The giveaways and goody bags added that final cherry on top. Out went glamour, in came free pizza.

Celebrities soon began filling into the shows. Paparazzi of course ensued, causing even more hysteria than normal. Sometimes, in an effort to fill seats, C-list celebrities were invited to attend.

But now that the venue is moving, what can be expected? The sweet smell of success? Or a slap in the face and a "What were we thinking?!" moment. Perhaps a mixture of the two. While tradition is held dear to most people's hearts, and change comes grudgingly (I'm included in that one), the unknown is quite exciting. Fashion is moving into a new era, and perhaps the current situation in the world has us all tightening our belts and rolling up our sleeves.