R.I.P Yves Saint Laurent

I just though I would have a good rant about something that’s bothering me at the moment. It may be old news, but I can get away with it because I’m new here. I’ve always had a soft spot for Hedi Slimane: he’s an amazing photographer, his work at Dior Homme was so magical, that Karl Lagerfeld, the second coming of Jesus, went on a diet to loose 42 kilos, just so he could squeeze his aged frame into a Slimane suit. If any of you see the amazing pun there, we should probably be friends.

However his most recent decision as the creative director of Yves Saint Laurent annoys me just a bit. For those who live in caves and have not yet heard, ‘Yves Saint Laurent’ is to be renamed ‘Saint Laurent Paris’, the aim of this change being to restore “the house to its truth, purity and essence – and taking it into a new era”, while “respecting the original principles and ideals”. Yes, the new name sounds similar to the original ‘Saint Laurent Rive Gauche’ but if anything, that makes Hedi’s decision seem more like a step back. Also, let’s face it, what sounds better: Yves Saint Laurent or Saint Laurent Paris?

On the other hand, I can see why Mr Slimane, was so keen to change the name: Sportsdirect. Not that I have been in there recently, god forbid, but rumour has it that the former house of glory has resorted to selling disgustingly tacky shirts and polos in Hell (or Sportsdirect. Let’s not be picky here). To make it worse, the only people I have ever seen wearing these hideous garments, seem to either be horrifically overweight, or alcoholics, staining, literally, the brand’s name with the super strength lager that they dribble down themselves in their drunken stupor. Sorry about that, had a little stream of consciousness.

On the same topic, one would think that a change in name would mean the death of one of the world’s most famous logos, seen on everything, from perfume to nail varnish, but no it does not. You may consider this a good thing, but here’s my question: if they love the logo so much, why change the name?? Sorry you didn’t find out earlier Hedi, but nowhere in the words ‘Saint Laurent Paris’ is there a ‘y’. Hate to make you feel silly.

Raf’s the word….

Hi again! I just thought I would jump on the bandwagon and add my piece to the Raf Simons vs Galliano fight. Both are amazing designers in their own respect (minus the anti-semitic rants in Galliano, but we’ll take that out of the equation for this one shall we?)

When the announcement was made that Raf Simons, king of my favourite genre of eeeeeeeverything, minimalism, was to be placed at the helm of the great explosion of extravagance, Dior, I wasn’t the only one to have had my doubts, but I must say: the boy done good!! For those of you not familiar with Dior ( and if you aren’t, WHY ARE YOU HERE?!) here is a quick crash course: basically Raf Simons is famous for his minimalist work at Jil Sander; the words minimalism and Dior have only been put together since Raf arrived at 30 Avenue Montaigne. Also before we get started, watch Raf’s first show, AW2012/13 if you haven’t already!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYKUMwODbbI&feature=relmfu

Coming back from that, you may be looking the screen in deep confusion: Was that a couture show? Did I give you the wrong link? No, that is it! Yes, I admit, I loved that, finally, Dior has given me a minimal couture show! I always had respect for Galliano, but we did have a bit of a taste clash. On the other hand, it was perhaps a bit tooooooo pret-ish, I will give you that much. But if we really think about this, isn’t this exactly what the eponymous Pope of this basilica of style had in mind?? Just have a look at the original concept of “The New Look”! Also in a world where it’s cool to break conventions, isn’t the best way of doing that reverting to the original style? Mixing in some deep philosophy there.

Yes, Galliano was an amazing artist, but its time to move on! Raf will give the recently tarnished brand a breath of fresh life and whether you like him or not, think how much attention he has received for it. Always remember; no publicity is bad publicity and if you care about the house, at least be happy that the whole Galliano fiasco is slowly dying away…

Hooooooola!

A big hello to everyone! So, for my first post, I thought I’d write something about me, so that those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting me (tongue in cheek, I promise), can have the virtual chance to meet the virtual me. Yay!

Really, most of the stuff you need to know is in the ‘about’ section, but on top of that what can I tell you? Hmmmmm…. lets start with music: my favourite genre at the moment is probably minimal techno, especially anything by Ben Klock or any of the Ostgut Tontraeger guys (if you’ve ever been to Berghain you’ll know what I’m talking about, if you haven’t don’t worry about it). I’m also a huuuge Ricardo Villalobos fan; if you’re in London, check the Fabric listings: he’s there quite often.

Other than my niche music tastes, I’m not as annoyingly indie as it would seem (at least I think so). I’m a keen linguist and I speak (and write) pretty much fluent French, German and some fairly useless African languages, as well as fairly decent Portuguese and ok-ish Japanese, so if any of you are desperate for some posts in any of the aforementioned languages, just drop me a line.

Ok, last but not least: Fashion! If you get me started on this, I will talk for hours: just warning you now. Like my music tastes, I have a penchant for a good bit of minimalism, but there is nothing wrong with a splash of colour, unless you are Donatella Versace, in which case you are evil. My true love at the moment is Alber Elbaz: everything he touches turns to gold (and not in the cheap, tacky way that Ms Versace does). Just look at this link and try to tell me that I’m wrong. http://www.lanvin.com/#/en/collections/womens-autumn-winter-2012/runway-WW2012