Depression Confession: Yves Saint Laurent
Although this tends to be Liz Spikol’s area of expertise, I’ve got a style-related Depression Confession today.
The Telegraph has an excellent interview with Pierre Bergé, longtime business partner and lover of Yves Saint Laurent. Speaking out for the first time since Laurent’s death this past summer, Bergé reveals that the French fashion designer suffered from depression.
“Designing made him deeply miserable,” says Pierre Bergé, who co-founded the YSL couture house with Saint Laurent in 1961. “Sadly, Yves was not built for joy. He was an unhappy person who didn’t have a taste for life. Occasionally, he was happy, but life was difficult for him. The depression ran deep.”[via Telegraph]
Bergé is auctioning off the art collection he amassed with Laurent. Learn more about the exquisite pieces owned by the couple in the video below.
What To Do This Weekend: Apparently, Sports Will Be Played On Sunday
Punk Rock Flea Market
Sun., Feb. 1, 10am-4pm. $3. Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow sts. 866.468.7619. www.r5productions.com
Since the Eagles screwed up and won’t be on the road to victory, ease your pain with retail therapy at the Punk Rock Flea Market. Expect typical flea market items as well as crafts and music. And for those who still give a damn about football, you’ll be home for kick-off.
Bruce Springsteen Halftime Show
Sun, Feb. 1, Halfway through that big football game this weekend, FOX
True story: “Born to Run” is almost entirely responsible for my successful relationship. My love for The Boss is unabashed. Sure, I’d way rather see him in person, but I’ll take what I can get. Especially if it includes my favorite feel good anthem, which it damn well better.
Goin’ To The Chapel: Flying Solo
PW associate editor Anastasia Kotsosavas is getting married (to a guy with an equally long, equally Greek last name). In eight months, she’s going to walk down the aisle come hell or high water (or even worse: rain). She’ll be chronicling all her crazy planning experiences here—including the quest for the perfect dress. Donations can be sent to the PW offices.
By now I’ve been to my fair share of venders trying to plan this wedding. The one thing that stands out to me is the question I get every time I call for a consultation. “Is mom coming with you?”
I remember the first time I heard it. Last fall, I’d gone with my BFF Roula to look for her wedding dress. They sat her down and told her to fill out a form. Kinda weird but I figured it was standard operating procedure; you do it at the dentist office, right? When the bridal consultant came over, she asked Roula, “Is your mother going to help you make your final decision?”
Roula was horrified. Although her mother is a perfectly nice lady and probably would’ve had a small impact on which dress she selected, Roula was appalled on my behalf.
My mother passed away when I was 16 years old. Although I’ve come to terms with it, dealing with others who haven’t is always a sticky situation. When someone broaches the subject of moms in my presence, my friends and family always get squeamish. I guess they assume bringing up the subject reminds me, makes me upset. I sometimes want to point out that I don’t a need a reminder.
Happy Thursday: All You Need to Know About the Street Style Blog Phenomenon
It’s not always easy to piece together a cleverly styled outfit when your alarm goes off at 5 a.m. and hitting the snooze button would deprive you of the chance to make coffee. Luckily, the ever-growing popularity of street style blogs could offer some inspiration.
Lookbook, an online community of the fashion savvy, is even more entertaining. The people featured on here actually get dressed, style their hair, and somehow find a way to take pretty impressive shots of themselves using the self timer function on their digital camera. And while I can appreciate the idea of an online community for cute kids, I kind of resent this at the same time because how much time can you possibly have in a week to post eight photos of yourself in eight different elaborately styled outfits with perfect lighting while shot with a self timer!? Too much!! Too much, I tell you! If you look that “cool,” you should have places to go or friends to see, or something, right?
My favorite blogger had some poignant style commentary about Lookbook. (Poignant, as in, this post is really hilarious and totally worth reading.)
As for local street style, I found this girl on Philadelphia magazine’s street style feature. I also found this sad, sad Philly street style video report in which a girl in a boring shapeless khaki trench rattles off the names of all the designers she is wearing, and I am kind of over it before she stops talking, because I don’t get the whole “spend a fortune yet look like you are a preferred Kohl’s shopper” deal. Let’s keep this in the suburbs! A douchey-looking college guy is stoked to show off his Old Navy-esque striped sweater, reminding me just why I am always out and about in the city yet still single. Another girl describes her dress as, “vintage but not vintage.” In conclusion, if anyone approaches you in the streets of Philadelphia and asks to take your photo, or, “who are you wearing?,” immediately dash home, tear off your clothes, and set your “stylish” garb on fire in the closest side street trash can.
Another One Bites The Dust: Home Shopping Mag Domino Folds
Normally, this is the type of post where I’d play obituary writer and say nice things about the ‘zine. However, I didn’t even know Domino still existed. In fact, my only recollection of this magazine ever existing at all comes from a magazine journalism class in 2005, shortly after the home shopping mag launched. I distinctly remember my professor wondering, “What kind of people are going to read this?”
The official statement from Conde Nast claims the decision is purely economy driven.
“This decision to cease publication of the magazine and its website is driven entirely by the economy,” Mr. Townsend said. “Although readership and advertising response was encouraging in the early years, we have concluded that this economic market will not support our business expectations.” Domino was launched in April 2005. The magazine’s current ratebase is 800,000.
Gawker’s got the rest of the dirt on the increasingly unstable financials of Conde Nast.
Happy Wednesday: Introducing the Sassy Domestic.
Okay, so maybe your picket fence is actually a row of garbage cans lined along the curb of your sidestreet and your 2.5 kids are your twenty-something dude roommates who don’t need you to transport them to various extracurricular activities, just a ride home from the bar after last call once in a while. That doesn’t mean you can’t revel in a bit of domestic bliss.
You don’t have to sport a Peter Pan collar or a diamond on your ring finger. What the hell, you don’t even need a man at all! It’s 2009 and about time that tradition had a makeover. I give you: the Sassy Domestic. She works. She leaves dishes in the sink. She might call him. She might not. She’s any girl who can enjoy a good recipe when paired with a tall can of beer.
Every domestic needs a good cookbook. Written with the sassy domestic in mind, I Like You is an indispensable guide chock full of recipes, notes on ettiquite, and part ideas all from the whimsical mind of Amy Sedaris. You probably know her best as Jerri Blank from the TV series, Strangers With Candy. If you don’t know her, get to know her and you’ll make a beeline to the bookstore for your new kitchen bible!
While cooking alone or for your roommates, impress others or just feel more legit with an adorable apron from Anthropologie.
Spruce up your space without spending a fortune with Orla Kiely’s home line for Target. What would a girl do but dream without Target’s sweet designer collaborations?
Sprucing up may also involve cleaning out, but don’t toss everything! This D.I.Y. project can make an old record worth your time!
Lastly, nothing makes a home more homey than candles. Make your own teacup candles to give that glow a personal touch!