This is something I think is long overdue. For the month of July, Italian Vogue will be featuring 4 different covers all with black models, and all of the editorial features will focus on black women in the arts and entertainment industry. Amazing! This has never before been seen from such a huge fashion magazine, and it doesn’t get any bigger than Vogue. I am going to personally suscribe to Italian Vogue from now on since reading this story. To date I only susbcribe to the American Vogue, maybe they can learn a thing or to from this fantastic story. Even though it does cost $265.52 for 12 issues, I think it’s more than worth it. Plus I’ll save a few dollars every month as opposed to buying from NYC City news stands. Read the full story

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NEW YORK — A month after the death of Yves Saint Laurent, Christie’s is auctioning seven pieces of the legendary French fashion designer’s clothing and jewelry representing nearly every decade of his career.

The items at the July 2 auction include a 1958 cocktail dress for Dior and a 1970s Rive Gauche camel cable-knit sweater trimmed in fox fur similar to one Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis wore.

“What’s exciting about the collection is that you see the progression of his career. He was a real style-setter,” said Christie’s couture specialist Laura Leyfer.

Saint Laurent died on June 1 at age 71. Considered one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, his creations _ from pop-art print mini-dresses to peasant skirts and elegant pantsuits _ endure to this day.

The cable-knit sweater _ with a pre-sale estimate of $250 to $400 _ is a version of one Onassis was often photographed wearing, a style she owned in several colors, according to Christie’s auction catalog.

All of the items are in excellent condition and are relatively inexpensive because they aren’t new designs and have been worn, Leyfer said Friday. “That’s part of the appeal and it’s what makes it a collectible,” she said.

Another item for sale is a dusty pink layered tulle evening dress with metallic pink and silver embroidery, which Saint Laurent designed for Dior in 1958. It’s could fetch $1,000 to $1,500.

The costume jewelry includes a floral gold-tone metal and crystal stone necklace from 1990, estimated to sell for $1,000 to $1,500, and a hammered gilt-metal “ethnic” necklace from the 1970s that could bring $600 to $800.

The sale also includes pieces from other designers including Christian Lacroix, Thierry Mugler, Balenciaga and Gianni Versace. Source

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Paris - In an age when the vast majority of designers are hired guns for fashion labels whose founders are retired in some considerable comfort, it was refreshing to see the exhilaratingly beautiful fall 2008 collection of Yves Saint Laurent the happy result of creative director Stefano Pilati having the guts and the gall to really go for it.

Part futurist vision, part dashing exercise in tailoring, this was as original a collection as you are likely to see, based on a wonderful new, broad shouldered, loose cut jacket, curvy, jodhpur like pants, worn over night club warrior patent leather boots.

One typically spectacular look wafted down the runway of the Grand Palais on model Olga Scherer, an asymmetrically cut biker jacket in a tough industrial leather with a chain mail choker and mega high brown velvet pants - a great head turning moment yet a completely credible fashion statement.

Pilati’s sense of how to use volume as a flattering design element rather than a designer’s ego statement was also admirable - with mannish Jesuit sleeved white shirts, peplum flounced tunics or fiendishly well-cut wrap skirts. This show should also bury a frequent criticism of Pilati, that is clothes age women a little; for his twirling cuts, tough chic finish and sense of gal in control proportions kept the mood very youthful. Take the cocktail worn by Lily Donaldson, a mauve silk look with tight torso, bubble skirt and humungous black belt that would work on a granny or a teenage gal. Made in blacks and grays, with hints of turquoise, electric blue and the designer’s fetish pale yellow, the palette was as coherent as the collection.

And, being Stefano, there had to be an absurdist artistic twist, such as his triple of coats and dresses, made it seemed of fishing flies sewn onto the fabric.

“I mean at this point if I don’t send down the catwalk my inner instincts and what comes from gut, well what’s the point?” Pilati told FWD at a post-show party in new club Sens.

On stellar example of Pilati’s growing self-confidence is the fact that he styles his collection’s himself - practically no designers skip the crutch of an independent stylist - and the result was the best styled show in Paris this year. Models appeared in mop-top black wigs, their eyes largely hidden, and with midnight blue lipstick making for a memorable series of images. One could only recognize fashion’s catwalk superstars through their walks - Mariacarla Boscono with a jaunty, flicking foot style, Natasha Poly with her uniquely regal poise. Plus the designer even dreamt up a fantastic stage set, an enormous stretch fabric, white cocoon inside which his audience felt beguilingly transported.

Story By Godfrey Deeny

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“I wanted a face for the woman I dress.” — Yves Saint Laurent….Remember when you first started experimenting with makeup and you frittered your allowance at the drugstore’s troughs of Wet ‘n’ Wild, dolling your eyes in bonker-blues and tarting your pucker in garish corals, like a Palm Beach retiree crossed with a hooker? It’s time to revisit those carefree preteen days, only with a little more artistry, and Yves Saint Laurent’s spring cosmetics collection will show you the way. Touche Éclat, the stellar pen-brush that raised worldwide standards for concealer, now comes in the form of glowing, water-resistant eyeshadow in shades of muted Golden Girls ($27.50). Lollipop-swirled tubes of Pop Stick Blush ($42), sheer lipsticks in what would be daffy colors if cranked up to full saturation ($28), peacock-blue Mascara Volume Infini Curl ($26.50) and limited-edition pinky-bronze Palette Pop powder compact inspired by a greeting card Monsieur Saint Laurent once drew ($60) round out the look of granny-meets-gamine—just in time to welcome the loony yet lovely day jackets and bloomers hitting shops for spring. At most department stores.

HARMONY 3: GLAMOR & RHYTHM

The sensual, intuitive Yves Saint Laurent woman introduces a new play on shadow and light, dispensing the colour effect with surprising ease. In two brushstrokes she veils her skin with light. And in a third stroke creates intense, sexy, smoky eyes. She applies a wide line of L’EYELINER NOIR along her upper and lower lash lines, covers her upper lids with EYE COLOUR TOUCH N°4 Glazed Brown and adds a note of mystery with EYE COLOUR TOUCH N°1 Golden Jade. She shapes her lashes with MASCARA VOLUME INFINI CURL N° 1 Infinite Petrol-Blue. And to create a contrast with her eyes, she adds a final brushstroke, giving her lips the transparent shimmer of GOLDEN GLOSS N° 13 Golden Nude.

In 1978, Yves Saint Laurent created his line of make-up and sparked a sensation by adapting the bold, elegant, colours and visionary style of his clothes to the make-up universe. In 2008, to celebrate this 30th anniversary year in rich colour, Yves Saint Laurent Make-up will draw from the designer’s favourite themes and iconic creations with each successive season.

In this first tribute, the New Spring Look 2008 is inspired by one of the famous love greeting cards – the one from 1992 – sketched by Yves Saint Laurent and sent to his friends as an expression of affection. It is faithfully carried over to the PALETTE POP with its eminently wearable shades carrying a wave of freshness that is ideal in the spring sunlight.

In her usual flamboyant way, the Yves Saint Laurent woman reveals her romantic side, flirting with soft shades, luxuriating in fresh textures and naturally adopting ultra-contemporary, yet simple tips for application.

In a celebration of love and flowers, the New Spring Look 2008, interpreted by Val Garland, Artistic Advisor for Yves Saint Laurent Make-up, enhanced the model’s eyes with soft blue and green, a delicate and rosy complexion, and “embrace me”…lies the make-up look combines grace and sensuality in an effect that is totally today.

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