On 1 June 2009, the fashion world will commemorate the one-year anniversary of fashion legend Yves Saint-Laurent’s death. A name, an individual so synonymous with beauty and elegance, his legacy stands out amongst a pool of already inspirational designers of his generation.
We love Yves Saint Laurent because he was a genius whose mission was to create splendor, sophistication, and self-confidence for women. From the “jet-set” socialites of the late 20th century like Catherine Deneuve to ordinary women going to work everyday, Yves Saint Laurent’s art communicated the evolving role of women in society.
Bullied at school as a child for his flamboyance, Yves Saint Laurent would take refuge at home reading the editorials in Vogue–wherefrom his passion for fashion blossomed. At the age of 14, he entered a fashion contest beating out future fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, enabling him to meet the editor-in-chief of French Vogue Michel de Brunhoff. De Brunhoff loved his drawings, showed them to designer Christian Dior, and Yves landed a job under the mega fashion house Dior. Within 7 years, the young genius took over the Dior house after the death of its former head designer. Continue reading “Men We Love: Yves Saint Laurent” »
Self-deprecating. There, I said it. The one word that is most often used to describe Conan O’Brien is out of the way. Before continuing, I must disclose my undying man love for “the Cone Bone,” as my friend Christie and I refer to him. One of my happiest moments was when I shook the Man’s hand while sitting in the front row of his studio before a taping of Late Night – my fourth time there. Despite some of the lackluster guests I’ve witnessed both live and on TV, it’s Conan’s own brand of humor that keeps drawing me back. I LOL at robot pimps and FedEx popes. Preparation H always feels best when a big-eared dude rubs it on. And is it normal that manatees make me horny? (That’s probably enough to make anyone who’s unfamiliar log off and say a prayer for my soul.)
Raised in Brookline, Mass., Conan was valedictorian of his high school’s 1981 senior class before attending Harvard, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in History and Literature. So how does a background often shared by important businessmen, lawyers, and presidents lead a person to late-night television, where bathroom humor entertains the bourgeois and fart jokes wash over the likes of me with the sophistication of a masturbating bear? Continue reading “Men We Love: Conan O’Brien” »
With a background in tailoring, photography, and furniture design, Parisian born designer Hedi Slimane’s presence in fashion industry is legendary, particularly in respect to the evolution of menswear. Famously known as the man behind Dior Homme, introduced in 2000, Slimane launched his narrow and finely tailored suits, which became a staple in menswear fashion. By altering the cut of the traditional men’s suit, Slimane presented a modernized structured and to many critics a more feminine pant leg, which set the precedence for Dior as a unisex brand. Slimane can also be accredited for his work at Louis Vuitton (the monogram series) and the 1997 reinvention of YSL Rive Gauche Homme.
Not only is he an amazing designer, Slimane is also known for his model recruitment, as he was privy to scouting young thin talent. As a photographer, his work has appeared in Vanity Fair, Prada ads, and a host of other designers. In 1994, he even published Stage, a photography book of his rock photography. Continue reading “Men We Love: Hedi Slimane” »
This Men We Love is more like Men We’re Jealous Of, Anthony Bourdain hands down has one of the greatest careers; from world traveler to chef to author. If you never had the privilege to watch his show on the Travel Channel No Reservations, you’re missing out on something great. Bourdain travels the world in search of culinary delicacies.
Graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1978, and becoming the Chef-at-Large of Brasserie Les Halles, where he held this title for over a decade. In Kitchen Confidential, Bourdain describes how his love of food was kindled in France and how he found out his calling in while working at a seafood restaurants in Provincetown, Massachusetts while attending Vassar College. Following his graduation of the Culinary Institute , Bourdain went on to run various restaurants in New York City including the Supper Club, One Fifth Avenue, and Sullivan’s.
Watch No Reservation on Monday nights at 10pm on the Travel Channel.
From going from so-called back packer producer to pop culture icon, the boy Pharrell has done well. NYLON magazine features him in their upcoming issue and provided your eyes with this short video highlighting Pharrell’s thoughts on life and fashion. Sit back and watch his playful demeanor. You might learn a thing or two.
I don’t know anyone under 30 (or 40 or 50, etc.) who wouldn’t wish to have the same success enjoyed by Seth Rogen so quickly (yours truly included). Success, however, doesn’t usually fall onto an undeserving person’s lap. (And when it does, it’s usually not you. You’re the guy standing in the corner envisioning what it would be like to feed the jerk your gourmet knuckle sandwich.) Well, lucky for Rogen, his face won’t meet your fist, because you actually like him. What more, he’s not exactly undeserving. This 26-year-old Canadian comes on the scene swinging with his winning one-two punch: talent and connections. Continue reading “Men We Love: Seth Rogen” »
The chemistry between these two is what we’ve read in fairy tales and can only wish to duplicate, it’s been a long time I’ve seen a couple that moved me the way these two compliment each other so well. Here they are having their First Dance as President and First Lady to Etta Jame’s “At Last” performed by Beyonce.
Thom Browne has very insightful philosophies on style. One in particular that I can relate to is “I don’t understand why everybody thinks that dressing casually is so much more comfortable. I’m as comfortable in a suit as I am in anything else” I can say the same thing about my 4 and 6-inch stilettos. If it were socially acceptable, I’d do my grocery shopping in Badgley Mishka gowns and Jimmy Choos!
Thom Browne has created his own set of style rules. Maybe not as extreme as ball gowns in the grocery store but by putting his own retro stamp on modern day menswear. After graduating from Notre Dame with a degree in business, he later became a sales rep for the Giorgio Armani showroom in NYC. Ralph Lauren brand, Club Monaco, then picked him up. There, he spent several years in their design and merchandising department before starting his own fashion line in 2001. By 2006, he was already the recipient of the Council of Fashion Designers of America award for Menswear Designer of the Year. Browne speaks fondly of the man behind the “Thom Browne” suit, his tailor who has been in the business for 60 years. He understands the natural lines of the body and how to construct a precision tailored piece. Together, they create an image that’s dapper yet casual and fit to perfection. Continue reading “Men We Love: Thom Browne” »
