I know, I just posted about pre-1950 fashion designers, but the new Alexander McQueen book, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (2011), has got me excited again about some later designers of note. Sadly, McQueen committed suicide in February of 2010, but his work is amazing.
He said that he designed from the side, because that is the most difficult part of a piece to get to look good. If you think about it, it would be true. Most of our patterns are flat, and have a side seam. BORING!
Another very important designer in my book is Yves Saint Laurent. He got his big break when Dior died and they needed someone to take over the house of Dior. Sad terms, but they did him well. He has a 2010 book called simply Yves Saint Laurent which is very good with history as well as pictures.
I love that he said that his three favorite designers from the golden age (pre-1950) were Vionnet, Schiaparelli and Channel. Three favorites from my last Shelf Talk post.
I’ll end my post with the handsome and charismatic Tom Ford, who worked for Gucci and YSL until 2004. He then turned to other talents and in 2009 was the director of the critically acclaimed A Single Man with Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.
OK, I’ll try to keep quiet about fashion for now, but there are some fantastic books available at the library. You will become excited about fashion too. Even if, like me, you actually only wear Old Navy.
~ Mike B., Central Library
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