L'Amour Fou

It’s been two years since the Godfather of French Couture passed away. But Yves Saint Laurent will never –ever- be forgotten. He left the world a new shape of fashion: Peacoats, safari jackets, trench coats and smoking jackets for women. But most importantly: modern womenswear. As he put it, "My small job as a couturier is to make clothes that reflect our times. I'm convinced women want to wear pants."

Today the documentary about the love story between Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé kicks off in Dutch cinemas. Last Tuesday I attended the premiere and I was totally impressed and inspired by the story of this legend. Pierre Bergé talks about hope, dreams, success, beauty, art, friendship, drugs, travel, sadness and creation. If you love fashion, this docu-movie is a must-see!

124 Fashion Illustrations

More news from our favourite Fashion Illustrator Piet Paris! Yesterday he presented a book with 124 fashion illustrations (wannahave!), a serie of 10 postage stamps for STOP AIDS Now (wannabuy!) and a sales exhibition (wannasee!). All this whoopee took place at the Hirschgebouw at the Leidseplein. Do you want to buy, have and see too? Till October 29 you can go there and feed yourself. For free!

OWAP

And this is how I look like tomorrow at OWAP XL. Sort of.

The Original Warehouse Acid Party is the younger but bigger brother of OHAF (Oud Hollands Acid Feest) and won't be so exclusive as his lil' bro. Anyhow, this party will rock your socks with Danny Rampling, Tyree Cooper, Joost van Bellen and DJ Remy at the Gashouder. Dresscode: acidstyle, colourful psychedelic and fluorescent wild. And don't forget to bring whistles, blow horns, sweat gear and flashing lights!

There are still tickets available at http://www.meubelstukken.nl/

Marbert Rocel, Whoosah!

It's not house, not jazz, not soul, but something in between all of that. Marbert Rocel is full of happy, relaxing and down-tempo electronic beats, but not really similar to something I already know. They've been called the new Moloko, but I prefer this! Since the first time I've seen them live (15/05/09) I'm a die-hard fan and follow them everywhere they go. Even to Beachclub Whoosah of all places... Check out the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGW9x6eif_c

Piet @ Paris

For the spring/summer fashion show of Viktor & Rolf – presented at Paris Fashion Week – the Dutch fashion illustrator Piet Paris created a wonderful backdrop. The colorful and fashionable illustration looked fantastic and everyone really seemed to love it. Viktor & Rolf approached Piet Paris, who was their teacher in art school before, because they love his work. They gave him a short briefing and let Piet Paris fill in the rest of the picture. So far Piet Paris has worked for big international clients like Vogue, Harpers Bazar, W Magazine and Saks Fifth Avenue. And I think it’s absolutely great that he and Viktor & Rolf worked together on this. It once again proves how much talent we have in the Netherlands.

On 14 October Piet Paris will launch his own book, which will cover his best illustrations from the past twenty years. On that same day he will present a stamp he designed. Backstage at Viktor & Rolf Piet Paris said: ‘I started this year by designing my own small stamp and it’s funny that it seems like it ends with an enormous backdrop of 18 by 6 meters.’

http://www.teampeterstigter.com/

American Apparel Collectors Item?

The company that is known for its cotton basics, Y-front knickers and colorful leotards, is facing bankruptcy.

And it isn’t because of having oral sex with an employee in front of a female journalist that now threatens to undo Dov Charney, the perverse founder of American Apparel. The 41-year-old's professional and personal reputation isn't even on the line because at least three female employees have filed sexual harassment lawsuits against him. Nor because he walks through his factory in his underpants and conducts meetings wearing just a thong – or a sock. The sock is not, one should add, worn on his foot.

No, Charney admits there were some mistakes made and he’s not sure about the company’s future. American Apparel has debts of 120,3 million dollar and is losing money at a rate of nearly 30 million dollar a year.

So where did it go wrong? I know I did everything I could to keep this brand alive and I will be running to stock up on tees, panties and hoodies. To be ahead of time, I’ve sorted out some good alternatives for you guys. And until that time: http://store.americanapparel.eu/

Sample Madness

Hooray... it's recession! And Sample Sale Season had opened. Check out these flyers and shop till you rock!