FabSugar

Fab Field Trip: The Yves Saint Laurent Exhibit at the De Young Museum, San Francisco

FabSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:08:52 -0700

Thursday morning, I was enlightened. Since Yves Saint Laurent's death this past Summer, the fashion world has been paying tribute and speaking praise. Perhaps one of the best ways to do both is to showcase an extensive collection of the artist's work. And so, the de Young museum of San Francisco gave me a sneak peek of Yves Saint Laurent's highly anticipated exhibition, spanning 40 years and 130 ensembles. The exhibit is open to the public Saturday.

The most special guest was there: Pierre Bergé, Yves's partner and business associate since 1961. Pierre spoke to a small group of local press and was humble and heartfelt. His words about Yves tugged on my heartstrings and got me really excited to view the exhibition. "Today is the first collection after his death." He referred to Yves as "one of the greatest of our time." He pointed out that "in our world women are more and more important" and Yves recognized that. "The collection is just a part of Yves's work," reminding us of the 5,000 plus YSL pieces that are preserved and kept in Paris. Can you imagine? He also called San Francisco "a beautiful city" and was proud to have the foggy city house such a collection. Side note: Pierre was wearing an Obama pin.

To read more about my enlightenment and to see loads of wonderful Yves Saint Laurent creations, read more

As a fashion journalist, I am aware of the importance of Yves Saint Laurent. But personally, I haven't had much experience with the house's clothes. Yves showed his last collection in 2002. Only now can I actually purchase pieces from the house, but today's pieces aren't touched by the originator. I have admired vintage YSL, but no, I have never worn an original Yves Saint Laurent. My enlightenment emerged upon viewing precious pieces from "Le Smoking," his homage to Africa collection, the famous Mondrian dress, and representations from his Ballets Russes collection. These were all familiar, as seen in textbooks and pictures, but in real life they are incredible.

The massive collection, curated in an organized yet unique fashion, made my head spin. Another realization was how many of today's designers draw inspiration from these ideas that were presented decades ago. I saw Giambattista Valli in a voluminous LBD, Armani in sleek beaded evening wear, Marc Jacobs in quirky party dresses, Michael Kors in jetsetting separates. YSL Haute Couture was presented through a glass display, and videos and runways shows played throughout. It was a YSL feast for the eyes.

While everything impressed, I had a few favorites I went back to admire a couple more times. First off, the body revealed collection of evening dresses. Yves pushed the envelope with revealing flesh, but he did so with taste. These are key examples. The Africana pieces were super fun; the intricate beading and the exotic cuts were stunning. This famous knit wedding gown made me chuckle. Lastly, his art inspired pieces were pretty magnificent.

This exhibit is both a proper homage and a destination for any fashion lover. On this spooky holiday, this Yves quote felt rather fitting: “My profession is the loving dialogue of this naked woman with all the magic spells of the wrapping of my fabrics.” Consider me spellbound.

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Fab Field Trip: Saks' San Francisco's Spankin' New Shoe Department

FabSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:00:22 -0700

So I'm shoe obsessed. Who isn't? Imagine my elation when I found out the Saks in San Francisco was redoing its shoe department to mirror the famous New York one. The one I visit every time I'm in New York. The one I interviewed Lindsay Price in. The one with its own zip code. The one. Now there's a mini one right outside my office, on my way home, Fab. Team Fab took a peruse through the stunning new department and it's an underground shoe haven, complete with floating glass bubbles and 1,100 shoes. New brands include Ann Demeulemeester, Givenchy (yes!), Dries van Noten, and Gianvito Rossi. Shoes are displayed on various posh surfaces and a variety of chandeliers make the space feel warm and inviting. The curved banquettes make trying on shoes a deeply fabulous experience.

What made us swoon? Favorites included sequined Miu Mius, bowed Valentinos, edgy Givenchys, cheeky Chanels, and artsy Drieses. Oh, and the most massive Louboutin display, ever. They have more Louboutins than the Louboutin store in Paris. I kid you not. If you happen to be in SF anytime soon, put this on your itinerary.

For more shoes glorious shoes, read more.

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Fab Field Trip: Yves Saint Laurent, San Francisco

FabSugar — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:44:44 -0700

While Carla Bruni, Claudia Schiffer, and Catherine Deneuve paid their last respects to Monsieur Yves Saint Laurent by attending his funeral, Fab and PartySugar got dressed up in YSL-inspired outfits and visited the boutique on Maiden Lane in San Francisco. Our intention wasn't to shop (we swear!) but rather to be as close to Yves as humanly possible through the brand's groundbreaking, fabulous-beyond-words goods. I was inspired by Stefano Pilati's Spring '08 collection, and of course couldn't resist throwing on my Yves Saint Laurent Mini Star Bracelet as a finishing touch. Alas, we did walk out with bags - trois to be exact - but who can resist YSL anything (especially on sale)? Want to see what went down? Take a Fab field trip with us. Oh! And you didn't think we'd go without picking up something for you - stay tuned for a YSL handbag giveaway!

To see what we purchased and for some fun photos of our field trip, read more

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Fab Field Trip: Sak's Snazzy New Shoe Department

FabSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:26:49 -0700

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Fab Field Trip to YSL

FabSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:28:08 -0700

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Fab Tip: Squeaky Clean Your Patent

FabSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:50:22 -0700

It had been a while since I last popped into Yves Saint Laurent, so I just took another Fab field trip. I'm so glad I did because besides leaving with a brand new patent wallet (yay!) - a smaller, gray version of this Yves Saint Laurent Belle De Jour Wallet ($575) - I also left with a helpful tip on how to squeaky clean patent.

Want to know what that tip is? Then read more.

When the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding said Windex is the solution for everything, I didn't believe him. I'm officially a believer after the YSL specialist told me to use it to clean my patent leather wallet. He said to take an old t-shirt, spray the wallet or any other patent leather item with a few spritzes of Windex ($6), and wipe it clean. I definitely had a duh moment - I'm glad I heard it from a professional.

Biggest Headline of 2008: Rest In Peace, Yves Saint Laurent

FabSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:00:22 -0800

It was a sad Sunday. I remember waking to the news of fashion great Yves Saint Laurent passing June 1; throughout the week the fashion world mourned. We put together a tribute slideshow, but that will never do the couturier justice. Looking back on Fab, before June 1, we featured Yves Saint Laurent on a regular basis. Most being new school YSL, under the direction of creative director Stefano Pilati, all being rooted in the man who popularized menswear for women, beatnik, and safari style. Even before then, Yves was thrown into the fire at Christian Dior, upon Dior's death, and kept the house afloat at the ripe age of 21. This man was arguably the first couturier to delve into ready-to-wear. His Rive Gauche stores sold his RTW creations, and he became an international sensation with actress Catherine Deneuve and icon Loulou de la Falaise favoring his clothes. Like many risk-takers, Yves's collections were often pooh-poohed by the press - but ended up setting the trends. Yves retired in 2002. Many of today's designers cite YSL as being an influence, and the designer left behind countless friends and fans. Here are some of our favorite stories about the late designer and the house:

To see the rest, read more

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I Want This Wardrobe: Sex and the City Movie

FabSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:00:22 -0700

What's better than Mexico? Why, Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda in Mexico! Now if only they had filmed in Zihuatanejo during my trip. Oh well, next time. It's no surprise that the Fab four brightened the already-colorful background of their hot locale by wearing gorgeous swimsuits and cover-ups. Some of their outfit choices, mainly Samantha's, were too extreme for the average gal, but if you're a part of Sex and the City, you're anything but average. Oh, and if you want to know what they're cracking up about, go see the movie.

On Carrie

Shirt, Splendid
Hat, Hermes

On Miranda

Cover-up and Bathing Suit, Milly

On Samantha

Bathing Suit, Carmen Marc Valvo ($167)
Cover-up, House of Field
Sunglasses, Louis Vuitton

To see what Samantha also wore in Mexico, read more.

Dress, Herve Leger
Hat, Sonia Rykiel
Shoes, Jimmy Choo
Bag, Rebecca Minkoff

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