GAGA FOR BALENCIAGA

Lady GaGaNo, not Lady GaGa - although we love her - she is GaGa for Thierry Mugler!  We are GAGA over the latest Balenciaga Collection that Nicholas Ghesquiere showed in Paris on Thursday.    The collection was directional, wearable, and so Parisian chic!  While words like commercial are not always used as a compliment in the designer fashion world - in this economy - believe me - it is a compliment.  Nicolas Ghesquiere Ghesquiere draped silks and velvets in a way that was more Venetian shades than rouching - but it worked.   Nicholas toned down his out of this world aesthetic that has dominated his last few collections and gave us soft and supple and luxe by the mile.   These are the type of pieces that women will continue to spend large sums of money on.   When one look can make a woman feel feminine, sexy, and cover her arms all at the same time - its recession proof!  I'm sure department store buyers will be rewarding designers who can manage to serve up excitement on the runway - while still creating looks that will have registers ringing at full price next fall!  

CHRIS BROWN - NO STYLE

Chris Brown made an appearance in court yesterday to face assault charges stemming from his alleged attack on girlfriend Rihanna.   While I have never understood how this kid ever got a recording contract (those of you who saw him butcher Thriller at the world music awards in 2006 can attest) - his recent actions reveal that a weak voice is really the least of his worries.

To make matters worse - don't show up to court looking like you are going to be best man at a wedding!  Wear a black suit or something NOT so coordinated.   This is one time you don't want to look like your stylist picked out the perfect ensemble.   SO Tacky!  

It has been widely reported that Rihanna and Chris have reconciled.  Excuse me??!  What message is this sending to her young female fans?  

Rihanna is one of the most talented young performers in the industry today.   Let's hope she can turn the page and move on from this nightmare.    I think that ticking sound is Chris Brown's 15 minutes of fame running out!!

DIESEL FUEL FOR 5TH AVENUE?

Diesel - 5th Ave @ 54th Street - NYCThe latest and largest Diesel "Planet" store has opened on 5th Avenue at 54th Street.    Diesel spent over a year renovating the space previously occupied by Gucci.    Incidentaly, Gucci owns the building and is renting space in their own building as they decided to move the store north to Trump Tower -as to be closer to the Mecca of tourists - 57th & 5th.

continue article.. Diesel

SALE OF THE CENTURY

Yves Saint LaurentIn Life, Yves Saint Laurent captivated the world with his runway collections for 50 years.   In death, it is the collection that took 50 years to amass that has the world in awe.   Who else but YSL could inspire art collectors to spend almost $500 million dollars in this economic environment? Last week Christies's auction house facilitated the 3 day sale with a staggering 700 items on the block    Name a major artist - they was there.   Matisse, Picasso, Degas - going once, twice, sold!    Sculpture, furniture, paintings - all chosen with the impeccable eye of an artist himself.    

Matisse - Les Couscous...-$46 MillionTo be fair, YSL's partner in business and in life - Pierre Berge, deserves a great deal of the credit.   Berge had been the glue that kept the fragile Yves together for 5 decades.  Imperial Chinese Rat Head - $20 Million When they met, Berge was an avid art collector who transferred his passion for promoting artists on canvas to an artist who worked in fabric.   While YSL was famous for his own battle with personal demons - both real and imagined  (Karl Lagerfeld just might have horns under that powdered wig!) it was the battles Berge handled in the business world that yielded massively lucrative licensees and fragrance contracts for the designer.Eileen Gray Chair - $28 Million

The timing of the auction is superb.   We need every ounce of good news to remind us all that one important key to the economic recovery is positive thinking- and how can you not smile seeing these treasures so enthusiastically snatched up one after the other at record prices!  With the state of the stock market and global banking - perhaps buyers feel artwork is a safer investment.

Timed just as Paris was preparing for fashion week - the auction garnered world wide press that no runway collection could hope to receive!  Hats off to Pierre Berge and once again to Yves Saint Laurent!