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THIS MONTH:
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Hollywood A List Parties
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A DREAM COME TRUE
by Timothy Hagy
Photography by Marie-Béatrice Seillant
You can get an idea of what's on Pierre Bergé's mind from where he is, and more importantly, where he is not. As the sun began to set on the final afternoon of the Paris Spring 2004 Ready-to-Wear season, the co-founder of the Yves Saint Laurent Couture House, sat front row at Lanvin. Later on the same evening, he was conspicuously absent at the show that bears the YSL Rive Gauche name.
"Formidable", Bergé said smiling. "That's what I think about Alber's work at Lanvin, or else I wouldn't be here!"
And the sharp-tongued Bergé was not alone in that sentiment. André Leon Talley, US Vogue's
editor-at-large, had been having a rough day. Outside the Lanvin show, which was staged in the Musée d'Art Moderne, he interceded when
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the overly zealous security hired by the House began rough handling an invited guest. Speaking in flawless French, he dressed down the guards for their impolite behavior.
But once inside, he was all smiles - even while alternately conversing and talking on his cell phone. "I love Albert!" he said," I think he's a wonderful designer."
As the soundtrack sang out the lyrics "Loving you is more than just a dream come true," the show began with an opening medley of satin cocktail dresses deliciously draped in ebony, pale peach, and chestnut. Skirts and trenches were sleekly tied up and trailed by trains that delicately wafted down the catwalk.
Models sauntered around the curvaceous runway, their heads and faces wrapped in netting, while folds of satin cocktail dresses and gowns seemed to float - airless defying gravity in a magical effect.
But the real heart of the show was the color palette: bright lemon, dusty rose, majestic
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cobalt, midnight blue, turquoise and emerald green. The rich spectrum gave zest to an already stellar collection.
Occasionally, fine transparent mousseline was used to overlay a full-length gown, or shimmering gold lamé gave off a fine sparkle for evening.
Lanvin has now become a tremendously fresh and elegant label, lying somewhere between the richness of Chanel, and the voluptuousness of Valentino.
And so it is no wonder that the world's high-powered fashion press, as well as the most ardent fashion enthusiasts, all rose in standing ovation as Alber Elbaz came down the catwalk surrounded by his models.
Backstage, looked visibly exhausted, but always the self effacing artist, Alber told Fashionlines "Work, work, work! That's my inspiration."
Beauty does not come cheaply or easily. Though when you love your art, like Yves Saint Laurent and like Alber Elbaz, then all your dreams can come true.
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