Yves Saint Laurent

Ready for another Designer Day? You better be. Today is all about a fabulous man named Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008) – French fashion genius, and maybe the guy whose career I’d most like to steal. He was awesome.

Yves Saint-Laurent is easiest one of the greatest names in the history of fashion, and can be credited with, I quote from Wikipedia:

“spurring the couture’s rise from its sixties ashes and with finally rendering ready-to-wear reputable. He is also credited with having introduced the tuxedo suit for women, being the first designer to use ethnic models in his runway shows, and referencing other cultures in his work.”

At 17 years old, Saint Laurent was hired to be none other than Christian Dior’s assistant. When Dior died four years later, Saint Laurent, age 21, became head of Dior. See why I want his career? His Spring 1958 Collection for Dior saved the fashion house from financial ruin. Brilliant, brilliant man.

However, he didn’t stay at Dior long, he was fired in 1960, while fighting in the French-Algerian war. So it was, that already in 1961, 25-year old Yves started his own fashion house. (Sorry if I seem obsessed with age today, it’s a mix between envy and admiration.)

Saint Laurent’s agenda was to shock people – to force them to think. He loved using color, and emphasized Coco Chanel’s statement that fashion changes, but style last forever.

Since Mr. Laurent himself retired in 2002, the head designer for YSL has been the talented Italian designer Stefano Pilati.

This beautiful combination of fashion and literature is a result of the glorious Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent

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Love, Hanna

Harajuku

Once again I will take my Monday-opportunity to inspire people to dress up. Today’s topic is Harajuku, one of the world’s coolest fashion-happenings. Every Sunday young people meet in the area around Harajuku station (in Tokyo), dressed in all kinds of costumes, socializing and relaxing (and posing, I imagine). If only people would do this here!

Just check’em out:

I just love the amount of work they have put into their outfits, hair and make-up! It’s so creative and fun. In my opinion, every town should have a Harajuku! Don’t you agree?

Love, Elin

Vili Flik Design

Dress: Read! by Hanna Marie Volle

Monsters

It is Saturday and time to sit back and relax with your favourite beverage and a good book. This week’s recommendation is Monsters – A Bestiary of the Bizarre by Christopher Dell.

This little green curiosity gives an overview of monsters, demons, gods and ghost people believed in, and sometimes still do, all over the world. Each chapter begins with a discussion of the chosen topic, followed by pictures of various creatures. It is very interesting and funny. Some of the monsters invented, especially in Europe, are more pathetic than scary. Apparently the more faces or heads a creature had (positioned all over the body), the scarier it was. I do recommend this informative piece of folklore history for anyone interested in the supernatural.

Here are a few examples of what people used to fear:

Love, Elin

Son of Rambow

The weekend has arrived at last, and I’m sure you’re all in dire need of entertainment. Fear not, dear readers, Vili Flik are here to help! Nothing will brighten your Friday like the wonderful British comedy Son of Rambow (2007).

Written and directed by Garth Jennings, it is a heartwarming story of two lonely, young boys in England in the eighties who set out to make their own version of First Blood – the first Rambo-film. Due to the rules of the religious community Will, one of the two boys, was raised in, he has never seen television, and First Blood is his first meeting with that medium. Lee is a charming misbehaving schoolboy who pirate copies films (long before this was a “normal” thing to do) and also makes his own bizarre ones. Despite their differences, the two strike up an unusual relationship and embark on a project that will test their family bonds and friendship, as well as their physical limits. It’s a wonderfully funny and emotionally touching comedy, and both boys are lovely and very charming in their individual ways. Great story, great actors and hilarious subplots –  it is a film that’s perfect for the weekend! As usual, I’ll leave you with the trailer.

Love, Mari

Clark Gable

Today’s Hottie is a vintage one – since we didn’t give you a Wednesday Vintage yesterday (Mari was busy buying vintage in Prague, and Elin and I were busy envying her). But, enough about us – let’s look at the man of the hour (or at least of the next few minutes): Clark Gable.

Clark Gable (1901-60) was an American actor probably best known for his role as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind (1939).

“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” Here’s some cultural education for those of you who’ve never gotten the reference – it’s from Gone with the Wind, and probably the most well-known Gable quote ever. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for this movie, but his one Oscar he got for his role in It Happened One Night (1934).

In addition to being a great actor, Gable was also a great dresser (maybe not too difficult when you live from 1901-60, but nevertheless, let’s give the man some credit.)

Yes, that is Clark and Marilyn – together in The Misfits.

History lesson: Gable fought in WW2 – he was a bomber, and flew five combat missions, one over Germany. At the same time, Gable was, ironically, Hitler’s favorite actor – and he issued a huge reward to whoever could capture and bring him Gable unharmed. Really, can you blame the guy for trying?

Here’s some Gable truth for you:

“Age, height, weight haven’t anything to do with glamour.” Smart man.

Love, Hanna

Vili Flik Design

Skirt: imp design by Elin Fjøsne

Louis Vuitton

Good morning, pretty readers! Today’s designer is one I’m sure you’ve all heard about due to bags like this:

No offense to Louis Vuitton, but SNORE! Everyone seems to be having one of these, and that just makes it boring. Not Louis Vuitton’s fault, though. The brand is actually one of the most counterfeited in the world – shame! But the real LV luggage is still made by hand – that’s impressive.  Anyway, I’m here to tell you, that the fashion house has so much more to offer than bags! Hold on to your glorious hats, and let me show you!

A little bit of history first – since we all know that the world is doomed if you don’t open your history book. (Not sure if that quotation was originally meant for fashion, but whatever). Louis Vuitton is a French fashion house founded in 1854, by none other than (drum roll, please) Louis Vuitton (1821-92). Before starting his own fashion house, Vuitton worked for Napoleon III’s wife – making her luggage and stuff.

In 1997, wonderful Marc Jacobs was hired as Art Director, and that’s when the clothes started happening. Ah, the clothes.

Love, Hanna

Amy Brown

Amy Brown is an American fantasy artist who mainly draws faeries and dragons. She started painting in 1992 and has kept at it ever since, bringing us some of the world’s most beautiful and playful magical creatures.

I highly recommend checking out her webpage, as her art really speaks for itself. You can find it here: http://www.amybrownart.com/

Here are some examples of her lovely paintings:

And this is my very own Amy Brown tattoo. Pretty, non?

Amy Brown’s art has been collected in two volumes: The Art of Amy Brown I and II.  Both are available at Amazon.com.

Love, Elin

Vili Flik Design

Dress: Decadence Design by Mari Elise Baustad