Fern Mallis

L’Amour fou: The Public Life of Yves Saint Laurent, Fashion Photography BlogThere is no other way through which one can partake in the intensity of drama in the celebrated documentary other than to watch it. It begins and ends with the designer’s words of farewell to his high end career in a press conference in 2002. The film startles its audience, utilizing the best in language with opulence and inimitability that one actually knows it is scripted, but in a magical line of action. L’amour...Read Full Story

There is a belief that is perpetuated in American society, even though we practice the exact opposite: To cultivate a love of things–material possessions–is to lead a life of emptiness. In L’amour Fou, the documentary that catalogues the enduring business and romantic partnership between Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, this belief is shattered by the concept that each possession tells a story, and is just as important to a life and a relationship as a person. Promotional poster for L...Read Full Story

Filming for the documentary L’Amour Fou (Crazy Love) commenced just six months after the death of Yves Saint Laurent and its central voice is that of his longtime partner in life and business, Pierre Bargé. Though the grief is still evident on Barge's well-lined face as he relays a lifetime to documentarian Pierre Thoretton, what the viewer is left with is not just a portrait of grief, but the realities of a love story, a candid illustration of a genius and many close ups of an extensive...Read Full Story

The lights dim to black, the film previews go silent and the doyen of French haute couture designers Yves Saint Laurent takes the screen. You are instantaneously humbled by a fashion icon who poetically delivers his retirement speech about the ups and downs of his life, “false friendships of tranquilizers and drugs” while musing, “Every man needs aesthetic ghosts in order to live.” Filmmaker Pierre Thoretton takes you on a tour of the fabled life of the genius of Yves Saint Laurent and his...Read Full Story

There is a new documentary out that chronicles the life of YSL. It is currently playing in Seattle at Landmark Seven Gables Theatre (911 Northeast 50th Street, Seattle, WA) at 2:15,  4:35,  7:05 and  9:25pm. There was a great article about the movie on the Barney’s website The Window. Enjoy! The public life of Yves Saint Laurent—the legendary designer who took over the House of Dior at 21 before launching his namesake label—was as grandiose as his overflowing art collection. A highly coveted...Read Full Story