R.I.P. Michael Jackson: Style Icon

I'm not going to talk about the Michael Jackson of the last two decades that has overshadowed his brilliant music career. I want to pay tribute to his lasting influence in fashion, which although can't be compared to his musical influence, is nonetheless still felt in the fashion industry today. Jackson died today at the age of 50.

Like I said in the title, he is a style icon. He turned a sparkling glove into a worldwide symbol. And now decades after he began his career, his style is still influence designers today.
In the Spring 2009 show, Balmain showcased Jackson-inspired military jackets. Funnily enough, Jackson was recently photographed wearing Balmain clothes that look like they could have been Jackson's from the 70s and 80s.

His style was showstopping and his upcoming tour "This Is It" promised to be a spectacle. WWD reports:

"The pop icon had costumes created specially for him by Crystallized Swarovski Elements. Along with the sets, the ensembles would have featured more than 300,000 crystals in 43 sizes and 27 colors. As Nadja Swarovski, vice president of international communications for Swarovski, told WWD Wednesday: “As the King of Pop, it is only natural for him to be crowned in crystal.”

Farewell, King of Pop.

B.C. model working in Shanghai found dead

23-year-old Diana O'Brien had been working in China since mid-June and told friends she didn't like working in Shanghai so she had bought a ticket to go back home.
Apparently her agency told her that part of her "work" included dancing partially nude for elderly men as well as "legitimate" modeling.
I think that this story really highlights how shady the modeling industry can be. This is not the first time I have heard about models being forced by their agencies to do dirty work in order to make money. These models expect to do actual modeling but instead have to pleasure older men and work for next to nothing in awful conditions that would never be allowed in work environments outside of fashion.
When will these models speak up for themselves?

Yves Saint Laurent 1936-2008

Just found a wonderful video of a Saint Laurent show in 1962. You can hear women and men reacting to the clothes as well as see the collection coming together backstage. There is also a wonderful little clip of Jacqueline Kennedy's sister talking about how Saint Laurent shouldn't be copied in the U.S.

A fashion legend is gone

Designer Yves Saint Laurent passed away today at the age of 71. Monsieur Laurent's impact on the fashion world is immeasurable profound and he was one of the last great couturiers included with the likes of Christian Dior and Coco Chanel.
In 1957, the Algerian-born Saint Laurent became the head designer of Christian Dior, making the line famous for his trapeze silhouette. In 1960, he was drafted into the military, setting off a lifelong battle with nerves and depression. After Dior died, Laurent became the head designer for the label at the age of 21. After leaving Dior, the "enfant terrible" started his own label and his legendary women's tuxedos, pantsuits and smoking jackets are still desirable even today. He retired in 2002 and has been battling a long illness.
He will be missed.

Times Topics: Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent collections from 2000 to 2008

His final collection before retirement (Spring 2002 Couture)

Here are some of my favorite looks from the YSL Spring/Summer 2008 collection: (Photos: Style.com)