The Brad Pitt of the Internet

Alber Elbaz in conversation with Suzy Menkes about his H&M-sparked internet fame and his wifey, Jean.



The incredibleness of Mr. Elbaz and his floppy bowtie cannot be overstated, and when you add Suzy "I had the original Snooki Pouf" Menkes into the mix, you have a fashion interview phenom. Also, the big/little anecdote near the end of this clip explains exactly why women nearly toss their underthings onto the Lanvin runway, he melts them and makes them feel like his big skill is for little old them. That, my friends, is how you grow a legion of fans.

Alber Teaches Us Something.

There's fashion, and there is fashion design. Fashion exists in image only--stalk-the-streets-attitude, what's next now, give it to me, make me a star. But fashion design is in the cut, the cloth, the way a garment hugs the body. Alber Elbaz is a fashion designer of the highest order. His work is crafted and thought out and reality-based; even when it's bigger or bolder than you might wear, it's still something that someone might actually wear. However, the electricity conducted by even one of his well-cut dresses is enough to fuel the Lanvin resurrection and keep things exciting at the same time. What do women want? Here, let Alber give you his take on things:




Is he not the most huggable designer you've ever seen? I mean really.

Wrapper's Delight.

Alber Elbaz is a genius with the fabrics. He's been heralded by the press du mode as the only dressmaker currently in the dressmaking business (quite a compliment, or a low blow depending on whether or not your name is Alber).

His latest collection at the Spring shows in Paris was yet another showcase of his deft talents. With an embellished, decorated sophistication, Elbaz's looks are based on a simple technique taken to its extreme deployment.

Every designer learns the basic skill of draping, but few--if any others at all--take it to the upper limit that Lanvin's current captain does. In fact, he's distinguished his technique of draping as a subcategory, it's more of a wrapping. Pick up a fabric, grab a body, and begin twisting, encircling, and layering. Finish with the finest details known in fashion's universe of colors and textures, and voila! You have a dress that most manic fashion fans would mainline if they could.

For now though, they seem to be settling for the contact high of wearing them.

Photos from SHOWstudio.

Mobama Daily.

I see a picture like this, and even in the face of great economic uncertainty, health care upheaval, war, and famine, I think to myself, "Well, at least something is right in the world."

Look at this family! Coordinated, styled--yet chic with an easy air of effortlessness. I mean, that right there is a family fashion phenomenon. And, on the chance of sounding remarkably single-minded and naive, I will admit that it makes me feel better about life. I can't help it, it just does. That, my fellow fashion fiending friends, is why I am so grateful to New York Magazine.

With all do respect to Mrs. Obama, she's like a dream Barbie! She goes into any situation dressed and accessorized perfectly with a big brain, a real body, and amazing taste in footwear (those are Lanvin sneakers up there, and check out those Martin Margiela shoes top center. They're like half men's loafers, half sandal, and fully wonderful.)

Right there on the site of my very favorite weekly magazine (Screw you, US!) is The Michelle Obama Look Book, an oft-updated slideshow of the First Lady's sartorial choices. Flip through and you will see the unfolding tale of a very gifted, regal woman in which our heroine dons dresses by Rodarte, Tracy Feith, Sophie Theallet, Target, Talbot, and Moschino; in which she slides on Lanvin sneakers and Gap pants; where she digs in the garden and hikes and doles out awards, all the while looking like the embodiment of what American fashion always wanted to be but never had the spokesperson for. She's the new American sensibility, with her eclectic mix of high and low, with her patterns and solids worn in perfect proportion. She's gorgeous and grand and definitely worth checking in on every single day of her tenure in the White House. While MObama's fashion savvy is not news, I just had to pause and say thanks, oh vigilant nymag.com. Thanks for keeping her brilliance so evident and organized. Thanks.

Alber Gets the Girls.

This is an older interview from The New York Times with Mr. Alber Elbaz, the genius designer behind Lanvin, who is one of my fashion loves. This former Israeli soldier has the most brilliant visual sense. His draping, his odd choices, his ability to make dresses that manifest female desire, it's all unique to him. I also really love his round-rimmed glasses and bow ties. Really love them.

I can't stop watching this interview, and there is a profile of him that appeared in The New Yorker's style issue that keeps coming up in conversations with my friends. Both bits of journalism made me realize that his clothes are as amazing as they are because he somehow really understands being a woman. He talks about it a lot, the perfectionism that women have to contend with, the body image issues they have, and he shares those hang-ups as well. He demands perfection of himself, he struggles with his weight and shape. His clothes are rare in the fashion industry because they are really for women. The sex appeal of Lanvin clothing is not in the display of cleavage and buttocks (which he makes brilliant mention of in the video), it is in the shape and sharpness. There is something smart about his work, something so subtle and styled just right that makes the wearer look sophisticated and strong, but still has that magic feminine quality. The first time I ever heard of Elbaz, was when a fashion insider made a comment about his female friends being obsessed with the Lanvin look, like it was some sort of illicit substance. Turns out it is; it's smart feminine sexiness with an air of sophistication. It's powerful stuff, addictive even. Designer drug.

Absurdly Beautiful

I'm a fan of the more original among us. I can appreciate the classic, the pretty, the subtle, the right fit, but more often than not it is the one that makes people shake their head that really catches my eye. Style.com has a great feature today about red carpet dresses that critics loathed, but they loved. I wholeheartedly agree with most of their choices. Here are the flack-getters that should have been praised:

Cameron Diaz in Ungaro


Kirsten Dunst in Rochas


Tilda Swinton in Lanvin


Bjork in Marjan Pejoski

Here's to the non-conformist, anti-establishment, swan-wearing starlets that make my fashion world go 'round. Someone please take a cue and do something interesting at this year's Oscars. Please. I think my money is on Mickey Rourke.

Draped to Thrill

That certain je ne sais quoi that is the essence of French chic was in full effect on Lanvin's SS '09 runway. Alber Elbaz is a master craftsman, but not the type who will fashion 10,000 butterfly wings out of hand-spun silk thread to adorn a glama-gown. Instead, he takes the simple act of draping to new levels of art. The expert seaming of his silky sheaths sent gentle ripples through seemingly liquid fabric.

French women are notorious for thier renowned sense of style that always appears effortless, innate. But, even if you were born on this side of the seas, you can slip on one of these Lanvin pieces and instantly claim sartorial success.

Images: Don Ashby & Olivier Claisse (details) and Marcio Madeira (full shots) for Style.com