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.

Three's A (Great) Crowd.

The indomitable Suzy Menkes takes a guided tour through the Rodarte installation at Paris' Colette shop.

Click to head over to NYTimes.com to view the video.

The three of them together signifies all that is good about fashion. All that is good, plus googly eyes.

Raf Makes Me Dream of Real Life.

Raf Simons is a designer who's work makes fashion artistically relevant. (Yeah, he's one of those.) Yet, he denies being an artist. According to him he's simply a fashion designer, that's it. But of course with his mind and skill, his role as a fashion designer elevates the title to top artistic potential. It's a back and forth. His clothes tend to be the same way. One step forward into the area of fashion as conceptual, wearable art, and one foot firmly on the solid ground of real-life, working women. That makes his collections a win-win with something for everyone. Some of the dresses and pieces in his latest Fall RTW collection for Jil Sander were gorgeous, molded, peaked, color-flashing garments, and some were clear palate cleanser ensembles with smooth lines, easy shades, and lots of wearability. It was deft. It made sense and created newness. Watch Suzy Menkes make an excellent assessment of the collection while talking to the camera-shy Simons AND rocking her signature hair puff.

Love it.

Strong, Short, and Sharp.

Scutt has a clear vision. Kanye has a late '80s mullet. Suzy Menkes has it all.