Porcelain dolls and little green men (and women) were just some of the disparate influences found on the runways during day four of Sao Paulo Summer 2009 Fashion Week, where minimalism took a back seat to more baroque concepts in dressing.

Sao Paulo Fashion Week

Renata Espinosa June 21st, 2008 @ 12:04 AM - Sao Paulo

Those in search of a crash course in understanding haute couture, it’s sense of timeless refinement and opulent self-indulgence should get themselves over to the rather remarkable retrospective of Valentino that opens to the public on Tuesday in Paris.

Entitled “Valentino, Themes and Variations,” the 14-week show covers the couturier’s career since launching his own house back in the Fifties.

By Godfrey Deeny June 15th, 2008 @ 1:03 PM - Paris

After a triumph in Rome this spring, the Fondation Napoléon’s collection is to be exhibited in the two ‘imperial palaces’ on the island of Elba, I Mulini (in the principal town of Portoferraio) and San Martino (set in the countryside surrounding the town). The inauguration is to be held at I Mulini next Thursday (12 June), and the exhibition will run until 12 September, 2008. This is one of the finest exhibition ever to grace the island, including more than 250 oustanding works of art and historical memorabilia, which also includes loans from the Paris Musée de l’Armée and the Musée national de Malmaison.

Améliorer l’habitat et protéger l’économie du quartier du Sentier. Voici deux des priorités que s’est fixées la mairie du deuxième arrondissement de Paris. Et il y a urgence, le quartier historique des grossistes et du prêt-à-porter souffre de vétusté. Le conseil de Paris a donc voté une opération de réhabilitation de l’habitat pour un budget de 3 millions d’euros.

They said a long goodbye to Yves Saint Laurent in Paris Thursday, with a funeral attended by France’s president, scores of designers and thousands of mourners watching outside.

Thousands of fans clapped the coffin into the church, where the designer’s life long partner Pierre Berge spoke of the love that once dared not speak its name, in a poignant homage that had an almost gospel quality with its frequent refrain of “Je me souviens,” or I remember.

by Godfrey Deeny