“I could never call myself an artist; I think that’s pretentious. But you could call me an artist,” quipped Marc Jacobs last night at the final installment of the French Institute’s Fashion Talks series. Jacobs joined Patricia Mears, deputy director of the Museum at FIT, for a discussion on his career trajectory, his Parisian dream home, and the aesthetic of his eponymous line versus that of Louis Vuitton (ELLE Editor-in-Chief Robbie Myers offered opening remarks). Here are some highlights from what the iconic designer had to say. On two of his sartorial heroes: “I do think Ralph Lauren is the greatest American designer—he creates a world, and everything within that world is that very particular and singular vision. But I think my greatest hero in fashion will probably always be Yves Saint Laurent, and that’s for a completely different reason: The darkness and the decadence and glamour are more appealing to me on a fashion level. But the world Ralph created is just flawless.” On his creative process: “I love things that are banal. I love clichés. I like things that are awkward. I like imperfection. But what that means within a given season, I don’t know. We say, 'Is it good in a bad way or bad in a good way?' There are all these weird conversations that no one who isn’t in fashion would understand.” On his personal style: “Two years ago, I asked Casey, who works with me, to go to Barneys and buy me a funny pair of pants—something that would put me in a good mood. And he came back with this Comme des Garçons kilt. And I loved it so much that I’ve been wearing kilts for two years now.” On whether inanimate objects can have sex appeal: “I don’t find clothes sexy at all. I find people sexy and I find personalities fascinating and sexy and appealing and charming. So a sexy girl wrapped in a sheet is still a sexy girl. And a non-sexy girl in a low-cut dress is still a non-sexy girl.”Marc Jacobs Talks Fashion at the French Institute
“I could never call myself an artist; I think that’s pretentious. But you could call me an artist,” quipped Marc Jacobs last night at the final installment of the French Institute’s Fashion Talks series. Jacobs joined Patricia Mears, deputy director of the Museum at FIT, for a discussion on his career trajectory, his Parisian dream home, and the aesthetic of his eponymous line versus that of Louis Vuitton (ELLE Editor-in-Chief Robbie Myers offered opening remarks). Here are some highlights from what the iconic designer had to say. On two of his sartorial heroes: “I do think Ralph Lauren is the greatest American designer—he creates a world, and everything within that world is that very particular and singular vision. But I think my greatest hero in fashion will probably always be Yves Saint Laurent, and that’s for a completely different reason: The darkness and the decadence and glamour are more appealing to me on a fashion level. But the world Ralph created is just flawless.” On his creative process: “I love things that are banal. I love clichés. I like things that are awkward. I like imperfection. But what that means within a given season, I don’t know. We say, 'Is it good in a bad way or bad in a good way?' There are all these weird conversations that no one who isn’t in fashion would understand.” On his personal style: “Two years ago, I asked Casey, who works with me, to go to Barneys and buy me a funny pair of pants—something that would put me in a good mood. And he came back with this Comme des Garçons kilt. And I loved it so much that I’ve been wearing kilts for two years now.” On whether inanimate objects can have sex appeal: “I don’t find clothes sexy at all. I find people sexy and I find personalities fascinating and sexy and appealing and charming. So a sexy girl wrapped in a sheet is still a sexy girl. And a non-sexy girl in a low-cut dress is still a non-sexy girl.”Marc Jacobs Talks Fashion at the French Institute
Amanda Seyfried’s latest film, Chloe—about a prostitute hired to catch a suspected philanderer—is a far cry from Mamma Mia!. In fact, the role was so racy she gave it a second thought. “When we were getting close, I got really scared and started trying to think of a way to get out of it,” she revealed while promoting the movie in New York last week. “But it was the best opportunity that had ever come up for me and the most complex character. It was clearly the riskier choice but it was also the better choice.” What appealed to her about playing the titular call girl? “I just don’t see her as an antagonist. At the beginning, she’s creepy and you don’t trust her at all. But then you start seeing some deeply human qualities, and vulnerability and depth. You see this lost girl falling in love with somebody, who doesn’t have nasty motives.” Seyfried also dispelled rumors that a Mamma Mia! sequel is in the works (though noting that the original blockbuster failed to exhaust ABBA's early catalog—"King Kong Song," anyone?). “It’s just not going to happen," she said. "Apparently someone said I’d asked for $7.5 million. I would love $7.5 million, but I don’t think it would be right to ask for that for Mamma Mia 2.”Amanda Seyfried on Her Latest Role, Chloe
Amanda Seyfried’s latest film, Chloe—about a prostitute hired to catch a suspected philanderer—is a far cry from Mamma Mia!. In fact, the role was so racy she gave it a second thought. “When we were getting close, I got really scared and started trying to think of a way to get out of it,” she revealed while promoting the movie in New York last week. “But it was the best opportunity that had ever come up for me and the most complex character. It was clearly the riskier choice but it was also the better choice.” What appealed to her about playing the titular call girl? “I just don’t see her as an antagonist. At the beginning, she’s creepy and you don’t trust her at all. But then you start seeing some deeply human qualities, and vulnerability and depth. You see this lost girl falling in love with somebody, who doesn’t have nasty motives.” Seyfried also dispelled rumors that a Mamma Mia! sequel is in the works (though noting that the original blockbuster failed to exhaust ABBA's early catalog—"King Kong Song," anyone?). “It’s just not going to happen," she said. "Apparently someone said I’d asked for $7.5 million. I would love $7.5 million, but I don’t think it would be right to ask for that for Mamma Mia 2.”Amanda Seyfried on Her Latest Role, Chloe
—Violet Moon Gaynor Karlie Kloss and Tati Cotliar Celebrate Jason Wu’s New Digs
—Violet Moon Gaynor Karlie Kloss and Tati Cotliar Celebrate Jason Wu’s New Digs
Italian shoe brand Geox set out to make a grand statement in honor of their presence in American fashion by creating a heel as iconic as its influence, New York City’s Empire State Building. The limited-edition collection includes three versions—black patent leather, silver-and-black animal print, and purple-and-blue sequins—all fixed with a five-inch Empire State Building shaped heel appliquéd with rhinestones. The shoe features Geox’s breathable sole technology, ideal for a night out in the city that never sleeps. —Laura StoloffGeox Seeks Inspiration from the Empire State Building
Italian shoe brand Geox set out to make a grand statement in honor of their presence in American fashion by creating a heel as iconic as its influence, New York City’s Empire State Building. The limited-edition collection includes three versions—black patent leather, silver-and-black animal print, and purple-and-blue sequins—all fixed with a five-inch Empire State Building shaped heel appliquéd with rhinestones. The shoe features Geox’s breathable sole technology, ideal for a night out in the city that never sleeps. —Laura StoloffGeox Seeks Inspiration from the Empire State Building
While shooting Lerario Beatriz designer Ana Lerario-Geller in her art-filled, airy apartment recently, the topic of conversation jumped from babies (she is eight months pregnant), to West Elm furniture, to fashion and, ultimately, weddings. Ana, who married menswear designer Robert Geller in 2008 in her native Brazil, wore a custom-made gown by longtime friend Richard Chai. After leafing through her breathtaking wedding photos, I had to ask some crucial questions, first of which was: What does a designer who makes beautifully romantic clothes dress her bridesmaids in? Ana’s answer: “I let my stylish friends dress themselves.” She just made sure that the colors they wore complemented one another. This simple and easy approach sounds very appealing. Thoughts? Do you like the idea of matching dresses, or a mix of different color and styles? Click here to —Violet Moon Gaynor Ana Lerario-Geller on Chic Bridesmaids’ Dresses
Ana (with husband Robert Geller and friend Richard Chai, far right) let her bridesmaids, pictured here, pick their own dresses
While shooting Lerario Beatriz designer Ana Lerario-Geller in her art-filled, airy apartment recently, the topic of conversation jumped from babies (she is eight months pregnant), to West Elm furniture, to fashion and, ultimately, weddings. Ana, who married menswear designer Robert Geller in 2008 in her native Brazil, wore a custom-made gown by longtime friend Richard Chai. After leafing through her breathtaking wedding photos, I had to ask some crucial questions, first of which was: What does a designer who makes beautifully romantic clothes dress her bridesmaids in? Ana’s answer: “I let my stylish friends dress themselves.” She just made sure that the colors they wore complemented one another. This simple and easy approach sounds very appealing. Thoughts? Do you like the idea of matching dresses, or a mix of different color and styles? Click here to —Violet Moon Gaynor Ana Lerario-Geller on Chic Bridesmaids’ Dresses
Ana (with husband Robert Geller and friend Richard Chai, far right) let her bridesmaids, pictured here, pick their own dresses