Translating the Biography of Yves Saint Laurent

My translation of Yves Saint Laurent, the masterful biography by French fashion journalist Laurence Benaïm, is out today from Rizzoli. Translating this book was wonderful, intense, and a long haul. I learned a tremendous lot about Yves’ creative and personal life (and I can’t help but think of him on a first-name basis now that…

Feathers, Fashion, and Protecting Birds

There is a long history of feathers in fashion, as they add color, texture, and flair to bodices, shoulders, or hems. It’s hard to imagine them on everyday clothing, but for costumes or for expressing wild creative visions they’re extremely eye-catching and appealing. The dress above was designed by Yves Saint Laurent for dancer Zizi…

Thoughts on French Fashion Translation

Translating Laurence Benaïm’s masterful biography Yves Saint Laurent (forthcoming from Rizzoli) was a fascinating and intense experience. For one thing, upon delving into the world of French fashion translation, I discovered more kinds of fabric than I had ever known existed. One saving grace was that for many of these fabrics, the English translation is…

CLOSING SOON: Paris Refashioned, 1957-1968 at the FIT Museum

April 15 is the last day to see the standout show “Paris Refashioned, 1957-1968” curated by Colleen Hill at the Museum at FIT (closed Sundays and Mondays; admission is free). It’s a fascinating look at how the birth of ready-to-wear in France changed the fashion industry in ways that are still being felt today. As the market for…