4 GOLDEN OLDIES

FROM THE WORLD OF FASHION

Last week Grace Coddington let the world know that she was departing from her creative director position at Vogue. Of course she’s still going to bring fashion series to life amongst other things, but it still made my heart weep a teeny tiny bit. All of the coolest names in fashion have all long reached the age of walking sticks and rocking chairs however, despite their age, they still live and breath fashion. But there will come a day (and these days are closer than you think) that we will have to bid farewell to these fashion mavens.

Karl Lagerfeld

Hands down on the number one position because Karl is the one who always knows how to shake up the fashion scene. 83 years young of age and still the driving force behind Chanel, Fendi and his own label Karl Lagerfeld. And let’s not forget about all the other projects he does on the side like designing Evian bottles and spending time snuggling with his beloved Choupette. What’s his secret? Don’t drink (alcohol that is, coffee and Pepsi Max are definitely allowed), looking forward (“I’m not in the mood to talk about my last show. It was this morning.”) and not to get too much done to himself. He once let his love Harriet Calo interview him and she asked whether or not he ever discussed things with Coco Chanel in his head. His response? “Oh my god no. She would have hated me.”

Diane von Furstenberg

Compared to Karl, Diane von Furstenberg is a flower still waiting to bloom. at the age of 69. Her mother, who had spent the war in a concentration camp and probably weighed no more than 35 kilo’s, gave birth to her on December 31st in 1946. Diane always says that her mother is the reason she was never hesitated to take on and try new things. If you can survive the war, you can survive the crazy world that is fashion. A long, long time ago Diane married prince Egon von Furstenberg. She left the man, kept the name, and has happily been together with Barry Diller (a New York media magnet) for the past I don’t know how many years. Diane is the most approachable fashion phenomenon. After any of her shows you’ll find her hopping around the runway giving everyone she knows a hug and a kiss and two days after the show she always has re-see’s at her office in the Meatpacking District. I was lucky enough to interview this wonderful lady a few years ago. Read about it here.

Roberto Cavalli

One of the few fashion designers women like even if they don’t have any of his clothes hanging in his closet. Cavalli will be blowing out 76 candles this year and will most likely do that in the presence of a great bottle of bubbly. Cavalli likes the glam life. Doesn’t shy away from a bit of print, some leather and a bit of botox here and there. A lot of people find his color tone hideous but if I ever spot him lounging out at a beach in Pampelonne or Cannes surrounded by stunning models and decked out in different animal prints, I’ll be in awe and hope I get invited some day.

Anna Piaggi

Anna is my favorite in the world of fashion. She wrote and illustrated for Vogue Italia. Unfortunately this talent is no longer with us but anytime I spotted her at a show, all I wanted to do was pick her up and take her home with me. She was no more that 1 meter 50 in height, probably weighed about 49 kilos and was always covered top to toe in the most extreme creations. She owned a total of 2865 dresses and 265 pairs of shoes (which sounds like nothing compared to the dresses). She was married to a photography who passed away in 1995 and Anna herself died back in 2012 and I want to apologize in advance for this somewhat improper thought that popped up in my head but those dresses…who inherited them?