The passing of an icon

Icon is a word that I think it tossed around so much in today's world that it's basically meaningless. Every movie star or fashion model who can dress herself seems to be called an icon. However, the world has lost a real, honest to goodness icon. I remember when I was a child, and Lenox Square Mall was relatively new, Yves Saint Laurent had a store here near Neiman Marcus, Charles Jourdan and Bailey, Banks, and Biddle. These were the days when high fashion truly was high fashion, and not every designer had a store at every Tanger Outlet mall. Mom subscribed to Vogue, and I remember looking through the windows of the stores and seeing the clothing from the magazine.

I may be happiest in blue jeans and black t shirts, but I also used to love fashion. I love looking at beautiful and opulent clothing, especially when the designers are going wild for Russian inspired designs for fall or maybe re-working boho hippie chic for spring. I will admit that the past few years have been disappointing when I get the fall issues of all the fashion magazines. I have my own opinions of what has happened, but I am merely a potential consumer, not a designer. (And notice I did say potential consumer. Quite frankly, I don't have the money to spend $20K on a coat, regardless of how a fashion writer tries to convince me it's a must have. I will admit that even if I did have that kind of money, I'm way too cheap to spend it that way. If I ever win the lottery, I'll be a quiet millionaire. The kind who quietly supports charities, wears blue jeans from the thrift store, drives a slightly beaten up pickup truck, and has a remarkable collection of vintage YSL clothing.)

Sorry to stray from the subject. I've always loved YSL's designs and was saddened when he retired. With his passing, the world has lost a true icon.