Laurence Benaïm Livres

Le 7 janvier 2002, alors qu’il fête les quarante ans de sa maison, Yves Saint Laurent fait ses adieux à la haute couture. La nouvelle choque le monde entier et révèle la force et la fragilité de l’homme que Mishima appelait « l’enfant aux nerfs d’acier ». Ce livre – la première biographie du couturier – raconte l’ascension du jeune garçon qui, né en 1936 à Oran, rêvait de faire des robes pour un monde qui n’existait plus et s’écriait à l’âge de treize ans : « Un jour, j’aurai mon nom gravé en lettres de feu sur les Champs-Elysées. » C’est l’itinéraire d’un peintre de la vie moderne, oeil à vif, traversant les époques pour en habiller l’ambiguïté dans un parfum de luxe, de vertiges et de décadence. Yves Saint Laurent meurt le 1er juin 2008. Plus que le roman de la mode de 1958 à nos jours, il s’agit ici d’un hommage au métier où brillent les derniers feux d’un certain art de vivre.

Cette mise à jour de la biographie d'Yves Saint Laurent retrace son parcours jusqu'à son dernier défilé en 2002. Laurence Bénaïm explore son influence sur la mode, le rôle de Pierre Bergé, et les tensions entre Paris et New York, à travers des reportages et interviews inédites. Une plongée dans l'univers complexe du couturier.

This connoisseurs' tribute to the ultimate French brandy celebrates the Cognac region and the centuries-old techniques that Hennessy uses to craft its celebrated liqueur.Cognac hails from a unique terroir in the Charentes region of France, where the elixir's blend of tradition and voluptuousness has been rhythmed by the seasons for centuries. This handsome volume with ribbon page marker invites aficionados of fine spirits on a yearlong journey into Hennessy's realm, guided by lifestyle journalist Laurence Bena�m's impressions on the singularity of the landscape, the temperament of its vineyards, the transformations that take place within its cellars, and the exceptional know-how at the origin of this amber treasure. The transportive text is illustrated by a dozen evocative watercolors; together they create a keepsake homage to the style and taste that intrinsically define Hennessy cognac.

The second volume in an unprecedented series of books devoted to each designer of the prestigious house of Dior since its inception, Dior by Yves Saint Laurent encompasses Yves Saint Laurent's most iconic haute couture creations for the renowned house, from the Trapeze silhouette of his debut Spring-Summer 1958 collection to the beatnik inspiration for Fall-Winter 1960. Featuring a wealth of stunning photographs by Laziz Hamani and expressive text by Saint Laurent biographer Laurence Benaïm, this monumental volume provides profound insight into Saint Laurent's inspirations, influences, and vision for the evolution of the house of Dior.

The story of luxury fashion house Lancel, from its founders and innovative designs to its contemporary collections and famous collaborations. Lancel, the iconic French fashion house renowned for establishing the handbag as a womenswear essential and inventing the covetable Bucket bag, has set trends throughout its history, collaborating with celebrities from Josephine Baker to Brigitte Bardot and great designers from Patrick Demarchelier to Viviane Sassen. Marking its 140th anniversary, this volume—featuring original art from Martin Parr, Marjane Satrapi, and Jean-Philippe Delhomme— uncovers the rich history of Lancel and reveals the secrets behind the brand’s continued success. Founded in 1876 and originally specializing in smoking accessories, Lancel soon expanded its product line and its name became synonymous with incomparable savoir faire and sophistication—from toiletry cases to Bambino (the smallest radio set in the world), or from travel luggage to the unique and inventive Umbrella bag. Combining luxury with functionality, its aim has always been to simplify life while making it more beautiful, an ideal that the house continues to perpetuate today.

With more than 100 images from the Dior archives, this book immerses the readers in the heart of the lives of Christian Dior and Christian Berard.

"This publication accompanies the Women in Dior: Portraits of Elegance exhibition organized by the Association Prâesence de Christian Dior association at the Musâee Christian Dior in Granville from May 5 to September 25, 2016, and presented with the Normandy Impressionist Festival."