Daria Werbowy’s look is so magnetic. Her face has been everywhere lately from Stefanel to O de Lancome perfume to H&M Fall campaign. Everytime she stands beside waiting for the bus with me, I can’t keep myself from scrutinizing her pic. No … Daria and I are bus stop buddies actually.

In between his Haute Couture Fall Winter 2010 runways at Paris fashion week and 080 Barcelona Fashion, Lee Jean Youn took time to answer some questions

Why did you pick Paris for your Haute Couture FW 2010 collection runway?  Did you do Seoul too?

［The first time］I presented my haute couture collection in Paris was Spring Summer 2010 collection back in January. After Paris show, I also presented my collection at Seoul Fashion Week in March. ［For Fall Winter 2010］, not only I have just done Paris show, but I was also being invited to show my collection at 080 Barcelona Fashion.

I want my design to be seen at as many countries as possible. Therefore, Seoul where I’m based in, Paris where haute couture designers have to be and other fashion leading countries are my priorities.

What has been your inspiration for the “The strange wedding ceremony? Why this name?

Wedding ceremony marks the beginning of a new life between two persons by the strange paths of destiny. Until after the day one saying goodbye to the other at the funeral, love continues to grow till meeting each other again in heaven. ［I］transformed these abstract ideas by combining opposite elements into ［my］ design, such as, black mini dress with white veil, and add amusing imagination and colors into extraordinary creations, bringing funeral and wedding elements together in a peculiar harmony. That demonstrates that love does exist in different rites of passages. That is why it is called “The Strange Wedding Ceremony”.

You introduced your SS 2010 collection 2 times. Once in Seoul and then in Paris. Did you design something new for Paris? If yes, Why? How?

The S/S10 Collection I showed in Paris and Seoul were the same but with small adjustment on the choreography and models selections.

Did SS 2010 Paris’ show draw new customers’s attention you didn’t get access to before? Did that change something in the way you have designed FW 2010 collection? Have you taken your new customers’ base into account while designing your FW 2010 collection?

［It did］. After I showed my SS 2010 Collection in Paris, I received attention not only from the international media but also from international buyers. I believe that being able to present my collection in Paris is definitely a gateway to bring my collection onto an international level.

Receiving attention from buyers and media would not affect my designing style because each season I will have a new concept and inspiration, which leads to different style.

Your design has grown up from layered (SS 2005), heavy fabrics like jeans, rich like velvets and wool (FW 2004), oversized outfits (FW 2005) to sleeker shape (brown gown, laced beige dress SS 2006), body fitting lines and smoother, lighter fabric like silk (Spring 2010). It’s obvious on your Mango’s lines from 2009 to 2010 as well. In just one year both collections are so different. What happened? Where are you going toward today?

FW 2004
FW 2004

SS 2005

FW 2005

SS 2006

SS 2010

MFA 2008

MFA 2009

I want to explore combination of fabrics with different texture. It’s what you saw in my previous and most recent collections. The only difference is the use and choice of fabrics/materials that I use［today］. For example in the F/W 2010 Collection, I combine organza and leather, crocodile leather with denim in my shoes and bags etc.

Every season I come up with a new concept. Therefore there is not a fixed pattern of where I am going toward in design. However my goal in design is to make beautiful clothes for women to wear.

I loved the men’s pieces you made back in fall 2006. It was leather jacket, big comfy sweater, large pants, large belts that lengthened the figure. Any willing to design more for men?

I like to explore many different things. But at the moment I will［focus］on my haute couture line ［and］add in some new ideas on accessories such as shoes and bags.

No news from you between fall 2007 and Spring 2010, apart 1st Mango Fashion Award competition. 2 years off the scene. Where were you on all that time?

In Korea, males are required to serve military service. That’s where I was during that time.

Your collection for Mango Fashion Award 2009 was rather simple and easy going yet elegant. The fabrics were smooth like silk. The colors were solid. No texture. Why did you make it so different from your own creations?

The collection I designed for MFA competition in 2009 was both Korean influenced and at the same time designed for western high street fashion market. I developed my concept from the core of the beauty of Korean traditional garments. It gave me a chance to display what I could do best in terms of designing and tailoring skills. In all my previous collections I used a lot of clean and light colors, which were somewhat considered “Korean” or “Asian”. But MFA was an international competition. I wanted my designs to speak to everyone and to be shared with the world.［That explains］ the color and fabric choices.

The limited-edition “LEE JEAN YOUN For MANGO” I did after winning the competition is a mix of simplicity and romance of the Orient with a hint of European chic/rock. Considering the collection was for MANGO, I thought the items should have also been practical and easy for mix-n-match. I designed a total of 15 looks including shoes and bags.  11 looks are now available to retail. You can check suits, dresses, wrap-around trousers, shoulder pieces and tricot out.

I heard that you want to hit NYC soon. Enough of Seoul and Paris? NYC is it the place to be as a fashion designer?

New York City has the greatest concentration of design talents in the world. And it’s at the forefront of fashion innovation. Today, I am based in Seoul, Korea. I am planning to open my showroom and shop in New York. But Paris is still a very important place for me to present my haute couture collection.Once I start my business in New York, I hope to participate in New York Fashion Week in the near future. My goal is to make “LEE JEAN YOUN” an international brand, which will last for decades. I want my designs to be recognized by the industry and loved by many people in the world.

As a designer, what does Seoul fashion scene mean to you? Paris’? NYC’s?

Like I said before, New York City has the greatest concentration of design talents in the world and is at the forefront of fashion innovation. As for Paris, it’s where every couture designer wants to present his/her collection. Seoul is where I learned my knowledge, techniques and skills in fashion design. Many of my creations are with Asian influence, which ［is immensely influenced］by the traditional Korean culture.

The shoes and accessories (bags, jewelry) you presented in Paris are there your design or from a partner? Where to shop them?

All the bags and shoes that you saw in Paris are my own design and creations.

They are made-to-order. Buyers interested in to order them can contact my staff directly.

12.  Where can we buy your clothes? in Europe? In France?

All the clothes, shoes and bags are made in Korea.

Again they are made-to-order. You can place your order directly to my staff.

13.  Is that yourself who was throwing flowers’ petals down the stage just before the runway started?

That was me. Every detail of the fashion show including music, choreography, makeup and hair and even stage setting, I put a lot of considerations and thoughts into it. I want my audience and guests not only to be able to enjoy my design but at the same time to experience the story and concept behind the collection.

Lee Jean Youn introduced his Fall Winter 2010 Haute Couture collection last week one block to Georges Pompidou Center in central Paris. It’s the second time he graces the French capital with his design, his first passage having been his SS2010 collection earlier this year.

Jean Youn delivered on a flowery stage a subtle & romantic design full of bows and flowers, veils and trails in organza, silk and cashmere fabrics. The key color was orange beside white and black. The whole collection was rather short lengthened, sexy, fitting and body flattering.

An as usual scathing Karl Lagerfeld replies to Interview Vanity of May 2010 issue of French Elle.
Below some pearls. Bitting and funny as only Karl knows how to do it.

The model who’s doing it of course: Victoria’s Secret angel Marisa Miller.

Do you think that Harley Davidson bikers are gonna recognize themselves in the person of new Srping 2010 campaign babe? I can’t say. I’m not one. Do you think they’re gonna hit new customers? Sure!

Marion Cotillard breaks out the French screen as Lilly, the sexy & fresh girlfriend of Sami Naceri in Taxi, a French film written by Luc Besson, and directed by Gerard Pires, of cops and cars in the streets of Marseille, a harbour city of Southern France. I was completing high school. I was dreaming that like Lilly’s boyfriend (Marion’s character) mine was half-gangster, half-sweatheart.
Time has gone since. She won an Academy Award for her leading role in La Vie en Rose. From the 4th sexy girlfriend role, she has became a powerful name in France. And it seems she’s making one in Hollywood. The shoot above is by photographer Ruven Afanador for Citizen K International.

I guess anyone has missed that the Costume Institute Gala Benefit held its 2010 edition last Monday at the MET.
Here is my review of the outfits.

Is that scary? It’s not really what I’d expect from Lanvin as a visual …

But, it’s very Inès Van Lamwsweered and Vinodh Matadin.

Here, the photographers turned models and shoot themselves. Sober black covered Matadin has almost been eaten by glamazon red Van Lamsweered. The pic is fierce. It  stops me from going farther. What do they want to say? Is this Lanvin’s willing? Is this Lanvin’s message? Or is this the photographer couples word?

Since Louis Vuitton hires only stars to be the faces of its campaigns, we may guess that Gabriel Aubry (only if we still got some doubt) is not anymore any model out there.

After getting stuck with Barbara Palvin’s angel face on L’officiel Feb 10 cover a few weeks back, I bump into her once more thru Stella Forest Spring Summer 2010 collection campaign.

I knew she of Hungary when I had a rush of Hungarian visit when I published my last post about her. She’s 16-year-old and 5”6′ (1m68) tall. 

The April 2010 Vogue US is the opportunity to look back at the numerous covers of Vogues Gisele has made over the years.

This Lanvin’s runway Cleopatra style with black wig and bold smoky eyes’ style is a look I’d like to flaunt.

Unfortunately, I’d look weird. My frizzy hair can’t stand a fringe. From the day I cut a fringe down, I’ll be my iron straightener’s if I don’t want to look like an alpaca.

I guess this Chanel Couture dress is my favorite. The champagne body & silver flowers mixmatch is amazing on Parker’s skin tone.

You know what I love about this collection? That Christophe Lemaire popped colors. It really is different from usual  dark collection. I really believe I should wear more colors during winter to lift up my mood. I confess that I’m a black person over winter. Above all because (and this winter more than ever) I stack clothes to keep warm. Do you believe that I’m gonna work with 5 layers. 6 with my underwear. First my underwear. 2/another underwear shirt or tee 3/My shirt. 3′/Another shirt depending upon the length of the sleeves or the body of the first one.4/ my pull/ sweater or my jacket. 6/ My coat. And I double my socks. I always wear a scarf, my hat and my gloves (sometimes my leather gloves + a pair of mitts). You bet it’s easier to picking them up all black rather than mixing colors right.

This yellow runway is bright. I mean smart.

Sorry guys. I’m running late. I’m 12 hours a day at the office. Not as much time as I’d want to feed my blog.

I tracked Milan & Paris Fall 2010 Men collection with delight. I feel like that there’s more creativity in Men Collection because they can’t be very creative. I mean girl wear long knee length short skirt or dress, full or cropped pants, kinda skirt-pant and everything in between while men have pants and bermudas … and shorts …

You see what I mean? And so I’m always in such a joy to scrutinize Men Collection, because it doesn’t look like a lot what is going on out there. Girls are allowed to be creative in big cities. I feel like gentlemen aren’t.

Jessica Biel is February 2010 cover of Vogue US. Check out the making of. She looks like such a sweetheart.

Versace Fall 2010 RTW collection for men was mainly grey and dark, leather and studs, glitter and shiny … for what I liked.

Above is a very classic fabric slim pant and leather jacket. I like dressing myself like that.  

Elisabetta Canalis is the new face of Roberto Cavalli underwear Spring/ Summer 2010 collection.

I put my life on hold by Saturday afternoon to tune in to Burberry Prorsum Fall 2010 Men collection broadcast. This Fall RTW 2010 collection thread is military.

Jacket, shoulder, buttons and ankle cuff boots make me think about Inglorious Bastards’ Brad Pitt.

I am eager to see Fall 2010 men collection coming out. D&G has opened the dance. Here are my favorites

The view is avenue des Champ Elys√©es, Paris 8 from the balcony of Louis Vuitton boutique’s highest floor.

It seems that Dolce & Gabbanna are getting obsessed with simplicity and kitchen.

The French-born designer Sophie Theallet is CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund award 09 holder. She wins more than the $200 000 included in the prize. Honestly, I guess one single fashion show costs more than that. First she has one year of marketing, designing and producing mentoring from the industry professionals. Second, a broader audience of opportunists like myself.

pic from Style.com

I discovered Camilla Skovgaard label while searching my shoes for my sister’s wedding. Yeah, I know, it’s not the first time I’m talking about that, but it was a large part of my Spring 2009. She’s my big sis I love. We live in different continents, and I’m lucky if I see her 10 days/ year. You guess how it was a very special event for us. I started looking my ‘wedding outfits’ 6 months before the due date. I wanted something unique. No way my shoes or my clutch could look like my cousins’. I made up my mind on a short dress and I knew my mom would find that inappropriate. I needed original, sophisticated and remarkable shoes to make her forget those legs out. But, even if San Francisco may be very honorable in terms of fashion, I found out only ‘classic’ pieces. They don’t go into special things as Paris and NY do. Or if they do, it’s with well established brands like Louboutin, Balenciaga, Balmain, Zanotti and like. For example, I stopped on those black gladiator Balenciagas and those jewelled Balmains Jennifer Connelly donned at ‘He’s just not that into you’ premiere. But they were beyond my price bracket.

Balenciaga heels

I liked those 4” heel Jean Michel Cazabat sandals as well. Though the glitter and cork finish looked great, I judged that they were too expensive for such a poor material. Plus, they didn’t dress up my feet enough to balance my undressed legs.

Jean Michel Cazabat Oxus heels

Then I tried desperately to get Rodolphe Menudier booklet. I got snubbed. After days of research on the Internet, I stumbled into Camilla Skovgaard green Saddle python sandals. Once I saw them, I have known they were the ones. The booty-style would dress up my feet enough. The python was noble enough and the green color unusual enough. Between us, I don’t like green usually.

Some lucky girl is already wearing one of the fabulous RTW dress Alexander McQueen introduced during Paris fashion week last September. And you know what? Without horns, the dress is absolutely wearable in everyday life

Here Camilla Belle is at 2012 Premiere last Tuesday 3 nov in Los Angeles.

Pics from NYT and JustJared