Olivier Theyskens, Cagey about Next Fashion Project-Opens Up About McQueen

A shot from “The Other Side of  the PIcture” about Olivier Theyskens/photos by Julien Claessens

(**All photos,videos, and text by Susan M. Kirschbaum)

After hearing about the passing of Lee McQueen, motivation dropped like a lead ball at the thought of seeing runway shows of lesser talent than McQueen possessed. But I’m not  fair because such rare vision erupts only at the top-level of every art form. Still, the first reaction held, with nothing less than a real couturier coaxing me out the door: Olivier Theyskens.

He feted the debut of his book — “The Other Side of the Picture”/Assouline — last night at Barneys. The tome shot by Theysken’s dear friend Julien Claessens focuses on close images of Theysken’s designs and backstage shots.

The Wall Street Journal compared the 33-year-old  Belgian designer to  the show “My So Called Life –the TV show that was simultaneously applauded and canceled.” He was axed from Nina Ricci last year. He created those impossible nine-inch heeled shoes. He whips up fantasies in crêpe de chine and lace. Only a goddess or bird of paradise could pull them off, which is why he’s extraordinary. Perhaps too extraordinary for  hype or mere commercial fashion.

Nice that he paired up with his photographer friend. The boy “keeps it in the family.”

Plus, he’s so bloody adorable, I had to talk to him. (See below.)

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