Daily Front Row

2010 February 12

Reading Time with Theyskens

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Anna Wintour and Olivier Theyskens
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(NEW YORK) “I am so happy tonight!” a zealous Oliver Theyskens effused last night during the book launch of Olivier Theyskens, The Other Side of the Picture hosted by Simon Doonan and Julie Gilhart at Barneys. “It’s amazing that this book is out.” Friends toasted Theyskens as he and guests celebrated the launch of his book, cataloguing his impressive volume of work and outlining his history as a designer. “For me, this evening is so fantastic because I never thought that this project turn out like this!” explained photographed Julien Claessens. "I have been very close with Olivier for years and years. So because we were such friends, it was really easy!”

It was also easy for guests to gush. Suze Menkes caught up with Stefano Tonchi. “Everybody is so excited to see what Olivier is doing," she said. "There is a tremendous amount of excitement. It’s all about a bigger emotion, as well, knowing that this is someone so creative who is going to back into the heart of the fashion world.” Guests sipped on champagne and indulged in mini risotto balls while Theyskens signed books for longtime supporters like Anna Wintour and Hamish Bowles.

“I hate to use the word gowns, but he does have all these incredible, dramatic gowns," said Simon Doonan, who created large-scale dresses made of pages from the book. "We tried to create this drama! It is a display of a person’s absolute dream to work with an Olivier Theyskens. It’s like a Sargent painting, or a reincarnation of a Henry James woman just sweeping into a ballroom with her dress dragging along behind her!”
EMILY POPP