In reply to Karl Fuler:

YSL was the first designer to make black models major on fashion runways and fashion campaigns. He was a true master in terms of refinement and style. I don't see any designers of now with YSL masterful presence, and understanding of style, not trying to come up with new looks just for the sake of the fashion cycle, but would insist on refining the existing styles to perfection. Since the 1980's, YSL had stopped participating in the fashion system in terms of coming up with distinctively new ideas every season, but he just stuck to his beliefs of what beauty and style is, and in the end, his designs evolved into the most unforced kind of high fashion that's timeless and provocative, but never vulgar. To stick with one's style and not coming up with drastic new looks, it's not something new designers do, many feel they have to play to the system, and perhaps they think it's rebellious and controversial to come up with crazy things every season, perhaps it takes a true rebel to not play along with the system, but only to do what feels right in the heart.

In reply to Karl Fuler:

RESPECT-one cannot attain respect in the creative field, no matter how deliberate one tries to do, it's a reaction of other people, which comes from their hearts, because they feel the sincerity and honesty in the motives based upon goodness.

In reply to KaWai:

How exasperatingly naive!

In reply to Karl Fuler:

I once saw an interview with a fashion duo whose wish was to become as big or even bigger than YSL, have their own perfume and make a fortune no harm in that but .... there lies the problem sometimes with some of the fashion designers in general , it is not about the craft, ideals and a philosophy .... it is all about the 'glamour' around it .... with such thinking some may get to the top but they are not bound to last long ... Yes their wish became true, they have their fragrance and they have the hype but so far I cannot say that their fashion have added anything new or spectacularly refreshing as in style, elegance or innovation .... it is all about the hype, to have their name written all over and the fame that comes with it !.. but the clothes .." well they can wait until after the 'party' !.... but it should be the other way around ..

I suppose that is what some people may call 'respect' or recognition ! ... but who is kidding who in the end ?

In reply to Galileo's Universe:

Our genes our kidding us – we are programmed to attain the admiration of our peers, or to submit to admire others. This is true with other social species of mammal. We are still following our primeval survival instincts.

In reply to Karl Fuler:

I think the true works of art and craftmenship, by those that stand the test of time, and over a long period of time consistently produce work of high quality with innovation and purpose, the intention behind their work would come through. I really feel if one puts their whole heart into the process of laboring over their creation, the ultimate result has certain purity and level of quality that one can't deny, and people do respond to that with heartfelt feelings of certain respect. The kind of so call respect by those who use gimmick and connection to gain fame, ultimately is very fleeting and insubstantial. In the end the true test is time. Could you name anyone who use gimmick to gain fame and over time the quality of their work command respect from the public?

In reply to KaWai:

I agree! It is the fashions of the time which elevate rubbish to high levels. Once the fashions develop, or move on, only the things with intrinsic value remain valued.

In reply to Karl Fuler:

Vanity is human nature. Glamour is an illusion in the business of fashion, because you can't touch it, can't really see it, it's a feeling of the senses, and it takes hard work to create that sense of glamour. How many hours designers such as YSL labored over a dress-how many people it took to complete a dress-it's all work. It takes lots of discipline to be a master of fashion design. Vivienne Westwood in an interview said that she doesn't like her staff listening to music when they are working in the cutting room. YSL worked very quietly in his studio. His fitting models had to wear white robes and black stockings for fitting session. The really serious ones are really serious when they work, it's not at all what people perceive as- loud, bouncing around, people running around, coming in and out. The real work itself is like science research in a lab.