Informed Style

On Monday we looked at three Fashion Love Stories (and one love story that didn’t end so well…) and today we’ll look into a few more.

There are some couples that seem destined to be together, some that collaborate beautifully in and out of the design studio, and others that no one could have seen coming…even the couple themselves. Regardless – let’s all open up a box of chocolates, put on our red & pink finery and enjoy all the love coming our way today -

Happy Valentine’s!

Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé

Designer YSL and businessman Pierre Bergé met in the 1950s, while Yves was head designer at Dior. A few years later, it was with Bergé’s support that YSL struck out on his own as a designer. While there were many ups and downs in their 60 year partnership (the movie L’Amour Fou chronicles it impeccably) the legacy of their love and work together is the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent, which strives to conserve the Haute Couture works of YSL and support cultural programs. The love story of Pierre and Yves sets a wonderful example of how when the right people come together, the result can be greater than the sum of parts.

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Ruben and Isabel Toledo

Designer Isabel and illustrator Ruben met at the tender age of 13…in Spanish class in New Jersey. As they found their callings in the fashion and art worlds, they also found a love for one another and a partnership described by Harper’s Bazar as that of ‘mutual muses’. Collaborating on fashion lines, books and art, the couple’s understanding of what makes the other tick helps both achieve incredible results. The longevity and the unique working relationship between Isabel and Ruben is a perfect example of how two talented individuals can find in each other a perfect complement.

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Jenna Lyons and Courtney Crangi

Creative Director of J. Crew Jenna Lyons, and jewelry executive Courtney Crangi are an odd pairing…in that if you had asked Jenna in 2011 if she would fall in love with a woman, she may have been a bit surprised by the question and answered in the negative. With their relationship rising out of the breakup of Lyon’s marriage to artist Vincent Mazeau, Jenna and Courtney’s story reminds us to have an open mind, and accept what the universe brings our way when it comes to love. In Jenna’s words: “‘Oh! This wasn’t what I expected.’ But I don’t think love works that way, and I am O.K. with that.”

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Heartbreaker Pick

Tory and Chris Burch

Fashion PR turned designer Tory and investor Chris married in 1997 and divorced in 2006. Chris remained a part owner and a member of the Board of Directors for several years before things turned sour between the pair. In 2012 the legal battles began. Sigh. Though resolved to Tory’s benefit, catapulting her into the Billionaire’s Club, the story of Tory and Chris’ partnership – and eventual split – reminds us that working closely with a spouse can be rewarding, but so can working closely with your lawyer.

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Do you have any favourite fashion couples? How is your Valentine the apple of your stylish eye?

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