Laurence Benaïm
Founder, Stiletto
Her scholarly, cultural and artistic observations at Le Monde have made her one of France’s most respected fashion commentators.
French journalist and author Laurence Benaïm came to prominence writing for the fashion pages of Le Monde in the late 1980s. Her scholarly, cultural and artistic observations make her one of France’s most respected fashion commentators. Founder of Stiletto Editions, fashion curator and expert, lecturer (Sciences Po/ IFM), she is co-president of charity organisation, @lestalentsengagent, and editor in Paris for Editions Assouline.
Benaïm studied literature at Paris’ Sorbonne University before completing a post-graduate course in journalism. She began her career at L’Express, a Parisian newspaper supplement, in the mid 1980s. Benaïm was soon recruited by Le Monde to be a fashion writer for the paper. Benaïm would stay at the paper for almost two decades, during which she was involved with the design of the paper’s Style supplement.
Benaïm’s journalistic duties at Le Monde did not prevent her from writing several critically acclaimed books, five of which were based on Yves Saint Laurent, including a definitive biography of the designer.
In June 2009, she was awarded the title of Officier des Arts et des Lettres by the French minister of culture and communications.
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Tomes of the Times: Summer Reading
Colin McDowell shares his essential summer fashion reading list, from ‘Fashion Game Changers’ to a catalogue of Karl Lagerfeld's work for Chanel.
Tomes of the Times: Summer Reading
Colin McDowell shares his essential summer fashion reading list, from ‘Fashion Game Changers’ to a catalogue of Karl Lagerfeld's work for Chanel.
Remembered: The Game-Changing Martin Margiela Show of 1989
As talk turns towards a future of consumer-facing fashion shows, we look back on the 1989 Martin Margiela presentation, which set a new paradigm for the fashion show as a public spectacle, in an oral history with contributions from Margiela’s closest collaborators and biggest supporters of the time, courtesy of The Gentlewoman.
Remembered: The Game-Changing Martin Margiela Show of 1989
As talk turns towards a future of consumer-facing fashion shows, we look back on the 1989 Martin Margiela presentation, which set a new paradigm for the fashion show as a public spectacle, in an oral history with contributions from Margiela’s closest collaborators and biggest supporters of the time, courtesy of The Gentlewoman.
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
