Free Republic

Police have announced the first arrest in the recent 'flash mob' robbery at a Los Angeles area mall where 30 thieves made off with $400,000 in YSL merchandise. Ivan Isaac Ramirez, 23, was apprehended Thursday for his alleged involvement in the massive theft of a YSL store at the Glendale Americana at Brand. Another suspect, Brianna Jimenez, 21, is still at large and is currently being sought by police. Her smirking photo was released by cops over the weekend. No other suspects' names have been released or arrests have been made. Videos posted online from the August 8 robbery showed...

Marilyn Manson is the latest musician tapped by mega fashion brand Saint Laurent to star in their newest ad. Creative Director Hedi Slimane chose Manson to star in the brand’s newest menswear campaign. Slimane seems to have an obsession with selecting edgy singers from the ‘90s to front his ads... The eerie ad is comprised of a close-up shot of Manson featuring the singer in thick eyeliner, black lipstick and a shiny leather jacket. Goth-grunge is hot right now... Although a bit surprising seeing Manson star in a fashion ad, his sinister look perfectly accentuates the French fashion line’s dark...

The outpouring of money triggered by the auction of the Yves Saint Laurent-Pierre Bergé sale continued unabated as Christie's sold Old Master paintings and drawings, went on to German silver gilt of the 16th and 17th centuries and ended the day with the biggest auction ever of Art Deco furniture and objets d'art that alone added up to €59.14 million, or $75.70 million. What gives the sessions on Tuesday their full significance is the diversity of the categories represented and the rising tide of enthusiasm that seemed to grow each time the spotlight switched to a new area. Even though...

PARIS: If proof was needed that huge amounts of cash are available for art, the sale of the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé collection is it. In a historic auction that might yet prove to be a turning point for Paris on the international auction scene, Christie's has scored a triumph as it sold 59 Impressionist and Modern paintings, drawings and sculpture from the collection for €206.15 million, or $266.74 million. This exceeds the previous highest single-owner total at auction, achieved with the $207 million Paul Ganz sale in New York in November 1997. It will rise much higher...