Thursday, July 22, 2010
New York City
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Summer 2010 Wardrobe Staples
The biggest wardrobe staples of the summer are as follows:
3. Marc Jacobs tote bag (or any tote bag for that matter). A Marc Jacobs tote bag sounds expensive, but is actually is in the range from $15.00 - $30.00. Unfortunately these amazing totes can only be bought either at the Marc Jacobs store in New York or over the phone (there is a $20.00 shipping fee). For more information go to marcjacobs.com and click on “special items”
5. LWD. For fall/winter we have the LBD (Little Black Dress) for spring/summer there is the alternative LWS (Little White Dress). White dresses are a must-have for this summer and fortunately are easy to find.
6. Tie-Dye. You can thank Proenza Schouler for this one. With their spring/summer ready-to-wear collection these two up-and-coming designers revamped this old worn out design and made it chic and more wearable.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Sneak Peek
3. Schoolgirl. This isn't the typical Catholic schoolgirl look. The term "schoolgirl" has taken a whole new look by adding color with very little plaid. The look is more structured but at the same time is fun without looking childish. The following look is from Rochas fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear collection:
4. Seemingly ugly sweaters. In the movie "The Devil Wears Prada," Anne Hathaway's character, Andy, is criticized for wearing what was referred to as a 'lumpy blue sweater' - now that same 'lumpy blue sweater' is actually fashionably acceptable. If you don't believe me, well let Prada prove you wrong:
Friday, June 18, 2010
Up and Coming Fashion Stars
My second choice for the newest up-and-coming style star is Janelle Monae. This Kansas City native is making her way into the music way in a very fashionable way. In fact, I think her funky, glam style is giving her a better name than her music is. Her custom made suits with the the feminine flair of puffed sleeves and outrageously sized bows make her style quirky, fun, yet wearable.
My third, and last choice, may seem like a surprise since she has been around for years; but I think Miss Dakota Fanning is finally making her way into the fashion world. For many years, whenever she has appeared on the red carpet she has always looked as if her grandmother dressed her up for Easter Sunday. In the past year or so, however, all that has changed. Her style is only in the beginning stages of evolution, but I think as the years go by she will turn into quite the style force on the red carpet.
There is an element of each one's style that I love that not only makes them who they are, but makes their style worth admiring. Carey Mulligan's quirky choices and ensembles aren't run of the mill - they're quirky, fun, and have personality to them. Janelle is all glam. She's loud and proud in her outfit choices - letting her personality show right through. Dakota has that clean cut, all-American girl look. I don't think that she has quite gotten to the point where she can express herself through clothes yet, but in time I'm sure she will.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The Emaciation of Women
Over the past few months I have observed the newest double standard making its way into the fashion world. The fashion industry is filled with hypocrisy, but none that equals the terminology used when describing a young woman who is not a sample size zero. Despite the “movement” in the modeling industry towards “healthier” looking models with “athletic” builds, the message is clear – skinny is always the agenda.
While reading the April 2010 and June 2010 issues of Vogue recently (the April issue being the "shape issue"), I came across a story in each magazine that not only contradicted each other, but proved to be uncomplimentary to the modeling/fashion industry as a whole. The first article in the April issue, co-written by Sally Singer, described the rehab process through the eyes of Kim Noorden. Miss Noorden is a very successful European model who has graced hundreds of runways and became the face of Stella McCartney’s 2009 lingerie line. A few months before she modeled Stella’s lingerie line she checked herself into a rehab clinic for women struggling with eating disorders. Kim said herself that she never really saw her eating as “disordered,” but came to the conclusion that even that statement proved to be a byproduct of the disorder of her relationship with food. Upon checking herself into the clinic, the staff told Kim that she would be expected to be fully committed to the program, one of the requirements was that she gain a pound a week – Kim has been modeling since she was fifteen. She is ‘5”11 and weighed 110 pounds – naturally that sent her nerves into a frenzied state. In the article, Noorden describes her shame in not only checking herself into the clinic but the shame of stepping looking into a mirror and trying to figure where she would want that first pound added.
I blame the industry. Model scouts demand that the new models they recruit be at least a size zero. The size itself is ridiculous and unrealistic giving the impression that it is “normal” to be that skinny. I’m calling this blog post “The Emaciation of Women” because that is what it has come down to. The industry has become so intense and competitive that it is “be skinny or don’t be a model.” What I find most offensive is that anyone that does not fit into these impossible sample sizes is deemed “athletic” or “healthy” (two words a high fashion model never wants to hear from anyone).
In the June Vogue issue that I mentioned earlier there was an article about Lara Stone. Stone has gone from waif like to a size four – almost a crime in the modeling world. The article highlighted her bravery to come out as a size four. "Bravery" really? Does one have to be "brave" to be a size four - I was always under the impression that it was normal to be a size four. Lara is a talented model, but unfortunately her new size may cost her some jobs. Regardless of the effort to the "accept" girls who are not sample sizes, the girls with a size zero jean size will be the ones to get the jobs. Only for the sake of the modeling industry, I hope that they eventually own up to the fact that they carry a double standard when they go to hire models.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Music and Fashion
I think it would be safe to say that music influencing fashion first started with the Beatles in 1963 in London. From the second John, Paul, George, and Ringo put on their tailor-made collarless suits and black heeled leather ankle boots, they took their places as the reigning kings of fashion for almost the next decade. Arguably the most popular fashion trend was started by the Beatles in 1964 with what was called the ‘mop-top’. Before long, virtually everyone had the bowl shaped bangs combed over their foreheads and a guitar to match. . Still, today, everyday you see boys and even some girls copying the same haircut that the Beatles introduced nearly fifty years ago.
Every facet and genre of music has had its representation at one point or another in the fashion world. In the early 60’s it was the mop-top haircut and the mini skirt; the mid to late sixties brought the hippie/unwashed era. The sixties also introduced the music of greats like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Janis Joplin. The 70’s brought bell-bottoms, disco music, feathered hair, John Travolta and ABBA. The 80s introduced the world to styles such as grunge, punk, glam rock and disco glam along with Michael Jackson, Joan Jett, and Blondie. I think the most exciting thing about all the trends that music has brought fashion is that what they have contributed has been timeless. In the past two years, Dior brought back the big 80s hair and Chanel brought back the modernized version of the early-sixties beehive (as so un-glamorously copied by British singer, Amy Winehouse). Even further the cigarette (skinny) jeans and leggings from the eighties came back in a new and modern way revolutionizing 21st century style.
Now a new generation of fashion-obsessed musicians is making their way into the limelight. Like the Beatles before them, the Jonas Brothers captivated everyone with their innate sense of style from the start. From sporting plaid shirts, skinny jeans, and Ray Bans to custom-made Italian silk Dolce & Gabbana suits have made Kevin, Joe, and Nick fashion icons. Likewise the “Jo Bro’s” friend and collaborator Miley Cyrus even launched her own fashion line with designer Max Azria, called Miley and Max.
Musicians are artists. Their music is as much ear candy as a painting by da Vinci is a feast for the eyes. However, for most musicians their music is their real art; fashion is only a secondary priority. In a fall 2008, interview with Vogue, I think Justin Timberlake sums up this theory perfectly: “You think of Stevie [Wonder], you think of the glasses, the braids, and his voice. You think of the Beatles, you think mop-top, haircut, suits. You think of Prince, you think purple. You think of Marvin Gaye, you think skullcap with a pea coat. I don’t think you plan stuff like that. You sort of just are who you are.” Justin himself is singlehandedly credited for the comeback of the three piece suit.
Just like music, fashion is always evolving and new silhouettes and re-vamps of old ideas are being discovered every day. It’s the same with music. You think you’ve heard the same thing before but one thing – just like one accessory – can make all the difference.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
"Zest is the secret. . ."
♥ Abbey