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Written by Crystal Renn
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Monday, 02 August 2010 07:44 |
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As often happens during Fashion Week, for the past few days there’s been all this talk about size. What is too big? What is too thin? Here’s what I think:
I believe in moderation. I also believe that when eating a healthy diet and taking part in some form of exercise, you will find your body's natural set point (whether that is a size 2 or 16). If only it were so easy. I believe in our society we are so used to looking at others to see if we match up--celebrities and models have been idolized for some time. Even though I believe in healthy admiration, when it starts to make you feel bad about yourself, that’s when the problems begin.
Recently, there has been much press on this issue, especially after a young model named Coco Rocha spoke out and said that she was "unbookable" for shows due to her size. (She’s a size 4.) A beautiful multifaceted model like Coco should be able to work in all different areas of fashion. She captivates us with her poise and multitude of expressions and has one of the most distinctive runway walks ever.
So why all of the fuss about her weight? It seems as though we should be past this now: Recently I've noticed there have been many changes in fashion and a lot more diversity when it comes to color, size and height. Is it enough? Maybe not, but I believe change that happens overnight is a trend—something that, like last year’s neon trapper hats, will be gone in a flash.
Instead, I think a more gradual approach is needed for something like this to last. Steps in the right direction have been made by leaders in the industry, such as Glamour’s own Cindi Leive who made a pledge—and is sticking to it!—to include women of all shapes and sizes in the magazine. V Magazine’s creative director Stephen Gan recently created the first-ever shape issue, which featured models in every shape and size, and in London, Mark Fast makes it a point to use a variety of sizes in his show.
On this topic and on most others, I am an optimist. Fashion has brought diversity to ad campaigns and into the editorial spreads and I believe in the future, the runway scene will catch up. And who knows how that will happen? What if the industry took a Mary Kay approach to dealing with these young women? Uplifting them, molding them into stars and showcasing them as the individuals that they are. So much of modeling is about the exposure to something new. It offers opportunities that can change lives through the accumulation of knowledge, social skills, and experiencing foreign cultures. A lot of these beautiful young women are very smart and if nurtured more, could take on the world and inspire many. If that happened, who knows: We might have the resurgence of the supermodel, one who is admired just as much for her brains as for her beauty.
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Written by Celeste
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Thursday, 29 July 2010 14:57 |
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I’m not a fan of this season’s ’50s redux trend. I just don’t believe women want to wear anything that resembles a Mad Men costume and so literally calls to mind an era when women were marginalized as sex objects. We’ve come a long way, baby, but fashion will never be free of historic context. The only way to change the meaning is to render it ironic, and I’m not sure designers have succeeded this season. Of course, it might be possible to work bustiers without looking like you’re trying too hard to rock the latest trend—but it won’t be easy. Miuccia Prada always riffs on the feminine with a full measure of wit, and her take on this come-hither undergarment is perhaps the most arch. Her Gina Lollobrigida–style ruffled bra tops, A-line skirts, and dresses that smack of the naughty nonchalance of a smarty-pants Lolita are perfect as statement pieces, but it’ll take a girl with a lot of cheek to pull off this look. It’s an attention-grabber that may leave a lot to the imagination but offers little in the way of versatility. You won’t be able to pull apart these looks without losing the irony, and that relegates the ruffles to the costume shop.
Marc Jacobs’ entire show for Louis Vuitton was dedicated to a woman who has little to do but dress her curves. His interpretation of
who this woman might be was rather simple and decidedly not ironic.
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Written by Tracey Lomrantz
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Saturday, 24 July 2010 09:13 |
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Worried that wearing boyfriend jeans will make you look, well, too much like your boyfriend? Then check out how Chloe, Today's Best Dressed Reader, wore hers--it's about as femme and fabulous as you can get!
Jacket: Anthropologie
T-shirt: Forever 21
Necklace: Ann Taylor
Shorts: American Eagle
Shoes: J. Crew
Handbag: Chloe
"I didn't dig the jean/boyfriend short trend so much when it first popped up on the scene, I found it too disheveled/sloppy for my liking," Chloe writes to us. "But after buying a pair and working it through my closet I realized how versatile it really is, I love how it gives a bit of a casual/trendy twist to a more polished look, and I'm looking forward to layering these with chunky cardigans and tights come fall. The best part? I got them for around $18 a few weeks ago from American Eagle Outfitters during their summer clearance- a total steal."
Um, guess what, girl? I'm going to have to say that you totally bested Beyonce in the messy-dressy category--69% of our readers thought her polished blazer, girly accessories, and boyish cutuoff shorts were a Do, but I think your version is even cuter! If you'd paired this with some really tailored dressy shorts, the whole thing would have felt fussy, but the relaxed feel of the denim boyfriend shorts takes it to a totally chic place. Find out more about Chloe and her style now at her blog, The Chloe Conspiracy, then steal our version of her look for less:
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