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Even if you’re a True Critical Blogger, Would you Write Nice to be Re-Invited to a Show?

The Independent (.co.uk), a UK newspaper, published an article on backlash against bloggers. The difference with this newest backlash is that it is in truth different. Bloggers in front rows at recent couture shows inspired new, yes actually new, resentment from insiders.

13-year-old successful blogger Tavi with John Galliano

13-year-old successful blogger Tavi with John Galliano

There are two main current points as we stand in early 2010. One might fade as a trivial beholder-view on manners – the petite Tavi; can she wear a large yet slim headpiece that would definitely obstruct views if atop a model-heighted head? I as another petite woman, and full-grown, happen to believe all un-petite-themselves head accessories should be avoided in such seating as obvious courtesy. But this does not need to be discussed now.

The second issue lies with what, to some, used to make blogging great—fashion topics included. Honesty. Critiques. What small bloggers may not realize we enjoy is this blessing – we are either allowed it or left to bare it, for not enough notice to or who would inspire us to self-censor.

But first comes freebies and press releases, which might challenge honesty or publishing unique and interesting content. Then more recently for some has come truer privilege; not only attending fashion week but the front row. Indeed a privilege no fashion fan would dare let easily be stripped away – like Cinderella after the ball if her stepmother would simply give a marital blessing if the maid-and-princess-to-be would only be … kind to that wench. This is a world where that scenario could be true except all of these Cinderellas had loved the step-parent until she wore a hideous frock she herself designed, yet appeared ominous holding a lock to the attic door.

What’s a moral, opinionated yet wide-eyed dreaming young maiden to do? I would be intimidated for sure. Do you think you could look at that gift stallion through your monitor and set aside your own benefits to just pen the truth? Now would an undiscovered blogger still so covet that hard position?

Perhaps fault may just happen to lie with designers, actually? Is such intimidation an unethical business practice? (Or is this fear merely fear itself? Or worse; fabricated by professional editors?) In any walk or aspect of life, one must be able to take criticism, but if and only if designers are truthfully unable to take the heat dished out from the little guys’ offices … well sorry to sound so “normal girl”, but — how lame!

Bonus but ultra-important rant: Read the rest of this entry »

 

*Bitch Alert* Olsen Twins act more as Outfit Stylists than Designers for New Clothing Line

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen with "Olsenboye"

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen with "Olsenboye"

I watched Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen debut “their” new clothing line, Olsenboye, on Good Morning America yesterday, underwhelmed and over-annoyed. The young adult twin stars proudly, although it was inexplicable pride, described the pairings of pieces sounding much more like dressup players or perhaps even wardrobe stylists, which is to be kind, as instead of showing true design (which can not be faked) they didn’t even try when announcing clothes with phrases something like “we paired that with…” and “blazers are great“. Seriously. Seriously? What?! … If a blazer is great, buy one. *scoff*

That is not design. They cannot force whole outfits on people to get a unique look – girls (only some and not masses of true collection fans vs. Olsen fans) would buy individual pieces and these singular items are just so regular. They fall into the category of this word I’ve sort of invented and now love to use: undesigned, or they are … undesigns.

Love in the City tee - OlsenboyeTo boot, what makes blazers so great to so many – the flattering waist-giving shape – is absent in the depicted floaty jacket.

Oh and, of course, a graphic tee with a phrase (not even a great, funny or terribly unique phrase) in a few fonts obviously does not a design make. DUH!

Stick to being fashion plates, girls. You like fashion, you like trends, but you really just like dressing yourselves. If you want to dress others, call yourselves what you are apparently attempting to be – stylists. However that is kind of a career step down, for even Rachel Zoe is making it much bigger by starring in her own TV show.

Oy.

Watch the full video clip while it’s available via Hulu, below.

 

Cindy Crawford, “One Kiss”, Jewelry at JC Penney – Another Undesigner Celeb Line or More?

Preview of One Kiss by Cindy Crawford at JC Penney, coming in April

Cindy Crawford has an upcoming (April 2010) jewelry collection for JC Penney. She already has a home line for the chain mart and another furniture range at Rooms to Go, a discount furniture-collection store you may or may not even live near, and hence may not know. However in my being able to have viewed some of those RTG pieces, I’d critique them as usual albeit nice with fun colors.

Ella, I, was ready to pass judgment and pass this off as the usual boring, but I’m actually not so sure that is my opinion. The pieces are said to be inspired by Henna, and I do see that, in addition to an actual certain specialness. But what do you think?

 

Common Cold Accessory: Not Hot

Two moms have invented “Sniffle Buddies”: *extra* mini sleeves upon which for kids to wipe their noses. Because that’s way better than wiping on a shirt sleeve. Oh yeah.

It’s a fashion disaster too scary to recommend imagining, but the worst part is these two new business partners also sell adult sized versions.

Ugggghhh. I don’t feel too well.

Read more about these mothers’ story or browse the Sniffle Buddy Shop.

 

Ella on Catwalk “Queen” “Miss J.” on Male Models. Plus Ella on Barbie’s & her “walk”.

“Miss” J. Alexander was interviewed by Grazia Daily and said this of male models’ catwalks,

I believe they still think it’s a business for women and gay men, so they are walking somewhere [they don't want to go], I think, between the bank and the gym.

Of course “Miss J.”, the queen of cat walking, can critique anyone’s runway grace – he’s girlier than Barbie herself!

However she can’t walk well either, and any girl or woman can attest; she’s just all *hop hop hop*! ;-)

 

IFB Links a La Mode: 10, 9, 8…

I am a little bit late to post this roundup, but I didn’t want to miss publishing these intriguing links, featuring yours truly…

ifb-countdown

The Countdown Begins

Edited by Dramatis Personae

The countdown has begun–not only until the end of the year–but until the end of the first decade in the 21st century.  That’s kind of amazing to think about.  Styletastic and Sway, Sway, Away! both look at fashion from the Oughts with two distinctly different visions. [the3st] interviews the founder of ModCloth, while Wicked & Whimsy reviews Closet Confidential (by the hilarious Winona of DaddyLikey fame!).

Since this will be my last edit of links a la mode for this year, see you all in 2010!

Links à la Mode : December 17th

  • 39thandbroadway.com: – How Brands Get Burned By Celebs
  • A Typical Atypical: – Suffering from Buyers Remorse: The Real Deal
  • Brunette and Pink: – Makeup Tutorial: Leighton Meester Inspired Winged-out Smoky Eye Look
  • DailyDivaDish – Create a sparkling New Year’s look with the Tarte Treasure Chest Giveaway. Enter to this limited edition kit.
  • Friend in Fashion – Sugar and spice and all things nice – Unearthing the unique designs of the fabulous, Arizona based designer Monique Martinez, through the captive lense of Galaxie Andrews.
  • Grit and Glamour: – The Trend Conundrum–rends are a tricky thing; what makes some women look so pulled together is not a wardrobe full of the latest styles and trends, but the ability to know which ones to avoid.
  • i’m the it girl: – My Love Affair With Hermes and the Great Debate: Kelly or Birkin?
  • Idiosyncratic Style: – 12 Great Holiday DIY Projects – give something special this year (even if you are short on time and money)
  • kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS: – My most amazing (and green!) find this year: Denim Therapy, a company who will restore your tattered favorite jeans to like-new condition. Seriously.
  • La Société de Mode | The Fashion Society: – Combats are stomping their way back into style
  • Pursed Lips: – Thoughts/quotes on Lady Gaga as a powerful tool, if a difficult one to reach, for designers.
  • Style on a String – Getting down to the wire: Gifts for the Stylish Geek who is kind of Girly too
  • Styletastic: – As the 00’s are coming to en end, we look back at the fashion memories that will define the decade. Ah the memories!
  • Sway Sway Away!: – Sway Sway Away! presents Caitie’s bitching and moaning on the worst trends of the Aughts.
  • THE COVETED – Love it or Leave it : Rodarte for Target
  • The Fashion Planner: – The Fashion Planner shows you how to make a jaunty beret.
  • The Working Wardrobe: – Beware of “business casual” being too casual for the workplace.
  • tick tick heart: – A focus on the varying fashions of some of our quirkier leading ladies in film.
  • White Rabbit: – Pros and Contras of Artificial Nails
  • Wicked Whimsy: – Closet Confidential: A Review
  • [the3st]: – Success & Getting There: Interview with Susan of ModCloth.com
 

Update: Christopher Kane Explains Himself regarding ‘Bloggers’ Comments

A revisit to the Christopher Kane story, with an update. First to recap, Christopher Kane dissed bloggers seemingly insinuating they do not belong in the front row of fashion shows, etc.

But he was given the chance to explain himself, if he so wished, when Grazia Daily .co.uk gave him a quick interview and that chance. It seems the message he really wants to get out there is “if you can’t say anything nice … add something nice anyway.” His actual words were,

“You’re allowed to say what you want but sometimes the blogs that you [sic] read are really negative, and that’s what I meant to say, really. Sometimes it’s too negative for my liking and I think maybe [bloggers] could give someone a compliment or say something nice. But bloggers nowadays seem to be a bit negative. … That’s all I meant to say.”

Here’s the video of the brief conversation,

Well that’s much nicer Chris, now we hope you happen to stumble upon us! ;-)

*Update* I’ve looked a bit into Grazia and oddly enough even though Christopher talks about them as though they’re just one of “us(/them) blogs” (an excerpt I didn’t include before, “but Grazia Daily seems to be really great and that’s really fun and Ten Blog who I sometimes edit with are always high and nice…”) they actually are foremost a glossy magazine.

Le sigh! So what is it Chris, eh? Do you like any actual blogs for which you don’t write? Come on now, learn something about us! (And British magazines to boot.)

 

Tom Ford Quotes on Love on ‘Charlie Rose’

Tom Ford was interviewed by Charlie Rose mostly about his new film (now playing), A Single Man.

tom-ford

He was lovely and has given us beautiful quotes to think about still in our “day and age”. My first favorite,

“Yeah. So, you know, people occasionally will say to me, even good friends, ‘your lifestyle’, I’m, ‘what is that, my lifestyle?’ You know, I live with someone I love. You know, we read books, we cook dinner together, we occasionally argue. We go on vacation together. We have been together for 23 years. That is my lifestyle.”

My second favorite quote speaks to me and many others, although intended as discussion about homosexual unfairness, it’s equally for any woman waiting for her boyfriend to propose or “feel ready” – as we age and live in our serious relationships.

“… Longtime partner, a boyfriend, lover, there is not a good word for that, we need to figure that out in our culture. Lover makes it sound like all you do is have sex.”

Charlie Rose pointed out,

“Boyfriend, girlfriend, we have to figure out boyfriend, girlfriend, when the girl is 40 years old.”

All I know is I will not be a girlfriend when I’m 40. The boy knows that too. Oh but can’t I still call him boy? ;-)

You can only get the video from Charlie Rose .com. Watch or buy a DVD.

 

Virtual Lookbooks: My Designs for FFG #1

Click here to read more about Fashion Fantasy Game and how to visit my showroom.

Most people on this fun website design entire ensembles, doing both some design play and a lot of styling. I though prefer to nitpick every last aspect of one item and stick to piece elements more like the real world (as in one retails a sweater, not a sweater + tights + …). I feel I do focus more on creating more detailed pieces however I don’t hesitate to use simpler items I love especially if from a limited edition template but also I sometimes publish designer inspired pieces.

Since I can’t sell complete outfits from already created designs without laboring over each individual object all over again, I’m just styling my own “diva” and will publish here, hoping for a little game-play exposure and other fun stuffs. ;-)

Some of the elements I design I do find difficult to piece with what else I have on FFG to fit into my personal style. Even if these ensembles go wackier than I would ever wear, something like this is typical in fashion from runway to lookbooks, and I think others may appreciate a whole styling of my pieced elements.

Enjoy doll #1: Color Diva!

color-diva

I will be pairing these with shopping “tips” on how to find perhaps similar pieces for the real world…

Forever 21 at ShopStyle
 

I don’t want to “Clutch” this bag – Ouch! – Vote: IT or $h-t?

Corto Moltedo's "Boyfriend" clutch

Corto Moltedo's "Boyfriend" clutch

I don’t think Tom Binns for Corto Moltedo thinks highly of “boyfriends” – what this little torture device is named after. Obviously this is a statement piece of art, possibly even poking (no pun intended) fun of a “crazy”? trend – spikes in general. That mini trend is a part of the huge rocker/edgy punk thang going on, and I can’t say I hate that.

I’m just not even sure how this works as a sculpture. :-P

What about you?

*Via* Jalou News