Fashion Nudity: In or Out?

After looking through the Paris Vogue I came to realize that I would rather not see nude models in the fashion layouts. One would never see such shots in an American magazine, hence, the saying only in Paris Vogue.

I do think Carine Roitfeld is great and innovate, and she really adds that edge to the French magazine with its nude photography (among other things). I am able to appreciate the art of such images but think that non-breast-exposed images are more tasteful and have more of that ethereal dream-like quality inherent in fashion spreads.

As I look through the following images, while not trashy and quite stylistically reserved, I think they would be far better shots sans the breasts exposed.

What do you think - nudity in fashion magazines - in or out?





Photos: Paris Vogue October 2006

Style.com's Style Studio

Not too long ago style.com launched Style Studio, a new section devoted entirely to fashion videos. It is a great extension to the site, definitely making it more interactive (not that I don't already log enough hours).

Now it's like the photography you see on the pages of style.com literally comes alive. It's actually rather quite exciting, especially the parties section. Forget reading the re-cap and looking at the pics, now thanks to Style Studio you can actually be present, at the Marc Jacob's after-party say, even if it is just for 2 minutes and 25 seconds.

Other sections include: Designer Profiles, Fashion Moments, Guest Directors, Fashion Shows (of course), and a behind the scenes take on Vogue and W covers. Oh and fellow blogger The Sartorialist's "The Intersection" which lets his fantastic NYC street photography take life right before your eyes.

It is definitely worth checking out. (style.com - click on the videos tab)

A screen shot of the site:

Photo: style.com

My Dress Desire

I recently saw this dress on Kate Hudson, in some tabloid magazine, and tore it out and stuck it to my bulletin board. There was an immediate attraction (to the dress). Then I started seeing the short version of this dress on other celebs. I finally found out it was DVF but I was not able to find the dress anywhere online. And now in the December issue of Elle they feature this sassy little number in their "Elle First Trend" section. Oh what a perfect dress. It would make such great holiday attire. I just love it and want it but at $1,500 (for the short version), I may be able to afford it by next December. I think it's the perfect fancy, yet not too fancy LBD. Chic, classy, stylish and not too showy yet, thanks to its sequins, showy enough. I'm in love!

Photos: elle.com

Want It Now: Satin Pumps

I fell in love with these cerulean satin platform pumps. What a great pair of shoes! And they are affordable - originally $89.00 on sale for $69.00 at Nine West (check out ninewest.com). These are a must-have especially for the holiday season.

Photo: InStyle October 2006

Most Stylish Elder Couple

I came across this image again on fellow blogger site, The Sartorialist. The first time I saw it, it was so captivating. I love how this older couple looks so stylish. It almost looks like a scene out of a movie. And the second time I came across it, it struck me again. Not only is their outfits stylish but so is their spirit, which clearly emanates from their smiles. I hope when I reach this age, I, along with my partner, will look this stylish, both inside and out.


Photo: thesartorialist.blogspot.com

Vogue - The Book

The first book on the history of Vogue Magazine In Vogue: The Illustrated History of the World's Most Famous Fashion Magazine has arrived. This is going to be the must-have tome of the year and quite possibly the must-have tome of all time (in terms of a coffee table fashion book). Vogue says, in a recent article about book, "...the story of Conde Nast's transformation of a small society journal into the fashion magazine of record is the story of fashion itself..." The book chronicles over 100 years of fashion through the eyes, or shall I say the lens of Vogue. "We wanted to really go-in-depth, from how the magazine was born to how the editorial formula was developed and how it is produced today," says one of the editors. I am definitely looking forward to this book. (Perhaps this would be a perfect Christmas gift, from someone to myself!)

The book is available at amazon.com

Photo: amazon.com

The Catwalk Cats

I think The Catwalk Cats by Grace Coddington (Vogue's Creative Director) and Didier Maglie (which goes on sale December 1st) is a rather unique and playful way to express one's creative and most importantly, stylish self, not to mention one's love for the friendly feline(s). It's light, fun and engaging, and at the same time details the account of two prominent fashion lives. At least I think so, as I haven't yet looked inside it, but from all the press it seems so.

Check out the book's description.

For more than 20 years, the fashion powerhouses Grace Coddington and Didier Malige have lived together with a menagerie of incorrigible cats. This delightful, giftworthy book records their relationship through photographs (Malige's) and drawings (Coddington's) that document the couple's highly entertaining private and work lives through the eyes of their feline friends. These include Henri, an old-school, catnip-addicted, surfing chartreuse; his sister Coco, a couture-obsessed chartreuse on a sashimi diet; and her pal Baby, who doesn't quite share Coco's discipline, and will, sadly, never fit into a sample size. Then there's Puff, a mixed-up long-hair from Harlem whose curiosity--anyone for fortune-telling at Dave?--hasn't killed him yet; and finally Bart, the Persian youngster who would rather sit on the rooftop terrace than in the front row. The Catwalk Cats, a visual diary introduced by the irrepressible Puff, gives us a window into four madcap seasons in the life of this fabulous furry brigade, with sections devoted to the Collections, the Campaigns, and, of course, the Catfights. At once delightful and dishy, it is both a convincing argument for the fundamental similarities between felines and fashionistas and a moving meditation on love and life as a family.


Book available by pre-order at amazon.com

Photo: amazon.com

Beyoncé's Daytime Style

I recently saw Beyoncé on The Oprah Show and while she looked beautiful, (as always) her dress of choice (literally) was quite questionable. I do not think it to be so appropriate to wear such a low-cut mini dress on national daytime television.

I love Beyoncé. I am a huge fan. I think she is one of the most captivating pop stars of our time but I am really starting to question her daytime outfit choices. I also recently saw her on The Tyra Show, wearing a super-tight low-cut outfit.

With both outfits I could clearly see her cleavage, and while she does not have that "in your face" cleavage, I still think that she would look much classier for daytime television if she were covered up.

Perhaps the outfit for The Tyra Show is passable but nothing can excuse her Oprah Show choice. What was she thinking? Not to mention her jewelry of choice. She had on big, disco, super-hoops, while fitting for nighttime, they are definitely not suitable for daytime wear. She always looks impeccably glamorous by night - no complaints there but I hope Beyoncé reconsiders her daytime wardrobe choices, especially when on national TV.


Beyoncé on The Oprah Show



Beyoncé on The Tyra Show

Photos: oprah.com, tyrashow.com

The AMA's Most Stylish

Check out some of the 34th Annual American Music Award's most stylish.

Beyonce
Katherine McPhee
Nelly Furtado
Jamie Foxx
Kate Walsh
Gwen Stefani

Photos: gettyimages.com

Skinny Vs. Big

The Jean Paul Gaultier spring 2007 show featured, Ms. Velvet D'Amour, a plus-sized model clad in black satin and garters. Yes, it caused hype and buzz, especially with the recent ban on skinny models during Madrid's fashion week.

Why did he do it some ask? To make a statement, perhaps. But what statement is he trying to make? That is my question. I think that JPG's casting of a plus-size model in his show was simple mockery, (especially at Spain). I think that JPG’s line of thought could be summarized like this: They want to ban skinny models. If we ban skinny models then are we left using plus-size models? And if we are left using plus-size models then they would look like this and the runway will become this. Maybe or maybe not, but I think that adding one plus-size model to the mix is not going to change a thing.

According to a publicist, he was doing it to prove that beauty can be universal and thinks all women are beautiful. That sounds like a great and positive statement but if this was really, and I mean really the case, then why wouldn't there be plus-sized models in every show.

What we need to be seeing is everything between these two extreme body types. Why does it have to be one or the other? There is a huge disparity between the size 0– girl and the size 20+ girl, neither of which I think properly represent the general population of women and their bodies.

When will it be that we see short size 8 or 10 girls, slim girls with curvy assets,, or tall size 12 or 14 girls? I think that someone should at least try it. By now I am sure that we are all sick and tired of seeing the exact cookie-cutter body type on the runways, at least I am.

Season after season designers are always looking for ways to bring some newness to their shows. Why not cast a bevy of models (or non-models) with varying body types that truly represent what the average woman would look like in their clothes. (And maybe, just maybe, sales would increase as well – an additional perk/incentive that would, I think, be well received).

Photos: Chanel Spring 2007 (style.com), Jean Paul Gaultier spring 2007 (dailymail.co.uk)

Crystal Renn for Vogue

I'm not sure if any of you had a chance to view the Crystal Renn gallery of photos (see the link in the previous post) but I thought that she did a great job posing for the Vogue 2004 Shape Issue, espically in the '50s-style maillot de bain. She was only 17-years-old when she did this spread. It's great to see that she is still going strong. Yet, I would like to see her in Vogue again. Looking back through Vogue's April 2005 and 2006 Shape Issues not only did I not see Renn in any of the pages, I did not see a "curvy" representation as close to the one she did for their 2004 shoot.

Crystal Renn for Dolce & Gabbana

Here is the leopard clad Crystal Renn ad for Dolce & Gabbana. I think she looks absolutely amazing.

Check out FordModels.com to see her model portfolio. Also, a fellow blogger found more pics at this fan site.



Photo: Vogue August 2006

Warning: Fashion's Anorexia Epidemic

The fashion world mourns another loss. Another loss that could have been prevented. Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston, died on November 14 from an infection caused by anorexia. She was 5'8" and weighed 88 lbs. Her body-mass-index was 13.5. (According to the WHO, a healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9 and a BMI of 15 is defined as starvation). According to her friends she was only allowing herself to eat tomatoes and apples. She was the second fashion model to die this year of anorexia. Model Luisel Ramos, 22, died in August of a heart attack after apparently living on lettuce leaves and Diet Coke for three months.


Ok, honestly I thought that anorexia in the fashion industry was not as prevalent as yesteryear but obviously I am wrong. I remember in the '90s when the waif heroin chic look was in and Kate Moss was literally skin and bones and modeling for all the top designers. But that was then. I actually think Kate Moss has put on weight and looks healthy. I also feel that when one browses through the ads today you find healthy women. Slim for sure but not super-skinny/sick-looking skinny.

Take Dolce & Gabanna for example, their recent ad where model Crystal Renn is posing seductively clad in nothing but a leopard bustier. The first thing I noticed was that she was not skinny. She was still beautiful (and sexy) though and she still translated the brand image quite well.

Another example was Jean Paul Gaultier's spring 2007 runway show where he cast a plus size model in his show. Her size 20 frame pranced proudly down that runway. JPG certainly wanted to make his statement known. That skinny is not necessarily the norm anymore.

And what about the recent ban in Spain on overly thin models where Madrid's fashion week turned away underweight models. This descison came about after protests that girls were trying to copy the models’ rail-thin looks and in turn developing eating disorders.

I think that the industry has come a long way since the proverbial '90s but obviously it seems it has not come far enough. I don't think that in 2006, we should be loosing models to anorexia, bulimia or any other eating disorder.

Why is this still happening, and what should the industry do about it? Well, I do see a shift. I do see a change. Subtle maybe but I do see changes happening.

Perhaps, what Crystal Renn said on Oprah is the most intelligent thing I have heard so far. "I almost think that they should just have all different types of women. They should have petite women, they should have thin women, they should have curvy women. So if I'm a young girl looking up at the runway, then I'm like, 'Well, my body type's up there and I'm fine.'". I think if that were to happen there will be less distorted perceptions, more positive attitudes and no models dying from anorexia.


Photo: telegraph.co.uk

Limited Brands' 628 Million Dollar Buy

Limited Brands Inc. (who owns Victoria's Secret, among other brands) has announced that it will buy La Senza Corp., the Canadian lingerie retailer, for $628-million. It will buy all of the outstanding shares for $48.25 each (a 47.8% premium over its stock price now of $32.65 (as of closing time November 14th)). CEO Irv Teitelbaum, COO Laurence Lewis, and Vice Chairman Stephan Gross, will, collectively, retain a 48% stake in the company. This is big news.

The Canadian retailer has been known to "knock-off" its rival, Victoria's Secret, in terms of brand extension, advertising, store layout and most ostensibly, product type, fit and style name. Shortly after the release of Victoria's Secret Ipex bra, La Senza launched their Ipec bra (same style, look and fit). Not surprisingly, as a result, La Senza was slapped with a $1-million lawsuit.

So it was quite surprising to find out that Limited Brands is buying one of their biggest income generating brand's competitors. Surprising until I figured it is the absolute smartest move ever. As the saying goes, if you can't beat them you gotta join them, and that's just what Limited Brands did. There is no real way for them to control what La Senza has been doing (and will continue to do), the law suit fell through, so by owning 52% of the company, they will be able to control the final roll-out of each and every strategy.

I am anxious to see if we will still see the same product assortment from La Senza or a completely new concept. The buyout is expected to happen in January 2007. A definite industry move to keep your eye on.


Photos: victoriasecret.com, lasenza.com

Star Style:Jennifer Lopez

I think Jennifer Lopez looks fantastic in this racy red Alex Perry mini dress. They say you cannot go above-the-knee past a certain age ( I think it's 35) but Lopez does it with much pizazz. Her jewelry is tasteful without being too over-powering, her hair is classic and her Giuseppe Zanotti heels and VBH clutch add just the right touch of sparkle.


Photo: Life & Style

CK TV

I am not too sure why this medium has not been fully exhausted sooner but Calvin Klein plans to, once again, pave the way to fashion television advertising by making its re-entrance with its first ever TV campaign for the house's White Label collection. The 30 second spot is scheduled to air on November 20th (on NBC, ABC, E!, Bravo, TLC, TBS, and USA) and will feature merchandise from the holiday 2006 line.


The commercial is supposed to ring fantasy can be reality. According to style.com, the campaign features the model Gabriel Aubry in a glass penthouse looking at (the model)Doutzen Kroes on a flat screen TV; Aubrey is then joined by Kroes, and the scene ends with them in the apartment. The spot concludes with a closing voice-over that says, “You can make a wish…or you can make it happen. Calvin Klein. A World of Style.” I am excited to see a fashion ad on TV. I think that the industry should be utilizing this medium much more than what they are. Besides The Gap, Old Navy and Macy's I cannot really think of any other fashion company that have regular TV spots. Regardless if we like to or not, we all are forced to soak up commercials (even if we leave the room, change channels or TIVO), so I figure it's better off being interrupted by beauty than by Mr. Clean.

Photos: style.com

Viktor & Rolfing It

Christina Milian is Viktor & Rolfing it with her Viktor & Rolf for H&M heart shirt. She looks stunning. I love how the high-waist pencil skirt's waistline hits just below the heart appliqué, making the shirt really stand-out. I am quite jealous however, as I was not able to get my hands on one of these shirts. I actually couldn't get my hands on any of the Viktor&Rolf for H&M pieces. By the time I got to the nearest H&M everything was sold out except for some green dresses (surprisingly the only items that did not fare so well) and three black dresses in size 14 (the thought crossed my mind to buy and have it altered, but I wasn't rooting for the dress, I really wanted the shirt). I was actually pretty disappointed. I really thought this shirt (along with some other pre-picked pieces (thanks to the website's preview)) would have done so well in my wardrobe!


Photo: dailyceleb.com

The Uli Dress

Congrats to Uli from Project Runway who won a place in the pages of Elle. Her dress looks uber-fantastic. Even though she didn't win, I think she has a signature style that is sure to win a permanent spot within the fashion circuit.

Photo: Elle November 2006

True Couture

The most glamorous Chanel Haute Couture dress mixed in with the glamour of Paris - a perfect pairing. Another great shot from the October issue of Elle.

Photo: Elle October 2006

Classic Accessories

I loved this accessories shot in the October issue of Elle. It screams rich, luxurious, classy and old-world glamour.


Photo: Elle October 2006

Karl Lagerfeld on France

Karl Lagerfeld was called upon to critique the state of France for a recent Paris Match article. Here is what he had to say:

"Has work become so unexciting that over 35 hours on the job is hell? I admit that there are boring and horrible jobs. But for others, what a lack of passion and spirit. In my case, 35 hours a week is what I rest."

"Just 15 years ago, when I left Paris for two weeks, I felt I'd miss something. Not now. I have more fun in New York than Paris. When I'm not in Paris, I tend to forget it. Without a doubt it's because the French have become too reasonable….[Paris] is beautiful but it has no verve."

"Not all is lost, though. Paris remains fashion's "international platform... still, after all these years, I don't feel Parisian. I'm at home everywhere. All I need is a hotel room. I don't need roots. It's for that reason fashion suits me so well. I make, I unmake, I remake…."

According to wwd.com, Lagerfeld calls France stultified and says it has lost prestige because of a reticence to change and lack of moxie.

I guess this explains Lagerfeld's current obession with America. He held his Cruise Show in New York and shot his recent ads in Los Angeles.

Photo: wwd.com

The $3.5 Million Dollar Christmas Gift

The Neiman Marcus Christmas catalogue has launched and in it comes their annual fantasy gift section. This season the retailer has something that speaks directly to the true fashion lover - the one and only original archival record of the House of Fath and with it a $3,500,000 price tag.

Jacques Fath, the Parisian couturier, from the late '30s to the '40s, was a well known fixture within the international fashion world. Known for being the first designer to introduce haute couture to the United States, his infamous sweeping skirts clothed the social ladies of the time. Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner and Greta Garbo were among his most loyal fans. Launching the careers of Hubert de Givenchy and Guy Laroche, Fath's career came to a premature end when he died at the height of his fame in 1954.

"This museum-quality collection includes 26 volumes of original sketchbooks from 1948 through 1956, with more than 3,400 couture designs. The collection also includes three exquisite Fath haute couture dresses, each with its accompanying sketch," states the Neiman Marcus website on their most prestigous Christmas gift.

I wonder whose tree this gift will be lying under.


photo: neimanmarcus.com

Behnaz Sarafpour for Target

Target's Go International line has just seen the launch of its fourth international fashion designer Behnaz Sarafpour. A favorite of the New York fashion scene Sarafpour's limited edition line for the big box retailer coined "uptown clothes, downtown prices" consists of 12 mix-and-match looks that all, in my opinion, have an understated dressy elegance. My favorite looks are the Soho Soiree (a brocade skirt with a black jewel encrusted tee), A-List Princess (a taffetta dress and a lace embellished cardi) and Skyline Nights (a simple black trench).


I love the witty description given to the Skyline Nights look - "Corner table for two in the Rainbow Room, please" is the perfect way to spend the night; this combo is the perfect outfit for it..."

Shop http://www.target.com/ for all the Behnaz Looks.

Photos: target.com

Viktor & Rolf for H&M

First it was Karl Lagerfeld, then Stella McCartney and to one's surprise comes Viktor & Rolf. I think the hype that was spurred with Karl Lagerfeld is unprecedented and will never be of that level again. However, I think that the collaboration with V&R is a true pairing of the extremes. On one end is avant-garde, on the other is mainstream. I think the H&M model, that of bringing high-end designs to the masses is one that respects the dignity of its origin and I think that it is a fantastic way for a three-way communion. The three-way meaning - the retailer receives mass exposure, the designer opens up a new channel of distribution and the customer has the opportunity to buy a designer brand they most likely would not have access to otherwise. I also believe that this strategy diminishes the need for knock-offs. I do not mean the Canal St. kind (that is another story) but the mass merchant kind, where the shirt you buy at your favorite retailer was a knock off from the runway. In any case I am anxious for the collection to launch on November 9th. I can't wait to get my hands on some of those pieces.


Photo: h&m.com

Sephora - The Beauty Game

The beauty retailer has really pushed the advertising envelope with the launch (this November) of Monopoly The Sephora Edition. According to Fashion Week Daily only beauty rules apply:
"players go to jail for bad hair days, advance to go for getting a manicure, pay fines for streaky self tanner application, and purchase products with beauty bucks. When players own an entire cosmetic category, they can place Sephora shopping bags on their properties and eventually upgrade to Sephora stores; they can also get ahead by stocking their stores with the most beauty products". Not only will Sephora benefit from advertising perks but so will the big beauty brands who have parked their names - Nars on Cheek Street, Make Up For Ever on Lipstick Lane and Bliss on Lotion Avenue.

Photo: sephora.com