Doesn't it all look a little 90s?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Sigh... Tyra, Tyra, Tyra.
Oh, this news saddens me. Reality TV is just dunzo anyway, but now a show is in the works that touches too close to actual life for me. Does the name Ken Mok sound familiar? Probably not, but it rang a really small little bell in the back of my mind. He is the executive producer of America's Next Top Model, and he's teaming up with Tyra Banks to create a new reality TV show about the fashion industry.
Ugh, this is where it gets me. The show is a competition for a job as an assistant editor at Elle. Contestants ages 18-28 (because after 28 you're obviously not pretty enough for TV?) will partake in various challenges that show their capabilities in the fashion assistant world. Said Ken Mok: "It is a competition show about aspiring assistants looking to become assistant editors at a fashion magazine. At the same time they're trying to prove themselves as aspiring fashionistas, that they have a sense of style and savvyness, all the things to make it in the fashion world."
I know that's not really a complete sentence, or close to an excuse for one, but I can react to it anyway: WHAT?! Is he really saying that a sense of style and savvyness are all it takes to make it in the fashion world? I really doubt that. I really doubt that you won't need: an extremely hard-working attitute, an ability to get along with everyone you meet, about the strongest sense of self anyone could attain, a vast (and I mean VAST) knowledge of everything fashion-related, crazy typing skills, psychological substance, patience, and undying dedication.
Oh goodness, this just makes me so mad. Do they have to make a reality TV show about every profession out there? Because honestly, let's just leave this ONE alone. It makes me so infuriated because I know they're going to take a very unrewarding profession and glam it up. They're also going to create these stupid made-for-TV challenges that have nothing to do with assistant editing, and "extreme" them up, and then edit out anything smart or witty, and leave in all the drunk bitching!
Honestly, the only reality TV show that does everything right is Project Runway. I think that show takes the fashion industry and shows its innards in a raw and mature way. It glorifies nothing about fashion and focuses instead on the balance of popularity, quality, and personality, and how difficult it is to create something within your personal design aesthetic, and also that of your client, and that of the masses, of the judges, or the magazines you hope will profile you (and there's also this good bit about run-on sentences). Project Runway treats its contestants as professional adults and doesn't seem to be made simply with good TV in mind.
Being an editor or an assistant editor at a magazine is the one profession that I've always wanted to have. I have wanted it since before reading "The Devil Wears Prada" (and was equally mad when, after that movie came out, people started popping up all over the place talking about wanting to work at a magazine) and I will want it forever. That job combines the things I am good at, it puts me in the fashion industry but doesn't force me to do anything creative, and it lets me write. But now, it will look like I only became interested after watching a CW show. Sick.
Okay, I saved the funniest part for last, as a reward for those of you who stuck around through all my bitching. These are questions from the application itself, which I found online:
What character in the move The Devil Wears Prada do you most relate to and why?
What have you done to prepare yourself for a future as a fashionista/o?
What celebrity to you hate? Why?
What do you think is the hardest part of being an assistant?
How do you act when you get drunk?
When was the last time you hit, punched, kicked, or threw something in anger? Please provide details.
Do you have a temper?
What would irritate you about living with nine to eleven other people?
Describe your relationship with your mother:
Ugh, this is where it gets me. The show is a competition for a job as an assistant editor at Elle. Contestants ages 18-28 (because after 28 you're obviously not pretty enough for TV?) will partake in various challenges that show their capabilities in the fashion assistant world. Said Ken Mok: "It is a competition show about aspiring assistants looking to become assistant editors at a fashion magazine. At the same time they're trying to prove themselves as aspiring fashionistas, that they have a sense of style and savvyness, all the things to make it in the fashion world."
I know that's not really a complete sentence, or close to an excuse for one, but I can react to it anyway: WHAT?! Is he really saying that a sense of style and savvyness are all it takes to make it in the fashion world? I really doubt that. I really doubt that you won't need: an extremely hard-working attitute, an ability to get along with everyone you meet, about the strongest sense of self anyone could attain, a vast (and I mean VAST) knowledge of everything fashion-related, crazy typing skills, psychological substance, patience, and undying dedication.
Oh goodness, this just makes me so mad. Do they have to make a reality TV show about every profession out there? Because honestly, let's just leave this ONE alone. It makes me so infuriated because I know they're going to take a very unrewarding profession and glam it up. They're also going to create these stupid made-for-TV challenges that have nothing to do with assistant editing, and "extreme" them up, and then edit out anything smart or witty, and leave in all the drunk bitching!
Honestly, the only reality TV show that does everything right is Project Runway. I think that show takes the fashion industry and shows its innards in a raw and mature way. It glorifies nothing about fashion and focuses instead on the balance of popularity, quality, and personality, and how difficult it is to create something within your personal design aesthetic, and also that of your client, and that of the masses, of the judges, or the magazines you hope will profile you (and there's also this good bit about run-on sentences). Project Runway treats its contestants as professional adults and doesn't seem to be made simply with good TV in mind.
Being an editor or an assistant editor at a magazine is the one profession that I've always wanted to have. I have wanted it since before reading "The Devil Wears Prada" (and was equally mad when, after that movie came out, people started popping up all over the place talking about wanting to work at a magazine) and I will want it forever. That job combines the things I am good at, it puts me in the fashion industry but doesn't force me to do anything creative, and it lets me write. But now, it will look like I only became interested after watching a CW show. Sick.
Okay, I saved the funniest part for last, as a reward for those of you who stuck around through all my bitching. These are questions from the application itself, which I found online:
What character in the move The Devil Wears Prada do you most relate to and why?
What have you done to prepare yourself for a future as a fashionista/o?
What celebrity to you hate? Why?
What do you think is the hardest part of being an assistant?
How do you act when you get drunk?
When was the last time you hit, punched, kicked, or threw something in anger? Please provide details.
Do you have a temper?
What would irritate you about living with nine to eleven other people?
Describe your relationship with your mother:
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Mascara Makes Everything Better
This is the best mascara I ever bought:
This is the best mascara I ever received:
This is the best mascara I ever gave:
This is the best mascara I ever received:
This is the best mascara I ever gave:
Everybody Wants a Sister
Sisters are fun. They make life more fun, and help us out in hard times. A really good sister invites you over just to watch Sex and the City, and then feeds you a salad and gives you a shirt she didn't want anymore.
Sister lines are just as much fun as real sisters. Okay, maybe they're a little less fun because, you know, they don't share your love of Richard Gere, but sister lines are exciting. Marc by Marc Jacobs, McQ by Alexander McQueen, Vera Wang Lavender, DKNY, D&G, Armani Exchange, Paul and Joe Sister, Miu Miu, Moschino Cheap & Chic, CK by Calvin Klein... Um that's all I can think of. These are all sister, or "diffusion lines", which are targeted toward a younger audience and feature edgier/younger designs. They retail at about 30% less than the real deal.
Donna Karan makes gorgeous dresses.
But DKNY? They are equally pretty.
And everyone loves Marc Jacobs (if you don't I will annihilate you):
But Marc by Marc is SO cute, too:
Prada is my #2 favorite fashion house.
And Miu Miu is just as gorg.
Even Miss Piggy loves sister lines!
Sister lines are just as much fun as real sisters. Okay, maybe they're a little less fun because, you know, they don't share your love of Richard Gere, but sister lines are exciting. Marc by Marc Jacobs, McQ by Alexander McQueen, Vera Wang Lavender, DKNY, D&G, Armani Exchange, Paul and Joe Sister, Miu Miu, Moschino Cheap & Chic, CK by Calvin Klein... Um that's all I can think of. These are all sister, or "diffusion lines", which are targeted toward a younger audience and feature edgier/younger designs. They retail at about 30% less than the real deal.
Donna Karan makes gorgeous dresses.
But DKNY? They are equally pretty.
And everyone loves Marc Jacobs (if you don't I will annihilate you):
But Marc by Marc is SO cute, too:
Prada is my #2 favorite fashion house.
And Miu Miu is just as gorg.
Even Miss Piggy loves sister lines!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Galliano to Create Children's Line (No, not for Halloween)
You know those "J'adore Dior" t-shirts? They're disgusting, enough said. Okay, apparently that wasn't enough said because I still feel angry. They're trashy and blatant and whoreish. But the real thing I can't stand about them is that those girls (see: trashy, whoreish) that wear them are clueless about the brand! Do they know who the designer is? The man who is currently the creative director of Dior, after a career at the equally edgy Givenchy? John Galliano. You've heard the name, you've been confused about the odd pictures, you've heard Gwen Stefani rap/sing/talk/strange? about him in songs.
This is John Galliano:
These are his designs:
Okay, now if you still have eyesight and brains that aren't completely gooey, imagine all those things only for CHILDREN! Oh, the travesty! Yes, John Galliano is doing a children's line for Diesel. Now kids between the ages of 4 and 14 are going to wear clothes... That look like that?
HOW is that going to work?
This is John Galliano:
These are his designs:
Okay, now if you still have eyesight and brains that aren't completely gooey, imagine all those things only for CHILDREN! Oh, the travesty! Yes, John Galliano is doing a children's line for Diesel. Now kids between the ages of 4 and 14 are going to wear clothes... That look like that?
HOW is that going to work?
Friday, February 8, 2008
If Every Baby Started like this, the World Would be Prettier
I work at Gap. And with the economy as it is, we have no customers. So, I fold baby clothes all day. It's awesomely boring, but I can't get over some of the pieces! I know it's stereotypical/annoying to post these cuties, but come on. Just look.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Maybe Forever 21 Could Hire some Designers
So, I hate Forever 21. I think anyone who knows anything about fashion feels the same way. I can't lie, I have bought things from the store in the past. They all fell apart the first time I wore them, but I did buy them. I definitely won't be shopping there again, though, now that I know what I know. The buggers keep ripping off designs and, you know, getting SUED as a result. Diane von Furstenburg (why would you even attempt to copy DVF), Gwen Stefani, Bebe, even Anthropologie (noooo not Anthro!) have all sued Forever 21 for copyright infringement. Can they maybe... Come up with their own designs? No? Then can they just die?
My favorite thing in the world, however, has changed. It used to be Amy's Tofu Vegetable Lasagna. Now it's Anna Sui's Forever 21-hating tee-shirt, which she had handed out at her Spring '08 fashion show. This tee-shirt is amazing.
The shirt depicts Don and Jin Chang, the Korean-American couple who established Forever 21 in 1984. The line "Thou Shalt not Steal" at the bottom of the bag references the company's devout Christianity. If you've shopped at Forever, you've noticed that printed on the bottom of each hideously yellow plastic bag is the phrase, "John 3:16". I love that Anna Sui totally made fun of that.
Long live Anna Sui. She is phenomenal.
Here are some looks from her line:
My favorite thing in the world, however, has changed. It used to be Amy's Tofu Vegetable Lasagna. Now it's Anna Sui's Forever 21-hating tee-shirt, which she had handed out at her Spring '08 fashion show. This tee-shirt is amazing.
The shirt depicts Don and Jin Chang, the Korean-American couple who established Forever 21 in 1984. The line "Thou Shalt not Steal" at the bottom of the bag references the company's devout Christianity. If you've shopped at Forever, you've noticed that printed on the bottom of each hideously yellow plastic bag is the phrase, "John 3:16". I love that Anna Sui totally made fun of that.
Long live Anna Sui. She is phenomenal.
Here are some looks from her line:
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Some marvy models who I will refer to by first name
My favorite model ever: Gemma Ward
The "wait, isn't that Gemma? Wait, what?" Sasha Pivovarova
My second-favorite model ever: Lily Donaldson
The "I really do have style" Jessica Stam
Ms. Lily Cole- who wouldn't love her?
Natalia Vodianova (appearing in this month's Vogue, oh I don't know, a billion times?)
And Daria Werbowy, who is considering quitting modeling at 25 to become a painter. How cool is that?
The "wait, isn't that Gemma? Wait, what?" Sasha Pivovarova
My second-favorite model ever: Lily Donaldson
The "I really do have style" Jessica Stam
Ms. Lily Cole- who wouldn't love her?
Natalia Vodianova (appearing in this month's Vogue, oh I don't know, a billion times?)
And Daria Werbowy, who is considering quitting modeling at 25 to become a painter. How cool is that?
Monday, February 4, 2008
Have you ever wondered if there was more to life, other than being really, really, ridiculously good-looking?
Zoolander said it, not me. But sometimes I do wonder, as probably everyone else has. I am so consumed by appearance (mine and others') that I wonder if anything else in my life really has weight. For instance, I love anatomy. I could do physics equations for a couple hours a day, every single day, and not get bored. I also love trees, and the ocean, and little birdies. But these passions come and go, and don't pop up in my head on a daily basis. I don't lay in bed paging through my textbooks in my mind, like I do with my closet. I don't sit and stare at a tree for three hours, absorbing every possible detail, like I do with magazines. Little birdies... Well, I don't don them everytime I step out with my friends, like I do my high heels.
I really think that the only thing that will matter to me through every phase of life, is appearance. From which moisturizer I am using, to which color of nail polish, to the brand of denim I choose- these things will be relevant at each and every age.
Some people, I'm sure, wonder if there's more to life than being good-looking with that awful "I'm above fashion" viewpoint of anger and judgment. They go, "Oh, I didn't get hired for that job because the other contestant had a better outfit than me. Oh boohoo, sad sad, is there anything more to life? Like my incredible typing skills and spreadsheet-dominance? Oh boohoo, I am so sad here in my highwater jeans."
Well... Yeah! The other girl is obviously going to be hired if she has equal skill and also happens to dress more professionally. And there is nothing wrong with that. If a company wants to project a certain image, you can bet its employees are going to stand behind it. A woman who puts herself together well will also put other things together well, and one who puts herself together sloppily will also put other things together sloppily. When these strange adults who think their inner strengths can somehow be seen at first glance, like an outfit can, realize that indeed it does matter to start looking good, maybe they won't whine so much!
I know there is more to life than being good-looking. I've been thrown some rather large rocks in the past few months... Okay, years, and I've dealt with them and gained wisdom from them. These events have shaped me, physically and mentally, and they will always be more important to me than any pair of Paige jeans.
But, I must say that clothing definitely helped me out. I was so down about my health, about my decisions in life, about the friends who were proving to be shallow in the my most difficult times (not you, TC3!). I finally was able to button a pair of jeans, and my eyes popped with excitement. Immediately I started writing down cute outfits, and changed my clothes twice a day. I found happiness in clothing. It was my recovery.
So, is there more to life than being good-looking? There is. Much more. But for every day, for all days, impeccable appearance is definitely an advantage.
I really think that the only thing that will matter to me through every phase of life, is appearance. From which moisturizer I am using, to which color of nail polish, to the brand of denim I choose- these things will be relevant at each and every age.
Some people, I'm sure, wonder if there's more to life than being good-looking with that awful "I'm above fashion" viewpoint of anger and judgment. They go, "Oh, I didn't get hired for that job because the other contestant had a better outfit than me. Oh boohoo, sad sad, is there anything more to life? Like my incredible typing skills and spreadsheet-dominance? Oh boohoo, I am so sad here in my highwater jeans."
Well... Yeah! The other girl is obviously going to be hired if she has equal skill and also happens to dress more professionally. And there is nothing wrong with that. If a company wants to project a certain image, you can bet its employees are going to stand behind it. A woman who puts herself together well will also put other things together well, and one who puts herself together sloppily will also put other things together sloppily. When these strange adults who think their inner strengths can somehow be seen at first glance, like an outfit can, realize that indeed it does matter to start looking good, maybe they won't whine so much!
I know there is more to life than being good-looking. I've been thrown some rather large rocks in the past few months... Okay, years, and I've dealt with them and gained wisdom from them. These events have shaped me, physically and mentally, and they will always be more important to me than any pair of Paige jeans.
But, I must say that clothing definitely helped me out. I was so down about my health, about my decisions in life, about the friends who were proving to be shallow in the my most difficult times (not you, TC3!). I finally was able to button a pair of jeans, and my eyes popped with excitement. Immediately I started writing down cute outfits, and changed my clothes twice a day. I found happiness in clothing. It was my recovery.
So, is there more to life than being good-looking? There is. Much more. But for every day, for all days, impeccable appearance is definitely an advantage.
Why I am Here
I can't stop thinking about fashion. It absolutely consumes me: I get lost in Elle and Allure for hours when they arrive in the mail, I YouTube runway shows late at night, I cut-and-paste Google images of amazing clothes onto my desktop. I even have a folder titled "Inspiration" that overflows with pictures of particularly remarkable ensembles. The ins-and-outs of the fashion industry make up most of what I care about in life. For me, any subject can be related back to fashion, just as for some people, any subject has a "Rent" lyric, or any subject involves a math equation.
It isn't just material, this obsession I have. It is physical, intellectual, logical, and studious. My heart beats faster when I start thinking about Marc Jacobs, and I can't get to sleep until I've fully planned an outfit for the following day. I dive into Women's Wear Daily and come up for air only to spray perfume on my wrist, because the inspiration I am being overflowed with needs to be supressed with something material before I have a heart attack. I could rattle off the newest designer's names and philosophies just as some people can rattle off their gardens' flowers' sunlight requirements.
I find it annoying, though, to rattle off these bits of insane excitement over the fashion world to just anyone. People don't take to it as I do, and that's okay. It makes those of us who do see looking fabulous an absolute necessity feel bonded. I started this blog to get these overwhelming feelings off my chest (OH MY GOD! Karl did a SHOW on the GREAT WALL!) to those of you who choose to hear it. And to those of you who don't, go knit yourself a beanie, save some whales, and let me be.
I think that a person's favorite designers says a lot about who they are as a person. I will list mine so that you know the types of things I am attracted to: clean lines, mature silhouettes, rich jewel tones and fabrics, and of course, sometimes just a childlike sense of fun.
Marc Jacobs, Miuccia Prada (Miu Miu is great but I prefer Prada), Chloe, Alberta Ferretti. I love Botega Venetta and Lanvin and Philip Lim.
Oh, and "Look for the Woman"- the English translation of Elle mag's line "Cherchez la Femme."
I learned (thank you Wikipedia) that the phrase is derived from an old detective pulp fiction, basically saying that in order to find the root of a crime, one must find the woman, for she is most likely the problem.
I say, look for the woman because she will be mature, subdued, elegant and stylish; because if she did anything to be blamed for, it was simply stunning men into craziness. If a female is at the root of any crime, it would definitely not be a woman, it would be a girl.
Let's all act, and dress, like women!
It isn't just material, this obsession I have. It is physical, intellectual, logical, and studious. My heart beats faster when I start thinking about Marc Jacobs, and I can't get to sleep until I've fully planned an outfit for the following day. I dive into Women's Wear Daily and come up for air only to spray perfume on my wrist, because the inspiration I am being overflowed with needs to be supressed with something material before I have a heart attack. I could rattle off the newest designer's names and philosophies just as some people can rattle off their gardens' flowers' sunlight requirements.
I find it annoying, though, to rattle off these bits of insane excitement over the fashion world to just anyone. People don't take to it as I do, and that's okay. It makes those of us who do see looking fabulous an absolute necessity feel bonded. I started this blog to get these overwhelming feelings off my chest (OH MY GOD! Karl did a SHOW on the GREAT WALL!) to those of you who choose to hear it. And to those of you who don't, go knit yourself a beanie, save some whales, and let me be.
I think that a person's favorite designers says a lot about who they are as a person. I will list mine so that you know the types of things I am attracted to: clean lines, mature silhouettes, rich jewel tones and fabrics, and of course, sometimes just a childlike sense of fun.
Marc Jacobs, Miuccia Prada (Miu Miu is great but I prefer Prada), Chloe, Alberta Ferretti. I love Botega Venetta and Lanvin and Philip Lim.
Oh, and "Look for the Woman"- the English translation of Elle mag's line "Cherchez la Femme."
I learned (thank you Wikipedia) that the phrase is derived from an old detective pulp fiction, basically saying that in order to find the root of a crime, one must find the woman, for she is most likely the problem.
I say, look for the woman because she will be mature, subdued, elegant and stylish; because if she did anything to be blamed for, it was simply stunning men into craziness. If a female is at the root of any crime, it would definitely not be a woman, it would be a girl.
Let's all act, and dress, like women!
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