Fashion's Worst Finds

There comes a point when you have to ask yourself if something is really fashion or if it’s just plain hideous. Odds are if you even have to ask that in the first place, it’s probably not. It seems like designers now-a-days are trying to push the envelope so much that some of their pieces are losing taste (and for others it’s long gone.)

Not only was I unsure of what this was at first, I didn’t even think it was a piece of clothing. Come to find out it’s a jacket/scarf. But figuring out what it was can’t be half as difficult as putting this on. This…thing…is by Bless and priced at a penny-pinching $931- what a steal!

Incase you’d like to look like you’d just gotten attacked by an animal we bring you the Dion Lee silk blazer, complete with cut-out elbows. Perfect for the workplace! This piece of chopped up fabric will set you back $823.

Comme des Garcons is typically known for flawlessly constructed couture, well, until now at least. This piece is from the new Fall/Winter collection. I am really at a loss for words when it comes to this, considering it is a bunch of small rags tied onto a large brown sack. The good news is that it’s half wool so maybe it can keep you warm….if you’re willing to pay the $1280 to purchase it.

Just when you thought they couldn’t put a price on ugly...it got a little more expensive!

Juicy Airports

Like most other luxury brands, Juicy Couture has been struggling through our current economic times, resulting in 13% decline in the 3rd quarter. But don’t let that fool you… Juicy is still willing to drop the big bucks in hopes of making it. While other companies are cutting back, the designer brand now owned by Liz Claiborne is going forward with a plan to set up shop in airports across the world.

With locations including JFK International Airport, Athens Airport, Taiwan TaoYuan International Airport and Miami International Airport (where they will launch) Juicy hopes that these new spots will be perfect for reaching their target market.

Senior VP of global marketing at Juicy Couture, Ellen Rodriguez commented on the brand’s new strategy saying:

“We know that our customer is traveling and she’s in the airports. Women are always wearing our tracksuits, especially to travel in. We just don’t think she’s being targeted by other retailers in these airports, so there’s a real opportunity there for us.”

Sounds great, aside from the fact that if they’re traveling in a tracksuit, odds are the customer is probably already wearing it when they get to the airport...

But Juicy must be doing something right- they managed to keep sales up to $600 million dollars last year and like all other designer brands, hope to come out of the recession thriving as they were before.

Representatives of the brand told WWD that the new airport shops will be designed “to showcase the best of what Juicy is known for” including watches, charms, baby gear, sunglasses, and the almighty tracksuit. Selective stores will also feature specialty city-specific merchandise, like their newly-designed shirts with the slogan “Choose Miami.”

Skeptics say these new airport shops will make or break the company because of the magnitude of their cost in such tough economic times, but it seems like Juicy has the utmost confidence!

I think they might be onto something..and if all else fails, Juicy Couture has some of the most loyal shoppers of any brand out there. I mean, who else could sell the same pair of pants and jacket at $200+ for over ten years now and still have customers begging for more? Best of luck, Pam & Gela!

Gossip Girl Downgrade

Gossip Girl star turned “singer,” Taylor Momsen has gone from semi-cute to completely trashy in the blink of an eye. This season on the show the sixteen year old plays the recently turned “badass” Jenny Humphrey. The new look is NOT working for her. Mind you, on set it’s a little more fashion-forward and a little less grungy hooker. No wonder why Gossip Girl ratings are down this season. Lose the cheap extensions, prostitute wardrobe and pounds of eyeliner and maybe we’ll reconsider.

Sorry Little J, definitely a downgrade.

Real Life Fashion Police

A recent article reported that police in Flint, Michigain are “saying no to crack”... and they’re not talking about the drug. Police Chief David Dicks announced in late June that the city of Flint would begin arresting people whose pants were “too baggy”. Apparently Flint finds baggy pants extremely offensive. With the implementation of the laws, Chief Dicks released a statement saying: "This immoral self expression goes beyond free speech; it rises to the crime of indecent exposure/disorderly persons." This is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by three months in jail and a fine of up to $500!

Just recently representatives from Flint’s police force issued this guide to remind its citizens to obey the law when getting dressed in the morning!

Personally, I think the embarrassment of walking around with your butt exposed is punishment enough. Plus, what about girls? Obviously this crackdown (no pun intended) is aimed at younger men. I’ve seen way more girls guilty of this “indecent exposure” and not for baggy pants.

Naturally, many citizens of Flint are outraged, and argue that Dicks and the rest of the police force are violating the First Amendment. Which brings us to the question: should the law be able to say what you can or can’t wear?? Most say no, claiming that there are more important issues that police should be dealing with. I couldn’t agree more. Here’s a thought- maybe the Flint police should focus on its murder rate, which is 3 times the national average just a few years ago. Or maybe a separation of fashion and state is in order?

Lessons In Photoshop From Ralph Lauren

A recent Ralph Lauren ad has sparked plenty of controversy in the fashion world. This excessively retouched image of one of the brand’s models, Filippa Hamilton, made its way into the media. The model had been Photoshopped to an alarmingly thin size. Her head and shoulders were airbrushed to be significantly larger than her hips, and the image was overall extremely distorted. It was clear that Hamilton, who is 5’10 and 120 pounds-a size 4- was not this freakishly frail.

Ralph Lauren denied responsibility for the retouching of the image and attempted to sue the website that published the “unapproved image.” After further investigation had ensued, Lauren released a statement saying

After further investigation, we have learned that we are responsible for the poor imaging and retouching that resulted in a very distorted image of a woman's body. We have addressed the problem and going forward will take every precaution to ensure that the caliber of our artwork represents our brand appropriately.

Then, just when the brand thought their troubles were over, Filippa Hamilton finally spoke out against the brand. She revealed that she had been fired months before the incident due to the fact that she was “overweight.” One hundred and twenty pound Hamilton, who had been working for Ralph Lauren since 2002, said she received a letter saying she was being let go because she would no longer fit into the designer’s sample sizes.

Representatives from the brand merely denied the accusation, saying that Hamilton’s firing was a “result of her inability to meet the obligations under her contract.” As if they could be any be any vaguer. And to top it all off, this new outrageously Photoshopped ad featuring model Valentina Zelyaeva turned up in a window display in Sydney, Australia. Zalyaeva, who is also 5’10 and a size 4, has not yet been dropped by the brand but I’m thinking this spells trouble for Ralph!

Since these distorted ads have surfaced, many esteemed members of the fashion industry have commented on the issue. Most feel that what the brand did was inappropriate, not only for the extreme airbrushing, but the firing of the “overweight” Filippa Hamilton. But do these people have any room to talk? The majority of high fashion brands only use skinny models, and justify this by saying that thin girls are the only ones who will fit into sample sizes. These usually range from size 2 to 4 and are the garments that designers send down the runway. As of recently, size 8 and above is considered “plus-sized.”

Though there is always talk of how plus-sizes are discriminated against in the fashion industry, they have come a long way. Huge designers like John Galliano and Mark Fast have caused a stir by plus-sized models in their London and Paris shows. But with that being said, it makes you wonder- why should using bigger sizes on the runway be the cause such controversy? According to a study done by the Los Angeles Times, the average woman is a size 14. A recent New York Times article also reported that although it varies based on race, height and other factors, a “healthy” women’s’ measurements average at around 41-34-43. On the runway you will find models with a 35-inch bust, 27-inch waist, and 37.5-inch hip.

It's ads like these controversial Ralph Lauren ones that cause women, men, and even naturally thin models to have a skewed self-image.

In a recent interview Grace Coddington, creative director at Vogue, expressed her concern about the effects of the incident and what the magazine is doing to try to help matters:

It is a big problem in the fashion industry. And you go to meetings to discuss it, and you think it's kind of futile, because it's such a big thing, and in the end, people are always asking for more and they're always asking for thinner…. [Models] have to be a little thinner than you and I because you always photograph a little fatter, but you don't have to go to the extremes they go to. And because they're kids, they take it too far and they can't regulate their lives, and next thing you know, they're anorexic, and it is tragic.

And I don't know what the answer is, except to keep on it, which we're all trying to do. Anna’s trying to do it. Personally, we're not allowed, at Vogue, to work with girls who are very thin, but you never know, because you could book them and think they're a certain size, and they turn up on the shoot and suddenly they've spun into this anorexic situation. And you're on the spot and you have to get the job done and you have one day to do it, and what do you do? But you try to be responsible, as Anna is.

Hmm..if Vogue can start to break the mold and not use pin-thin models, than anybody can! And as for Ralph Lauren, what’s next? Will this incident be the downfall of the world-renowned brand or will our society and the fashion world turn the other cheek?? And who should take the blame? I say, enough excuses Ralph, time for an apology!

Aubrey O'Day: The Epitome Of Class!

Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse than Heidi Montag....somebody reminded us that Aubrey O'day exists. After being kicked out of Danity Kane, Aubrey clearly took plenty of time to work on her style…

I couldn't bring myself to choosing just one of her fashion tragedies to marvel. We really could fill up page after page with all of her hideous ensembles. I’m beginning to wonder if these are cries for attention, or just actual bad taste. You be the judge:

I can't decide whose outfit is worse- Aubrey or the dog. I'd say she's to blame either eay, considering that she dressed them both. Aubrey wore this dress by an "unknown designer" (yeah...no wonder..) to the Sheiki Collections fashion show in LA. She may have used some of the tissue paper behind her to stuff under the bottom, but if she was going for the whole pageant-child-on-crack look, I'd say she passed with flying colors.

At Bravo's 2009 A-List Awards, Aubrey went "conservative" in a dress by Chloé. Now this is just a MESS. The top is too big, and the bottom is just all wrong. I definitely wouldn't be surprised to find out she'd cut the huge hole under her chest before she left the house.

Scarier than Aubrey's style is the fact that she just came out with her own t-shirt line called Heart on My Sleeve. The shirts feature sayings such as, "my sex tape comes out next week," "I'd make good babies," and of course "I love dirty texting." But DON'T WORRY Aubrey did't forget the children. Heart on My Sleeve also sells kids clothes! Because who doesn't want to dress like Miss O'day?!


Oh, Aubrey, what a classy lady you are!

Fashion As Art

There's a saying that in fashion, "anything goes.” Season after season, designers push the envelope with each collection that comes down the runway. While to the average person it may seem pointless, fashion enthusiasts consider each piece a work of art in itself. With that being said, the largly debated question comes to mind: is fashion art?

In his recent article TIME Magazine, Jeff Chu explains that though fashion and art can co-exsist they will never coinside. He declares:

Emulation, of course, is the greatest form of admiration, and fashion loves art. Design houses these days are giving artists new canvases (or cottons or leathers) to work on and making them fashion stars. Museums are devoting exhibitions to the craft and its craftsmen, sometimes looking at fashion alone, sometimes juxtaposing it with art. It hasn't always been this way, but the dialogue between the two worlds is stronger than ever. This interaction creates debate and friction; in these creative realms, that's a good thing. But while fashion may be artsy, artistic, artful, enjoying an
art-infused moment and even (gasp!) influential in certain art circles, it's
not art.

Chu explains that there are plenty of museams that merge the two worlds but still believes they should not both be catagorized as forms of art. He justifies this position by asking the age old question "what is art?" and a new inquiry of what fashion has that art does not. His conclusion: fashion has function and art does not. Chu believes that this is the sole reason it would be wrong to consider fashion as art.

It is merely a matter of opinion to look at art as functionless, as some is interactive and can be used in daily life. Some fashion, on the other hand, is avant-garde and merely created to be pleasing to the eye or express an aesthetic. Clearly, you will not find an ordinary white t-shirt in an art gallery, but there are elements and pieces of fashion that can be considered artistic. It's all a matter of preference, and it's safe to say that art is in the eye of the beholder.

'Ready to Wear' If You Dare

As Paris Fashion Week drew to a close, it seemed like we’d seen it all. Designers’ looks stepped out of their comfort zones and onto the runway this season. Most seemed to take a trip through the decades as inspiration for their Spring/Summer Ready-to-Wear collections.


Makeup trends embraced the usual red lip in an array of different shades. Hair was towered high, or slicked back into a tight chignon but rarely seen down. The faces of Chloe were fresh and ultra-natural and, like Christian Dior, incorporated feminine trends. John Galliano took a trip to the dark side, with models dawning smokey eyes and nearly black lips. Whether the face was clean, or the makeup packed on, there is one thing that was absent from Paris this season—eyebrows. Most were bleached and gave an other-worldly, yet somewhat creepy look. Barely-there eyebrows were used in shows from Lanvin to Jonathan Saunders and Prada.

The week kicked off with the always wearable collection from Stella McCartney. Her A-List front row included Gwyneth Paltrow, Rachel Zoe, Rihanna and naturally, father Paul McCartney. The show began with flawlessly crafted silk jumpsuits and trousers paired with pale-colored jackets. Following these, Stella sent some of her brightest looks yet down the catwalk. There were bright yellow and blue floral chiffon dresses with frills cascading from the boddess to the floor. The looks were very seventies hippie-chic (two words I never thought I’d use in the same sentence.)
Overall, it was a clean, fresh-looking line. Everything from the Stella McCartney line is fashionable, functional, and could walk straight off the runway into everyday life.


Marc Jacobs joined Christian Dior in revisiting the underwear-as-outwear trend they had mastered seasons ago, but uniquely Jacobs incorporated it into an overwhelmingly distinct eighties theme. Oversized bows and neon prints graced the runway along with “Bill Cosby style sweaters” for men. The Marc by Marc Jacobs looks had a playful innocence this season with flouncy, high-wasted skirts, mini dresses, and delicate cardigans.


Chloe was abnormally forgettable this Fashion Week, packed with loose jackets, floor length skirts, and PLENTY of tan. It seemed very....mature, if you will. Although Chloe is usually undeniably fashion forward, they seemed to play it safe, and this was clearly not the season to do so.


Even Karl Lagerfeld was thinking out of the black-and-white-Chanel-tweed box when designing the new collection. The show had a barnyard backdrop, complete with hay. Pale pinks and tans were incorporated into the traditionally chic Chanel looks. There were plenty of structured blazers and a-line dresses all topped off with a dash of sparkle. The models walked the hay-filled catwalk in chunky-heeled clogs.

Lace was all over for the spring/summer 2010 collections in every form—the most flawless use of which came from John Galliano.


Galliano put on more than just a show in Paris. Models walked a runway alive with bubbles as he brought us into his dark, twisted dreams. Take blazers, bubble skirts, gowns, and everything in between; add flawlessly placed lace from head to toe, and you’ve got Galliano’s spring/summer 2010 RTW line. His romantic, old-Hollywood looks, complete with feathered hairpieces and lace gloves turned out as the highlight of the week to many. Katy Perry thought it was “by far the best,” and twittered, “It was a dark sexy dream of beautiful mental sparkling women.” I’m not completely sure what that means, but I’ll definitely second it.


As for the most questionable collection, I'll definitely say- hands down, Alexander McQueen. The show was interesting (to say the least) and left most wondering if what they just saw was pure brilliance, or just plain crazy. Reptile prints were the main theme and the pattern was incorporated into just about every look. McQueen showed a plethora of mini dresses with voluminous shoulders, and structured hips. His color scheme was yellow, grey, brown and most importantly, GOLD. The collection was very Russian snow princess-meets extraterrestrial. Each piece that came down was more extravagant than the next, but there was nothing quite as avant-garde as the SHOES. The models conquered the Alexander McQueen runway in ten inch heels. These towering snakeskin and metallic platforms absolutely stole the show.

They’re obviously not even remotely sensible for everyday life, but I think they’re brilliant and well-made. Almost all of the collections’ shoes were on another level this season. For the first time in a while, footwear dominated fashion week. The boots were taller, the heels were higher, and the structural design was out of this world.


Vogue.com reported Tina Sloan of Guiding Light commenting in reference to the heels this season:

“In brute defiance of reality, we wear heels we can barely walk in and much like
sitting in the sun bathed in oil to get a darker tan or smoking so as not to eat
and get fat, we suffer the consequences. But somehow the consequences are too
far out to care about. It is just such fun to look glamorous in high, high
heels.”

Thoughts??

Holly Madison Gives Clothes A Chance...And Fails

Holly Madison took a detour through the swamp on her way to the premier of The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard. Hugh Hefner’s former “number one girlfriend” was seen in this ensemble for the event in Vegas. (Yes, in public.) The designer of this train wreck is Greg Barnes. Mind you, Barnes is most widely known for his work with costumes. He’s won countless awards for his work styling and designing for Broadway shows.

Costume or not, I’m finding it hard to get past the fact that there are twigs protruding from the boddess.

The saddest part of all is Holly's decision to wear this horrendous gown to the premier of a low-rated comedy. And the fact that everyone around her is in casual evening wear, even jeans! I mean, come on! I don't think Heidi Montag would be caught dead in it, even for attention. And that's stretching it!

Poor Holly! Maybe we should cut her some slack. I’m thinking after all those years of living in the Playboy Mansion, she forgot what it’s like to wear clothes. The result was this fashion tragedy.

The Look For Less

When it comes to the fashion world, there’s a common misconception that it’s all about the labels. It’s undeniable that high fashion and couture designers are a huge part of the industry, but what most don’t realize is that they are simply the forecasters of fads. There is an unnecessary importance put on brands. And while many designer pieces are worthwhile indulgences, you can easily get a designer look at a bargain price and nobody has to know. Just because the prices are low doesn’t mean the quality has to be.

When it comes to getting a look for less, there are some fundamentals every fashionista must know—

1. Don’t try to look for exact items. Copying an outfit 100% is always going to be a hit or miss situation. Instead, try using the ensemble or trend for inspiration to put together your own looks. Fashion is all about having your own opinions anyway, right?
   
2. If/when buying a luxury designer item, do NOT focus on trends! Just because wild lime green sequined Manolo Blahniks are “in” this season doesn’t mean they will be a year from now. Invest in a timeless piece that you’ll get plenty of use out of.
   
3. Never buy “replica” handbags (or anything else for that matter)! Replica is just a nice word for FAKE. Not only is it a federal offense to sell them, wearing them is just tacky. Even if you think “it looks so real” somebody WILL notice. Getting the look you want for less doesn’t mean wearing knockoffs. The whole point is to not put so much emphasis on labels.

Get Blake Lively's classy head to toe Burberry look without having to splurge! Here's how:

While Blake's Burberry ensemble totals over $1,000 our look for less will cost you less than $100!

There are infinite possibilities when you add your own twist on a favorite style. Just remember, it’s not all about the labels! You don’t have to be head to toe in a designer’s name to look chic!

Miss Piggy Would Be So Proud

Do not adjust your screen, you’re seeing correctly. Lady Gaga aims to “make a statement” in this coat made of…yes, those are Kermit the Frog dolls. She donned this wild piece to a German TV interview. God knows I love myself some Gaga but no wonder why the rest of the world thinks America’s crazy!

Even worse— the jacket wasn’t custom made. It’s part of Jean-Charles de Castelbajac’s Fall 2009 Ready to Wear collection. I’m not sure anybody’s “ready to wear”, or be seen in public in this collection. The eccentric designer is known for his playful inspirations and wild use of color and fabrics. Last season his muse was Legos but this season he really pushed the limits. The Kermits walked the runway alongside garments like a hooded fish-scale pailette dress and other muppet themed pieces. Some looks were rather off-putting while others may be loosely translated as fashion. FashionIndie is right that “the collection looked a bit amateur for a Paris runway, but de Castelbajac certainly knows where to place zippers, how to construct uniquely tailored cocktail dresses and what appeals to the crack-heads of the world."

Gaga explained to German TV that she was taking a stand by wearing this atrocious ensemble:

“The Kermit the Frog outfit is by an incredible designer by the name of Jean[-Charles] de Castelbajac, and he does a lot of museum art fashion pieces. … I really loved this one in particular because I thought it was commentary on not wearing fur, 'cause I hate fur and I don't wear fur. We were all laughing in the house about how it looks like a pile of dead Kermits."

Because not wearing fur is obviously the message a jacket full of Kermits sends… PETA must be so proud.


I'm not sure what brainwave de Castelbajac is on, but if it’s anywhere near the same as Lady Gaga, I don't think the world is not ready for two of them!

Apology

Alexander McQueen-

I deeply apologize for overlooking such an amazing dress, and blaming it on Drew Barrymore's poor hairstyle choices. It was wrong of me to use the distraction of her black-tipped bob as an excuse for not appreciating such a classy dress, as well as your flawless use of lace. From now on I will appreciate your designs for the fashion that they are no matter how they are used.

Talk About An Upgrade!

Lily Allen cleans up WELL for Chanel! Lily ditched the horrendous troll-esque hair to become the new poster child for Chanel's new handbag line. In the pictures recently revealed, Allen has been styled head to toe in Chanel for an Audrey Hepburn inspired look for the up incoming Chanel Coco Cocoon handbag line. These luxury sportswear bags are set to launch in October. Who ever saw that one coming?? Apparently Lily was hand-picked by none other than Karl Lagerfeld himself. When asked why he used Allen, WWD reported Lagerfeld laughed and merely said “She’s fun!”

Unlike myself, Elle UK is not as taken aback, they commented that Lagerfeld’s recent pick was not surprising; she’s “always front row at shows and barely leaves home without one of her Chanel bags.” Hmm… since when was she sporting luxury handbags with the pink hair?

My opinion?—they finally realized that Keira Knightley and Nicole Kidman won’t exactly attract the demographic they’re looking for. Last campaign featured Jerry Hall . But it seems to me like Lagerfeld is taking a bit of a risk, considering some of Lily’s past antics (i.e. condoning drug use, bashing Christianity as well as her OWN record label.) Good thing he didn’t hire her as a spokes model! Hopefully she’ll just keep her mouth shut and stay looking this chic. I’m just wondering why he chose her in the first place—shock factor, new marketing scheme, or she was just in desperate need of a makeover?? You be the judge!

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been a fashion lover in every sense of the word—seeing it, learning about it, wearing it, and of course buying it. So naturally, I read as many magazines as I can get my hands on. Since about middle school, you could always catch me with a Vogue or Elle magazine in hand and the first page I always turn to is the “What Were They Thinking?” section. There’s something extremely entertaining about celebrities’ fashion faux pas; the worse the better, am I right? And who doesn’t love seeing them called out on it? I'd like to look at it as "constructive criticism."

On the other hand, we can't forget those who seem to do no wrong in the fashion world. Although it may be slightly less fun, we know how to appreciate those well-styled celebrities and the designers they wear. Whether its a masterpiece, improvement or a definate downgrade we'll be there to spot the latest.