Thread

Friends Never Say Goodbye

2011-07-11T22:21:00.019-04:00

I started this blog back in 2009. At the time, I was freelancing and wanted to make sure my writing skills didn't get rusty. Plus, I thought it would be fun to write about fashion −a lifelong interest− on a regular basis.

But this blog turned into so much more than just an enjoyable writing exercise. Because of this blog I made new friends here in Columbus and as far away as Australia. It has given me opportunities to cover events and brands... I wouldn't change a thing. But it's time for a change, if that makes sense.

I've started a new blog. It's a Tumblr called Thoroughly Modern Melly. You know me, I can be wordy. And I will continue to write long-ish posts. But sometimes, especially in fashion, a picture really is worth a thousand words and I'll be posting more pictures at TMM than I did here.

I'm inspired by images all day, every day, and I want to share them. Sure, I could have done that here, but the Blogger platform isn't as photo-friendly as Tumblr. Side note: I'm sure Google would be thrilled to know I'm talking up a competitor's platform here. Anyway...

To have a look at Thoroughly Modern Melly, click here. I would be thrilled if all my Thread readers subscribed to my TMM RSS feed. Or bookmarked the new blog. We'll have fun, I promise.

I've mixed some old posts with the new. (I explain why over there.) And, as always, I appreciate any feedback you might have. Just don't leave it here! Drop me a line at mlmcintyre@gmail.com if you're so inclined.

And follow me on Twitter! My handle is @Mel_McIntyre.

Finally, I just want to thank all of you for taking time out of your busy lives to read my ramblings over the last couple years. You're the best. Truly.

~M.M.

P.S. To add a dash of drama to this farewell, click here and sway back and forth to the music while letting one tear fall slowly down your right cheek.

This Is Why I'm (Not) Hot

2011-03-22T12:28:00.015-04:00

A few weeks ago, I learned Target was rereleasing 35 dresses from previous Go International capsule collections. And I was thrilled. So thrilled I marked the sale date on my Google calendar and set an alarm for 8 a.m. Seriously.

I’ve been a fan of the Proenza Schouler aesthetic since the label launched about eight years ago, but I missed out on its Target frocks the first time around because my size sold out online (and in all local stores). I was determined not to let history repeat itself. Because let’s face it. Buying one of these mass produced Tarjay dresses is the only way this working girl will be able to add some Proenza Schouler to her wardrobe any time soon.

I especially like this PS rerelease:

I told my friend Cat that I was probably going to buy it.

I wanted to buy it. Cat wanted me to buy it.

Our email conversation about it went like this:

Cat: “You would get a lot of use of the PS dress! It is cute and would look good on a summer day or with a cute sweater.”

Me: True, true!

Cat: It’s so cute, do it!!

But I didn’t do it. In fact, I bought a completely different dress. This one:

Which, obviously, looks nothing like the Proenza Schouler dress. It wasn’t even designed by Proenza Schouler. (It was designed by Thakoon Panichgul.) So why did I buy it instead?

The PS dress is a lovely one that, as Cat noted, I could wear many times. I even think it would look nice on me. But it just isn’t...me.

It’s the kind of dress that would make a guy look twice at a girl. (Hello, bustier top.) And that’s precisely why I'll never own it. Which brings me to the crux of this post: I’m not hot.

Well, let me clarify: I don’t dress “hot,” i.e. in a manner that compels red blooded straight men to exclaim, “She’s hot!” (Case in point: That Thakoon dress. I mean, who’s going to hit on a girl wearing that? She could be hiding a second trimester pregnancy under that thing.)

Yes, I’m aware I’m making generalizations about the kind of clothing straight men like to see straight women wear. I know they don’t all have the same preferences, but if I surveyed 10 straight men this instant, I bet money less than two would favor the Thakoon over the PS.

Not that their opinions really matter, anyway. I don’t advocate dressing for men. (I could get all feminist on you and talk about the harmful effects of “internalizing the male gaze” and so on and so forth, but that's not my point here.)

Someone once said women dress for other women. But I don’t even do that. I only dress for myself and that’s why I end up buying things like, say, pleated sack dresses. (Geez, that doesn’t even sound appealing in writing.)

In fact, a survey of my closet revealed a propensity for ~~birth control in apparel form~~ shapeless dresses and tunics...

So I'm curious. Do you wear anything that most likely repels the opposite sex? And this question goes out to the fellas, too. (Trust and believe: not everything you wear screams "lady killer," OK?)

And why do you keep wearing it? Does it make you smile? Does it have sentimental value? Do you simply enjoy the horror and/or disbelief it inspires in the eyes of onlookers?

All the above? None of the above? (I like the way those loose dresses move, as silly as that might sound.)

Side note: I like to pair my muumuus with high heels. Because I like those, too. And don't tell me they're inappropriate for the workplace. Seriously.

Annie Get Your Glam On

2010-10-20T11:53:00.022-04:00

As I might have mentioned before, I am a magazine addict; I've been known to buy two copies of an issue I particularly luv (one to read/cut up and one to store for posterity).

And judging by this sneak peek, I most definitely will be purchasing two copies of next month's Vogue.

November cover girl Anne Hathaway looks chic and elegant, the clothes look magnificent. I usually don't favor editorials with actresses in place of models (a pretty lady who lights up the silver screen doesn't necessarily take compelling still photos), but this this is a lovely exception, perhaps due to übertalented photographer Mario Testino.

This is one of my favorite photos from the shoot. Sometimes editorials are so "artsy" (dim lighting, odd angles) they don't allow the viewer to fully appreciate the clothing. Clearly, that is not the case here.

The staircase, Anne's profile, the dress's silhouette... The lines in this photo are so pleasing.

This is simply a super shot of Anne.

What do you think?

Cold & Shoe

2010-10-05T23:03:00.021-04:00

I hate colds. For whatever reason, I'd rather power through something a bit more toxic− like the stomach bug I contracted before a work event two months ago. (I vomited four times that day, but showed up to the venue with makeup on, in a skirt. I worked the room and only took a break to vomit, yet again, in the ladies room.) Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment.

Anyway... As the sun went down yesterday, my level of discomfort went up, up, up. By the time my alarm went off this morning, I wasn't even sure I'd slept continuously for more than half an hour and my throat was so sore just swallowing saliva was painful. Despite popping pills and slurping down orange juice like it was going out of style, I was tired and driven to distraction. Writing an article was not going to be easy.

So after attempting to nap this afternoon, I swallowed a few Tylenol caplets, slipped on a pair of 5" stilettos, pulled my laptop onto my bed and got to work.

Yes, you read that correctly. In fact, as I write this I'm still wearing those 5" stilettos. (Well, technically the heel is 4 3/4" and the shoe has a 1" platform.) I wanted to feel better and these particular shoes (above) make me smile.

Could we have a prettier First Family?!

2010-09-20T13:54:00.004-04:00

The Obamas attended services at St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. on Sunday.

A fierce start to Fashion Week

2010-09-09T19:31:00.013-04:00

The Spring 2011 collections launched today in New York City and Christian Siriano, who showed at 2 p.m., made quite the splash.

I luv his collection− equal parts elegant and dramatic. My favorite looks are nos. 4, 7, 14, 15, and 23.

People who were there said:

"The collection opened with spicy skin-tight white pants and a dark caramel leather safari jacket, which were followed by many white trench jackets, simple little dresses in lipstick colors and some draped silk numbers in a quasi-giraffe print (the quasi being that they came in turquoise).

"At the end came the familiar va-va-va-voom dresses that would look right at home in Dolly Parton’s closet, like a one-shoulder draped gown with a riot of tulle sticking out at odd angles on one side. The color was paprika, according to Mr. Siriano, but it was Pepto if you ask me." ~Eric Wilson for the New York Times

"But behind the braggadacio, sassiness, quirky hairdo, behind his much-parodied use of the word ‘fierce‘, behind some of the more fanciful over-the-top creations that he sent down the runway lies a serious, skilled designer. On Thursday, he attempted to show that he can do more than dramatic-entrance eveningwear. (The models wore shoes he designed for Payless, for example.)

"The opening look - a cognac-colored, leather-belted, long-sleeve safari jacket paired with a white flim-fit trouser made out of stretch cotton - set the audience up for an adventure that would take it all over the world. (Mr. Siriano says he drew inspiration from Africa, India and China.)...And then there were those big, glamourpuss gowns toward the end of the show." ~Ray A. Smith for the Wall Street Journal

Read about the show's front row and backstage scene here.

What do you think of the show? Whose shows are you excited about?

Jackie Smile

2010-09-05T09:51:00.020-04:00

I like to imagine that had I been a working woman in the Mad Men era I would have been employed at Life magazine. Convinced (rightfully, I believe) that pictures could tell a story instead of just illustrating text, legendary publisher Henry Luce launched Life on Nov. 23, 1936.

The reason I mention all this is because more than 10 million photos from Life's archives (the mag was published weekly until Dec. 8, 1972) are just a click away at Life.com. Such great eye candy... Which brings me to the following photos.

So many Jackie Kennedy retrospectives feature photos of her looking pensive or sad, but she had a great smile. And she smiled lots during a state trip to India in 1962. Just have a look at the Life photos here, here, here, here, and here.

Luv this photo from that trip, too.

The man certainly has a way with words

2010-09-04T14:27:00.005-04:00

Say what you want about Kanye West, but I think everyone −lovers and haters− can agree that the things he says are often amusing because of their absurdity and/or his use of hyperbole.

Below are a few recent (unedited) Tweets from Kanye. They all relate to fashion.

"The ego is overdone... it's like hoodies."

"She asked when is fashion week.... uuuum...I thought it was every week??!!"

"Just looking at my closet, wool suits, fedoras, trenches and furs...
I'm bout to put fall in the hospital ... Ima hurt the season"

Hilarious.

All my short ladies

2010-08-30T14:19:00.020-04:00

Here at Thread, I like to focus on the positive. But after looking at photo after photo of beautiful women making the same sartorial misstep at the 2010 Emmy Awards last night, I just have to say it: if you're short, floor-length formal gowns off the rack are not your friend; you've got to have them altered.

Otherwise, the proportions simply don't work for your body. Need proof?

This Oscar de la Renta would have looked better on Lea Michele with one less tier of ruffles, but she probably should have passed on the gown altogether. That's a lot of fabric for a 5'2" frame.

Sarah Hyland, in Pamella Roland, looks like she's playing dress up in her mother's clothes. (Do you see that ribbon trailing behind her?!) I give her an A for effort, though. She's young.

The drop waist seam on this Alexander McQueen is all wrong on Anna Paquin.

A short lady who got it right:

It's obvious just looking at the waist seam that Tina Fey's Oscar de la Renta was altered. Yay! Actually, her hair and makeup are great, too. This may be the best she's ever looked on the red carpet.

Needle + Thread

2010-08-22T10:19:00.017-04:00

Time heals all and heels hurt to walk in

Alberto Guardiani

Brian Atwood

Christian Louboutin

Dries Van Noten

Jimmy Choo

But they go with the clutch that you carry your lip gloss in
And, look, I really think that nobody does it better
I love the way you put it together

Lyrics: Fancy by Drake ft. T.I. and Swizz Beatz

To a T

2010-08-18T16:20:00.010-04:00

I recently interviewed Ryan Vesler of HOMAGE, a Columbus-based label best known for its groovy old school T-shirts. Ryan was such a good sport (I ambushed him for an interview and asked lots of questions) and I really appreciate his thoughtful, honest answers.

Read the Metropreneur article here.

Further, I'm excited that Ryan has decided to open an HOMAGE store in the Short North. He has such a distinct aesthetic and an eye for detail, so I'm sure the store will be a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.

Many brands have offered "vintage" Ts, especially in the last 15 years or so. The difference between their merchandise and HOMAGE's is that Ryan immortalizes culturally significant moments, people and places, and gives you a backstory. Just have a look at his "10¢ Beer Night" T.

I think my next HOMAGE purchase will be the "Archie Griffin" T shown above. Just in time for football season...

Mad Men returns!

2010-07-23T20:21:00.018-04:00

I will surely be working this weekend, but there is no email, interview, or article that will keep me from viewing the Season 4 Premier of Mad Men Sunday night!

The writing is thoughtful, the performances are dynamic...

And the period decor and clothing are ridiculous- in the best way. Don't believe me? Totally agree? Have a look at these stills promoting the new season.

They don't make 'em like this anymore. Swoon.

Happy 4th!

2010-07-04T11:06:00.007-04:00

The Nike SB Dunk High Premium "Born In the USA"− perfectly patriotic!

White Hot

2010-06-29T17:19:00.019-04:00

I just came across these photos of the ever-stylish Michelle Obama. I've rarely, if ever, used the term "hot" in reference to a first lady, but it's the perfect adjective to describe MObama in this Azzedine Alaia dress.

In the photo below, the first couple (in Toronto for the G20 Summit) poses with the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen.

Our neighbor to the north seems to bring out the best in fashionable first ladies. Click here to see the suit Jackie Kennedy wore during a state visit there in 1961.

Bridal Business Buzz

2010-06-10T11:10:00.074-04:00

It's been awhile since I posted here at Thread and I apologize. Lately, the majority of my attention has been dominated by a particular freelance job, but I've managed to grab a bit of downtime. So without further ado...

Several weeks ago, I noticed that three fashion heavyweights −two labels and one designer− are expanding their reach within, or jumping into, the wedding industry.

J.Crew, for instance, opened a bridal salon at 769 Madison Ave. in New York City on June 1. Though the retailer has been in the wedding market since 2004, this is the first time its bridal collection will be housed in one brick-and-mortar location.

In addition to gowns that start at $295, the salon will offer the new 769 cocktail collection, "nuptial accessories" by Lulu Frost, Miriam Haskell and Fenton/Fallon, and a few honeymoon-friendly goodies, like Cosabella lingerie and Histoire de Parfums scents.

Apparently, the decision to launch a bridal boutique was a wise one. J.Crew brass said more than 350 appointments are already on the books, clear into the fall, according to Style File.

And just two days after the J.Crew store opening, the Cynthia Rowley Bridesmaids Collection also launched in NYC.

The line currently features 16 styles (including the dress in the above photo) on display in Rowley's Bleeker Street store. According to Women's Wear Daily:

"It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Rowley explained of the new category, which will retail in bridal stores in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia. “We actually use a lot of the same elements from the ready-to-wear, but the feeling of the [bridesmaid] collection is probably a little more strictly pretty.” That means lots of tulle and silk, in cute drop-waist and strapless silhouettes.

Additionally, the prices are recession-friendly, ranging from $175 to $220.

And in March, Urban Outfitters announced it will launch a wedding line. Not many specifics were provided, but the company did say gowns will be made under its Anthropologie label (it also owns the Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Terrain brands) and retail for $1,000 to $5,000.

Further, Urban Inc.'s CEO said the bridal attire will be "heirlooms, to be passed on from one generation to the next."

Shoppers also can expect bridesmaid dresses, jewelry, accessories, shoes, invitations, and a gift registry.

In related news... If one's tech-savvy boyfriend is looking to "put a ring on it," an iconic jeweler has attempted to make his search for said ring a bit easier.

The Tiffany & Co. Engagement Ring Finder, will be available on iTunes June 14. The new app allows users to research, browse and save a virtual collection of their favorite engagement rings.

The app has five sections: Find Your Perfect Engagement Ring, Your Saved Rings, Find the Correct Ring Size, The Tiffany Difference, and Expert Consultation. Plus, the app is equipped with social sharing features for Twitter and Facebook.

What do you think of all this?

My cynical side thinks these brands are simply interested in getting their piece of the $60 billion wedding industry pie (er, cake).

However, the more thoughtful aesthete in me believes that −at least as far as J.Crew, Cynthia Rowley, and Urban Outfitters (and Vera Wang) are concerned− we're witnessing obvious efforts to democratize the bridal industry, much like what has occurred in womenswear with fast fashion manufacturers over the past decade.

In my mind, it's a great development; there's no reason hard-working people shouldn't have access to top-notch design, especially on such an important day as their wedding day.

And I have to say, Tiffany's app sounds pretty cool. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see other jewelers begin offering similar products in the near future.

Thread now a part of the Twitterverse

2010-06-02T22:12:00.003-04:00

"Rhapsody in Blue" was my 100th Thread post! And to celebrate this milestone, I've launched a Twitter page for the blog: @THREADblog.

This is a big deal. A really big deal, as I'm generally averse to social media. Or, rather, the unnecessary personal information that is shared via social media. I think there is a fine line between being engaged and vocal, and noise. And I don't wish to contribute to the noise.

That said, it shouldn't be surprising that my Twitter account will not be a means for broadcasting the minutiae of my life. (I doubt you'd find it very interesting, anyway.) Basically, I joined Twitter because I often have fashion-related thoughts and opinions that are too brief for a blog post. Also, I'm hoping to be more interactive with you fantastic readers.

Honestly, I'd luv it if my Twitter presence also inspires more people to drop by Thread.

To those who already visit this blog, my virtual corner of the world...thanks so much. I'm flattered that you even bother to read what I have to say, I whole-heartedly enjoy your feedback and look forward to hearing more from you!

Rhapsody in Blue

2010-05-20T15:32:00.012-04:00

At Wednesday night's state dinner honoring Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Mrs. O looked striking in an azure one-shoulder gown by Peter Soronen.

The gown features a corseted bodice with a lace-up back and was created using three layers of fabric: chiffon over lamé chiffon and silk. T Lo, of Project Rungay, contends that the shimmery material looks "a little cheap," and although I see their point, the color and style of the gown are so flattering that they more than save the ensemble.

In an interview with the AP, Soronen, an American who also designed the dress Mrs. O wore for the Kennedy Center Honors in December, said this of his creation:

"I love the structured bodice that I do for her. I put it in a lot of my dresses. I drape, pin, and stitch all that chiffon− this look works well on the first lady."

I'd also like to add that Mrs. O's silver earrings and belt are very complementary; anything more would have detracted from the beauty of the gown. And I luv the curly hairstyle; it's a nice foil to the streamlined silhouette.

My only complaint centers on the fit in the bust. It looks as if the top right side of the bodice is too tight.

What do you think? I look forward to hearing your opinions. (I tried to upload this post yesterday, but couldn't because of internet issues.)

Sex and the Clothing

2010-05-19T17:02:00.021-04:00

Just two posts ago I wrote about The Devil Wears Prada and its designation as the most expensively costumed movie in cinema history. But apparently Sex and the City 2, which hits theatres May 27, now claims that distinction.

Costumes for the sequel reportedly cost $10 million. Every meal, every nap, every cocktail is an excuse for a wardrobe change, according to Women's Wear Daily. One lunch scene even involves three outfits per leading lady.

A rundown of some of the movie's pricier pieces, courtesy of the New York Post:

Carrie's $4,000 embellished jeans by the Blonds under a $47,190 Chanel lamé dress and overskirt in this karaoke scene (rumored to be the movie's most expensive).

Charlotte in a silk ruffle dress by Oscar de la Renta (price upon request) and carrying a $3,380 "East West" crocodile tote by Nancy Gonzalez.

Samantha and Miley Cyrus's matching outfits: $3,500 Matthew Williamson dresses and $300 Dolce Vita "Marilyn" boots.

Miranda in a $525 (by special order) "Sarah Highline" dress by Zero + Maria Cornejo.

Carrie's one-of-a-kind $198,000 necklace was sold soon after posters for the movie started popping up around Manhattan. (Can you believe?!) The 18K blackened gold necklace is adorned with opals, rubies, diamonds, and blue, yellow and pink sapphires.

Not surprisingly, Sex and The Devil Wears Prada share a common thread; famed stylist Patricia Field served as costume designer for both movies.

Even though I wasn't a huge fan of the tv show, I just might see Sex and the City 2 simply for the opportunity to feast on all its fantastic eye candy. What about you? Are you looking forward to the "fashion porn"? Or do you feel that in this weak economy such ostentatious clothing is in poor taste?

Has my plea been heard?

2010-05-18T12:48:00.018-04:00

I'm usually not one for oversharing. However, providing more personal information than is typically necessary is required for this particular post. That said...

I am a flat-chested woman. Like, 36A flat-chested. I'm pretty sure I've worn the same bra size since the 6th grade (the first time my mother took me bra shopping, more or less because of my age, not my need for support).

And, frankly, I don't mind being flat-chested. Really. I can run miles without a sports bra. (I've actually run in a camisole with a built-in shelf bra more than once.) I can comfortably sleep on my stomach. It is impossible for me to look "suggestive" in a low-cut dress or top.

My problem is that Western society has an issue with my bra size. Need proof? The plethora of A-cup bras with padding and underwire which, to my knowledge, is completely inessential for small breasts.

Alternatives had eluded me. Until today.

Originally, this post was going to be a plea for help. I'd planned on asking you lovely readers for suggestions on where I could find the aforementioned unpadded, wireless bra. And then I found one! And it's pretty to boot!

Its maker, Victoria's Secret, describes this particular bra (one that I've yet to see in its expansive catalogs) thusly: "Introducing a new fit for Victoria's Secret. A smaller shape for less coverage and a lighter design for a fabulous feel."

Have a look here.

I found this bra after searching for the wireless one I'd already purchased from VS.

I'm very excited! I like my breasts as they are. And I don't like being guilty of false advertising, if you know what I mean.

Looks like my dilemma might be over!

(Above photo: The flat-chested and fabulous Kate Hudson in How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days.)

A Fashion Classic

2010-05-09T13:51:00.033-04:00

Even though the movie is nearly four years old and I've seen it several times, I happily spent the majority of my Saturday night watching The Devil Wears Prada on FX.

For anyone living under a rock, the movie is loosely based on Lauren Weisberger's 2003 novel of the same name. It stars Anne Hathaway as Andrea "Andy" Sachs, a recent college graduate who comes to New York City and gets a job as co-assistant to powerful and demanding fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep. Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci co-star as Emily and Nigel, respectively. (Synopsis from SceneItIn.com.)

Devil's Miranda Priestly was rumored to be based on Vogue's Anna Wintour. But I'm sure that really wasn't the case.

The fabulous stylist Patricia Field −most known for her work on Sex and the City− had just $100,000 for the movie's costumes; the paltry budget was supplemented by favors from industry friends. In fact, Field estimates that $1 million worth of clothing was used in the film, making it the most expensively costumed movie in cinema history.

There are so many great lines in Devil (The movie was much funnier than the book, in my opinion.), but the following five are my absolute favorites.

"This... 'stuff’? Oh, OK. I see… You think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select, oh I don't know, that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise or lapis. It is, in fact, cerulean.

"You are also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent, wasn't it, who showed cerulean military jackets? And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs, and so it's sort of comical how you think you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room. From a pile of…stuff." ~Miranda Priestly

"I’m on this new diet. It’s very effective. Well, I don’t eat anything and when I feel like I’m about to faint, I eat a cube of cheese." ~Emily

"I'm just one stomach flu away from my goal weight." ~Emily

"Oh, never mind. I'm sure you have plenty more poly-blend where that came from." ~Nigel

"Don’t you know that you are working at the place that published some of the greatest artists of the century? Halston, Lagerfeld, de la Renta. And what they did, what they created, was greater than art. Because you live your life in it." ~Nigel

Met Gala 2010

2010-05-03T22:09:00.039-04:00

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's new exhibit, American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity, is the theme for tonight's Met Gala, a.k.a. the Oscars of the East Coast.

Consequently, domestic designers are well-represented. My top three best-dressed women in American labels are: Diane Kruger, so simple and elegant in stark white Calvin Klein; Kristen Bell in a beautiful Diane von Furstenberg that's perfect for her petite frame; and Mariska Hargitay in a deep teal Vera Wang that has just the right amount of drama.

Short dresses are perfectly acceptable at gala events. For example, Blake Lively shows off great gams in Marchesa. However, Carey Mulligan's black hoisery and shoes don't complement her lacy, lilac sheath by Miu Miu.

Other outstanding women, in non-American labels, are: Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad; Eva Mendes in Dolce & Gabbana; and Eva Longoria-Parker in Marchesa. (Nos. 24, 39, and 43, respectively, in the slideshow here.)

My three worst-dressed picks are all lovely ladies, but their ensembles did them no justice. They are: January Jones in Yves Saint Laurent (the gloves and shoes scream "cocktail" and don't jibe with her futuristic eye makeup); Katy Perry in CuteCircuit (she appears to have been attacked by cotton candy); and Christina Hendricks in L'Wren Scott (the sky blue is fantastic next to her skin and hair, but her breasts look as if they're being pulled up to her chin).

And last but not least... My top three best-dressed men are: Sean Combs in Dries Van Noten; Patrick Robinson; and Justin Timberlake in Ralph Lauren.

Who caught your eye− for better or worse?

Romper Boom

2010-05-03T16:36:00.013-04:00

I admit that when I saw rompers in stores and on celebrities last year, I was not a fan. I've always associated them with children's wear. And according to the Wikipedia definition of "romper," I wasn't completely off base.

A romper suit is a one-piece garment worn by children and sometimes women.

Also:

Somewhat similar to a coverall, it is loose fitting and usually has shorter legs that may be gathered at the end. Puffed pants are particularly associated with ropers. Rompers usually are meant as a combination of shorts and a shirt...

The Wikipedia entry also supports my claim that rompers made a comeback of sorts last year:

Marc Jacobs, Max Azria, and Mara Hoffman were among the numerous designers to showcase versions of the romper in their Spring 2009 collections.

But I digress... As I said earlier, I was not a romper fan. Then I came across this one on The Limited's website:

For a better look, click here.

The solid ebony shade and bow on the right shoulder add a bit of sophistication that many rompers, like the one Blake Lively is wearing above, lack. There's no question that this style belongs on an adult.

Now it's your turn. Rompers− yay or nay?

Whisky and Whimsy

2010-05-01T21:46:00.015-04:00

If I had a "bucket list," a trip to the Kentucky Derby certainly would be on it. I know zilch about horse racing, but an event associated with Mint Juleps −Each year, nearly 120,000 Early Times Mint Juleps are served at Churchill Downs over the two-day Derby weekend− and fancy hats can't be all bad.

Speaking of hats...here are photos of 2010 Derby attendees (all courtesy of Jezebel):

"They didn’t provide much protection from the elements, but the hats were noticeably less conservative, more fashion-forward. Mega-brims made a mini comeback, but sleek cloches, cocktail hats and sculptural fascinators accounted for at least half of the headgear," according to a Courier-Journal.com article.

And, below, a woman after my own heart. I straighten my naturally curly hair, which means I'm practically allergic to rainwater. This certainly would have been me today at the track (which has a strict "no umbrella" policy).

What would you wear to the Derby?

Eye Candy

2010-04-24T13:41:00.030-04:00

For about two years now, I've been underwhelmed by Vogue. Cover subjects determined by movie release dates...repetitive editorials featuring teenage models wearing a single designer head to toe in front of stark, empty backgrounds...

In my mind, Vogue had lost the variety, imagination, and innovation that traditionally set it apart from other fashion magazines. Which is why the May issue proved to be such a pleasant surprise.

Inside are two fantastic editorials: "Parker Power" and "Americans In Paris."

The former features this month's cover girl, Sarah Jessica Parker. Though an SJP/Vogue shoot certainly isn't a new concept, it is undeniable that the petite actress (she stands only 5'3" tall) wears couture with a strength and presence that results in striking, timeless photos.

My favorite shots:

"Americans In Paris" presents classic sportswear (for which we Americans are known) in the City of Light− a simple concept that somehow manages to make tailored separates seem fresh. My only complaint is that the spread features a Canadian model (Daria Werbowy).

My favorite shots:

Your thoughts?

10 Questions... with Edward Buchanan

2010-04-23T10:36:00.013-04:00

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing accomplished fashion designer Edward Buchanan, the recipient of Columbus College of Art & Design's 2010 Alumni Fashion Icon award.

Not only has the 39-year-old Milano resident served as design director at Italian luxury goods house Bottega Veneta (Fresh out of school!), he has launched two successful labels (LEFLESH and Sansovino6) and consulted for several brands and celebrities (including Sean John, Kenneth Cole, and Jennifer Lopez).

When I talk with fashion designers I always ask the following 10 questions in an attempt to gather clues about their particular aesthetic and score sartorial suggestions for the locals.

So without further ado...

1. Favorite color? Depends on what season. I'm partial to heather gray.

2. Favorite artist? Too many to choose just one, but I'm having a Joseph Beuys moment recently.

3. Favorite place to have a drink? At home.

4. Dream vacation spot? Panama was amazing in the winter.

5. What are you most vain about? My privacy.

6. Favorite fashion trend of all time? Understated.

7. What current trend would you like to go away? Lady Gaga.

8. If you could come back as any designer –dead or alive− who would it be? I couldn't.

9. Name one thing every woman should have in her closet. Self-confidence.

10. A piece of fashion advice for the locals: Wear your clothing. Don't let your clothing wear you.

To learn more about Buchanan, read my Columbus Underground article here.

Save The Date

2010-04-20T18:02:00.020-04:00

Vera Wang and David’s Bridal have announced an exclusive partnership to launch a new bridal collection available in the United States in early Spring 2011 (and in Canada by the end of 2011).

The collection will consist of gowns, priced between $600 and $1,500, and accessories for the bride. (Prices for Wang's regular bridal line range from about $4,000 to upward of $25,000.) The line will likely offer bridesmaid dresses and shoes at a later date.

"I am thrilled for the chance to bring my very specific vision to David's Bridal, the biggest wedding retailer in America," said Wang. "The ability to grow my sphere of influence in the bridal world is both a huge creative and business opportunity, and one I am so excited about.

"With this new challenge, I hope to speak with a level of taste and authority that will resonate with brides everywhere. This association represents the next logical step for someone who has spent 20 years building a relevant and respected bridal brand. I can't think of a more strategic or promising time to grow a new segment of my business than now!"

Wang's reach will increase considerably if David's claim that 50 percent of all brides in America choose to shop at one of its 308 stores located stateside and in Puerto Rico is to be believed.

Apparently, David's has tried to convince Wang to do a diffusion line for quite awhile; label president Mario Grauso finally agreed, as the closure of several high-end department stores that carried Wang's gowns brought about concern.

"Our modern girls are not going to be turned off because we do something less expensive," Grauso said. "That's not something people today are embarrassed by."

Do you agree?

I do.
(Above gown: Vera Wang Spring 2010 Bridal)

Revisiting retouching

2010-04-17T15:40:00.034-04:00

Yes, I'm writing about retouching again. I think it's worth a second post because the practice is so prevalent and, typically, so extreme.

For instance...look at these much-discussed photos of Britney Spears (for a Candies's advertising campaign) before and after Photoshop:

I can get behind the crotch retouching. And removing the bruises? on her left calf. But slimming her torso, thighs, and calves (which, in my opinion, were better in their more shapely original state) is just too much. Do you agree?

Again, it looks as if she's been unnecessarily slimmed from the neck down. However, I can understand removing the cellulite on Spears's thighs. It's nice to know she's a normal woman (90 to 95 percent of women have cellulite, according to most estimates), but I don't want to see cellulite in an ad. What say you?

I'm not completely against retouching (as my comments have probably indicated). Removing a stray hair here or a zit there (or bruises, or cellulite) is fine with me. But recontouring bodies and facial features (Jessica Simpson claims her nose is often Photoshopped, for example.) doesn't do the public or celebrities any favors.

As a result, many of us end up measuring ourselves against an unrealistic ideal and the celebrity rarely resembles her photos.

Kim Kardashian, a woman with amazing curves, recently posed nude for Harper's Bazaar. The magazine leaked the photo, also unretouched, below:

I luv it! She looks so beautiful.

Perhaps a rebellion against excessive Photoshoppping is underfoot.

Unretouched for the very first time

2010-04-09T13:30:00.020-04:00

Jessica Simpson appears on the cover −and inside− of American Marie Claire's May issue sans makeup and retouching, according to the magazine.

I'm not completely convinced, though. Is it just me or does Simpson appear to be wearing eyeliner, mascara and blush? (Click here to see a larger view of the cover and the photos that accompany it.)

Regardless...the concept is fairly novel as far as domestic magazines are concerned. The only other American mag to do anything similar is Harper's Bazaar , which published photos of makeup-free, "minimally retouched" models last September. (However, it's worth noting that the entire April issue of French Marie Claire is retouch-free and French Elle did makeup and retouch-free covers about a year ago.)

What do you think of these "natural" covers and photo spreads? Frankly, I don't think they are particularly innovative considering the subjects are models and celebrities who are generally attractive to begin with.

Two brands are better than one

2010-03-25T11:21:00.032-04:00

Inspired by the success of the Pierre Hardy for Gap collection last fall, Jenna Lyons is looking to offer a similar diffusion line at J. Crew, where she is creative director.

"What we'd really like to do, especially for women's, is a shoe collaboration where we maybe go to someone like Manolo Blahnik or Christian Louboutin," Lyons said in a Style File interview published Monday.

However, it's doubtful Louboutin would be open to the idea, as he turned down an H&M collabo last year.

As far as Blahnik is concerned...he's already teamed with Liberty.

"The London department store has commissioned Blahnik to create a 'World of Manolo,' which will launch at Liberty in September with its own in-store boutique, which will stay open for three months," according to Women's Wear Daily.

Blahnik will design an array of items —such as notebooks, candles, scarves, Wellington boots, and shoehorns— using Liberty prints.

Pieces from Blahnik's fall footwear collection will be exclusive to Liberty for the season, marking the first time the designer has sold the collection outside his stores in the U.K.

I'm not sure how much a pair of Blahnik for Liberty Wellies will set you back, but if you're looking for what will surely be a less expensive —but still stylish— diffusion alternative, look no further than Payless ShoeSource.

Currently, Isabel Toledo is drafting sketches of handbags and shoes that will be available in Payless stores and online in September. The footwear —flats, square heels, and boots in materials like patent leather, nylon, rubber, and mesh— will retail for less than $40.

"I'm [designing] shoes that you want to see women wear on a day-to-day basis," Toledo told WWD.

"You'll see a very clean, graphic design, very utilitarian," she added. "I'm really interested in making shoes that women can walk in. Even for the evening shoes, I'm trying to address comfort and high style at a great price."

Toledo previously designed footwear for Anne Klein during her stint as creative director there; the Payless venture will be her first with a mass retailer.

I luv a good diffusion line. How else could a working girl like me own a fantastic Rodarte dress? (FYI: I did manage to snap up the label's black halter dress for Target that I repeatedly wrote about here.)

How about you? Do you like diffusion lines? Do you have any favorite collaborations?

You get what you pay for

2010-03-17T16:24:00.023-04:00

I've watched only three episodes of Kell on Earth (a Bravo reality TV show chronicling the office drama at People's Revolution, a fashion PR agency) and yet I've witnessed the firing of two employees and one resignation. Meanwhile, Kell[y], Emily and Robyn −the agency's top dogs− have repeatedly complained about the incompetence of junior staffers, including the aforementioned workers.

Then, during Monday's episode it was revealed that Andrew S., Robyn's assistant, takes home just $15,000 a year. In New York City. (No wonder he resigned!)

I don't know how much the other junior staffers earn, but I'm guessing their salaries aren't much higher than Andrew S.'s. And if that's the case, it might explain why People's Revolution appears to go through employees like Lady Gaga goes through bodysuits.

It's a well-known fact that entry level jobs in fashion are ridiculously low-paying, but perhaps Kelly and Co. would find higher caliber candidates (like moi) if they offered more cash. The only people able to live on $15K are trust fund babies who might not be interested in putting forth their best efforts because, at the end of the day, they don't need their jobs.

(Cast photo courtesy of Bravo.)

Question of the Day

2010-03-12T18:29:00.024-05:00

Numerous fashion aficionados −from bloggers to designers− are mad at TV personality Ryan Seacrest.

Why? He generally neglected to ask celebrities walking the Academy Awards red carpet "Who are you wearing?"

Kevin MacLellan, president of production for E!, says the network's research shows that its red carpet viewers (more than 3.5 million on Sunday) mostly want up-close-and-personal gab fests; sartorial scoop came in second.

Despite those findings, E! can hardly deny that the designer gowns and tuxedos worn by Hollywood's glitterati are discussed the next day with just as much, if not more, fervor as the Oscar winners themselves. Not to mention that the vast majority of those ensembles are on loan from design houses, not out of kindness but in anticipation of that on-air mention (a.k.a. publicity) Seacrest didn't facilitate.

In my opinion, E! bit the hand that feeds it. And if the network wants to continue scoring prime red carpet interviews, Seacrest better (re)learn to play the game.

Sharing is caring?

2010-03-11T20:50:00.019-05:00

Obviously, I enjoy fashion and have oodles of style opinions. Right or wrong, I make judgements on a daily basis about what people are wearing. However, about 90 percent of the time, those judgements are made mentally. In my head. Not aloud.

If my opinion is positive ("Those shoes are fabulous!"), I might share it with the wearer. Whether I say anything basically depends on proximity and the occasion. (Dishing out compliments at, say, a funeral might be inappropriate.)

If my opinion is negative (and unsolicited), I certainly don't share it with the "offender." So imagine my horror when I read the comments that André Leon Talley, American editor-at-large for Vogue, recently made to Mad Men actress Christina Hendricks:

"I went up to her at the L’Wren Scott show, where she was seated next to Mick Jagger, and after the show I said, 'Christina, my name is André. You have been very, very beautiful. You are very inspiring to me. I love what you do. But you have been badly dressed for the red-carpet season. You need to wear that blue dress that was on the runway that L’Wren Scott just showed.' And she said, 'I’ll take your advice.'"

Talley is, unquestionably, a very knowledgeable man where fashion is concerned. But I don't believe that gives him the right to tell a stranger they have been badly dressed. Couldn't he have given her the fashion advice minus the criticism? I'm guessing he thought such an approach wouldn't be as effectual.

Well, if nothing else, I give Hendricks credit for being so gracious.

What's your opinion? Was Talley out of line?

Free to Be You and Me

2010-03-11T15:57:00.011-05:00

"Life & Style" should be ashamed of its recent cover story about Shiloh Jolie-Pitt (with her sister Zahara in the photo at left).

The tabloid magazine suggests the adorable three-year-old's mode of dress is evidence she is experiencing gender identity issues. In fact, the magazine attributes the following statement to a VH1 stylist (who claims her words were taken out of context):

"Shiloh is pushing the boundaries of a tomboy look and crossing over to cross-dresser territory."

Can you believe?

"'Life & Style' is way off the mark with this outrageous coverage… Perpetuating gender stereotypes and targeting children for ridicule about the way they dress is unacceptable," said Rashad Robinson, senior director of media programs for GLAAD, in an article posted on the organization's blog.

I wholeheartedly agree.

In an email to Jezebel writer Dodai, the aforementioned stylist made an astute observation, in my opinion, about the possible motivation behind Shiloh's clothing choices:

"The quote I did provide to Life & Style actually praised Shiloh's parents for letting her be who she wants to be, and included that she has two cool older brothers who she is probably trying to emulate, and that she looks up to..."

I am a firm believer in allowing children to dress themselves. Their clothing choices are an expression of their creativity and I don't think that should be stifled.

My mom, on the other hand, had a rule (as my ensembles often suggested I was, at the very least, color blind): if we left home, I had to change clothes.

Somewhere there's a picture of me −I'm three or four− wearing a yellow tank top over a blue turtleneck, with what appears to be paint spattered pants, purple argyle socks, grey and blue sneakers, and a grin from ear to ear.

I've come a long way.

2010 Academy Awards Fashion

2010-03-08T15:03:00.029-05:00

I had no plans to share my thoughts on this year's Oscars red carpet (sometimes called the Super Bowl of fashion) simply because so many people have already weighed in.

But this afternoon I received an email from one of my best friends asking for opinions and I just couldn't say no. (Didn't have to twist my arm much, now did he?)

To be honest, the actresses' gowns last night generally disappointed me. It seemed like a majority of the ladies took a page from the same playbook. I saw too many pastels, metallics and full skirts, not to mention a plethora of unoriginal updos.

The only actress who didn't completely subscribe to the above was Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel Haute Couture, my pick for best-dressed. I especially luv the unusual neckline and her over-the-top bun.

Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab Haute Couture and Queen Latifah (below in Badgley Mischka) round out my top three best-dressed picks. I appreciate that Rachel stepped outside the box and went with a printed gown, and, in my opinion, Queen Latifah has rarely looked better. The gown's warm shade of pink and mermaid silhouette perfectly compliment her complexion and figure. (It's just too bad she didn't have a steamer onhand to combat those creases at her waist.)

I also applaud Penelope Cruz, in crimson Donna Karan, for wearing such a bold hue.

On the other hand, I was horrified by Zoe Saldana's Givenchy Haute Couture gown. Though the bust glittered so beautifully under stage lights, the dress is a train wreck from the waist down. Sadly, Zoe's lithe body gets lost under all those ruffles. My first thought when I saw this gown: "She looks like she's standing on top of a cake."

My first thought when I saw Sandra Bullock: "She's wearing an ice skating costume with a train." However, Sandra's hair and makeup are flawless...very Old Hollywood screen siren.

Personally, I was underwhelmed by Kate Winselet's champagne Yves Saint Laurent. (And she's usually one of my favorites!) In a word: boring. Even her jewelry lacked panache.

Now it's your turn. Who are your best and worst-dressed picks?

Stores at war?

2010-03-04T14:53:00.023-05:00

As I've reported, National Jean Company is scheduled to open its Short North store in early April− news that has generated a tremendous response from Columbus Underground readers.

But one reader comment (of 33 comments posted to CU at last count), in particular, stood out to me. Voodoo Denim Lounge Partner Jimmy Schaub, whose CU username is "Jimmydrift," wrote:

"'I wish the owner, or owners, of Voodoo Denim Lounge the best of luck. I hope everything works out for them.'
If that was the case, then they wouldn't be calling the city on the Voodoo store to try to get them shut down for possible violations (which do not exist).
Also, calling the vendors that Voodoo works with to try and get their accounts closed.
Real quality people over there at national jean company. They’re already burning bridges and they haven’t even opened up their doors yet.
And yes, Voodoo will have tons of mens clothing. There will be something for everyone."

Ouch...very pointed accusations.

So this afternoon, I reached out to my National Jean Company public relations contact for comment. Helen Kim, director of operations for the company, had this to say:

"Despite the inaccuracies of their comments, we continue to wish them the best of luck. And if the market demands, we will absolutely carry men's jeans."

Comments, Thread Readers?

It's all in the jeans

2010-02-26T17:25:00.030-05:00

Two new shops dedicated to denim are set to open this spring in the Short North.

Voodoo Denim Lounge −to be housed in the former Norka Futon space at 780 N. High St.− will "specialize in premium denim, but will also carry other types of apparel and accessories," said Jimmy Schaub, store partner, in a recent Columbus Underground interview.

The store will carry Vintage 1, J Brand, AG Jeans, William Rast, Prvcy, 7 For All Mankind, Siwy Denim, Splendid, Ella Moss, Scotch & Soda, Plain Jane, Diesel, Hudson, JJ Winters handbags, Tart, Alternative Apparel, Badcock, and "several others," Schaub added.

Meanwhile, National Jean Company −to be housed in the former Dr. Mojoe space at 761 N. High St.− promises to offer "hundreds of pairs of jeans at any given time, and feature the world’s hottest designers of denim, must-have clothes, shoes and accessories," according to a company press release.

A look at National Jean Company's Web site reveals considerable brand overlap with Voodoo Denim Lounge (7 For All Mankind, AG Jeans, Alternative Apparel, Ella Moss, Hudson, Siwy Denim, Tart).

Though I certainly wish both of them the best, I'm wondering how two shops (in the same city block) with such similar concepts −on paper, anyway− will differentiate themselves from each other, and successfully compete in this poor economic climate.

School Daze

2010-02-21T20:53:00.052-05:00

After watching the DKNY, Proenza Schouler, and Milly Fall 2010 shows during New York Fashion Week, it became clear that the collegiate look is poised to make quite a comeback.

I say “comeback,” as collegiate trends tends to surface every back-to-school season. But, arguably, they haven’t dominated American Ready-To-Wear since the mid-1990s when, in an attempt to look like Alicia Silverstone’s Clueless doppelgänger, nearly every fashion-conscious teenage girl (including yours truly) wore pleated plaid skirts, knee highs, and penny loafers or Mary Janes with stacked, chunky heels.

But I digress…

Peter Pan collars, pea coats, pleated mini skirts, tights− all of them made repeat appearances on the aforementioned runways. If those features, pieces, and accessories don’t scream “schoolgirl chic,” I don’t know what does.

At DKNY, in particular, outerwear was front and center. The majority of looks featured “tailored toppers” that came “classically cut in angora and melton wools” in camel, burgundy, ivory and gray, with a playful plaid thrown in, according to Women’s Wear Daily. However, if vests, jackets, and coats don’t tickle your fancy, the collection also included several short, drop waist dresses and a few pairs of slouchy, pegged pants coupled with printed blouses.

Though the clothing wasn’t especially body-conscious −a hallmark of Donna Karan design− it did retain the urban flavor −in the form of colorblocking and metallic accents− we’ve come to expect from the label. (To see the entire collection, click here.)

“After mining a sexy, dangerous look for spring with their animal prints and clingy skins,” Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez “buttoned their woman back up, layering her with staple pieces like swingy coats, cashmere sweaters and bubble-skirted dresses, an easy lineup of clothes that bordered on collegiate,” said WWD. “Bordered, because few co-eds have rubber printed cotton twill pants emblazoned with what appeared to be black and white inkblots…”

A somber color palette (black, deep blues and teals, gray) pervaded the collection, lending a sophisticated air. Each piece was well executed, but not one appealed to me.

“Whether you like the looks or not, the best thing about this pair is they take creative risks,” said the Wall Street Journal.

If you say so. (To see the entire Proenza collection, click here.)

The Milly show, on the other hand, was my Fashion Week favorite…very Blair Waldorf meets ‘60s mod.

"[Jean-Luc] Godard's artsy, chic women serve as my muse this season, with their clever combinations of bold hues, clean, modern silhouettes and feminine, cool attitude," said Michelle Smith, Milly head designer, in an interview with the Huffington Post.

I luv everything about this Milly collection− the Chanel-ish collarless jackets, the bow collar blouses, the elegant yet playful party dresses. Smith has even convinced me that a 28-year-old like myself can get away with Technicolor tights− as long as they're paired with a timeless, ladylike ensemble. (To see the entire collection, click here.)

I was not a fan of the Spring 2010 Milly collection, but this one certainly makes up for it. In fact, it has everything the spring show lacked.

So what do you think of the collegiate look? Do you think it's a viable fall trend for those of us no longer in school?

Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup

2010-02-18T13:33:00.022-05:00

I am very pleased to announce that "Digging My Heels In" has been included among the 20 best posts submitted by Independent Fashion Bloggers for IFB's Feb. 18 Links à la Mode roundup.

Yay!

Founded in 2007, IFB is a community of bloggers interested in sharing their content and experiences with fellow fashion enthusiasts in the United States and abroad.

Though I've only been an IFB member since January, I've already made several creative and stylish (of course) new friends who live as close as Chicago and as far away as London− so exciting!

Below is a complete list of links to the aforementioned posts (descriptions courtesy of their authors):

A Typical Atypical– What girls really want to read about, and why fashion bloggers are changing the face of fashion.
Bonne Vie– Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Inspiration: What you borrow from another culture when it comes to wardrobe should be thoughtful.
Confessions of a Fashion Editor– Dear New Look; it’s over!
Eternal Masquerade– Covering the Parallels Between Our Current Winter Wonderland and Under the Sea Fashions.
Fashion Pulse Daily– Fashion Pulse Daily blogs live from the Future of Fashion Blogging panel during IFB’s Evolving influence conference this week!
Hot Beauty Health– Ready for Spring? Here are 9 Big Beauty Trends for Spring 2010!
Idiosyncratic Style– Fashion Dare– Let your party frocks come out and play!
Intrinsically Florrie– Making a spectacle of oneself: learning to love glasses and finding the right pair.
Mariel's Castle– It’s not about been skinny or fat its about being healthy!
Retro Chick– Love, Lust & Burlesque with the Bridewell Collective
SF Indie Fashion– Spring comes early to Golden Gate Park. Showcase of spring 2010 looks from San Francisco designers.
Stacie Blair– Show your Olympic spirit with fashionable gear from Aritzia!
Style Eyes– The dilemma of a fashion blogger and why I’m taking Dame Vivienne Westwood's advice to stop shopping.
Style Symmetry– Fashion Blogger Interview Kingdom of Style’s Queen Michelle
Sugar And Spice And All Things Nice– Discussing the dangers of tanning and why the only safe tan is one from a bottle!
The Clothing Menu– Interview with independent jewelry and clothing designer Norwegian Wood.
The Fashion Planner– The Fashion Planner is hosting an eUndies.com Giveaway!
The Very Subjective– Very subjective (and therefore– very true) observations about style dos and do nots.
*Thread– Heel-wearing fashionistas also can be feminists.
twentyteneightyfour– My thoughts on style vs fashion and how our appetite for fashion blogs is part of our quest for style.
ventures of jenn– The Great Vintage Debate: the "price" of vintage both within and outside of the western world and what it really means.

What do you think of *my post? Out of curiosity...are there any particular topics you'd like me to cover here at Thread?

Digging my heels in

2010-02-12T01:59:00.034-05:00

Initially, I was eager to read "Robin Givhan Sees Liberation in Katie Couric's Heels (and Miniskirts)," as Couric is a fellow journalist and I admire Givhan's writing. But, frankly, I found the Jezebel post −about a photo shoot Couric did for the March issue of Harper's Bazaar− irritatingly familiar; another rant about high heels and what they "say" about the women who wear them , blah, blah, blah.

For the shoot, Couric wears Louboutin booties and Gucci platforms, and Givhan argues that it takes "pure grit" to "walk...in a pair of heels that make those who'd be suffering vertigo blanch."

"Maybe 'pure grit' is a synonym for masochism," the post's author, Irin Carmon, retorts. "And while I see Givhan's point that heels impress, allowing you to potentially tower over opponents, they also hint at a sort of inexorable demand on professional women to be all things at once− driven and hardworking, but also, ever so subtly, someone you'd want to fuck. Or that you think men might want to."

To which I say... Oh, give me a break.

Carmon is reading way too much into a pair of pumps. (Unfortunately, she's not the first, nor will she be the last, feminist blogger/writer to do so.)

Heels make the wearer −every wearer− look longer and leaner, and that's what makes them appealing to so many women. Suggesting professionals who wear heels to the office do so to appear simultaneously industrious and desirable is insulting to those of us who use our brains, not our sex appeal, to get ahead in the workplace.

"Feminist writers have consistently argued that a woman's attempt to cultivate her appearance makes her a dupe of fashion, the plaything of men, and thus a collaborator in her own oppression...," says Linda Scott, associate professor of Women’s Studies at the University of Illinois, in her book Fresh Lipstick: Redressing Fashion and Feminism.

In other words, many people believe the term "feminist fashionista" is an oxymoron. I am not one of those people.

Also, I am not a dupe, a plaything, or a collaborator in my own oppression because I wear what I want to wear. (Choice Feminism, anyone?)

And with that...the only fashion advice I will ever dispense here: Wear what makes you happy. And always look appropriate for the occasion at hand. The rest (conveying a particular message, whether people like what you're wearing, etc.) is just icing on the cake.

(Photo appears in the March issue of Harper's Bazaar.)

Alexander McQueen, 1969-2010

2010-02-11T19:27:00.003-05:00

Today fashion lost an immensely innovative designer with a fine technique. A visionary. A rebel. A romantic. A legend.

Rest in peace, Mr. McQueen.

(Above photo from McQueen's Fall/Winter 2009 runway show.)

Justin Time

2010-01-31T16:06:00.005-05:00

Today is Justin Timberlake's 29th birthday. I mention that here because, not only is J.T. an incredibly talented musician-record producer-dancer-actor, he also has a fabulous sense of style.

In fact, he topped GQ's list of the "10 Most Stylish Men In America" last year. The mag called him "The man who helped bring fedoras −and sweater vests, and beards, and three-piece suits, and skinny ties− back."

I couldn't agree more. J.T.'s also on my short list of celebrities with credible clothing lines.

To check out the latest offerings from William Rast, which he launched in 2005 with his childhood friend Trace Ayala (below), click here.

Ayala once described the pair's inspiration, fellow Memphis native Elvis Presley, thusly:"Elvis is the perfect mixture of Justin and I. You can go back and see pictures of him in cowboy boots and a cowboy hat and a nice button-down shirt, but then again you can see him in a tux and a collared shirt with rhinestones on it and slacks. We like to think 'If he was alive today, what would he be wearing?'"

And now...the multi-hyphenate on stage:

And on the golf course:

What do you think? Does Justin live up to the hype?

More Than Words

2010-01-29T21:36:00.004-05:00

During President Obama's first year in office, one thing has become crystal clear: our First Lady is a fashion force to be reckoned with.

For example...by debuting a one-shouldered, white chiffon Jason Wu dress at the inaugural ball, Mrs. O plucked its then 26-year-old designer (whose evening gowns retail for $2,990 to $4,700) from relative obscurity. And with one photo, she made a $126.75 silk rose-print Talbots dress a best-seller.

However, I would also contend that not since Jackie Kennedy has a First Lady used her wardrobe to convey a particular message− a message so subtle as to be subliminal.

I'm talking about the dress she wore for the State of the Union address on Wednesday.

"She was saying, 'not left, nor right,' it was kind of, like, a bipartisan dress," said Isaac Mizrahi, of his design. (Because, as any elementary school student knows, red+blue=purple.)

Reminds me of the red wool twill Pierre Cardin suit Mrs. Kennedy wore in 1961 during a state visit to Canada.

The ensemble was considered a "stylish and calculated complement to the uniforms of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police," according to Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years.

Something tells me the SOTU dress won't be the last time Mrs. O makes a statement with her clothing.

Indie fashion retailer comes to Columbus

2010-01-26T16:18:00.008-05:00

Brigade, which opened at 607 N. High St. in November, exclusively carries independent clothing labels.

When I visited the shop last week, I was pretty impressed with its roster of designers: Shipley & Halmos, Rag & Bone, Fillipa K, and Alexander Wang, among others.

"Independent designers each have their own following and it's fun to be part of an effort to get the brands out to the public," says Brigade's founder and owner Brian O'Neill.

To learn more about Brigade, read my Columbus Underground article here.

It's good!

2010-01-24T14:50:00.013-05:00

The peach-colored gown Christina Hendricks wore to the Golden Globes ceremony last week was the subject of some serious scrutiny, most notably Cathy Horyn's New York Times critique. ("As one stylist said, 'You don't put a big girl in a big dress.'")

The color of the Christian Siriano-designed gown suited Ms. Hendricks' milky white skin and gorgeous red hair, but the rest of it was a disappointment. The bodice didn't appear to fit her properly, and the large ruffles that extended from her torso to her knees were distracting and deemphasized her tiny waist.

However, Hendricks scored major fashion points for the crimson Carolina Herrera gown she wore to the Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony last night. It hugged her curves (in the best way) and the asymmetrical neckline, capped with a large bow, added visual interest.

What do you think of the SAG gown? Do you think the criticism of her Golden Globes gown was particularly harsh? (For the record, I think the comment about Hendricks being a "big girl" is ridiculous. She's curvy. And, no, that is not code for "fat.")

Label Whores

2010-01-22T12:39:00.035-05:00

It's no secret that I'm irritated by celebrity clothing lines. With just a few exceptions (Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, and Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen), the actors and singers who've founded such enterprises have no discernible sense of style, let alone design training.

Lately, though, a slightly different celebrity-turned-designer concept really has me riled: established fashion houses handing design duties over to the rich and famous. It all started with Lindsay Lohan at Emanuel Ungaro. And the epidemic has spread to Longchamp, where Kate Moss will design handbags, and Halston, where Sarah Jessica Parker will be head designer of the houses's secondary line featuring archival looks.

And just two days ago, Madewell, a J. Crew offshoot, announced that tv personality Alexa Chung will design a line for the label. Though Madewell's heritage isn't exactly comparable to the legacies of Halston or Longchamp, passing over an industry professional in favor of a celebrity seems equally ridiculous in this instance.

I suppose if your only intention is gaining press coverage, it's a shrewd move. But I would like to know how snazzy wardrobe choices alone qualify someone to be a designer. (I can read music and I have a good singing voice. But that doesn't mean I'm qualified to be a music producer.)

It's one thing for a celebrity to start their own label; if they want to find financial backers and put their name on the line (figuratively speaking), that's their prerogative. But it's really irksome −to me, anyway− when labels could help our ailing economy (Ten percent unemployment, anyone?) by putting recent design grads and/or experienced designers on their payrolls.

Doing so also would validate the value of design training, whether it be formal or informal. Making $15,000 couture gowns from scratch isn't a skill one gains overnight. Immense discipline and an inimitable vision are crucial to achieving industry success.

Or are they? Only time will tell.

So what's your take on celebrities getting into the fashion biz?

Gray Matter

2010-01-15T21:14:00.011-05:00

Over dinner last night, a friend asked if I'm aware of the matte nail polish trend. I am and although the concept is novel, I favor a shiny finish.

However, my taste for wines and purples so deep they're almost black has been replaced with a penchant for a much lighter shade I haven't been able to get out of my mind since I saw a picture of Megan Fox wearing it:

After some online research, I've determined the actress is likely wearing a lavender-based gray shade by Dashing Diva called Astor Place.

I luv it. To me, it's cool and sophisticated, and a bit unexpected.

What do you think? Will matte polishes catch on? Are you also interested in neutrals?

Meloise Hints

2010-01-07T21:47:00.013-05:00

Vodka isn't just for cocktails anymore.

Did you know the colorless, odorless, tasteless spirit can get the musty smell out of your vintage finds?

Just mix one part vodka with two parts water in a spray bottle.

"It works every time," says Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant. "That's the power of vodka for you."

After reading this tip, I was inspired to share a few of my own tried-and-true clothing and shoe care hints. Such as...

Removing blood from clothing:
Rub the stain with shampoo. Rinse with cold water. To get rid of any excess blood, pour hydrogen peroxide onto the stain. (The peroxide will bubble upon contact with blood.) Launder as usual.

Removing scuff marks from patent leather shoes:
Dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover and apply to the scuff, gently rubbing the mark until it disappears.

Removing street salt stains from suede boots (very useful in the Midwest):
Dab white vinegar on the stain using a rag or paper towel. (Several applications might be necessary.)
When the boot is dry, hold the boot over steam from a pot of boiling water and brush the suede with a wire brush in one direction.
Good as new!

Do you have any helpful hints to share?

Truly One Of A Kind

2010-01-05T23:57:00.017-05:00

I was so sad to learn that Mr. Charles Kleibacker died Sunday.

Last summer, Mr. Kleibacker, a former New York fashion designer nicknamed "Master of the Bias," graciously gave me a personal tour of an exhibit he curated at the Columbus Museum of Art.

"Kleibacker's Class Act: Storied Designers/Women of Note" was first-rate. The garments on view −more than 40 designer pieces worn by very influential ladies− were beautiful and insanely detailed. But, to me, the best part was Mr. Kleibacker's commentary during my tour. He was a wealth of technical knowledge and fascinating anecdotes that really made the exhibit come to life.

Also, I was amazed by his recollection of dates and places and people. I've interviewed men and women half his age (88) who often can't recall the year they started their first job.

At the end of what was probably a two-hour tour, plus a staff meet-and-greet, we gave each other a hug and I told him my visit was the best afternoon I'd had in months. And I meant that sincerely.

"We'll get you out here again sometime soon," he said warmly as he walked me to the museum's doors.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen. July 2, 2009 was the first and last time I saw Mr. Kleibacker.

I consider him a kindred spirit and I'm very sorry I didn't get to know him better.

To learn more about the designer's life and career, read The Columbus Dispatch article here. A portion of my own Columbus Underground article about "Class Act" and Mr. Kleibacker −clues about his particular aesthetic− is reprinted below:

Favorite color? Black.
Favorite artist? Picasso.
Favorite place to have a drink? The bar at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City and Rigsby’s in Columbus.
Dream vacation spot? Paris.
What are you most vain about? My hands. I always thought they were the best part of my anatomy. And they’ve served me well.
Favorite fashion trend of all time? The bias cut from Madeleine Vionnet.
If you could come back as any designer –dead or alive− who would it be? Isabel Toledo and Ralph Rucci.
Name one thing every woman should have in her closet? A little black dress.
A piece of fashion advice for the locals? Be more experimental. Consider dressing to fit the occasion more.

Dress Codes

2010-01-03T17:23:00.009-05:00

An interesting article recently published in The New York Times, titled "Dressing for Success, Again," convincingly contends that young men are embracing a style of dress that older men "never did, still don’t and just won’t."

"The result is a kind of rift emerging between the generation of men in their 20s and 30s and those in their late 40s and 50s for whom a suit was not merely square but cubed, and caring about how one looked was effeminate," it continues.

The reasons for this cultural shift, according to the Times: young men are rebelling against their Boomer dads, who typically view dressing down as evidence of their success; it's a reaction against the "homogeneity of casual wear"; and the impact of the highly stylized Mad Men tv series.

However, the article's writer overlooked another important fashion influence on the tube: the dandified Chuck Bass of Gossip Girl.

In fact, the show's costume designer Eric Daman told A Shaded View on Fashion that he's "read blogs from different colleges that actually have Chuck Bass Fridays. There is a whole movement behind him and his wardrobe, which is sooo gratifying because, lets face it, men really should dress better."

Amen. The button-down shirt/jeans combo is beyond tired.

I would kill to date a man who dresses like Chuck. I mean, just look at these photos.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen any young men in Columbus dressed in this manner on a daily basis. Have you? If so, I'd luv to see photos.

New Year's Baby

2009-12-31T09:34:00.005-05:00

Today is my 28th birthday and I'm not sure how I feel about that. However, I am, without a doubt, over the moon about my birthday present from M-O-M: a black Sabina leather convertible satchel. (The bag in the photo.)

The leather smells heavenly, the bag is big enough for my laptop, and it has a practical shoulder strap that's helpful when carrying a large load.

This satchel is sure to be in the crook of my arm, or on my shoulder, throughout the new year!

OSU gear relegated to game days & aerobic pursuits

2009-12-31T09:21:00.016-05:00

I'm usually not one to make New Year's resolutions, but I've decided to put a bit more effort into my appearance while running errands in 2010. I mean, I'm not out and about in pajama pants and Crocs [shudder], but my Ohio State T-shirts and hoodies get more than their fair share of wear.

It's time I practice what I preach, no matter the occasion.

And on that note...wishing you a prosperous −and fashionable− new year!

I heart the Supers of the '90s

2009-12-17T21:18:00.017-05:00

Today, I read an article in the January issue of Vogue about model Lara Stone's struggle for acceptance within the fashion industry. So what makes Ms. Stone exceptional?

The fact that she is a size 4. That's right...a size 4. At 5'10". (That's her below.)

Lara says she's actually been called fat. And when she sees stylists huddled in a corner, whispering..."That is when I know I'm about to be canceled," she said.

In my mind, it is utterly ridiculous that a size 4 model is, on average, two sizes larger than her industry peers (as the article claims). I'm sure a small percentage of the female models working today is naturally skinny, but I'm unconvinced that the majority maintains such low body weights without extreme dieting and/or extreme exercise and/or substance abuse.

Which brings me to the supermodels of the '90s: Linda, Cindy, Naomi, Christy, et al. These lovely ladies (with the exception of Kate Moss) were thin, but healthy-looking They had visible leg muscles and some of them even had breasts. (I read somewhere that most of them were 4s and a few were even 6s.)

I miss the Supers. Or, perhaps more accurately, I miss the cultural norms that made their prominence possible.

In this photo: (from left) Christy Turlington, Nadja Auermann, Cindy Crawford, Stephanie Seymour, and Claudia Schiffer.

In this photo: (from left) Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Carla Bruni.

In this photo: (clockwise from top) Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Karen Mulder, Elaine Irwin, Niki Taylor, Yasmeen Ghauri, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, and (center) Tatjana Patitz.

Beautiful Baubles

2009-12-17T13:52:00.006-05:00

Suzi West, proprietor of home decor and furnishings boutique Collier West, recently launched a fabulous vintage jewelry line.

Called "Pont Neuf," which refers to the oldest-standing bridge in Paris, the French-inspired line offers a mix of curated and created jewelry and personal accessories for men and women.

To whom does Pont Neuf appeal?

"One who covets signature style and expressions, details and accessories that are one-of-a-kind," according to West.

To learn more about the line, read my Columbus Underground article here.

Skirting the issue

2009-12-14T22:42:00.008-05:00

I regularly read 500 Pieces of Prudent Advice for My Baby Daughter.

The concept −a "collection of lessons of questionable importance to share with my daughter before we grow up," according to its author− might sound schmaltzy, but it's a great read. The advice is very thoughtful and practical. Well, usually.

I was annoyed with today's nugget of wisdom: #216: Your skirt or dress should be longer than your arms hanging straight at your sides.

It's exactly the kind of "rule" on which dress codes are based. And I hate it because it's simply not a practical standard for tall women like myself, as we tend to have long arms.

To prove that, I put on one of my favorite skirts and discovered it's about two inches above fingertip length. Granted, it's the shortest skirt I own, but at 14.5" long it's by no means obscene.

In fact, the skirt in the above photo also measures 14.5" in length. Inappropriate for the workplace? Probably, unless you work at Vogue. But obscene? No.

Just one more example of why "rules" were made to be broken.

The Way We Wore

2009-12-09T19:18:00.012-05:00

The year 2010 is almost upon us. And, appropriately, many are looking back on the first nine years of the 2000s. As far as fashion is concerned, there are several trends we youngsters should not be proud of embracing. (Trucker hats, anyone?)

Other regrettable trends, courtesy of New York Magazine's "Blink and You Missed It: Thirty-five short-lived looks from the attention-deficient decade," include:

Whale Tails, '01-'07

and Crocs For All Ages, '05-'08

However, several other trends on the list have yet to disappear into the ether:

Skinny Jeans, '07-

Thigh-High Boots, '09-

The Michelle Belt, '09-

and Pantslessness, '09-

In my opinion, skinny jeans and the Michelle belt will be around for at least another year, as the former are great for tucking into the tall boots that are popular now and the latter is associated with a well-liked First Lady. But I'm praying thigh-high boots and pantslessness are passing crazes; neither is very flattering on most body types.

To see New York Mag's complete list, click here.

Quotable Coco

2009-11-30T14:57:00.007-05:00

Today, I came across this bangle bracelet, which features a great quote from legendary Vogue editor Edna Woolman Chase: "Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess."

And that got me thinking about another stylish and quotable woman: Coco Chanel. Below are my top 10 favorite "Chanelisms." Learn what the designer thought about fashion, the "most courageous act," perfume, and love.

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street. Fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."

"Fashion is architecture; it is a matter of proportions."

"Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty."

"Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door."

"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud."

"It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory of fashion that heralds your arrival and prolongs your departure." ~Chanel on perfume

"Those who create are rare; those who cannot are numerous. Therefore, the latter are stronger."

"I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little, if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny."

"Adornment, what a science! Beauty, what a weapon! Modesty, what elegance!"

"Great loves too must be endured."

Who says fashionistas don't eat?

2009-11-28T23:48:00.006-05:00

While reading the December issue of Vogue over this long weekend, I was über excited to see that the magazine's fashion news and features director, Sally Singer, recommended Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams as gifts this holiday season. (To see it for yourself, flip three pages from the back; it's in the lower right-hand corner.)

It's nice to see a successful local lady get a mention in the fashion bible! (A couple years ago, I interviewed Jeni Britton Bauer for an article and she was lovely− so bubbly and talkative.)

Unsurprisingly, Jeni was excited about the mention as well. Click here to read her blog post on the matter.

And for the record, my favorite Jeni's flavor is Riesling Poached Pear.

Desiree...Oh, Desiree

2009-11-25T14:36:00.013-05:00

More often that not, I focus on the positive here at Thread. It's a conscious decision, as much of the blogosphere (too much, if you ask me) is devoted to tearing down fashion choices minus any constructive criticism.

That said, I have a bone to pick with White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers over her ensemble at last night's state dinner. In short, I think her choice was unflattering (it was too snug on her arms and torso, and did nothing for her figure) and, more importantly, inappropriate for the occasion. (To see a larger photo of Rogers, click here.)

The avant-garde Comme des Garcons dress, with its ropes of pearls and many layers, screamed "Look at me" at a dinner where protocol dictates that Rogers should not be the center of attention. Not even close.

Also, her dress and the First Lady's gown were similar in color which, in my mind, is the equivalent of a female guest wearing white to a wedding− an attempt to steal the main attraction's thunder.

Maybe I'm being too sensitive about Rogers's dress... But I can't shake the impression that she's full of herself and, consequently, not the ideal public servant. And I'm not the only one who feels this way.

In regard to Rogers's appearances at New York Fashion Week and profiles in several magazines and newspapers, fashion blogger Fluff Chance, of The Emperor's Old Clothes, wrote:

"Her shameless self-promotion is not an asset for the First Family. It looks like they don't know better than to choose a power junkie instead of someone powerful working behind the scenes for them."

I couldn't have said it better. And the dress she wore last night only proves his point.

What do you think? Am I reading too much into Rogers's dress?

Update: Today, Nov. 28, it's been reported that Pres. Obama has ordered a full review into the security breach that occurred at the aforementioned state dinner.

The U.S. Secret Service said they "made a mistake and they are taking action to identify exactly what happened, and they will take the appropriate measures pending the results of their investigation," according to a White House statement obtained by Politico.

However, it's worth noting that during Pres. George W. Bush's administration, it was standard procedure to have someone from the White House social office at the gate for state dinners and other events with large groups of visitors, according to a former senior Bush aide who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity (so as not to be seen as criticizing the Obama White House).

When Desiree Rogers was asked by The AP on Thursday whether personnel from her office were at the checkpoint she said, "We were not."

Again, it seems to me Rogers forgot the state dinner was, for her, a work event.

Sparkle and Shimmer

2009-11-24T21:50:00.012-05:00

As any loyal Thread reader knows, I'm a big fan of the First Lady's sense of style. And tonight, during the Obama administration's first state dinner, Michelle did not disappoint.

However, as I sat down to write this post, recalling her gown from memory was a bit difficult. Which, I think, proves the validity of a statement once uttered by another fashionable woman:

"Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman." ~Coco Chanel

Michelle's sequined gown was designed by Naeem Khan, an Indian-born, American fashion designer− fitting for for a dinner whose guests of honor were Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife, Gursharan Kaur.

The Blueprint for Style

2009-11-22T21:07:00.017-05:00

While watching the American Music Awards tonight I was enthralled with Jay-Z's ensemble during his duet with Alicia Keys. He looked amazing: white dinner jacket, black trousers, a black bow tie, a white waistcoat (a proper alternative to a cummerbund), a pin on the left lapel of his jacket (which featured a classic shawl collar), the black shades (Ray-Ban Wayfarers?), the pinkie ring...

He looked every inch the street-savvy gentleman I imagine he is.

But tonight wasn't the first time I've been impressed with Jay's sartorial choices. Just have a look at the photos below. He clearly understands proportions and frequently mixes patterns− hallmarks of a true style pro.

Do you agree that Jay-Z is an exceptionally snappy dresser?

Yet another post about Rodarte and Target

2009-11-11T20:45:00.010-05:00

Here's a (better) photo of the fabulous black halter dress I mentioned in my Rodarte for Target Update.

Apparently it has a $45 price tag; a nude version will cost $40.

In other Target-related news...Carolina Herrera (the Queen of Elegance− American style, if you ask me) reportedly said she would do a diffusion line for the mass retailer.

"If they asked me, of course," she told a New York Magazine blogger last week.

Here's hoping the two parties are already in talks about a future collaboration!

The Mother Of All Fashion Blogs

2009-11-08T15:13:00.013-05:00

That's the tagline for my new favorite blog: My Mom, The Style Icon.

Contributors simply submit photos of their mom in her style heyday, with a description, and the rest of us gain inspirational vintage styling ideas. Genius!

I want to make a submission, but I haven't found the right photo yet. In the meantime, I've posted a nice photo of my mother, circa 1970, here. (If she knew I put this online, she'd kill me. Ha!)

Mom, who was in charge of the guest book at a good friend's wedding, is wearing a long-sleeve, floor-length aqua chiffon gown with lace insets.

Kudos for choosing a pink corsage instead of playing it safe with a white one, M-O-M!

What are your favorite fashion blogs? I'm always looking for interesting new reads.

The Write Stuff

2009-11-07T18:24:00.008-05:00

I've devoted quite a few Thread posts to accessories and shoes lately. This wasn't intentional; I just haven't been very moved by the clothing I've seen in stores, in magazines, or online in recent weeks.

I was hoping this sluggish economic climate would spur fashion designers to be more creative and innovative with what's available to them. But I'm not so sure that's been the case− at least not this season.

That said, the following accessories, which have a common literary theme, really appealed to me (a writer by trade).

I came across the clutch below this week on Jezebel. Its maker, Olympia Le-Tan, has modeled a series of clutches on the first edition covers of 16 novels.

Le-Tan uses Liberty print for the lining, felt appliqué and silk thread for the embroidery, and cotton canvas for the base.

Her attention to detail is incredible. This clutch looks exactly like The Catcher in the Rye book I read in 10th grade.

Wednesday, I purchased the charm bracelet below (I luv charm bracelets) from the Etsy store ALikelyStory. Its maker, Ellen Asper, was even nice enough to replace a second "author" charm with a replica "M" typewriter key at my request.

Other pewter charms include a library lion, a book, a woman typing, a cup of pens, a typewriter, a pencil, and a coffee/tea cup.

I'll be wearing this on a daily basis!

Does anyone know of any accessories designers in Columbus who are doing exceptional work? If so, I'd love to hear about them.

(Charm bracelet photo courtesy of Ellen Asper.)

Sneakers that Pop

2009-11-05T19:43:00.017-05:00

I'm a big fan of Pop Art. (And I own the Warhol prints to prove it.) So it should come as no surprise that I began to salivate when I laid eyes on the kicks below.

What's not to love about these limited edition Nike Air Max 90s? They're bright, feature Warhol's iconic "Marilyns," and are just as stylish as a great pair of stilettos (minus any discomfort).

Considering Warhol's affinity for shoes and his fascination with mass production methods, that he then applied to his own art, I think it's safe to say he would have liked these Nikes, too.

Happy Birthday, Dear Anna...

2009-11-03T18:47:00.011-05:00

That bob. Those Ray-Bans. Today's birthday girl is always easy to spot.

Happy 60th, Anna!

Looking to curl up with a juicy read? I suggest Jerry Oppenheimer's "Front Row: Anna Wintour: The Cool Life and Hot Times of Vogue's Editor In Chief." This unauthorized biography is a fascinating page-turner.

Update: It has been brought to my attention (via Gawker) that Ms. Wintour has been named the honorary chair of a committee focused on "arts and humanities education, cultural diplomacy, economic revitalization through the arts and humanities and special events dedicated to recognizing excellence in these areas."

Looks like the editrix's fundraising efforts for Obama have paid off!

Trick or Chic

2009-10-31T13:50:00.011-04:00

Victoire de Castellane. As far as I'm concerned, the Dior Joaillerie Artistic Director is a creative genius. Her attention to detail, use of color, and sense of whimsy have helped create hundreds of unforgettable haute baubles −including earrings, cufflinks, bracelets, brooches, necklaces, pendants, and watches− since she joined the house in 1998.

Have a look at some of her work here. Feel free to drool; I won't tell.

My personal favorites are de Castellane's rings for Dior. Under her direction even skulls look more glamorous than ghoulish. Which brings me to the rings below (from the Coffret de Victoire collection). Wouldn't they be fantastic for today? Or any day, really.

Happy Halloween, Thread Readers!

Seriously?!

2009-10-30T20:34:00.005-04:00

Nine-year-old Noah Cyrus (Miley's sister, Billy Ray's daughter) is in the photo at left. It was taken at a Halloween party last weekend (a party hosted by Mattel and Toys R Us, no less).

Costume or not, this ensemble −with its crotch-skimming hemline and dominatrix high-heeled boots− is completely inappropriate for a child. And the red lips and eyeliner?

What the hell is she supposed to be, anyway? My vote: a pint-size hooker. (Just like the ones I referenced in my "Picture Perfect" post.)

Parents, stop the insanity! The oversexualization of our young girls has got to end. And for anyone who thinks these kinds of costumes are harmless ("It's just little girls playing dress up."), I ask you to consider what pedophiles might think of them.

10 Questions...with Althea Harper

2009-10-29T12:45:00.013-04:00

I recently interviewed "Project Runway" season six contestant Althea Harper for Columbus Underground, as she will be in town this weekend to participate in the second annual HighBall Halloween.

When I talk with fashion designers I always ask the following 10 questions in an attempt to gather clues about their particular aesthetic and score a few sartorial suggestions for the locals. Harper's answers are listed below. (I didn't include them in the CU write-up because at 716 words it was long enough already.)

1. Favorite color?
Blue, all shades.

2. Favorite artist?
Francisco de Goya.

3. Favorite place to have a drink?
A hole-in-the-wall Spanish bar in New Haven, CT.

4. Dream vacation spot?
Thailand.

5. What are you most vain about?
My figure.

6. Favorite fashion trend of all time?
Men’s suiting tailored for women.

7. What current trend would you like to go away?
Babydoll tops and dresses. Enough already!

8. If you could come back as any designer —dead or alive— who would it be?
I just want to be myself!

9. Name one thing every woman should have in her closet.
A go-to dress that she feels sexy in, even on a "fat" day.

10. A piece of fashion advice for Ohioans?
Do not be ashamed to show off your figure! Each one is unique and beautiful even if it is not "model size."

(Harper is in the above photo.)

Another way to keep warm this winter

2009-10-23T14:49:00.033-04:00

While reading my favorite Columbus blogs yesterday, I came across an interesting post at http://shoptigertree.blogspot.com/. (For the uninitiated, it's the official blog for Tigertree, a hip Short North boutique that carries men's and women's clothing, as well as an in-house accessories line.)

Apparently, Tigertree now features fluffy "cowl neck scarves" made by one of the store's Columbus customers. (Discovering new local talent-- yay!) Coincidentally, a post to My Fashion Life (a UK-based fashion blog) heralding "the snood: this season's must-have" popped up in my Google Reader feed yesterday.

I say "coincidentally" because the scarves and snoods virtually look the same. To see what I mean, compare the photo of Michael Kors's cashmere rib-knit snood posted at My Fashion Life to Tigertree's merch here.

At first, I was a bit confused. In my mind, the term "snood" refers to a hairnet of sorts that sits on the back of a woman's head, covering hair that's been gathered there. But upon conducting a little Wiki research, I discovered that snoods also can be made of yarn and solid cloth, and today are often worn "pulled down around the neck, like a scarf, or pulled up over the hair and lower face, like a hood."

Now you (and I) know.

Would you trade your typical winter scarf for a snood? Do you think snoods are unisex? Explain.

Update: When I originally wrote this post I attempted to include a photo of the aforementioned Michael Kors snood, but it was being temperamental. Hence the photo of the "old school" snood.

Picture Perfect

2009-10-23T13:11:00.008-04:00

Today, the White House released the Obama's official family portrait (taken by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz). The foursome sat for the portrait on Sept. 1. in the White House's Green Room.

What a ridiculously good-looking bunch! I'd also like to note that Malia (11 years old) and Sasha (eight years old) look adorable and age appropriate.

I'm tired of seeing young girls dressed like pint-size hookers.

The Kids Are Alright

2009-10-18T15:14:00.058-04:00

I know this topic is a few days old (and not related to this blog's content whatsoever), but I am so bothered by Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell's policy regarding interracial marriages that I decided to share my thoughts on the matter here.

As you've undoubtedly heard, the Louisiana JOP refuses to issue marriage licenses to interracial couples (despite the fact that his actions, or inactions, plainly violate constitutional rights and federal and state law). His reason?

Bardwell told the Hammond Daily Star that his "main concern is for the children." Perhaps he's concerned one of the children will be elected president of the United States someday.

Through the years, I've heard various men and women speak of their "fears" for the unborn children of interracial couples, especially black-white couples. "They'll be made fun of," they say. "They won't fit in anywhere."

First, just about every child will be made fun of at some point in their life, and I can tell you from personal experience that taunts about my naturally curly hair were much more damaging than snide remarks about my heritage (my mom is white, my dad is black) could ever have been. Afterall, the latter was based on pitiable ignorance, the former based on a physical trait that even I hated.

As for not fitting in anywhere...clearly, I "fit in" with the other 6,799,999 people who reported being of two or more races on the 2000 U.S. Census. (Also, it should be noted that, in my experience, the majority of people who feel sorry that I don't belong to just one racial group are people who belong to just one racial group.)

I've said it before and I'll say it again: being biracial is a bigger problem for others than it is for me. In fact, I feel lucky to embody such a confluence of varied American experiences. My father descends from slaves who lived and worked on plantations in rural Georgia. (Don't let the Scottish surname fool you. The McIntyres were our owners.) My mother's mother's Irish family came to this country during the Potato Famine and my maternal grandfather is of German descent.

Interactions with my relatives and an array of cultural experiences have provided me with a unique worldview that money can't begin to buy. Plus, my particular minority status has helped me empathize with those who feel disenfranchised, misunderstood, ignored, or maligned-- whether that be on the basis of race, nationality, sex, gender, or sexual orientation.

Growing up, I knew quite a few biracial kids and generally we were as well-adjusted as our white, Asian-American, and Latino-American peers. Sometimes, though, our private conversations would turn toward the thoughtless questions we were asked on a routine basis: "Can you tan?" "Are you adopted?" "Can I touch your hair?"

However, more often than not, such questions were regarded with annoyance rather than anxiety or anger. Mostly I was glad people were asking me questions and not making assumptions.

To those Americans who, like Bardwell, claim their objection to interracial marriage is based on concern for the welfare of children who might be born of such unions, and that they are not racist, I have news for you: You are indeed racist.

You are so racist that you can't even see, or refuse to see, that your concepts about race and its societal implications are extremely dated; the nation around you ---it's racial makeup and prevailing racial attitudes-- has changed considerably in recent years. Instead of making race a primary focus when dealing with your fellow man, you should follow the example of millions of others who vote for, socialize with, befriend and, yes, even marry men and women based on the content of their character, not the color of their skin.

Trust me. The kids are alright. In fact, the biracial kids, whose country is being led by one of their own, are better than alright. President Barack Obama's election --proof that in America you really can be anything when you grow up-- means they get to stand a little taller every day.

They're great.

Rodarte for Target Update

2009-10-17T00:13:00.010-04:00

Back in August I wrote about my excitement over Rodarte's capsule collection for Target (How many months 'til Christmas?), promising to bring you updates as information became available. Well, today a slideshow of photos from a press preview in August surfaced online. To see it, click here.

My favorite look, hands down, is the black halter dress in the ninth photo. Classy. (I especially like the bow at the neck.) It would make a great frock for my birthday festivities on New Year's Eve.

The collection launches online and in stores December 20. Can't. Hardly. Wait.

(The sisters behind Rodarte, Laura and Kate Mulleavy, are in the photo above.)

Notes on a Sweater

2009-10-12T13:57:00.031-04:00

I really enjoy fall. The foliage, the crisp air... However, finding a sweater that actually stands a chance at keeping me warm in the months ahead has been a big challenge.

On my wish list: a wool, cable knit crewneck sweater. Any and all colors welcome.

Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. This season, every retailer under the sun is pushing lightweight, drapey cardigans-- pretty, but impractical for those of us in the Midwest.

I searched high. I searched low. (Literally-- from Saks to Target.) In person and online. And today I finally found what I've been looking for; by Ralph Lauren Rugby.

I would have been happier with a lower price (The sweater costs almost double what I paid last year for a navy sweater at Gap that met all the aforementioned criteria. I'm still kicking myself over buying just one.) and without the puffed sleeves. (The silhouette would be more timeless without them.) But beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.

On the plus side, I drew some inspiration from the way the "flaxen" sweater is styled (above). Just the other day I was thinking about ways to liven up the classic jeans/sweater/boots combo, and a button-up and bow tie are genius. They also call Brad Goreski to mind, which is great as I have a style crush on him. With each episode of the Rachel Zoe Project I've fallen deeper and deeper in luv with his look. He somehow manages to make preppy and bow ties look new. (Maybe it's the hair.)

Also, the sweater --I'll probably go with the "light charcoal," the "vintage purple," and/or "evergreen"-- will look great with my new military-inspired coat!

What are you most excited about, stylewise, as we transition to cooler weather?

Fashion loses a legend

2009-10-07T17:20:00.016-04:00

Prolific photographer Irving Penn died this morning at his Manhattan home; he was 92 years old.

Penn --best known for his still-lifes, portraiture, and photos of female nudes-- began a decades-long association with Vogue in 1943, when he was hired by Alex Liberman to work in the magazine's art department. (The following year he began working as a freelance photographer.)

Penn's career at Vogue spanned a number of radical transformations in fashion, but his style of photography remained remarkably constant, according to The New York Times.

"Imbued with calm and decorum, his photographs often seemed intent on defying fashion. His models and portrait subjects were never seen leaping or running or turning themselves into blurs."

Just last month, Vogue featured an article on "Small Trades," a series of 252 portraits of working-class people in New York, Paris, and London that Penn began shooting in 1950. The photos, which he considered some of his best work, will be on display at The Getty Center through Jan. 10, 2010.

Luv the Penn photo above: "Mouth for L'Oréal," New York, 1986.

To see two of my other favorites --photos of Gisele Bündchen and Lisa Fonssagrives, a model and Penn's wife of 42 years, respectively-- click here and here.

Oh to be Betty...

2009-09-28T23:25:00.010-04:00

Her marriage might not not be the healthiest and she might be stifled by her role as a suburban housewife, but Mad Men's Betty Draper does have a fantastic wardrobe.

I was especially enamored of the ensemble she wore to a meeting with Henry Francis in yesterday's episode ("Seven Twenty Three"). The floral print dress, the gloves, the sunglasses, the pearls, the gold cigarette case-- I luved it all. I mean, don't get me wrong; I've always thought wearing gloves on a year-round basis would be such an annoyance (and don't even get me started on the myriad undergarments women wore daily during the mid-twentieth century), but I long for the days when women, and men, put an effort into their appearance.

And the best part: doing so wasn't regarded as sheer vanity; it was considered good manors, being respectful of the people around you. There's a reason we didn't have Crocs in the '60s.

Do you ever long for the fashions of a bygone period? And if so, which one?

I've always loved clothing and accessories from the Camelot era. In fact, I own a black bouclé skirt suit (double-breasted jacket with elbow-length sleeves, tulip skirt to the knee, very Jackie Kennedy circa 1963) that I've instructed family and friends to bury me in should I meet an untimely death in the near future.

Seriously.

It's good to know someone is banning Crocs

2009-09-25T17:41:00.006-04:00

I hate Crocs. OK, maybe "hate" is too strong a word.

I loathe Crocs. They are unattractive. They make wearers look as if they have no self respect, like they couldn't care less about their appearance. And, apparently, they aren't fit for Yom Kippur (which begins at sundown on Sunday).

An "influential Lithuanian rabbi," has told his faithful that Crocs are too comfortable for this day of atonement and that the pious should embrace footwear that isn't so...forgiving, according to Transracial.

"It is permissible legalistically, but it is inadvisable," says Rabbi Elyashiv.

Any shoe that is not made of leather, but is comfortable to wear, is forbidden on Yom Kippur, he added.

Supposedly, his followers favor the plastic shoes because of the comfort they provide during the holiday's long hours of prayer, which usually are conducted while standing.

Sounds like they're up the creek without a Croc this year.

If Detroit can do it...

2009-09-22T16:12:00.025-04:00

Though Detroit usually is associated with the struggling domestic automobile industry, a recent CNNMoney.com article says planners are hoping to breathe new life into the city by redirecting the expertise of its creatives and craftsmen toward an unlikely sector: fashion.

Cars and clothing may seem like vastly different industries, but locals argue that Detroit's design sensibility and manufacturing capabilities make it a logical apparel manufacturing hub.

Car designers are very aware of fashion, and they understand the principles of design, says Joe Faris, a Detroit resident, senior designer for Schott N.Y.C., and Project Runway alum.

"Creative people are just creative-- it can be applied both ways."

Detroit Fashion Week, scheduled to coincide with New York's fashion week, was founded in 2005 to spotlight up-and-coming local designers, according to CNNMoney.com. After several days of networking functions for the fashion community, this year's event concluded with a fashion show Saturday night inside the Royal Oak Farmers Market.

Fashion In Detroit, Faris's brainchild, is another event intended to push the city's transformation along.

The "high-end" runway show (with an entry fee totaling $2,500 versus Detroit Fashion Week's $350 fee) has even attracted participants with considerable name recognition, including Betsy Johnson and Kid Rock, who will show his Made In Detroit line.

Fashion in Detroit will be held Oct. 1 and 2 at the city's zoo.

As I read the CNNMoney.com article, I couldn't help but think the Columbus metro area --home to Abercrombie & Fitch, Express, Lane Bryant, Victoria's Secret, Columbus College of Art & Design, and the Short North, a renowned arts district that also features several independent clothing boutiques-- could easily position itself as a Midwestern fashion capital and host its own fashion week.

I'm aware that Columbus hosted an inaugural fashion week at BOMA in March 2007, but it garnered very little media coverage and the event has not been attempted since. Perhaps this year's Highball will serve as a catalyst for the creation of another, more successful Columbus Fashion Week.

The event, which will include a fashion show featuring Cirque-themed costumes by local designers and design students, is scheduled for Oct. 31. To learn more about Highball, click here.

What do you think? Does Columbus have what it takes to become a Midwestern fashion capital? Would you attend Columbus Fashion Week?

My 2009 Emmy Awards Best-Dressed List

2009-09-21T17:22:00.022-04:00

I was disappointed by the gowns several actresses wore to the Emmy Awards ceremony last night. No one looked like a disaster, per se, but too many lovely ladies donned pastels/styles that did nothing for their complexions/figures.

My best-dressed choices −I've dubbed them the "Super Six"− were the exception. They are:

January Jones in Atelier Versace. (First photo.)

Debra Messing in Michael Kors. (Second photo.)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Vera Wang. (Third photo.)

Christina Hendricks in L'Wren Scott. (Photo 4.)

Kate Walsh in J. Mendel. (Photo 5.)

Lindsay Price in J Mendel. (Photo 10.)

The night's most notable trends: varying shades of blue and red, metallics, one-shouldered dresses, and trains.

Who do you think looked best? Did I overlook anyone?

More on the Spring 2010 Collections

2009-09-19T14:21:00.017-04:00

Fashion Week, though exhilarating and fascinating, can be a bit overwhelming. Hence the reason I'm wrapping up my look at the Spring 2010 Collections two days after it ended.

That said, I've decided to keep my coverage here brief; after all, I didn't even attend the shows and reviews by those who did are very accessible.

Speaking of reviews...the critics generally raved about Vera Wang's Ready-To-Wear show. The New York Times' Cathy Horyn (who is notoriously forthright) determined that the clothes had "a lovely modern civility." British Vogue writer Lauren David Peden admitted that she was brought to tears by the "bounty of beauty." However, I was unmoved.

In fact, I was disappointed. The collection was chock full of dresses, which I appreciated, but the majority were shapeless shifts that only look flattering on flat-chested women with boyish figures− not exactly the norm. The clothes also lacked the warmth and lightness one associates with spring, as Wang employed a dreary color palette (mainly black, white, and shades of gray), and embellished tops and dresses with heavy necklaces and gaudy tulle gathers. Even the pants she showed (black, drop-crotch) often pooled awkwardly around the knees and ankles, making the models look sloppy. (I can only imagine how bad a "real" woman would look in them.)

The show's worst look, in my opinion, can be viewed *here; to view my favorites, click *here and *here.

The Milly show was another downer. Usually, I luv just about every look that makes it down the label's runway. (I'm a sucker for bright '60s-style shifts and boxy jackets, both of which Michelle Smith, the label's designer, does well.) But this season it was difficult for me to find even one look I liked. Nearly every article of clothing fell flat; there was an overabundance of neutrals and a complete lack of original details.

To see what I'm talking about, click here and here; I liked this, probably because it's very Pucci-esque.

On the upside, Michael Kors, Thakoon, and Karen Walker all showed great collections. Kors stuck to the clean lines and simple silhouettes he does best; Thakoon Panichgul threw plenty of fun prints into the mix; and Walker kept her collection sweet without being saccharine.

To see my favorite Thakoon and Walker pieces, respectively, click here and *here.

What do you think? What were some of your favorite Spring 2010 shows?

(The above photos are my favorite looks from Kors's Spring 2010 Collection.)

*Please be patient, as it takes time for this photo to load.

Battle between A&F and Beyoncé gets fierce

2009-09-16T16:22:00.009-04:00

Beyoncé Knowles announced yesterday that she will partner with Coty Inc. to launch a fragrance in 2010. My first thought: "Great...another celebrity fragrance...that's exactly what this world needs." Well, it turns out Abercrombie & Fitch isn't too thrilled about her plans either.

As reported in Women's Wear Daily, the retailer has filed suit against Knowles in an attempt to prevent the release of a fragrance bearing the name Sasha Fierce, the singer's alter ego.

In its complaint, filed in U.S. District Court here in Columbus, Abercrombie said it began selling its own Fierce scent in 2002 and trademarked the fragrance in 2003.

Nonetheless, Knowles filed a letter-of-intent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in September 2008 for the Sasha Fierce mark in the fragrance category, according to court documents.

"Abercrombie said its attorneys sent a cease-and-desist letter to Knowles after it became aware of her intent, but that the singer has continued to pursue the trademark," WWD wrote.

Knowles' attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.

Personally, I'd never consider purchasing a fragrance named for anyone's alter ego. (Maybe because the concept of alter egos freaks me out a little.) Perhaps Knowles should consider another name. I'm sure she's trademarked the term "bootylicious"...

Spring 2010 Favorites

2009-09-14T19:36:00.010-04:00

Several of America's best and brightest are showing their Spring 2010 Collections in New York City, as Mercedes Benz Fashion Week kicked off Thursday. Thus far, apparel (and shoes) by Christian Siriano and Ralph Rucci have been among my favorites.

Siriano "showed a capacity to wow with some of his tamer pieces in shades of blush, nude and khaki— there was elegant draping, delicate pleating and gathered flounces at the shoulders and hips," according to the AP.

While the show continued to refine the Siriano imprint (big shoulder details, slim skirts, ballgowns with head-turning volume), the shoes raised some eyebrows, according to the Wall Street Journal's fashion blog, Heard on the Runway.

"The heels were shaped like claws and turned inward, and didn’t seem stable as the models wobbled past. The women in the rows surrounding Heard on the Runway loudly wondered how to walk in them — toe-to-heel versus heel-to-toe?"

Interestingly, those shoes (or perhaps more salable versions) will be part of his third Christian Siriano for Payless collection.

As for the Chado Ralph Rucci show...New York Times fashion critic Cathy Horyn noted that although Rucci is no stranger to economic and competitive pressures, "his designs haven’t been compromised. If anything, his spring collection showed a lighter, more liberated mentality than we’ve seen in the past."

So many mills are not making luxury fabrics because there’s not a demand for them, he told Heard on the Runway. So the designer had to create them himself.

He worked with silk tulle for its weightlessness and bouyancy; the fabric was tucked, pleated, sheared, ruched and braided, and then re-worked into a new cloth.

“We have pulled [tulle] apart and sandwiched it between two other layers of tulle so it looks like smoke. We braided chiffon and created a herringbone pattern to make suits and dresses,” he says.

To view runway photos from Siriano's show click here; to view photos of the Chado Ralph Rucci show, click here.

What do you think?

(One of my favorite looks from the Chado Ralph Rucci Spring 2010 Collection is shown in the above photo.)

A Look Back

2009-09-11T14:07:00.012-04:00

In honor of the day Jacqueline Bouvier became a Kennedy (Sept. 12, 1953), Life has posted outtakes from its coverage of the style icon at Life.com. The photos −which are lovely− were taken during she and JFK's 10-year marriage.

As my friends and family can attest, I am a huge Jackie fan. Not only was she incredibly well dressed, but she also carried herself with confidence, class, and dignity at all times.

In my opinion, we could all learn from her example.

My favorite of the aforementioned photos is no. 10; she looks beautiful from that angle.

The above photo is another personal favorite− stunning.

Wedding Wows

2009-09-09T09:45:00.007-04:00

Last week, I visited Big Rock Little Rooster for the first time. I was eager to drop in, as I'd heard the Short North bridal shop carries Vera. (Yes, that Vera.) And I was not disappointed.

The shop itself is beautiful −high ceilings, wood floors, blackboard walls with intricate chalk drawings, a sparkling crystal chandelier hanging overhead− and the wedding dresses are to die for.

To learn more about the store and its merch, read my Columbus Underground article here.

Locked and loaded

2009-08-28T11:35:00.006-04:00

Perhaps unsurprisingly, I adore Tim Gunn. Not only does he know design, he always looks razor sharp. And soon the magnificent multi-hyphenate (television host-author-chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne) will be able to add "action superhero" to his resume.

According to Women's Wear Daily, Marvel Comics is set to release Loaded Gunn, an eight-page comic in which Gunn dons Iron Man’s suit to save the day at the “New York Museum of Fashion.” The story appears in conjunction with the Models Inc. series, which has been revived from Seventies-era characters created to bring in more female readers.

Best of all, writer Marc Sumerak worked with Gunn to brainstorm plotlines and adapt his signature catchphrases to the Marvel Comics universe. Example: “You know, there are far easier ways to accessorize than grand larceny.”

Lots of LV for A.L.T.

2009-08-24T12:32:00.009-04:00

"I have to get up and approach life with my own aesthetics about style," says André Leon Talley, American Editor-at-Large for Vogue, in The September Issue. And it seems he never takes a day off.

Case in point: his appearance during a tennis lesson captured in this clip from the documentary.

Apparently, his motto is "Never let 'em see you sweat...without a Louis Vuitton towel around your neck, a Louis Vuitton hat atop your head, a Louis Vuitton tennis racket in hand, and bottled water stored in a Louis Vuitton trunk.

As for me...I take a more laid back approach to style (an Ohio State T-shirt and mesh running shorts from American Apparel) when running along the Scioto. How about you? What do you wear when exercising?

O Yeah!

2009-08-23T22:22:00.009-04:00

I'm so excited. The ladies behind Mrs. O are thisclose to releasing their book chronicling Michelle Obama's style evolution!

Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy will feature more than 120 photographs of the first lady; original, detailed photography of clothes and accessories worn by MObama; as well as a series of interviews with designers and fashion experts. The book's final chapter concludes with original artwork inspired by the first lady, accompanied by quotes gleaned from submissions to the "Contribute to the Mrs. O book" site launched in the spring.

For a sneak peek at the book, which can be pre-odered at Amazon, Borders, and Barnes & Noble, click here. It hits stores in late October.

I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

Conscientious Consumption

2009-08-21T01:36:00.010-04:00

I apologize for my last post. Admittedly, it was all over the place: the politics of red carpet fashion, the indie designer's struggle, whether any and all media coverage is inherently valuable to a designer.

So with this post I'm returning to the format that works best for me: focusing on one subject at a time. And today I've turned my attention to Novica, an e-commerce outfit that allows more than 2,000 master artists from around the world to sell their wares online.

Not only can Novica.com visitors select from more than 20,000 handcrafted works of art, they also can read about the artists' cultures (they live in the Andes, Bali & Java, Brazil, India, Mexico, Thailand, and West Africa) and their personal lives (prepare to be moved).

The artists receive about 50 percent of a sale's proceeds.

To read about one blogger's buying experience, click here. I found it very informative.

Kind of makes you think twice about buying mass-produced accessories and home decor, doesn't it?

(Photo courtesy of Novica.)

Indie fashion designers need love too

2009-08-20T02:13:00.001-04:00

Tom and Lorenzo, of Project Rungay, recently sat down for a chat with designer Nick Verreos (whom you might remember from Season 2 of Project Runway.) The topic of conversation: red carpet fashion. And let me tell you...Verreos does not hold back when describing the competitive, often circuitous, process associated with dressing Hollywood actresses for major awards shows.

On behind-the-scenes angling: "In general terms, there are PR agencies that represent the designers and there's also showrooms that mainly act as sales reps between stores and the designers, but these showrooms have their own in-house PR divisions too. The designers hire a PR agency to represent them, then publicists, managers or stylists for the celebrities go to these PR agencies-- that’s one way of doing it. They have a list of these PR agencies, so they'll go to these agencies and in these agencies there will be maybe twenty designers being represented.

"They walk in and there are racks and racks of clothes. A lot of times, also, the celebrities have their own stylists, so the stylists act as their own showroom. For example, you've seen the Rachel Zoe show, and how she has hundreds of gowns in her office. Stylists like her will go to the PR agencies and pull the gowns they want, have them in her office and have the celebrities go to their office to take a look at them."

On why dresses by a handful of well-known designers show up repeatedly at events: "A lot of times [PR agencies and stylists favor certain designers], but a lot of times it also has to do with the actress. Especially when it comes to high-profile events, such as the Oscars, then, it's all about Armani, Dior, Elie Saab, et cetera, et cetera. The same old designers are being brought up. The PR agencies representing these designers make a huge push, especially the European designers and companies. They set up suites during award seasons at the Park Plaza or the Four Seasons. They make appointments with all the publicists and stylists of all these celebrities and they get them to come by the show room and take a look at what they have."

On celebrity label whores: "Once we were in a fitting with a top actress for an event. She tried on several of our gowns and she looked fabulous in them and it just happens to be that her manager was sitting there with his Blackberry and mentioned 'Well, you know, so-and-so will be wearing Armani.'

"Well, that got immediately into her head and she felt she had to wear Armani, too. A lot of the actresses feel that there's some cache in wearing these top names and it makes it very hard for up-and-coming, young designers to have any chance at all. But that’s when I feel even more honored, when actresses don’t go that route."

I'd love it if more celebrities wore dresses by talented, lesser-known designers (like Joseph Altuzarra, whose dress is in the above photo) instead of relying on the usual suspects. Not only would doing so diversify the red carpet (You'd think "1950s Hollywood glamour" is the dress code at the Academy Awards.), it would give emerging talent considerable media coverage that can help help grow a business-- fast.

Which brings me to a question I've pondered for awhile: is any media attention good media attention in a designer's eyes?

I'm guessing contestants on the sixth season of Project Runway, (which kicks off tonight...yay!) would say so.

Fashion & Food Unite

2009-08-19T00:27:00.001-04:00

I like to eat. A lot. (Just ask my friends.) But I'm not much of a cook. (Again, just ask my friends.) For whatever reason, food preparation doesn't interest me. But a new cookbook --published this month with help from the Council of Fashion Designers of America-- might change all that.

American Fashion Cookbook is "a chic objet containing recipes and original illustrations by more than 100 American designers," according to its publisher, Assouline. Featured dishes include Isaac Mizrahi’s Mushroom Truffle Spaghetti, Tory Burch's Andalusian Gazpacho, Diane von Furstenberg's Saturday Night Chicken, and Mark Ecko’s “Adults Only” Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Yum.

To preview the tome's first 33 pages, click here.

Marie Claire knows what boys like?

2009-08-16T21:27:00.000-04:00

The August issue of Marie Claire features an article about the best cities for "single gals on the prowl." And, apparently, Columbus is one of those cities. Who knew?

So, when it comes to appearance, what are the local gents looking for in a lady (according to Marie Claire, that is)?

"Shower and go— Columbus fellas may be the only men on earth who claim to like a low-maintenance gal and mean it. 'Pull out the full-on glamour and guys here get intimidated,' says Kori, 27."

I read that and, suddenly, it hit me: I'm in the wrong city, sartorially speaking.

And just in case I had any doubt about this, the writers' "no-fail, city specific" fashion guide confirmed my suspicion. Their apparel suggestions for Columbus girls:

"Grab your favorite jeans" and add "a couple of neutral layers," preferably from Gap.

Umm...I don't think so.

First, I do not dress with the opposite sex in mind. Second, when I do go out for a night on the town I'm sure as heck not breaking out a henley and a puffer vest! I like to look a bit more polished. And, for me, that means make-up, 3.5" to 4.25" stilettos, and clothing that does not double as hiking gear.

So I'd love some feedback on this Marie Claire article. Is it accurate? Is the writers' advice even relevant?

(Photo courtesy of Gap.)

The Lady in Red

2009-08-13T15:53:00.000-04:00

I'm aware that I wrote about Michelle Obama and her fabulous sense of style very recently, but when I saw this photo of her today over at Mrs. O (a wonderful Web site for MObama watchers like myself) I couldn't help revisiting the topic.

Doesn't she look flawless? Her toned arms are on display. The hemline flatters her legs. The belt not only makes her look polished (monochromatic color schemes have a way of doing that), but also emphasizes her small waist. And the bangles on her left arm provide just the right amount of sparkle.

Even her make-up and hair complement the sheath's clean lines. (An updo might have looked too Stepford-y.)

Every woman should aspire to look this good in a dress!

P.S. I wanted to post the photo of MObama here, but I couldn't figure out how to resize it.

Long live the King

2009-08-12T20:29:00.000-04:00

It Model Agyness Deyn channels Michael Jackson for a six-page spread inside the September issue of Harper's Bazaar, as well as the subscriber cover (at left).

For the shoot --photographed by Terry Richardson-- Deyn re-enacts iconic moments from the King of Pop's early career. In one photo, the model impersonates M.J. during his unforgettable Motown 25 performance (where he debuted the mooonwalk) wearing an Yves Saint Laurent jacket and shirt, Brooks Brothers pants, and Capezio shoes. In another, she poses with two zombies while wearing Citizens of Humanity jeans and a Fierce Costumes jacket similar to the red-and-black one Michael donned in the Thriller video.

The September issue of Bazaar hits newsstands August 18. But you can preview the shoot, and read an interview with Deyn, by clicking here.

Oh Miley...

2009-08-10T22:51:00.000-04:00

I love Tom and Lorenzo over at Project RunGay, but I strongly disagree with their assessment of Miley Cyrus's red carpet (or in this case, green carpet) ensemble at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards. (And, no, I don't hate Miley; I've just had some issues with her fashion sensibility as of late.)

"She looks cute and she's dressing her age without looking slutty," they said. "Can't ask for more than that."

Without looking "slutty?" I can't think of a better word to describe that skirt. Don't get me wrong...I love a good mini. But Miley's barely covers her behind.

When I saw the photo above, my first thought was "Where are her parents?" I mean, the girl is only 16.

Just once, I'd like to see a young starlet as popular as Miley make an effort to dress with a bit of class. Is that too much to ask?

So what do you think? Is Miley's skirt inappropriate? Why or why not?

A match made in heaven?

2009-08-09T21:38:00.000-04:00

As a fairly intelligent, reflective young woman I've long been annoyed by the assumption that those who appreciate fashion are simple and shallow. Unfortunately, that theory often is perpetuated by my fellow fashion enthusiasts.

Take Fashion Meets Finance, for example. The private mixer, an ongoing event in NYC, gives women who work in fashion and men who work in finance a chance to mingle-- Millionaire Matchmaker style.

Since I don't even feel like devoting five minutes of thought to this superficial event, click here and here to read a couple amusing posts about it.

And while we're on the subject of fashion-related myths...Let me set the record straight: Though shopping and fashion certainly complement each other, a love of shopping doesn't necessarily make one fashionable and a love of fashion doesn't necessarily lead to a shopping habit.

Deep thoughts, I know.

P.S. The above graphic was on the Fashion Meets Finance invite.

Is Lindsay Lohan to blame?

2009-08-07T15:44:00.000-04:00

A few days ago I wrote about my aversion to stirrup pants. However, another controversial bottoms trend is, apparently, making its way to fashion capitals around the globe (including NYC): meggings. Translation: leggings for men.

While it's true that meggings have been spotted on runways for seasons, I didn't expect them to transition to reality. I mean, what could men possibly want with them? Women often wear leggings as an alternative to pants but, from what I've seen in photos, men typically are wearing meggings under shorts, adding a superfluous layer of clothing.

One thing I've always loved about living in the Midwest is that obnoxious fads like this seldom make their way here. It's as if the coasts do the heavy lifting for us, latching onto a trend early in the game and passing along only those that will linger for six months or more.

So what do you think? Are meggings a heinous fad? Will meggings be adopted by men in Columbus?

Have you already seen the locals wearing meggings?

It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World

2009-08-06T11:52:00.000-04:00

Last month, AMC's Mad Men and Banana Republic launched a marketing partnership to cross-promote the television show's third season and the retailer's workplace fashions.

In my mind, the most exciting aspect of the campaign is a contest where customers can enter to win a walk-on role for an upcoming episode (plus a $1,000 gift card from Banana). To enter, customers upload photos of themselves at madmencastingcall.amctv.com wearing their best Mad Men look, male or female.

Upon visiting the aforementioned Web site, I was thoroughly impressed with contestants' fashion savvy and staging. My personal favorites among the top 10 "contest leaders" (contestants are rated with one, two, three, four, or five stars) are Porter Hovey in Brooklyn, New York and Seth Garrick in Delaware, Ohio. (Yay for the Heartland!)

Want to steep yourself in iconic '6os style without putting forth their effort? Click here and create your very own Mad Men avatar. So fun! (That's me to the left.)

How many months 'til Christmas?

2009-08-05T23:06:00.000-04:00

The big news today in Fashionland is the Target line that Rodarte will design for the chain's Go International series. Fans everywhere, including yours truly, are drooling. (My personal love affair with Rodarte began after laying eyes on the dress in the above photo.)

The sisters behind the luxury-priced label --Kate and Laura Mulleavy-- are known for romantic designs and a fastidious attention to detail that has garnered them several prestigious honors, such as the 2008 CFDA Swarovski Emerging Womenswear Designer award and the 2008 Swiss Textiles Award.

A Target spokesman told Women's Wear Daily: "It's very feminine, yet very modern. The collection incorporates a rich mix of patterns and fabrications and everything from sequins and bows to faux fur."

Further, Rodarte has designed "a variety of great holiday dresses," as well as "stand-alone pieces and pieces that can be worn together to create an ensemble by layering different patterns, textures and prints.”

Prices for the capsule collection, comprised of 55 pieces, range from $9.99 for knee-highs to $79.99 for a leopard-print jacket. The line will launch in stores and online December 20, and be available through February 6.

Stay tuned for photos!

StyLISTas

2009-08-04T17:17:00.000-04:00

Vanity Fair revealed its International Best-Dressed List today and I have to admit, a few of the honorees baffle me.

Alicia Keys? I can't recall one thing she's worn in the last year.

Anne Hathaway? Everyone knows the ubiquitous Rachel Zoe styles her for the red carpet and publicity events.

Ali Hewson? Is this recognition about her sense of style or her socially conscious clothing line (a trendy concept at the moment)?

Two picks I'm wholeheartedly behind: Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. In public, they always look fashionable and appropriate.

On MObama..."She goes high, she goes low," said Vanity Fair's Amy Fine Collins this morning on Today. "She's very interested in American designers, but she's not provincial. She has a good sense of color and pattern. It's a strong, consistent and distinctive look.”

Also, the First Lady "got more votes than any other person this year or any year— she's that popular," Collins said. (Not bad, especially considering 2,000 tastemakers vote on the list.)

And making his best-dressed list debut is none other than President Obama.

"He has such a natural ease and elegance," Collins said. “He's completely comfortable in his own skin. He is very much in the tradition of American classic dressers, but relaxed. You just watch the way he rolls up his sleeves and you can see how much he cares about the way he looks, but not too much.”

I couldn't agree more.

For a slide show of the honorees, click here.

Fancy pants

2009-08-03T22:55:00.000-04:00

Over the last few years, I have readily embraced a number of fashion trends that were popular during my '80s childhood: dolman sleeves, sweater dresses, tapered jeans with zippers. However, upon seeing stirrup pants in the Miley Cyrus & Max Azria for Walmart line (now available at Walmart.com), I was less than enthusiastic.

Not that my reaction really matters. (For one, the line is aimed at the juniors set, meaning I am clearly outside its target demographic.) But it did lead me to question why I consider stirrup pants less desirable than any other recycled '80s fad. And to be honest, I don't really have an answer. I mean, from an aesthetic standpoint, they barely differ from the leggings I currently treasure.

So what's your verdict? Stirrup pants: yay or nay?

Can you explain your vote?

Keeping a Talley

2009-08-02T18:38:00.000-04:00

R.J. Cutler, director of The September Issue, admitted earlier this week that André Leon Talley was nowhere to be found in his first cut of the documentary. His reasons for the omission: a massive amount of footage and a complicated editing process...not to mention a considerably weak grasp on his subject.

Arguably, Talley is the second-most recognizable Vogue editor (after Anna Wintour) and certainly its most flamboyant. The man (who stands 6'7" tall) wears floor-length kaftans and fur muffs bigger than my head, for heaven's sake!

He's also fond of making grand pronouncements, like the one featured in The September Issue trailer here.

And if you just can't live without hearing A.L.T. utter his already famous "famine of beauty" line all day, every day, make it your ringtone. It can be sent to your phone here.