Friday, June 25, 2010

A little Controversial Rant and a little Mourn and Respect for a Sad Time

Hello, yo, sup?

I was cruising through some of my favorite fashion websites when I came across the bleak news that yet another model has taken their own life. This has cast a definite shadow over my day, and with mens fashion week in full spring news of another model's death is not a productive or positive step for the fashion industry. This time we say goodbye to Viveka Babajee an Indian model and actress. This is eerily close to Tom Nicon's death and again brings back memories of Dual Kim's tragic death and even the creative generous Alexander Mcqueen's suicide.

We could be predictable and reply with the popular notion that the fashion industry is fickle, cruel, unyielding, selfish, unfathomable and stressful. We could take this road or instead simply acknowledge that there are suicides, stress and cruelty in every industries and that there are people who abuse their job. I recall Abbey Lee Kershaw once being asked how she deals with body image issues in her industry, and she replied calmly; "You could say the same thing about body-builders, any elite performer is put under great pressure to be a certain thing...". I completely agree. Lack of comprehension of the happenings in the fashion industry is sadly often resulting in stereotyping, such as that of models; skinny, bitchy, sad, mentally and physically unfit naive young women.

There is a gradual yet undeniable movement in the fashion world to a more curvier model. This contradicts people assumption that everyone in the fashion industry is obsessed with stick figures. Crystal Renn (a plus sized model) recently walked for Chanel and according to models.com the top model in the world currently is Lara Stone, who cannot be described as underweight or eager to be so, she has boobs and womanly curves. As for the anger towards all models being bizarrely beautiful, and no 'normal' girls strutting their stuff and D&G (or similar) well wake up. Designers want people to buy their clothes because they look so beautiful on these models, if the clothes didn't look good on the model, people wouldn't spend this amount of money and countless fashion houses would close down, resulting in people loosing jobs. Models have always been gorgeous, thus they are models and thus they make us yearn for their beauty (and spend money to achieve it).

So we can conclude from this little rant that while there are undesirable aspects if the fashion industry it doesn't consume everything and isn't the source of all bad things that happen. We can also conclude that stereotyping may be cruelest element that can be imposed on models and other people in the fashion industry and that the fashion industry is moving towards a curvier future in terms of models (this doesn't do much for countering the stereotype of the fashion industry being fickle mind you). However the best thing that can be down currently is to morn yet another tragic death and pray for their family and loved ones. We can all work together to help those you need help and to try to understand things clearly, so we can prevent another saddening episode like this one from happening again.


Thursday, June 24, 2010

Fashion. What Else? :)

Hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey!

My name is Izzy and I am one of the many people out there consumed with a love of fashion.

Well a few facts about myself...

I am 14, Australian, I do NOT wish to be designer, a photographer or a model, but instead dabble (yes it is an awesome word) in styling and journalism, my favourite models are Abbey Lee Kershaw and Karlie Kloss (if you don't know them Google is your friend J), Steven Miesel, Annie Leibovitz, Patrick Demarchelier and Karl Lagerfield take stunning pictures, and this season? Hats all the way. Cute as a button little hats, with tiny brims or wide Latin American, inspired inky hats.

My favourite fashion photograph at the moment is not That current, nor does it depict the trends and what not, but it's a breathtakingly gorgeous picture. The model is Magdalena Frackowiak, the designer is Viktor and Rolf, the photographer is Josh Olins and the magazine is Dazed and Confused.

http://images.nymag.com/fashion/models/mfrackowiak/mfrackowiak_10feb_dazed.jpg

This one below is also of the awesome variety. Same editorial, model, designer, photographer and magazine.

http://images.nymag.com/fashion/models/mfrackowiak/mfrackowiak_10feb_dazed2.jpg

The fuss has subsided from the fall winter collections and designer are now showing their resort collections. Resort collections are usually more colourful, bright, fun and summery, mirroring society's mood. (Then again this statement could describe any season.) Well guys, I have to admit Chanel all the way, however I am biased or boycotting another fashion houses. That being said I loved Chanel's collection, so breezy, relaxed, laid back, and summery. Ironically the temperature is dropping in Australia so any wishes or showing off a new Chanel chiffon dress at the beach are lost to gray icy sky. Another shadow cast across my world is that of the death of Australian fashion photographer Christopher Bailey. He died at 52 to cancer. With a stunning career defining his life he will be sorely missed.

Again the resort collections have been dashed with bright patterns, beiges and pastels. Christain Dior was very pink and girly, Proenza Schouler was full of saturated colour and patterns (look at me clothing, fun but bold), YSL was chic, clean and tailored, with occasional dashes of colour and detail, Nina Ricci was girly, pastel, feminine and delicate (perhaps a little too delicate), Michael Kors was beige, with a little pink, white and black (some simple, nice pieces to be sought in that collection), Marc Jacobs was cute, with patterns, hats, tailoring, pastel colours and dark reds present (the collection was perfect for youth in summer), Lanvin was theatrical and flowy (how very Lanvin J), with some colour and pattern (a fun unique, classic collection), Gucci was sexy, beige with tailoring, colour and patterns, leather and flow (wearable simplicity) and finally Celine (Phoebe Philo ftw!) dealt with colour blocking, beiges, nudes and some darkness, there was simplicity tailoring, flattering cuts and playful pieces (I really liked with collection J). Omg, Oscar De La Renta was awesome! The hats, the colours the mood. One word EPIC.

Sorry the resort collection thing was rather brief. Detail soon kids. But right now I have to go.

Lots of Love

Izzzzzzzy.