I can’t lie, Tim Gunn is the only reason I still tune into Project Runway every week, and apparently, he can’t lie either— not that I mind.

After publicly outing everyone’s favorite Vogue-editrix-to-hate, Anna Wintour, about being carried down the stairs after a surely hellish escape from a fashion show, Gunn has decided to get gossipy about Taylor Momsen.

He calls her a diva and pathetic in an interview with E! News because she spent most of her time on her phone instead of looking at the lines she annoyingly couldn’t remember.

As refreshing as the honesty is, I’m a little surprised, not because I can’t believe Wintour would result to being carried down a flight of stairs or that Momsen could, in all her teen-angsty glory, believe her job was less important than whatever is on her phone. I’m shocked because I wasn’t aware Gunn had it in him.

It’s one thing to be brutally honest to reality show contestants about their lackluster designs, but to knowingly place yourself outside the celebrity inner sanctum because the truth is necessary and often more interesting than fiction may prove quite dangerous in the celeb-circles— however, it does make me want to read his new book, Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making It Work.

Though reporting on the fashionably elite’s maddening behaviors may strike fear in celebrities whilst in his presence, Gunn is definitely winning the love and allegiance of the masses, not that parenting a catchphrase like “Make it work!” wasn’t worship-worthy to start.

Oddly, in fashion, these truths are terribly kept secrets, like Uncle Jim-Bob’s problem with the bottle (no, I don’t have an Uncle Jim-Bob).

Those in high-fashion, who consider themselves “style crusaders” will denounce the word trends and say they are true to themselves, only wearing classic pieces. However, the $300 leather leggings they’re sporting say otherwise. Magazine editors will gasp at the notion that their editorial integrity is even slightly compromised by the magazine’s advertising profits, but we all know the truth. However, the dirtiest secret of all is the most obvious— celebrities rule.

There was recently an article on NY Magazine’s Cut Blog— Has Reality TV Made Rachel Zoe More High-Fashion?— detailing Rachel Zoe’s ability to walk the line between elitist high-fashion and celeb-centric low-brow duds, but in this day and age, if you can’t balance the high and low brow, you’ll get nowhere.

Fifty years ago, celebrities were intangible. They were the epitome of class and maybe even decadence. They were high-fashion in every sense of the word. Today, celebrities are accessible. They strive to seem like your best friend. They have to make you feel as if you can relate, or we, the general public, bitch and tear them apart for being secretive and snooty.

What does this have to do with fashion?

I was once told by an internship employer, “We don’t do celebrities. They have nothing to do with fashion,” but through the years, I’ve realized how incorrect that statement was, or at least, the last half of it.

Without a famous name or a famous face to wear the clothes and company will go under. Publicists fight to get their clients clothes on the backs of celebrities whether for the cover of Vogue, a scene in a mildly successful TV series, or pairing with Ugg boots while grocery shopping. If Whitney Port didn’t “work” at Diane von Furstenberg, non-fashion-obsessed, fourteen-year-old girls wouldn’t be half as intrigued and obsessed with the woman and her work as they are. If Michael Kors wasn’t a judge on Project Runway, making him a celebrity in his own right, he would just be another label in these same girl’s mother’s closets. And, if Rachel Zoe hadn’t been involved in an early-millennial scandal with Lindsey Lohan and Nicole Richie she wouldn’t be half as notable as she is now.

Of course, there is the argument many trends are being started by bloggers and street style websites, but these people are being idolized like celebrities creating a sub-genre of sorts.

“All too often, pure fashion is high-brow, and celebrity fashion is low-brow. It seems the more exposure fashion personalities like Zoe get, the more they’re likely to gravitate toward the more commercial and celebrity veins of work…But Zoe seems to be moving seamlessly between the world of high fashion, mass fashion, and celebrity… So Zoe is in a rare position, but one that is fascinating to watch, where elitist and mass fashion exist in harmony,” writes Amy Odell, but what is that saying about the fashion industry? Is it moving towards a lower standard of artistic expression— the public’s interest in procuring couture is almost nonexistent, and ready-to-wear has become more like wear-it-now with the influx of mass market knockoffs— or will we start to see more of what I call, the Wang-effect (i.e. $300 stretched out tank tops like those from Alexander Wang’s T collection)?

I’m not particularly a fan of the institution of fame. I believe that idolizing a person for their closet is pointless because I live a make due kind of life. Idolizing a person for their talent and passion is a completely different situation and a different subject all together. I feel the most exhausted by the clout of the famous and infamous around fashion week. I’ve ranted about the excessive amounts they are allegedly paid to sit front row at shows and constantly scoff at their attempts to create fashion lines, but I also understand their strange necessity. I don’t have answers to any of the questions, but I do know that celebrities will have a giant influence in the future of the industry, whether we like it or not.

After seeing last season’s severe sailor inspired Emporio Armani Underwear ads with David and Victoria Beckham, I’m surprised at how soft and pretty Megan Fox looks, not so say she isn’t pretty, because she’s gorgeous.

Considering Fox’s “I don’t give a shit” attitude, one would think these ads would be a bit spicier, but I’m glad Armani didn’t sink to American Apparel level just because they scored a young, hip star. Bravo!

Photographers: Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

Photo Credit: Oh No They Didn’t

I’m sure you could give a flying rat’s ass about my opinion, but this must be said: Pixie Geldof, though a celebrity and pretty in her own right, is not a runway model. A fact that is quite evident considering the picture to the left. She may be skinnier than most people, but skinny does not equate hanger-esque.

Honestly, it isn’t her weight that makes her look awkward on the runway, it’s her height. The fact that you put her in shorts that resemble a diaper— that’s a nappy to you— and flat shoes only contributed to the accentuation of her non-modelesque stature.

Normally, I’d celebrate the addition of normal girls in high fashion modeling, but as much as I’d like to shun the tall, skinny model stereotype, you at least need to have height or the illusion of height, i.e. high heels, to look good on the runway.

That’s my rant. Take it as you wish.

Photo: Style.com ]]> http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/09/22/pixie-walks-viv/feed/ 3 http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/09/21/interns-beware/ http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/09/21/interns-beware/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:47:22 +0000 Chelsea Rae Simmons http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/?p=1339

See the full video of Kelly Cutrone talking about internships.

I just found out that Rachel Bilson is going to be the guest judge on this week’s episode of Project Runway. She looks so cute, and since she’s such a style maven, I can’t wait to hear her critique of the the designer’s pieces— they work in teams this week, right? Yikes, there’s bound to be DR-A-MA!

It’s the first official day of school, and I’m already stressed. Perhaps, I’ll be able to find solace in tomorrow’s episode of Project Runway.

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 at 10 PM ET/PT on Lifetime.

Creating the dream prom experience has three aspects: what you wear, the friends you party with, and your date. The days of prom are long over for me, but I can still talk about the “shoulda, woulda, couldas” of my perfect prom. Luckily, Lord & Taylor gave me the opportunity to play pretend prom one last time.

The Garb:
Last week, I was able to wander around the Lord & Taylor on 5th Avenue in NYC and choose anything and everything I’d theoretically wear to prom. I had my pick of the litter and was slightly overwhelmed by the number of great dresses they stocked. Long or short? Sleeved, sleeveless, or strapless? Bold colors or basic? I initially thought I wanted a bright dress, but the black ‘Shadow Stripe’ Dress from Calvin Klein completely made me fall, perfectly pleated and slightly demure with a dash of “wow!” in the form of the varied-texture stripes. I used accessories to bring in a pop of color and excess without being too blingy— hello bangles, bracelets, and cuffs! Oh, and did you notice the sherbet colored DKNY pumps with an ankle strap? I know, right!

This is what I finally ended up wearing: Calvin Klein black ‘Shadow Stripe’ dress, $238 • DKNY sherbet ankle wrap pump, $275 • Kate Spade orange faceted bead necklace, $95 • Lord & Taylor gold bangle, $35 • Robert Lee coral bracelet, $28 • Catherine Stein coral wood bracelet, $32 • Carolee gold multi-strand bracelet, $40 • Carolee gold single strand bracelet, $40

p.s. If you plan on heading to Lord & Taylor to buy your prom dress, make sure to print out this 15% off Savings Pass valid until April 22nd on all regular-priced and sale dresses.

The Group:
Just a tip for those heading to prom this year or in the future, go with people you like and know, but since I’m a prom vet, my faux prom was spent having seated dance parties to 90s classics with Jackie Johnson of Some Notes on Napkins (Finally, we meet!) and Kristen Vang, one of Jackie’s partners-in-crime on The I’m Just Sayin’ Show. Later in the night, I got to watch in awe as Nitro;licious’ Wendy Lam power-shopped the jewelry and shoe departments like a pro. Those girls are pretty much fashion blog royalty, and it was like meeting celebrities except with less paparazzi and more witty remarks. (Make sure to ogle Jackie’s and Wendy’s prom styles too!)

The Guy:
Okay, so maybe there wasn’t really a guy, but my perfect prom date would be Johnny Depp or maybe Robert Downey Jr., or just some mix of them. You know, almost my parents age, unavailable, tragically gorgeous…

Follow the jump for more pictures (click any photo to enlarge)!

Everything pictured (unless otherwise noted) is available at Lord & Taylor – New York City: 424 5th Avenue, NY, NY 212.391.3519. Contact your local Lord & Taylor for other availability.

Photographer: Jeffrey Donenfeld

As I walked innocently to my Shakespeare class, I saw a girl with an inordinately short skirt. I was warm outside, compared to the below zero temperatures we experienced last week, so I don’t fault the girl for wanting to bust out her miniest of minis. However, why on Earth did she not think to check that the line on her pantyhose that says, “Hey! This is where the ass should go,” isn’t exposed.

I know what you’re thinking, “perhaps her skirt rode up a bit, but the exposed demarcation wasn’t just peaking beneath her skirt. It was clearly visible, at least an inch below the hem of the skirt.

Honestly, I feel like if you are wearing a skirt and the bottom of your control top pantyhose is showing, your skirt is too short. You should probably re-evaluate your choice of bottoms and try again.

When it comes to Lady Gaga, I won’t critcize because she makes her living off being “in your face,” and showing her tush is definitely bold and at one point was unexpected.

So, all you exhibitionists, leave the control top exposures to the professionals. If you want to wear short skirts and like the boudoir-esque appeal, try pretty trimmed thigh highs and a garter. It might make you look like you should be in a brothel, but at least I won’t roll my eyes in exasperation as I pass you.

Photo Credit: F Listed

These two are so kooky together, I love it! [via Werbekampagne]

P.S. My new Social Network obsession is Chictini, go create a profile and add me.

Nastia Liukin is showing off her gymnastic gold body, but where’s her face? To be honest, unless you had prior knowledge of the Liukin/Azria match-up, you wouldn’t know who was the model under all that hair and draping.

Photo Credit: People StyleWatch

I was quite disappointed to see Paris Hilton on last month’s cover of Nylon. I don’t really have anything against the heiress, but there is nothing edgy or even uniquely stylish about P. Hilton. So, seeing Lily Allen looking freshly coiffed and extra-adorable on the cover of the December/January issue was a pleasant surprise.

I haven’t read the article, but I really, really want her new haircut!

See some behind the scenes photos at the Nylon website.

In fashion the topic of fur is almost as serious as white-washed runways and eating disorders. Some designers couldn’t live without showing fur in every collection— yes, even their spring/summer collections— and others would rather die before even letting a real leather shoe touch their runway. When I was little I thought fur was just ‘fabulous, dahling’, but now I’m not exactly sure where I stand on the topic.

Part of me thinks fur is foul. Tons of little, cuddly-when-they’re-not-vicious creatures die to make every piece, but the little kid in me that still walks around stores stroking fabrics, loves the feeling and is drawn to is glamorized allure.

One of my favorite outfits from Sex and the City features a gorgeous fur coat. The perfect, slinky, black, beaded dress Carrie wears to the party at the end of the Fleet Week episode was paired perfectly with a large, dramatic fur. The outfit still seems absolutely perfect to me, but I don’t think I’d ever try to mimic it because of this ethical fur dilemma.

Do I approve or don’t I?

Also, I love the way Rachel Zoe wears furs without inhibition. I completely respect her for being a fantastic stylist, and though I had my doubts, I actually like her show, The Rachel Zoe Project. There’s just something very glam-hippie about her vintage furs, and it really romanticizes them. The same goes for the editorial in the 2008 issue of Fashion Rocks with Sasha Pivovarova and Dahni Harrison. The hippie vibe just draws me to the look of scraggly furs.

To be honest, I don’t think I’d put up much of a fight if I was given a fur, I just don’t think I’d buy one myself, because that would technically mean I was directly funding the fur industry.

Oh, the ethical dilemmas! What are your feelings on fur?

I know it sounds really ironic, a TV show based in the 50s about a bunch of misogynistic ad men is giving women an inspirational message? Well the thing is there are a few choice female characters that really get it. They realize the power they have as women, and use that to their advantage even though in the show they do hold more of a background power, its still better than going for the power and never getting it. My favorite line of all the episodes I watched was when Bobbie Barrett (Melinda McGraw’s character) tells Peggy Olson (Elizabeth Moss’ character) that she needs to act like the woman she wants to be and then become that woman. She also says she needs to stop trying to be a powerful man with the corner office and be a powerful woman.

So, how do I just be a powerful woman and not a woman trying to be a powerful man and not just that but, “who do I want to be?” and “how do I act like that person?”

Since the movie August was fresh in my mind I let my mind venture into the who I have to swindle to become Josh Hartnett’s girlfriend, but a couple days and one potential sex scandal later and I’m thinking otherwise.

Then I decided I wanted to be someone who’s out of college, but realized by acting like I don’t have to go to school and intern skipping class, that wouldn’t actually help me get out of college so that went out the window too.

Finally I just decided I wanted to be the best damn me I could possibly be and if that happens to mean I end up dating some gorgeous hopefully financially secure whatever then so be it, and if I happen to end up with this t-shirt Natalie Portman wore arriving at the Westin Excelsior Resort at the the Venice Film Festival on Monday, then lucky me, and if I happen to become this awesomely successful publicist/stylist/fashion blogger— please, please, please— then that’s life. The one thing that I did settle on, was I’m going to become the owner of a marvelous 50s style skirt and I will pair it with a slouchy burnout tank preferably from Alexander Wang and lots and lots of cheapo metal bangles because who doesn’t like being a human tambourine!?

Who do you want to be?