Pink Rock Candy – Top fashion trends, news and shopping of 2010

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I’m generally the last person to focus on the race of a model, but while perusing the Halston Spring 2011 photos on Style.com I realized how distracting it was to have five black models walk the runway one-after-another wearing the only black garments in the collection.

Though I know the initial implication is slightly scandalous. I am not attempting to make some statement about Marios Schwab’s morals though black models in all black will insight waves of revolt, I’m writing about this to show why we shouldn’t always jump to conclusions when the question of race is at hand.

In my mind, the distraction had nothing and everything to do with race. If Schwab had sent five black models in completely different looks down the runway one-after-another, I would have been taken by surprise, not being used to seeing such an abundance of black models walking a runway. However, it was the entire look, the shadowy figures wearing pops of gold that caught my attention. It was the odd, yet beautiful contrast of it all.

I’m not sure why, but quickly flipping through the images of lanky, highly-oiled black models— all different shades of cocoa— wearing black outfit after black outfit gives me chills. It’s like staring at a haunting image at an art gallery. It also made me wonder what other patterns were hiding in the runway arrangement.

It seems there was a bit of a pattern going on: brunettes with hair slicked back wore shades of blue, while the blondes, hair long and flowing, wore blush tones. The models with ruddier toned hair wore gold, and the Asian models wore white. The brunettes with long, straight hair finished the show in oranges and reds.

What does all of this mean?

Honestly, I couldn’t tell you, but had I not been distracted by the sudden juxtaposition of a parade of umbral beauties, I wouldn’t have noticed in the least. Though it may be sad that having more than a couple black models in a row is attention grabbing, I think it’s what the collection needed for people to take a second look. It’s a collection I will remember not simply for the magnificently crafted and luxe-looking garments, but also for the thought behind the entire presentation.

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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.

When I was little I was playing around in an aisle with my younger brother when accosted by a lady of a certain age who commented on hope cute the two brothers were. From then on I vowed never to resemble a boy and my bangs were born. They’ve covered my forehead for most of my life and are sort of the fame whores of the body— but I think Spring 2011 will be season I truly let my forehead come back out to play.

The bare forehead trend started with Tyra (doesn’t it always?). She went through the entire TK season of America’s Next Top Model while sporting a chic chignon, showing off her self proclaimed “five-head.”

Then, after watching the Cynthia Rowley Spring 2011 runway show and being utterly uplifted by the Garden of Eden-themed Spring 2011 Monique L’Huillier runway show, I realized how inspired I’d become by the sporting slicked back buns showing off all of the models’ beautiful faces.

Later, while looking at Spring 2011 shows ranging from Diane von Furstenberg to Alexander Wang to Wayne, I started to see more of a trend than just personal inspiration. Even Erin Fetherston whose models usually sport the designer’s signature blunt bangs had a slicked back, forehead-exposing look/.

I can’t wait to feel the sun warming my entire face, though I’ll surely be apply my fair share of sunscreen— safety first!

So braid, clip or brush those stray hairs back, and let your forehead shine— er, use a mattyifier, but definitely show it off.

I admit it, I’m jaded. The thrill of attending a fashion show is now lost on me.

First, you’re wrangled into a herd that buzzes like a swarm of coked-up hornets. Once you’re finally allowed to go into the venue, you have to push and shove your way through the crowd to find your seat or get a spot where you can barely see in standing.

At this point, your forced to wait for what feels like eternity— obsessively checking your phone so you feel busy— while photographers flock around some celebrity who may or may not be famous enough to make you stare and the Do-you-know-who-I-think-I-am people try desperately to get the attention of anyone moderately notable.

Once the show finally starts, you realize you’ve spent and hour waiting for a no-more-than 15 minute show and unless you’re sitting front row (maybe even the second row), your view of the actual looks are hindered.

Don’t get me wrong, I have an undying love for fashion and will always attend shows. But coming from the perspective of fast-talking (and walking) PR girl, nothing compares to the rush of being one of the proverbial cattle herders and seeing something you’ve worked so hard on come together.

Maybe it’s a power thing and maybe I’m just wired to appreciate those I’m connected to more than others, but one the one thing I know is true is that I miss the PR rush!

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Last December, while contemplating the trend of sheer clothing and underwear as outerwear, I fell in love with the 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2010 collection, not because it was sheer and scandalous, but because it had the essence of being barely there without showing the world what ya’ momma gave you. Lo and behold. While perusing the Modcloth website, I stumbled upon magical a skirt that was more than inspired by the collection.

It has the same perfect broomstick pleats (or as Modcloth calls them “accordion pleats”), rarely seen in modern clothing— I’ve loved the way they flow since I bought my first and only 3.1 Phillip Lim dress on consignment for a whopping $300.

Yes, it does make me sick to think about paying that much for a dress.

To be honest, the Midnight Foil Skirt [affiliate link] might just be crossing the line from inspired to replica. I’m still unsure as to which side of the real/fake battle I’m supposed to take. On one hand I believe that fashion is art, and it being so, any recreations should at least be termed replicas. On the other hand, I’m in no way wealthy enough to afford most full priced high-fashion pieces of clothing and being able to find something similar at a price I can afford is wonderful.

All plagues on my conscience aside, I’m completely infatuated with this skirt and might just have to buy it before the holidays. It’s a perfect Christmas party/New Year’s Eve skirt, no?