With the arrival of the Prince of Cambridge Monday (his name has yet to be released), many designers joined in on the royal baby fun by designing clothes, rocking horses, prams, etc. for HRH. Check out more of the designs on WWD.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Cameron Diaz and many of her fashion choices (particularly when she was a brunette). But her recent appointment as Pour La Victoire‘s artistic director is questionable. Hers is just another name on a growing list of celebrities who have been signed on to famous brands as some sort of director of creativity or artistry. Let’s not forget Rihanna’s disastrous collection for River Island, seemingly inspired by a passion for 90s midriffs. And, oh yeah, remember the time Lindsay Lohan declared an undying love for pasties in that Ungaro collection?
Designers spend years developing their talents in classes and ateliers, so why do we think it will be so easy for yet another celebrity with no actual design experience (and being sent free clothes or becoming besties with your stylist doesn’t count) to step into these roles so easily? I’m not asking to direct the next Spiderman—HELL NO would be the resounding answer—so it seems even more unreasonable for a fashion-happy celeb to suddenly shoot to the top of the industry’s very narrow ladder.
“I don’t do endorsements really. This is completely different,” Diaz told WWD in an exclusive interview. “Being influential in a brand and in its [advertising] campaigns interests me. I love fashion. It’s a large part of my life. What I wear is looked at. It influences what other people wear because that’s just the world we live in.”
Oh honey, I know, I love fashion too. That doesn’t mean I trust what you’re about to do. Not that it matters if Diaz is qualified; I’m not sure how much that factored in. I’m willing to bet a nice, juicy celebrity endorsement was the main motivator—but hey, I guess that’s just the world we live in.
My dirty little secret is that, many times, my favorite looks from runway shows happen off the runway. The people who attend always go above and beyond in the creativity department, and the crowd at last Friday’s L.A. Fashion Corner show was just as competitive as the rest. Fashion!
Now…there aren’t many looks here, I know. But that’s because I only really liked a few of the looks from M…The Movement’s collection, on display last Friday at L.A. Fashion Corner. It was mostly casual pieces offset by the odd (in a good way) accessory. The funniest part of the show came when a set of twins, models, hit the runway together and did a kind of switching jackets juggling act, but it didn’t go as smoothly as it probably did in their heads, which seemed like probably the only time they rehearsed it. Regardless, there were a few looks that are worth mentioning.
The first thing I think about when someone mentions “covered in sparkly” isn’t usually “cool babe, that’s awesome,” but I did love Kami Shade’s’ collection at L.A. Fashion Corner last Friday and couldn’t stop picturing it on the likes of Mila Kunis (who, let’s be honest, probably looks good in anything but could easily rock a fitted sequined romper).
L.A. Fashion Corner was last Friday, and there were many talented (and at least one less-than-talented) designers on display. House of 11 was my favorite of the night, though it could be considered a tie between Hof11 and Kami Shade’. The gold accents and occasional leather paneling/pieces both stood out without overwhelming the designs. Below are my top picks from the collection.
Ugh, I just can’t shop online anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I love it. Love, love, love it. How many places can you get a Gucci watch for less than your entire paycheck (Thanks, Rue La La!)? Here’s the problem: Too many times I’ve anxiously anticipated my latest discovery to arrive, only to be disappointed when it was too small/too big/too different from the photo, and, as is usually the case with deal websites like Gilt and Ideeli, ruined with a smudge or small tear in a place I wasn’t supposed to notice.
Take, for example, the amazing Rachel Zoe skirt I splurged on last year for my birthday (Paris in the Midwest did a great blog post featuring this skirt). Originally $500, I paid a deeply (like, dig-to-the-center-of-the-earth deep) discounted price and felt like I had won the fashion lottery. So it was a double whammy when I finally tried it on and it a) was too small (really, Zoe? I ordered a size larger than I usually do, as was recommended. Stop being tiny.) and b) had a weird stain that is—even more weird—the color and pattern of the skirt. I can’t…I just don’t even know what that would be.
It seems like the solution is to just not shop at deal websites, but those aren’t the only let-downs I’ve had. My most recent order from Piperlime was, for the most part, successful. The only exception was this adorable floral top I ordered that turned out to look more 90s elementary school kid sporting a Lisa Frank binder than it was Kate Moss boho-chic.
I can think of worse things than being forced (the horror) to actually visit stores. “Shopping is my cardio.” Yes, Carrie, yes it is.
1. Alice + Olivia—Mya Strapless Tulip Dress $396
2. stella & dot—Jolie Necklace $79
3. United Colors of Benetton—Skinny Pants (price not available)
4. Cole Haan—Bedford Izzie Clutch $89
6. TOPSHOP—Silk Floral Tee by Boutique $140
I’m not talking about a general girls-of-brooklyn hate, I mean a specific book: “Brooklyn Girls,” which is apparently “Sex and the City,” but in a different burrough and younger. And broke. Just as boy-crazy.
Anyway, people are hate-loving this thing. I don’t think I care enough to read it, probably because I’m too old, however, I do love Lena Dunham, and she doesn’t like it either. So maybe it’s not an age thing as much as it is a trend-exceeding-its-flash-point thing.
I had a thought for a moment after reading these many opinions on Brooklyn girls: What about L.A. girls? It would be pretty much the same thing, just a more showered form of hipster who is employed—but still in PR. Some things for girls in their twenties are just universal.
I have a small problem that most people would scoff at, but you, my loyal readers, will totally understand. I am lacking … Louboutins. I am craving a pair of red-soled beauties and would love your advice on imploring my budget-conscience husband to let me buy them. This will probably never happen. At least, not at full price.
But here’s my next problem: I could go to Rue La La or Gilt and, with some luck and good timing, finagle some Louboutins. But it’s just not as satisfying as buying them from the man himself, or as a second option, Neiman‘s or Nordstrom‘s.
What to do, fashion gods!
Is it worth the hundreds of dollars that might be better left in our savings account? Or is the magic that I’m imagining comes built into the cushy soles real?
wild pieces 