Model Obsession

Magazines were my obsession as a child- back home there are probably still stacks of 89-94 issues of Vogue and Bazaar under my bed. The shoots and covers that mesmerized me eclectic looking models in extravagant poses wearing the most up to date fashions. Here recently it seems like the industry-meaning beauty, fashion, and designer ads have opted for celebrity as opposed to models. Once upon a time models became the celebrity based on on how many covers or runways they graced. Now you can’t find a model on the traditional high fashion magazine or beauty commercial. There are plenty of models starving (literally) to be picked I’d prefer to buy lip-gloss based on that girl rather than Rhianna or Penelope Cruz. Our celeb obsessed society should welcome back the model or at least that’s what I think….

So what’s up at Elle?

We’re taking a purely spectator view on this considering we truly know no one at Elle. Seeing as how The New York times blew the lid off of the inner workings of Elle as it is now, we decided to sort of deconstruct what it means in the grand scheme of things; on the periphery, if you will. Elle has been behind Vogue for as long as anyone can remember. It’s also been behind Instyle as well in terms of ad pages. For awhile it seemed as if it was listing along. One person was solely responsible for their photoshoots for the most part and the editorial was neither here nor there. The elephant in the room that no one wanted to talk about seemed to be Gilles Bensimmons. The elephant may be gone and assigned to a lesser role, but that might not be enough. I’ll explain.

I went to a shoe designer’s fall trunk show/preview and met up with an editorial assistant at the time (no telling what she does there now) and she said behind the scenes it was a mess, even then. She also talked about their online efforts and how it left a lot to be desired (I believe the correct word was what a vaccum does to particles). She said that Style’s efforts seemed light years ahead and that was saying something considering Style kinda does the hole vaccuum particle thing too. Hearsay you say? I say, possibly, but to use a clumsy oft-repeated saying, where there is smoke there is fire. The smoke being the dwindling ad and subscription base at the time (they’ve managed to turn it around somewhat recently), the fire being Bensimmons’ pseudo departure.

It left us thinking that someone at Elle’s parent company was in the mood for changes. That turned out to be wrong as the New York Times article said that change mostly came from within. Already Elle for September is trying something different with Lindsay Lohan on the cover. A move that has half of us saying blech… and the other half saying… ok.. controversy.. not-bad.

So the question is, is Elle going down faster than Paris Hilton’s panties at a frat party? Or is a resurgence in the making?

On the fashion web this week

Necklaces from Alex Woo, designer bags for under $500, a look at Britain’s next top model. So many features and so little time this week on the fashion web.

Shopbop ‘Til You Drop (aka SALE!) at 55 Secret Street.

Calling all makeup junkies! Stiletto Jungle says it’s time to stock up, experiment, and generally go crazy. Online makeup superstore Makeup.com just released a hotter-than-hot Coupon Code that will score you 25% off your entire order.

Bag Bliss: Kate Spade says goodbye to Kate Spade.

Be snobulous without going broke with 5 bags under $500 at Bag Snob!

Beauty Snob invites you to treat your skin to a gourmet feast with Be Fine all natural skincare !

Coquette loves the bold look of today’s flower power fashions.

Need some “Retail Therapy”? Fashion Indie brings you a month filled with Indie-approved Sample Sales.

Armor, escapism & lots of volume: Fashiontribes reports on the Top 10 trends from Fall 2007 Couture.

The Chocolate Bar at Henri Bendel is Girlawhirl’s new addiction

Kristopher says rock these boss, PETA-friendly Stella McCartney shoes to your fav vegan cafe. Wearing a fur coat.

Mike Vitale, acoustic musician hits LA-Story’s iPod rotation HARD with a sensitive, near-emo presentation of an ordinary guy!

Just what does it take to be a model? Britain’s next top model, Nina Malone gives My Fashion Life an insight into a models life.

Second City Style’s fall style forecast: go ahead…make my gray (dresses)!

Think you’ve got great taste? Test your skill at spotting the splurge vs. the steal with the SheFinds’ Taste Test.

No longer a cold weather faux pas, patent shoes are hot for Fall. Check out StyleBakery.com’s favorites.

Styleaholic Najwa Mosesdishes on her CATFIGHT with Supermodel IMAN

Stylehive loves the endless possibilities with 5.5 Designers’s outdoor piece, the bench planter - be creative and experiment with flowers, bushes, even trees!

The Jewelry Weblog says Wow! to these wonderful bell necklaces from Alex Woo.

Showing the Girls

This is not turning into a political blog, we promise. Just had to point out the hub-bub about Hilary showing a bit of cleav on CSPAN2. Apparently the Washington Post picked up on this and every political blog and some fashion ones jumped on it like a President on an intern. Sorry. Roban Givhan at the Post surprisingly is celebratory of the fact that Clinton decided to show the girls on TV. Givhan looks back at some of Clinton’s fashion choices from her time as First Lady and states

Throughout Clinton’s time as first lady, she wore clothes that were feminine and stately. But sexiness was not part of the image. Her second inaugural gown was by Oscar de la Renta. The original version of the gold lace dress had cap sleeves and a wide, jewel neckline. Clinton altered it so that it had long sleeves and a high, almost Victorian collar.

What’s different this time? Maybe the fact that she’s running for President and is looking to show a different side. Maybe she’s trying to provide a look at what may be a more relaxed dress code at the White House, should she win. Maybe she just put on a blouse that was tastefully cut. I’m going to go with choice C.

You can read the full article here.

This is a Democracy

Sometimes I solicit the opinion of readers because you matter more than any long stream of consciousness that might spew out of my mouth in a drunken stupor. See what I mean? And although I am an ego maniac, occasionally referring to myself in the third person, I think that opinions more or less matter. Eva Rivera believes this wholeheartedly. I ask you for your opinion as a potential fall purchase. I’m not much into Jazz music but Jazz shoes looks to be in on so many levels this season. With skinny jeans these are bad ass. C’est La Rage.

It’s from Rupert Sanderson @ Net-A Porter $585