I know I write about everything vintage fashion, but I couldn’t resist telling everyone what I just found out. I feel like a schoolgirl about to tell a huge secret, but also being the last to know about the secret.

I’m sure there are some unsuspecting Papierdollers out there that would appreciate such information. I was doing my nightly internet browsing and found out that the Devil Wears Prada ( you know the hilarious book by Lauren Weisberger — Anna Wintour’s assistant from 1999-2000) is being made into a movie. David Frankel will be directing and they have cast Anne Hathaway (Princess Diaries 1 & 2) to play Andrea and Meryl Streep to play the notorious Miranda Priestly.

Uhhh???

Yea, my sentiments exactly, but whatever works. However, Patricia Field of “Sex in the City” fame is the wardrobe stylist, so you know the wardrobe is going to be FIERCE!!!!!! Anyway, release date is set for June 30, 2006.

Images courtsey of simplystreep.com and anneplace3.imess.net

-Tenisha

Happy New Year Papierdollers!!!!!! I must admit I haven’t been the best blogger since I started this, but cut me some slack…I’m new at this. I am no longer traveling on tour with Ebony Fashion Fair, which I see as a great thing because now I can really focus and hone in on what I want to do more of…write and be a sponge of everything fashionable and beautiful.

EFF wasn’t doing that for me. However, a new year requires new habits and thus a new beginning in me being more thorough and consistent with posting daily in my newly titled blog — “Vintageista”. I will write on everything vintage in terms of fashion within this blog. Whether it’s about the newest vintage boutique somewhere, or a designer with a vintage inspired piece, or how to find or incorporate the trends of today with a vintage flair. Trust me, this will not be your typical D.I.Y. but F.Y.I.

Hello. I’m now in Lexington, KY (home to U of K Wildcats….yahoo!) I just finished having the best Long Island Ice Teas (3 to be exact) this side of Kentucky and I feel pretty darn good. I can’t believe I said “darn”.

In this downtime I wanted to talk about why the fashion industry fears and/or kisses the ass of Anna Wintour, Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief. Why is this one woman really that influential to the fashion industry? I’m sure she’s worked hard to secure the most coveted position within the fashion industry, aside from being the best friend to Manolo Blahnik. I’m baffled though, every time I hear some strange and crazy truth or myth about this person it makes me wonder about her detractors and admirers. Peta hates her, fashion shows don’t start until she gets there, “rumor has it” interns and co-workers walk on eggshells around her, and the list goes on. Is she really the blood sucking vampire that some make her out to be?

I did some research (aka “googled”) on Anna Wintour and found about 20-google search pages on her. From the biography of Anna Wintour, to an article titled “Is Anna Wintour Satan?” found on www.pix.popula.com/items/0224/vintage/wintour.html.

Who cares? I’m sure that Anna is not sitting at home wondering why she is so disliked and why so many hurtful things have been (and continue to be) said about her. She is one of the few making over a million dollars a year in the fashion publishing industry (editorial). I hardly believe she truly gives an iota about what is being said about her. And why should she? Anyone can put a spin on it any way by focusing on her constant contribution to AIDS charities, other charitable organizations and events she either spearheads or takes part.

Question: What has this woman truly done to garner so much attention? It’s understood that she has help launch some of the world’s most fabulous fashion designer’s careers and brought to the masses a plethora of fashion dos and don’ts.

The “industry” -and how I love it so- has this love or hate worship of her that has always baffled me. With that said, it’s your turn. What are your thoughts on Ms. Wintour? Is she the crème de la crème of fashion? Or is she all hype? I’m not on any Pro-Anna or Anti-Anna side. I just want to know what the deal is. Lend me your thoughts….I’m reading

I was sitting with a “FANTABULOUS” colleague of mine the other day having lunch in Flint, MI (that is her in the cool pic wearing the shades) and we were just doing our normal chit chat of the day, when it dawned on me….should models know about the fashion industry than the normal knowledge of who Gucci, Prada, and Fendi are?

I asked a few models from the show I am touring with at the table next to us what fashion designers or retailers did they admire and here are some responses: Armani, Gucci, Baby Phat, Marshall’s, Loeman’s, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Tall Girl, etc. Their answers, unfortunately, really did not surprise me. I kind of felt sad that the only names in fashion they could think of were so typical. No Comme des Garcons, or Dries Van Noten, or Jil Sander, or Chaiken, etc. Which made me wonder if their knowledge of the industry that they are so desperately trying to enter is as typical as the answers they gave me? Is it really beneficial that they read up on the history of fashion, how and what makes a particular garment, who’s who in photography, styling, writing, etc, or will their pretty faces and semi-perfect bodies (yes semi! only Photoshop deems their bodies to be perfect) carry them through the world of fashion and modeling?

My answer: Yes, models should want to learn every facet of the fashion industry and just not focus solely on modeling. I believe that makes a better and more well-rounded model. And it doesn’t hurt to kill that stereotype that models know NOTHING!!!! I mean look at Tyra Banks, Iman, Heidi Klum, and Christy Turlington. They have succeeded in the modeling industry 10 fold and are smart enough to know that a pretty face and nice frame can get you so far. They’ve catapulted their careers into media, fashion, books, cosmetics, even the lecture circuit. These models -if they haven’t had their job stolen by celebrities- grace numerous magazine covers, advertisements, television spots, etc. and whether they know it or not, like it or not, they are role models to millions of little girls that idolize them. Why shouldn’t they be cultured and educated enough in their industry and others and show many little girls yes, you can be beautiful both inside and out, and carry an intelligent conversation.

Now that I’ve done my rant….What do my readers think? Should models be knowledgeable about other facets within the fashion industry besides modeling, or should they be only seen and not heard? My fellow fashionistas lend me your responses, I am listening!

-Tenisha

After a two-week hiatus in posting on the blog, I am finally back. I would talk about the Ebony Fashion Fair (EFF) tour that I am on, in terms of fashion, but it is the same ol’ same ol’. We do the same show, with the same clothes, and the same models, with the same routines, every week. However, for the newcomer that has never seen a Fashion Fair show it is pretty entertaining, with the exception of some clothing choices that could be done without.

As for the social aspects of being on the road….DULLLLLL!!! I believe the last time I tuned you, my readers, into the juicy happenings of what goes on behind the social scenes of EFF I was voicing my opinion on my “crush” and others that have been bitten by the love bug - or so they think.

I had also made mention about giving the 411 on a new model we just acquired, but there is nothing to talk about and I hate insulting my readers intelligence by providing them with redundant fluff.

Therefore, I’m going to travel a different road in writing about my travels. I will still speak on fashion, but I will also encourage my readers to take more of an interactive approach to my entries by writing back and letting me know what they would like for me to write about…because it is all about you guys and I love the feedback.

The great thing about being on tour is that I have had time to think about what I really want to do once the tour is over. I know I want to be in the fashion industry and continue my career in fashion publications. However, it is so hard to really get my foot in the door especially without a journalism degree and due to being on the tour I am unable to take jobs/projects that I normally could.

I have decided that after I finish the tour in May 2006 I will be pursuing a MA Fashion Journalism at the London College of Fashion. I’m really excited about pursuing this because I do believe that studying fashion in an international environment opens the mind to better review this industry (fashion) in terms of a business as well as a lifestyle.

There is just so much I want to accomplish in this industry and I kind of feel stagnant right now with being on tour, but I’m making the most of it. Papierdoll.net keeps my sanity and actually puts things into perspective for me…if you can say that about an online fashion publication. So my adoring fans, any advice out there for me? Should I get that MA or is it a waste of time and money? Should I move to London or can I get as much enlightenment and experience within NYC? Lend me your ears and your thoughts my fellow fashionistas. I’m listening.

-Tenisha