I’m really excited that Tyra Banks has decided that the next America’s Next Top Model season is only accepting application from girls under 5’7! Finally somebody in this business is giving average-proportioned women the chance to be a beauty icon. What’s so bad about that? I couldn’t believe how cutting the girls at The Cut were about this:

“Yeah, okay lady. We think at this point — now that the show has churned out twelve “winners,” the only thing on which they’re probably on top is a pile of unpaid bills… Could casting only short girls be a final admittance, whether the production team realizes it or not, that the show is not about creating “top models” but simply entertainment?”

What are they saying? That short girls are freaks of nature and it’s entertaining to watch them? I am so offended and I believe that a season of Top Model which actually encourages beauty from girls of AVERAGE stature would indeed be one of the most liberating and empowering seasons of Top Model yet!

And it’s not like it’s impossible – look at Eva Longoria. Beauty Pageant Queen and now super mega star and she’s 5’2! (or so I’ve heard)

• Source: The Cut, Image & Style News

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Okay, when they are standing in a group together, the Vivienne Westwood Red Label modeling team looked like a pack of zombies. Yet separately, and one by one, you begin to be able to appreciate the genius that is behind every look.

I especially love the Marilyn-Mason-schoolgirl look. It’s just so punk. So vampirish – come and love me, Edward Cullen!

The thigh-high boots are fab, the brightly colored and patterned leggings are fab. I love it when a designer actually focuses on the whole design aesthetic from head to toe, and doesn’t get lazy with just a pair of black heels for all their models.

Some really interesting pieces of playing with materials and patterns such as the big checkered ensembles and dresses which have a few bits and pieces missing here and there, yet manage to look as if, duh, of course they are supposed to be missing pieces here and there. Such is the genius of Ms Westwood. She manages to make what others in fashion school would have failed an assigment with look like it is worth the hundreds of dollars price tag.

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(Above-left: Marisa Tomei in Versace; left: Kate Winslet in Yves Saint Laurent)

Oh, it was quite a big mess of a red carpet, in my opinion. It’s like everybody was trying too hard. Which is ironic as there had been talk that celebrities would try to tone down the glamour this year, yet still retain some form of glitzy escapist dream for the rest of us worldly viewers.

(Above-left: Vanessa Hudgens in Marchesa; right: Miley Cyrus in Zuhair Murad)

What I saw was a carpet of confusion. Too many fashion features all fighting each other for attention. For what was supposed to be the crème-de-la-crème of red carpet events, the Oscars red carpet totally flopped.

(Above-left: Jessica Biel in Prada; right: Heidi Klum in RM)

We saw so many fabulous dresses in the haute couture collections of the best designers in the world last month, yet very few celebrities even went there – except for hard core fashionistas like Sarah Jessica Parker, of course. Her dress is one that I have nothing bad to say about.

(Above-left: Sarah Jessica Parker in Dior Couture; right: Penelope Cruz in vintage Balmain)

Kudos as well to Penelope Cruz, who went for a vintage Balmain. She has totally reflected the current fashion buyers’ tastes, I believe, with that choice of outfit. Vintage couture. What a genius.

(Above-left: Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive; right: Angelina Jolie in Elie Saab)

• Source: The Cut

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Gucci’s fall menswear collection drew inspiration from 80s new wave styles and zoomed in on youthful energy. Lots of dots, stripes and geometric patterns appeared, giving the boys a real flare about them.

In terms of evening wear there was a blinding omnipresence of metallic jeans. It must take a real manly man to be comfortable enough with his masculinity to proudly adorn metallic jeans in the evening. And what a Gucci man that man would be.

Lots of leather was featured as well, as well as some shaggy fur coats, short jackets and wool motorcycle jacket. Plenty of texture varieties to suit a Gucci man on the jetset who’ll need to adapt to different social scenes.

Overall, it is definitely a collection for the kind of man who isn’t afraid to have fun with fashion. There’s something really refreshing about the color mis-matches. I am still concerned about the metallic pants, however; I just too sqaure to be able to enjoy them.

• Source: WWD

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I think Phillip Lim hates women. Because his models look awful in that bowl hair cut and their expressions look so blank and pastey. The initial attention is completely drawn away from the clothes themselves as I cannot stop this disturbing feeling from the models’ zombie-like presence with their big dohey eyes.

In general I think the whole collection is just so out there that it will be interesting to see if it actually sells itself throughout the world. It’s possible that these looks do suit the tastes of some very fashion-forward and risk-taking fashionistas out there, yet I can’t help but also wonder, does anybody have the money these days to even splurge on the risk of potentially buying a fashion faux pas?

Everything in Phillip Lim’s collection is definitely artistic and pushing the boundaries of fashion. It’s very respect-worthy amongst the most fashionably experimental circles, yet it’s also incredibly un-affordable for the average fashion lover!

• Source: WWD

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There was definitely an obvious animal print focus as one of the features in Oscar de la Renta’s fall 2009 show during New York Fashion Week. Lots of cheetah and leopard prints, furs, feathers and bold colors.

Also one incredible looking skunk-fur coat (not sure if it’s real!) that is both intriguing and potentially off-putting. Organic hues, colors found in nature such as purple, green, pinks, yellows and browns featured predominantly. The whole theme was as if nature transformed into modern sophistication. If a woman’s not an animal then she’s a beautiful floral. Yet a minimalist flower at that, nothing too crass or tarty, of course.

There was some interesting ensembles with knitwear, however I don’t think those pieces are nearly as memorable as the bright, puffy dresses. The classic black was of course present as well and some basic pieces remained available; possibly the most realistic fashion investment on offer during these times.

• Source: WWD

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(Above-left: Victoria Beckham; right: Alicia Keys)

Congratulations New Yorkers, you now have the luxury of an Armani flagship store right in the heart of the gloriuos Fifth Avenue. Last night’s opening bash party included many famous faces such as Victoria Beckham, Leonardo DiCaprio, Chace Crawford, Alicia Keys, Peaches Geldof and Josh Hartnett, the face of Emporio Armani fragrance ‘Diamonds for Men’.

“He speaks a lot more English than he lets on, and he’s really funny,” said Victoria Beckham.

“You get the feeling he’s a lover of every kind,” said Alicia Keys; apparently a big fan of Armani’s designs as she wore them during her last tour.

Indeed the crowd seemed to be a great mix of European and American modern icons, all looking stunning in their Armani outfits. The only let down was an incredible lack of drama. Even Mrs Beckham seems genuinely happy to be there with her Mona Lisa smile – a truly remarkable difference to her usual pursed lips.

Chace Crawford seems to be the only other Gossip Girl star not yet mentioned in this blog, and I am so happy now that he is making a fashion-related appearance in the world! Damn, he rocks that Armani suit well.

(Above-left: Chace Crawford; right: Leonardo DiCaprio)

(Above-left: Josh Hartnett; right: Peaches Geldof)

• Source: WWD

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