I Want this Vogue Italia Life

In my dreams I Summer in one of those California cities where 80 is a record heat (here's looking at you San Diego / San Fran), but alas I melt in Manhattan.

This July 2012 Vogue Italia editorial, featuring the luscious Kerry Washington, makes me feel like I am Diana Ross plotting my exit from Motown to Tinsel Town

And looking chic and dry while taking meetings by the pool

And just plain Doin' it! 

Who Do You Want to Win Top Model All Stars?

After that last post, I felt I could use some lightness.

So let's ask a pivotal question: who's gonna win Top Model All Stars?

(Mr J: Sorry B, you're already out the runnin')

With Laura given the old heave ho this week, we're down to the final three


1. Lisa

I mean this B has been killin' it. Challenge after challenge. She can rap, she can write, she can jump. She's got energy for weeks. She's like Orpheus on an ambrosia bender (or whatever their cocaine was. Something tells me the Ancient Greeks had some powerful ish). Would nail the guest correspondent on one of those Entertainment Tonite clones prize. Although has a tendency to interrupt and talk over the subject. But would teens and girls on they lunch break from Bath and Body Works shopping at EXPRESS really relate to her?





2. Allison

(God I really loved Allison's blood orange homage this week)

The total opposite. Quiet as a blacked out roommate and just as "how'd I get here?" However, B can take some pics. Probably the best and most consistent of the group. The judges give her a hard time about not looking directly into the sun but I'm pretty sure my momma taught me that's a no-no. The best fit for VOGUE Italia. Would bomb terribly at the Access Hollywood hosting prize.






3. Angelea

My bet for the win. Why would they have pulled her up out the bottom two so often? She's got the best sob story and she's firmly taken on the "Thanks for making me: a fighter!" stance. I can just see the Regis and Kelly (oh wait, who be the new Regis???) interview about how she overcame obstacles and such. To be fair, I like her. She has spunk. But she's also all over the place and break easily under pressure. I think the EXPRESS ad is her strength. I mean c'mon? That's her to a ruched v-neck stretch hot pink tee. And she'd probably be ok on TV with a teleprompter. But she's not very VOGUE Italia even if Franca Sozzani pretended like she writes deep moving prose this past episode.




So there you go. Who's it gonna be? My prediction: Angelea for the win, Allison will take the runner up and Lisa the bronze. Luckily she's quite the fan of that over-tanned look.

Thoughts? Wagers? Knock knock jokes? I'm open to it all.

Vogue Italia Takes the Morning Train

Oh Vogue Italia and your blatant bourgeois love affair with the novel world of the working poor. Only you could have taken Fall fashion inspiration from the filthy, broken down and horribly over-crowded A train

Yes, Brazilian model Raquel Zimmermann looks fantastically out of her mind in white fur and a sea of male models posed as the great unwashed

( In my six years living here I have never seen one of those metal hook/strap thingies outside of fashion editorials)

But this is not sportsman-like subway riding, darlin'

And finally I gotta say I'm relieved that for once they didn't pose the model of obviously Germanic heritage against the local people of color banging on drums (in this case the portfolio of subway musicians that liven up your daily schlep to work). 

(All photos shot by Steven Meisel courtesy of Vogue.it)

Fashion Algebra: LOVE Magazine's September Issue

It's the annual September issue Fall fashion magazine reading day! But I have to work.

-frown- But quick, let's look at some pretty, cuz, honey, it's in short supply right now

Mariacarla Boscono

+


Styled to the nines by Panos Yiapanis (The Face, V, Rick Owens, etc.) and Katie Grand (LOVE, Pop, Vogue Italia, Giles, etc.)


+

Shot by fashion faves Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott


-divided by-


A pretty weak September issue cover group


=

Don't cry, Mariacarla, no one's taking your crown anytime soon, honey!

Time to Pick Your Top Model All Star!

They still wanna be on top

(The cast of Top Model All Stars Revealed)

And who can blame them? Fame like this is addictive. And while you're busy dating Jim Carrey or documenting your real modelling career in Asia, these ladies are back for another round of masochism with Tyra.



Let's do a rundown of the hopefuls getting their second chance at that coveted contract with Cover Girl

Cycle 1: Shannon

Otherwise known as the pretty religious one. Runner up to Adrianne Curry.

Chances: She better start praying.

Cycle 2: Camille

Delusional Camille thought herself a somebody, baby and told Tyra her walk would make her famous. Tyra told her to walk.

Chances: Post Top Model she hired a full time bodyguard for "protection". Maybe he can rough up the other girls?

Cycle 4: Brittany


Blow up doll look-a-like and Janice Dickinson look-a-like (same thing?) Brittany made up for her porn star looks with a great sense of humor. Like Jenny McCarthy, minus the career longevity.


Chances: She's not Singled Out for the win.

Cycle 5: Bre

Remember "Granola Bar-Gate"? Well don't let that silly drama eclipse the fact that this B can walk and they've brought her back to teach the girls. Will her strut be enough?


Chances: She's already "in" with Tyra (even working on the Tyra Show). Now she has to remain in the house. And, girl, leave the Red Bulls alone.

Cycle 5: Lisa

Umm... didn't she wear a diaper and false teeth and talk to plants? And then go to Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew?


Chances: Purely on the show for drama.

Cycle 9: Bianca

Anger management girl. Every show needs one (sadly, usually tied in with token angry black girl).  Since leaving Top Model has had public brawls with other d-listers. Sad, cuz she ok pretty. 

Chances: She has a fighting chance if she can hold her temper.   

Cycle 10: Dominique

Drag-a-licious I believe is what the judges said when she got the cut the first time. 

Chances: Never count out a man in a dress, honey!

Cycle 11: Isis

Isis never lived up to her potential in her season and let her nerves get the best of her. Has she become the goddess she's meant to be since her first go at Top Model? 

Chances: If you're so "fierce" that Tyra pulls you from the background of one season's photo shoot, you've got the Charisma, Uniqueness and Talent. Now bring the Nerve!

Cycle 11: Sheena




The funny thing about the dud of a season that was Cycle 11 is how my two faves on this list come from it. Sheena is a punk rocker indeed cuz she didn't give an F and just wanted to laugh and wear silly clothes ("It's Moschino"). Love her!




Chances: Sheena take, Sheena take a bow. Cuz everybody's rootin' for you, girl!

Cycle 12: Allison




My friend, Mr Dressy Jeans, loves her. I'm a fan of that big doe eyed doll look, but hopefully she's gotten a little more pep since we last saw her.




Chances: If she can deliver some more personality, then the eyes have it.

Cycle 13: Laura




From the Shortie season, Laura was the country hick with Big City ambitions. She came in second, but is she gunnin' for the gold this go?


Chances: I think baby girl's gonna come up short. Again.

Cycle 14: Angelea




This girl was craze. And I liked it. Although that bit where she recreated her entrance into da' club is still painful to watch during Oxygen Top Model marathons. Will she embarrass herself again?






Chances: Yes. She will. 

Cycle 15: Kayla




I had to look her up. No idea who she was. But this season was also one of the worst ever, Vogue Italia or not. 




Chances: If you're not memorable....

Cycle 16: Alexandria

Didn't we just get rid of this B? She's all weird mouth, oddly shaped skull. And Jade-like self-denial and cockiness. And if you're gonna do Jade-like, why not bring back the REAL thing?!


Chances: Jade! Jade! Jade!



So there you have it. I'm team Isis, Sheena and Bre. Who are you bettin on?

Top Model's Ann Ward Hits Vogue Italia

As cycle three thousand is winding down, let's check back in with recent winner Ann's promised Vogue Italia spread

Ummm.... kinda cute. I wasn't a huge fan of all the genuflecting Tyra and crew did for Ann all season long, but she's proving herself here. And really tall and thin is all you need to be a success sometimes. (Oh, if only I was 6 foot.... -sigh-)

Sidebar: the jam you're bopping your head to in this video is  "You are the Star" by West End Records disco recording artist, Jakki. She had a few other hits ("Sun Sun Sun" was the also ran hit) but this is the one to download rapido!



http://www.vogue.it/en/magazine/fashion-stories/2011/03/ann-ward

Qu'est Que C'est it Ain't So!

(Photo from TMZ)

John Galliano has been suspended as creative director of Dior after being arrested Thursday nite for an alleged scuffle and anti-Semitic altercation with a couple at popular Parisian cafe, La Perle. 

Stories vary to what happened during the alleged fight, but response was swift from Dior. According to Women's Wear Daily

Christian Dior president and CEO Sidney Toledano confirmed that Galliano has been suspended from the house until police conclude their investigation. Toledano emphasized that Dior has a zero-tolerance policy against racism and Antisemitism. 

Galliano persists an argument did occur, but that he made no racial slurs. Several witnesses are coming forth and suits are being made on both sides.  

Wow! I hope this is all found to be untrue. Galliano is a master designer and talent and has been a huge force in the Renaissance of the storied house of Dior. I'd hate to think of any connection to bigotry. 

LVMH, owners of the Dior label, have not commented on next week's planned Fall 2011 fashion shows, nor any plans for the future. 

Below a very interesting video from Telegraph UK where Fashion Director Hilary Alexander interviews Vogue Italia Editor in Chief Franca Sozzani and Fashionwiredaily.com's Godfrey Deeny about their thoughts about the allegations of a man they've worked with and known well over the years. 

Franca Sozzani Loves Fashion Bloggers, Franca Sozzani Loves Fashion Bloggers Not

Vogue Italia editor in chief Franca Sozzani agrees to be a judge on America's Next Top Model but then criticizes fashion bloggers for being irrelevant, vain and that

they don't offer an opinion but only talk about themselves [and] don't hold a real importance in the business

Ouch! What's with the nastiness? (Especially ironic when I'm reading this on your own blog on Vogue.it !)


I think I understand her point buried in here, though. Everyone and their mom has a blog now and the democratization of fashion has diluted its once rarefied air, but that is not an issue for fashion alone. Everyone  is an influencer now on music, electronics, fashion...everything. Companies across the gamut want to make money and will listen to the chorus of the public to see what demand is out there. That's just good business and the definition of democracy. Whether you agree with everyone's opinion or not and how serious or well researched their view may be, well that's life. Everyone has a voice and the internet has given them a megaphone so either listen up or put in ear plugs.

Particularly bizarre in this post is the about face that happens at the end:

I would like to know their opinion to understand a new point of view and not just rely on journalists who have been doing this for thirty years

 Not being biased at times helps to see what people who work in this industry miss 

That's the most backhanded compliment I've read today. The tone of this post certainly seems biased and many fashion bloggers do work in the fashion industry and the "non reliable opinions" come from copywriters, publicists, stylists, fashion editors and the retail workers who are actually responsible for convincing the public to part with their hard earned money when the hyped up article of clothing and the consumer are actually sharing the same space.


Later the post waffles on the thesis that was presented to us:

Lets wait a minute before acclaiming or hating [bloggers]. There are still a lot of people who don't know what blogger means, and none of us knows how it will evolve. It's still under observation. The only thing I can say with certitude it's that if it were a disease, we would call it a viral cold. An epidemic!

As far as I can recall, you opened this debate of bloggers' role, why be evasive now? Why straddle the fence on whether we're a "disease" or not?

Original link: http://www.vogue.it/en/magazine/editor-s-blog/2011/01/january-28th

This Week's Top Model Moment

(smile with your eyes, Cousin Oliver)

Oh Top Model, where do I begin? Remember how The Brady Bunch, realizing it was losing steam, brought in Cousin Oliver in a showy grab for resuscitation? Well, this season's spread in "Vogue Italia" Top Model prize is the trot it out diversion for a show way past its prime.

-sigh- Moving on, this week's was the best episode yet. The "emulate a famous fashion designer" photo shoot has been done so many VOGUEing times, but still, fun and light and it brought out the best in a lot of dishwater girls

(Mr G and I love Liz, but her Negative Nelly attitude sucks)

(Black Girls Love Betsey Johnson. Every black girl I know rocked a Betsey to Prom)

(Finally they gave Kayla some natural looking red hair. That Rihanna red color does not a model make!)

Honestly, this was the BEST theme so far as most of the season's shoots have felt like half-baked ideas at a movie studio pitch meeting ("so, she's a mermaid under a sheet of glass with water on top of it and we'll shoot her from above... no wait, she's a fabulous Lucha Libre... no wait...")

BUT if you're going to assign a girl Vera Wang, do not complain that the girl comes off "flat". Vera Wang, honey, ain't exactly known for her personality