The Chanel Fall-Winter Haute Couture Show

Well, I must say that there are some BEAUTIFUL outfits in this show but the Ugly-Duckling-esque bridal gown was NOT something to be worn--ever--and especially not showcased--in my opinion--as the crowning achievement at the Chanel Haute Couture show.... BIG mistake Mr. Lagerfeld!!

FASHIONISTA

Ok... Here is the answer to a question I have been asked too many times: What is fashionista?? I have always known the general meaning... but I decided to go to the dictionary

www.merriam-webster.com - a designer, promoter or follower of the latest fashions


Tada!

Ummm... My Boots? Duh!!

The cloudy skies of fall make a good backdrop for the wonderful equestrian boot. Too bad SOUTHERN California is sorta low on gloomy days right now (watch the tears fall). Oh whoops! Did I mention the fact that Gap--the wonderful supplier of my boots henceforth--has decided that they really didn't want to mass produce black equestrian boots this year. Never mind the fact that I wore my boots so much that the zipper literally stopped in its tracks. The only quality pair of boots that I've found this year are at United Colors of Benetton and (can you believe it?!) I can't really afford to spend a whopping $250 on a pair of shoes that are going to get scuffed up with me wearing them to and from wherever I'm going non stop. NO FAIR!!!!

"'Tis the season to wear linen, falalalala, lalalala"

If one would take a saunter down to the Cot d' Azure from Provence with a map that only listed major highway changes and Mapquest directions which didn't account for the silly travelers lacking driving skills and the usual holiday traffic, one would be seeing red. Now, please, step out of the car and find your way through the ancient winding streets of Baumes de les Mimosas to your apartment. You have just gone from seeing red to seeing linen. Trousers in whites and beige's... billowy white tops and sandals, this is July the hottest month of the year. 'Tis the season to wear linen. Of course, there's also khaki, but who wants khakis and a polo when we can frisk freely in the waves, linen galore. So ladies, please, linen.

Does "Designer" Require a Post-Model-Career?

Model:Designer::Actor:Writer

Our first subject: Heidi Klum. Considered a fashion expert, this super model is the star of the hit TV show Project Runway. She makes most of the decisions even if they claim it is equally decided--forget Tim Gunn, this is Heidi's show.
Our second subject: Does Heidi deserve this position? The answer? Probably not. More deserving might be Karl Lagerfeld or someone of that sort.
Our third subject: The Dior shoot for the summer collection in front of their Paris headquarters. I notice that most of the creative people are hardly model material.

Draw you own conclusions.

Accessories Aren't Minor Attractions!

Accessories—the image of headbands, costume jewelry, barrettes, purses etc. is triggered. Often these items, categorized as accessories, are considered optional, frivolous, and very often unneeded. They are like the dessert on the menu, gently implied, not required, but completely necessary. The accessory is the outfit. Accessories make or break the outfit just like the eyes in a drawing make or break the art. Accessories can portray an attitude and give an outfit personality, or they can be used as a signature look for a designer. For example, Chanel very often used fresh white camellias as her signature accessory. For her, the camellia signified refined elegance.

New Fashion Means NEW Fashion!

Designers have a way of bringing back the old... but is this always good? I say NO! When the public asks for something new, something fresh, they're not asking for a designer to bring back some thing that was from the 1920 or the like. They are not asking for a designer to go, "Hmmm... Well if we crimp these edges, and maybe make this more tight we could have something!" Where did all the "new, fresh, cutting edge" styles go to?? Is it because we are so inspired that we just design new dresses with that same old, "I'm a person living in 2008 and yeah, so maybe I'm wearing a dress that looks like something my great-grandmother would wear, but so what??? It's the latest!" I must say that designers are really not providing for people when they do this. I can't belive that people would by it with the label, "new, fresh, and cutting edge!" These styles are soooooo "been-there-done-that"!!!

A Grave Misconception

Over the years, I have noticed the grave misconception of fashion. Many people think that fashion has to do with clothes. It doesn't--at least not most of it. Sculptors use clay, bronze and stone. Painters use paint. Weavers use thread. Each has its own material out of which to make his or her craft. To a fashion designer, their material is cloth, clothing and embellishments. Fashion itself is not clothes. In fact, it is quite the opposite. True fashion is a work of art and it is not meant to be worn on the street. It is meant to be used as a muse for other designers. It is meant to trickle down and finally reach those designers working for everyday stores like Target.


True fashion is usually outrageous, making a point about anything; you could have fashion that would describe the designer’s adamant view of deforestation or recycling. True fashion is definitely not meant to be worn. It is meant to be art. True fashion is meant to be a feast for the eyes.

It is very sad to be asked, “What clothes do you have?” in regards to fashion, when one knows what fashion is really all about. The question should not be, “What clothes do you have?” It should be, “What ideas do you have?” Yes, my view is controversial, but I stand my ground. Fashion is not about your clothes. True fashion is a state of mind.

Ciao for now,

Zaza P

Teen Vogue Needs to Shape Up!

While flipping through the December/January issue of Teen Vogue, I noticed that there is really a large lack of articles in this magazine. For example, Teen Vogue apparently thinks that listing the (extremely high) prices and the designer's name is article enough for their readers. I on the other hand think differently. Teen Vogue should include in their magazine's overview of the season's "hot looks" a list of who is using these ideas and styles in writing instead of just showing "Kate's Way" and "Our Way." Sure, you can show the new styles in pictures, in fact that really helps to define the style, but there needs to be more writing substance in the magazine! If Teen Vogue is worried about the cost of extra paper, they shouldn't be. The real money is in the advertising, so why not give little more to the readers? Why not invite a few more readers, even if it means spending a little extra? Why? Because this is the fashion industry we are dealing with folks. Yup! No matter how many extra readers Teen Vogue attracts with more writing and articles, they won't do it. Like I said, this is the fashion industry.

Ciao for now,
Zaza P

Rebellish

Rebellsih is the new word--created by me--that means the opposite of embellish/embellishment. Rebellish calls for ultra-simple for ultra-cute. Rebelsih gives that cool stark, modern type of look to the greatest outfits. Using organic textiles and natural wheat colors, you can get the awesome rebellished look.

TTFN
Zaza Pink