Are We REALLY Witnessing The Return of The Supermodel?

From the runway to our living rooms, supermodels have made their mark on society, and changed pop culture forever.
It was Gianni Versace who created the supermodel phenomenon when he put Cindy, Christy, Naomi and Linda onto the catwalk together for his autumn/winter 1991 show, but when fashion took a turn toward the minimal around 2000, so did the supermodel.
"Many say this was a product of designers who had come to feel that supermodels were distracting from what they felt should be the real star of the show: the clothes."
But while we were once thrilled to see Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell lip- synching in George Michael videos, these days a model doesn’t stand a chance at a magazine cover, instead she's been bumped by the likes of Beyonce or Halle berry. Although the line between actress and model has unarguably been crossed, it seems the industry is finally ready for a change.
While I see fashion as art, I am not naive enough to believe that there aren’t those who see it simply as a way of clothing their bodies.
Regardless, I believe common ground is easily found in the realization that fashion is entertainment, a form of show business even, and much like a box office hit doesn’t exist without its star, a runway show isn’t as appealing without a supermodel, who are stars in their own right. What this offers is a runway where the face is no longer the story and becomes instead, the message, allowing the clothes to do the talking.
The truth is, fashion needs supermodels and there’s finally a new found hunger for just that. In the 80s that “hunger” was feed through the likes of Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Linda Evangelista. These days there’s a new fabulously “motley crew” in town set out to feed our desire for just that. A younger, fresher, and self proclaimed “less diva-like” group of Vogue cover girls that are taking the fashion world by storm.
But the return of the supermodel? Well that remains to be seen. But I for one am anxiously awaiting a fashion world filled with models, not actress and a focus on clothes not names.

Kate Moss: From Model to Muse, Style Icon to Now Designer;This Controversial Beauty is Making Her Mark On More Than Just the Runway

Now I’m not one to trash someone else’s form of self expression...well who am I kidding, but in this case...I don’t have to.
Unprecedented is the only way to describe the anticipation of Kate Moss' designer collection for TopShop. This eclectic line appears to be a time capsule taken directly from Kate’s wardrobe from decades past.
Each piece has a bit of Kate in it, each piece is a reflection, a mirror even,of a look, a period of hers that’s been updated to fit effortlessly into present day fashion. Moss’ 90 piece launch collection consists of thirties style gowns, pansy-print forties dresses,corset belts,tuxedo pants,vintage inspired looks, one shouldered chiffon cocktail frocks, and of course Kate’s signature crop jackets, vintage tees and skinny jeans.
While Many took pause at the launch of Kate’s collection, I believe those who questioned her input in the line were simply missing the point. The brilliance of this line is that it evokes what is the very best of her individual style. What the public wants to buy into is a bit of the allure that is Kate Moss' and that is exactly what she gave them. Its every girls dream to play dress up in this women’s closet, and she’s now allowed each of us to do just that.
Much like Coco Chanels timeless signature pieces, Kate’s effortless rocker chic style is just that... timeless and un fooled around with.
Hate her or love her (and I choose to love her), you have to admit, this women is a style icon.

Where Couture Goes For A little Nip and Tuck

When we begin to look a bit run down, we tend to seek out anti-aging lotions, a new exercise regime, perhaps even a little nip and tuck, but where oh where does all the couture go?!
Well, if you have a favorite gown or purse that is in need of a serious face lift, you need Madame Paulettes. Madame Paulette has achieved the status of being the finest custom couture cleaner in the world. Madame Paulettes serves world-renowned couture designers, retail establishments,celebrities, and high-profile VIPS, they have even restored Princess Dianas and Audrey hepburn gowns! Their unparalleled dedication to service, expertise and attention to detail has allowed Madame Paulette to achieve unprecedented success. Apparel power houses such as Hermes, Carolina Herrera, and Vera Wang; corporations including Bergdorf Goodman and Trump International Hotel and Tower; as well as high profile clients including Anna Wintour, Barbara Walters, and Sting, all depend on Madame Paulette for supurb care of their garments.
Whether cleaning a Chanel creation straight off the runway or restoring a Louis XVI chair, Madame Paulettes team of experts use finely tuned techniques for amazing results.
Recently I brought a Fendi purse that was destroyed to them for restoration for a client and had the honor of meeting with Mr. John Mahdessian (president of Madame Paulette and a very talented businessman) and Renne Walker (whom I refer to as the handbag doctor) and within hours the bag was fixed and came back to me looking ten years younger.
I would recommend each of you seek out the services of this corporation or at the very least visit this world renown cleaners that was featured in Vogue's "where do all the clothes go" article in October of 1999.
So ladies run to your closets, pull out those beautiful Chanel couture creations and take a trip to Manhattan and the offices of Madame paulettes, I promise you'll leave feeling older than your outfit!

*Oh and be sure to pick up some of Madame Paulettes Professional stain removers, because lord knows even the classiest of us spill on our couture from time to time, making these little packets a smart choice to fill any fashionistas tote this season...

Spring 2007 Trend Reports

The 2007 spring trend report is looking bold with designers storming the runways with an eye to the future. With trends ranging from futuristic to old world romance, designers comparable visions are blurry at best.
Case and point, Chanel did the unexpected by presenting a black and white Spring 2007collection that has 1950s elements but with a very futuristic feel while Miucci Prada reinvented the forties pinup girl with high waisted satin shorts and dolman sleeve tops and Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent showed us romance done right with an abundance of flowers, silks, ruffles and roses suddenly making getting in the mood, easy.
Needless to say the looks this season are bursting with variety, from retro,to trapeze artists and Historical influences from a whole world of rich, costume heritage that translated into modern-day materials there is certainly no shortage of trends blossoming this season.
Whether it be a billowing silhouette or a cinched waist, hemlines scaling to new heights or slim pickings, oversize bags or micro minis, the options are endless.
While the year 2007 was filled with modern fabrics, ridged fur, bomber jackets, tweed, grey, and puff ball hems , this season reconciles aesthetics with practicality and emotion with intelligence and reason, allowing a new perception of time to emerge.
Although designers looks are strikingly different this season, one thing remains certain, there is a look for every day, every women, every style.

Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky,the street, fashion has to do with ideas, and the way we live

May 10, 2007
Hello everyone!
I started this blog as an outlet for my thoughts on trends, up and coming designers, boutiques I adore, and the world of fashion as a whole. Fashion to me is a lot like life, it is filled with passion and angst, it gives rise to your voice, but most of all it is our way of expressing our inner self, possibly a "self" we never knew existed.
I believe the best designers in the world are those who are actors at heart, that transform themselves into a character each and every season as they create their new line, who find inspiration in the edges of this earth and its rich cultures and whom are capable of translating that into a brilliant piece.
Fashion has always played a huge role in my life, from my eccentric and what can only be described as determined taste as a child to a much more classy,chic, sophisticated yet slightly eclectic adult style (or so I hope), fashion has always been my one true thing. As a women in my early twenty's working in the fashion industry and non profit industry I am simply looking to put my voice out there. I am a strong believer in being self made, driven and always inspirational. I believe a women should be classy, fabulous always everchanging and evolving and walk the world with grace and integrity.
I hope you will all find my blog to be both informative and inspirational and that each of you will feel free to express your views on fashion...a world in and of itself.