Return of Future-Fetishism

Some scans from the new Marie Claire Italia have surfaced on Livejournal, depicting a woman in silky jumpsuits romancing what looks to be Asimo. I immediately thought of Sixties advertisements for things like Clairol Moonbabies lipsiticks and Bjork's beautiful video for "All is Full of Love", directed by Chris Cunningham. Which, by the way, is one of the most touching and erotic videos I've seen ever seen, definitely gives testament to the power of a three-minute music video.

I think the Marie Claire shoot could have been a lot sexier... isn't it fashion's de facto job to push boundaries? The above image was the raciest of the bunch. With a little more "realness", like say, making the robot life-size, to up the "squeam" factor that enters when you can't tell if something is alive or not (there's a word for it...), it could be a valuable social commentary... about people falling in love through technological mediums and with eachother's avatars or online personas... hm...




[Bjork photo from www.director_file.com, Marie Claire photo from foto_decadent at community.livejournal.com]

The Men.

The fashion fierceness of the female of the species is voraciously documented on the interwebs, but where are all the guys?

Check out these dudes. I love how Guy #1's scarf and rings are popping out against his heavily subdued outfit. I love Guy #2's "Bill Nye Rapping about Clown School" outfit. Guy #3 looks like a more lively Walt Whitman. He knows how to mix it up. Classic, and funky! There aren't enough pictures of older people out there, and that what's I love Sartorialist for. All ages, all sexes, all races. Guy #4 is the most fascinating guy I've seen in awhile. That self-assuredness! That hat/scarf/necklace/cigarette/everything! This is how cool is done, and apparently it's done in France (where the photo was taken). In fact, I think all the photos were snapped in Europe.

And while dressing well seems to be done with more aplomb overseas, for all the fellas out there, Guys #1 and #2 are perfect primers. All they're doing is refusing to take things too seriously, and putting one or two things they really like or think is funny and toning 'em down with a couple of things every guy has in the closet. Alex, you're welcome.

[Guys #1,3 and 4 come via thesartorialist.blogspot.com, Guy #2 comes via hel-looks.com]

On Me Today

Haven't done one of these in the while... last week of the quarter and busy busy. Today it is snowing incredibly and had to call off work.

Boots: Calvin Klein, got 'em from Century 21
Pants: American Rag.
Cardigan: thrifted
Jacket: thrifted from my last journey.
Scarf: thrifted
Hat: Minimarket, Williamsburg.

Also, last week I was voted one of the "Thrift Stars of the Week" on the Painfully Hip blog. I couldn't believe it! Truly an honor! I went thrifting a couple of nights ago and decided to invest, if I may call it that, in some classically 1990's minimalist long dresses, which I love. A few more scarves to round out my burgeoning collection, and a cute green suede purse with a wicker inset that will make its debut up here verrrry soon.

Ow!

Pictured, The Stiletto Run held today in Amsterdam. The winner of the 380-yard dash said, when asked how she would spend her $15,000 prize, "Anything but shoes". The minimum heel height was 3.5"! Check out that chick in front! Then check out the full story here.


[AP News Photo via Yahoo! news]

Jovovich-Hawk: Meh

There's been a lot of buzz surrounding the newest of Target's guest designer collections. Generally, I don't get excited about it, because even though Proenza Schouler or Luella Bartley or whomever designed it, the clothes get wrung-through the costing machine. At the end of the day, they are going to be the same quality as all the other clothes sold at Target (kinda, meh).

But everything looked good online, at least, so I went in. As soon as I saw the size tags, I was immediately disappointed. These are Juniors' sized clothing. This stuff hasn't fit me since I was 14. But I tried it on anyway, and, like all Juniors' clothing, gives the impression that one's curvaliciousness is outsized and grotesque beneath its narrow confines. I got depressed. The cute, floaty dress of better-than-Target quality, actually, with pretty "glass" buttons would not be mine.

Which got me thinking.

+Why is the most on-trend stuff (available to a suburban consumer) cut in Juniors' sizes?

+I understand the theory behind the narrow cuts of Juniors' sizes, but as someone who has worked in a Juniors department, I can attest that maybe 5-10% of teenage girls have a figure that is flattered by this cut.

+Girls are developing earlier and earlier. Why do they not cut the clothing to reflect this? My guess is that it's cheaper to make Juniors' sizes because they do not require as many cost-inflating shaping methods (darts, ease, etc) as Missy sizes.

+I think that when girls try on clothing that's supposedly "made for them" and yet it doesn't fit right, it creates an opportunity for body dysmorphia to sprout. I know that as a teenager I felt horrible in Juniors' clothing and thought that something was probably wrong with my body if it couldn't fit the clothes that were made for it. Wouldn't it be more socially responsible for apparel makers to put a little more thought into the fit of young WOMEN'S clothing?

I feel a little self-conscious about trying to warn people away from buying Juniors'-sized clothing, because it is so cheap and trendy, but you've got to be good to yourself. Unless you're twelve, or have a boyish frame, wearing these clothes makes you feel as if your body is somehow untamed and needs to be changed in order to look right.

Clothes are about looking and feeling good. Buy wisely!

[image via target.com]

Latest Obsession

Why do I want these? I can't stop thinking about them. With a unitard and a denim vest. With black thigh-high socks and a denim mini. With rolled up, loose jeans and a basic v-neck? Suspenders? ...hot...

But I'm wrestling with myself --- are these OK to wear after high school? How do I avoid looking more like Liv Tyler in the "Crazy" video, and not like one of the 4 Non Blondes?


[pic via Zappos.com]