Andre Leon Talley...

Someone asked me why Andre Leon Talley was so influential in fashion. I started to answer, but then I realized I didn't have a good answer beyond, "Because he's amazing and knows what he's talking about." I didn't find that to be a valid answer, so I decided to tackle it.

Why is Andre Leon Talley is influential because he gets that fashion is not just what you're wearing. It's about what's going on around you. If it was only about clothes, Ralph Lauren would not be opening restaurants in Paris, Marc Jacobs wouldn't be using his fashion shows to make social commentary on recycling, and Karl Lagerfeld and Claudia Schiffer would not be in such hot water for the black-face ads. Andre Leon Talley understands why all of these events are part of the fashion world.

Fashion has been around for centuries. Andre Leon Talley understands that fashion is a commentary of the time, and the time is influenced by fashion. He knows the history, and he is a part of pushing the limits in the future. If he mentions you in Vogue just assume you've hit it big in the fashion world.

He seems to be able to tell a story and report, as he writes. If you read his column (yes, I do. Every month.) you understand that he seems to embody the fashion industry by being able to report on what event was so hot at that moment, what everyone who was anyone was wearing, but then he can make it relevant to the over-all landscape of the U.S. and the world.

He understands that American fashion is different than French, and he may belong in the French world with his clothes. He is the man that worked very hard to get to where he is today, and he is very passionate because he is doing what he loves.

Andre Leon Talley, Living Legend.

The best thing I've found

Okay so, the thing is that I really hate promoting stuff, but this site http://www.chictopia.com is probably the best thing I've ever encountered.

That being said, I need to update.

So, alice + olivia is also my new favorite thing to check out. I like the whole classy grunge thing. It's got this whole, I'm young and can get away with this at a point where I don't know that we really have that. I mean, I want to own my look, but the thing I'm seeing is that most of my generation doesn't take risks with fashion. What is fashion without risk? I think that's why Alexander McQueen was so influential to me. He was a risk taker. He loved risks, and was never afraid to commit to something shocking.

We should all be taking risks. Why must everything be black and blue and gray? Where's color and pattern, trying length or volume? Texture, people! I think that's what the average woman is missing in fashion. I say bring it on.

A list of things I'm over

1. Gladiator sandals. Yes, Marie Claire and Vogue have called them dead.
2. Harem pants. I'm sorry, you're bigger than a size 0? Yeah, your ass looks huge.
3. Overalls. Yes, Carrie Bradshaw wore them. Doesn't mean you should. They're very strange, they make your ass look huge, and they're box-y.
4. Leg warmers. No.
5. Baggy tank tops that are longer in the front and shorter on the sides. That's hideous.


Just an FYI.

So, it's been a while...

I've just switched out The September Issue for Project Runway. The dog episode. I couldn't listen to Grace flip her shit anymore. I love Grace, and I think she's typically justified in most of her issues, but not tonight. I just feel like I need to write.

I am constantly thinking about my fashion, expanding it, and how to improve my knowledge. Tonight I was looking through 50 Shoes that Changed the World, or something like that, then I chose You Know You Want It, by Eric Daman, who does the costumes- if that's what you really want to call them- on Gossip Girl, then I decided on Elle for a while. (Yes, I was not busy, even for St. Patty's Day. I wore a cute Irish outfit, did not go out.)

Anyway, my point is this: After reading and watching and living these clothes, I actually realized that even with my history, my anti-fashion, my wanna-be Spice Girls days, etc., I've always been fashionable. I was thinking about these corduroy pants I had when I was 11. I was struggling, because I was a little more... advanced than most girls at that age (I was tall, I had boobs, I wanted to be an athlete) but I had these pants that I loved. Now, looking back at them, they were odd and too short, but still, these pants were so cool. they were made of 3 different corduroy fabrics, robin's egg blue, navy blue, and a royal blue, with different kinds of corduroy. Maybe not the most timeless pants I've ever owned (see my tweed, wide-leg trouser), but for 1997, they were freaking awesome. Then, once I moved from Mesquite to Colorado, I hit my "anti-fashion" phase. I thought I was being unique and not trendy, but now all I can think about is the line in SLC Punk! that Summer Phoenix utters near the end about people who want to be different all wearing the same uniform. Plaid bottom, band tee, look at me, I'm so unique, just like everyone else.

I was thinking, because I am gaining confidence in myself, about how, even though I may not have been as into fashion as I am now, I always had my really unique sense of fashion. And honestly, I'm lucky enough to have found something I love. It's always been there, it's just been about fine-tuning it. Which is never done. Always keep looking, keep changing, keep educating, always make yourself the best you can be. Look good on the outside, feel good on the inside.

Best Television Fashion

Okay, I was looking at the most fashionable/fashion inspiring tv shows, and I was kind of appalled that at the list. The number 1 show? Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Absolutely not. So here's my list:
1. Sex and the City. Yes, it's expected. But in the words of Carrie Bradshaw herself, "I may not know men, but i know shoes!" The fact of the matter is that the women in SATC were each fashionable in a different way, but, also, allowed women to see that they can be sexy, confident, well-dressed women without losing individuality.
2. Gossip Girl. Yes, it's a new show, but the fact of the matter is that it changed how all viewers understand how the fashion can be dictated by the upper class, and how television can effect fashion. The sheer fact that Victoria's Secret built a line based on GG shows how influential a tv show can be.
3. Project Runway. Seriously, the greatest thing ever. It doesn't even need to be explained.
4. Charlie's Angels. Feathered hair and hot pants. Seriously, I think that says it all.
5. Blossom. Feathered hair in the 90's. Hats with big flowers on them and muti-colored tights. I believe Marc Jacobs had muticolored tights and big hats in last year's show. Also, poofy-skirts, and debating sex in high school. I think Blossom HAS to be mentioned.

Next time, I'll do movies.

Gossip Leads To...

"How do you feel about over-the-knee boots, in general? I don't know how I feel about that trend just yet."

I say, NOT A TREND! It's always in fashion with someone. I mean, my personal favorites belong to Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, but she is playing a hooker. Okay, my actual ruling? It depends (much like every other kind of clothing) on the boot. I, personally, think the flat version needs to die. Why make your self look stumpy, tall, pretty model? I mean, I am short, so it's really out for me, but I'm absolutely not a fan of the flat. However, a sexy, otk book can be fabulous. Seriously. But to wear it, you must be fearless. The key to success (and this will seem difficult) would be to pair it with an outfit that doesn't make you look like a hooker. You're going to be in something short, presumably (cause why are you wearing them if you're covering them up?) but it is important to live by my one rule of not looking like a whore: If you're going short on bottom, keep the top covered up. If you're going long on bottom, then it's probably best to show a little skin up top (there are exceptions to this rule: Blake Lively.) Even though you're going to be mostly covered in the boots, you still don't want to show off too much up top, thus getting what I will call "The Hooker Effect."

The other thing is that otk boots make their own statement. They do not need to be jazzed up. In fact they should be black, dark brown at their craziest. No joke. Point and Case?
http://www.shoeperwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/LFI_RODEO1281.jpg

Marie Claire used this to state how bad the otk boot is. No, Angie Harmon's just have too much going on.
http://www.shoewawa.com/overthekneeboots_readerpoll.jpg

So here's a pic with 2 of my favorite otk boots, and actually Brooke Hogan's aren't terrible. It's going to be the low-cut leopard slip dress that is skin tight that ruins this look. Anne Hathaway is rocking Chanel, and well, who doesn't LOVE Pretty Woman?!

I'm back...

Okay, sorry for the long break, but finishing up college and graduating and Christmas took priority. But I accomplished it all!

So, my best friend and I have been talking winter (we do live in Colorado), and more importantly how hard it is to find cute, safe boots! Here's the thing, I live in a literal ice box, so it is completely practical to have snow boots, which I do. However, when it is not super snowy or icy, flat, well-treaded boots are completely practical and can be cute. I found one pair I loved and another I liked, both on sale, and I'm not forseeing a long lifetime for either, but still, at least they're cute, and I know what I like in a flat boot. However, my best friend and I do not have similar taste... in ANYTHING. So, my super cute violet flat boots with the wide, square toe works for me, but for her, I think something quieter. I am searching through Saks, Macy's, my super secret store, Charlotte Russe (where I got my boots), and I cannot find one flat boot that suits her! So here's the problem- flat boots, the safest, cutest way to travel in the winter. I mean, while I desire Moon Boots like there's no tomorrow, not everyone does. And since I am not a proprietor Ugg boots, I am on the search for perfect flat boots for all women.

Behold, my findings:

http://www.charlotterusse.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3920115Okay

http://www.charlotterusse.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3897487

http://www.bluefly.com/Pour-la-Victoire-black-leather-studded-Malena-boots/cat20452/305143801/detail.fly

http://www.charlotterusse.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3826098

http://www.bluefly.com/Faryl-Robin-grey-leather-Fabienne-studded-bootie/cat20452/305616001/detail.fly

http://www.bluefly.com/Dolce-Vita-black-leather-Travis-flat-boots/cat20452/305222001/detail.fly

http://www.charlotterusse.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3797698

http://www.charlotterusse.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3691128

http://www.charlotterusse.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3691126