Stylish with Substance

The Independent (.co.uk), a UK newspaper, published an article on backlash against bloggers. The difference with this newest backlash is that it is in truth different. Bloggers in front rows at recent couture shows inspired new, yes actually new, resentment from insiders.

[caption id="attachment_2040" align="alignright" width="203" caption="13-year-old successful blogger Tavi with John Galliano"][/caption]

There are two main current points as we stand in early 2010. One might fade as a trivial beholder-view on manners - the petite Tavi; can she wear a large yet slim headpiece that would definitely obstruct views if atop a model-heighted head? I as another petite woman, and full-grown, happen to believe all un-petite-themselves head accessories should be avoided in such seating as obvious courtesy. But this does not need to be discussed now.

The second issue lies with what, to some, used to make blogging great---fashion topics included. Honesty. Critiques. What small bloggers may not realize we enjoy is this blessing - we are either allowed it or left to bare it, for not enough notice to or who would inspire us to self-censor.

But first comes freebies and press releases, which might challenge honesty or publishing unique and interesting content. Then more recently for some has come truer privilege; not only attending fashion week but the front row. Indeed a privilege no fashion fan would dare let easily be stripped away - like Cinderella after the ball if her stepmother would simply give a marital blessing if the maid-and-princess-to-be would only be ... kind to that wench. This is a world where that scenario could be true except all of these Cinderellas had loved the step-parent until she wore a hideous frock she herself designed, yet appeared ominous holding a lock to the attic door.

What's a moral, opinionated yet wide-eyed dreaming young maiden to do? I would be intimidated for sure. Do you think you could look at that gift stallion through your monitor and set aside your own benefits to just pen the truth? Now would an undiscovered blogger still so covet that hard position?

Perhaps fault may just happen to lie with designers, actually? Is such intimidation an unethical business practice? (Or is this fear merely fear itself? Or worse; fabricated by professional editors?) In any walk or aspect of life, one must be able to take criticism, but if and only if designers are truthfully unable to take the heat dished out from the little guys' offices ... well sorry to sound so "normal girl", but -- how lame!

Bonus but ultra-important rant:

[caption id="attachment_2027" align="alignnone" width="450" caption="Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen with "Olsenboye""][/caption]

I watched Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen debut "their" new clothing line, Olsenboye, on Good Morning America yesterday, underwhelmed and over-annoyed. The young adult twin stars proudly, although it was inexplicable pride, described the pairings of pieces sounding much more like dressup players or perhaps even wardrobe stylists, which is to be kind, as instead of showing true design (which can not be faked) they didn't even try when announcing clothes with phrases something like "we paired that with..." and "blazers are great". Seriously. Seriously? What?! ... If a blazer is great, buy one. *scoff*

That is not design. They cannot force whole outfits on people to get a unique look - girls (only some and not masses of true collection fans vs. Olsen fans) would buy individual pieces and these singular items are just so regular. They fall into the category of this word I've sort of invented and now love to use: undesigned, or they are ... undesigns.

To boot, what makes blazers so great to so many - the flattering waist-giving shape - is absent in the depicted floaty jacket.

Oh and, of course, a graphic tee with a phrase (not even a great, funny or terribly unique phrase) in a few fonts obviously does not a design make. DUH!

Stick to being fashion plates, girls. You like fashion, you like trends, but you really just like dressing yourselves. If you want to dress others, call yourselves what you are apparently attempting to be - stylists. However that is kind of a career step down, for even Rachel Zoe is making it much bigger by starring in her own TV show.

Oy.

Watch the full video clip while it's available via Hulu, below.

Cindy Crawford has an upcoming (April 2010) jewelry collection for JC Penney. She already has a home line for the chain mart and another furniture range at Rooms to Go, a discount furniture-collection store you may or may not even live near, and hence may not know. However in my being able to have viewed some of those RTG pieces, I'd critique them as usual albeit nice with fun colors.

Ella, I, was ready to pass judgment and pass this off as the usual boring, but I'm actually not so sure that is my opinion. The pieces are said to be inspired by Henna, and I do see that, in addition to an actual certain specialness. But what do you think?