Stylish with Substance

Once again, it's a series called Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday. Blogger, Katy Rose asks us FBFF members fabulous questions. Care to participate?

Katy,

"With all the talk about New York's Fashion Week I thought it only fitting to do a Friend Friday on the topic. While every other blog out there will be talking about the trends and the shows we can take a break and talk about the bigger picture, etc... I'm already finding all the coverage fun but a little overwhelming. What about you??"

(That was a little pre-question, but I'll answer it.)

I'm an old veteran of fashion week, but only from afar. After one week I'm always super wiped from it all, but as I read this on Wednesday, hardly even the stress had begun for me. ;-) I'm still getting the hang of covering everything in a way I love and am comfortable with. Hopefully before it's polished to perfection, I won't be "afar" anymore, and there will be madness to figure out. But fun, good madness. Wish me luck in affording to visit. (Before the recession, I don't think there were as many public or blogger events, and I didn't then know we could apply to attend shows.)

Q1. Do you pay attention to the shows during fashion week? Which designers collections are you looking forward to seeing?

A1. Always for New York, I seem to run out of steam at the end of NYC's week, though. I always look forward to Marc Jacobs for some reason, and there are so many others, it's hard to keep track. A lot of those in the states' shows are smaller designers I don't know well, but I try to peruse every single show, at least in the beginning.

Q2. Where are you getting your Fashion Week news from?

A2. Usually Style.com with some tips from MBFashionWeek.com. If I have time, I get over to DailyFrontRow.com, too. I don't have much time for a lot!!

Q3. Over the years the runway has become more than just models displaying the creations of a designer. They are now spectacles. Do you think that adds or detracts from the fashion?

A3. For me personally, it detracts, but to each his or her own. I'm not into spectacle of certain kinds, like on the catwalk or on Lady GaGa, I guess I'm more into the pure form of the actual art. Am I a dork? (Well, yes, I know I am.)

Q4. Twice a year, as models begin to strut the catwalk we see articles about model size and body image. Do you think the super thin models are offering an unattainable goal to the public or are we immune to their looks?

A4. There really is a marketing benefit from these catwalking women who are size 2s with AA cups, but not skeletal 00s, who are, don't forget, also giants. "Models" are supposed to be like human mannequins, or actually it's much more like human clotheshangers, and not detract from the clothes, but there are major problems with it, too, of course. One is that they're called "models". That makes them sound like role models for beauty, which they really shouldn't be, nor should ever have been. Many models are not even attractive in the slightest, and that's fine - but they still get this cred and reputation. Then young women are confused, saddened and jealous, and women of all ages feel fat and dwarfish, which even leads many to wear painful shoes any day, anywhere. Hardly any person is immune, as well!

"Model thin" is not the example of a good body; it shouldn't be an example of anything; they should just disappear behind the cloth, but society really screwed that up.

We seriously need a campaign to change the name of models, at least in a section of the blogging world. Say it with me, "human clotheshangers!"

Q5. If you could sit front row at any show what would you want to see? And which celebrity would you want to be sitting next to?

A5. Oh gosh, again I think I always turn to Marc Jacobs, and even though I love him, I'm not sure why. Right now I hardly have time to think about it, but this year I know I lost a contest to attend his show, additionally with all accomodations paid, so that puts him on my mind. But each year before, I thought of his shows, in particular. I do think it's simply because he was my oldest (and longest) favorite of the big leagues, and not just for bags (my original high-end love), for clothes.

As for which celebrity, well I'm not into celebs, so I think I might go with Anna Wintour, although I'd be super nervous about how my ensemble measures up. As far as fashion goes, she is the ultimate.

There's a lot more Fashion Week on our home page, and more body image talk in the weight category. Also see our Campaign for Healthy Body Image(s).

This week, Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday is about copying and knockoffs in fashion. If you've read my blogs for a long time, you may know that I am dead set against illegal counterfeits. The gray area for many might come in the form of "fast fashion" and cheap thrill clothes, a la Forever 21 et al. I love a gorgeous-looking item that I can actually afford, so when there's no faux label or logo-esque detail, I'm happy to buy, yet I'm still shaky on lookalike purses and sometimes shoes. I think the styles can get too close to that line that takes fashion from cheap price tag to cheap woman.

Anyway, on to the questions!

Q1. Which side do you take… Copycat designs are a way for the average consumer to stay current and wear runway styles without breaking the bank OR Copycat designs take business from the designer and cheapen the value of their work. Explain.

A: I love to be able to afford things (duh), and as long as that above-mentioned line is not crossed, I'm happy, so I'm mostly on the side of the first statement. Perhaps even "fast fashion" cheap "couture" takes money from designers, but also recessionistas probably can't afford designer clothes right now anyway. Some of it is about being able to look almost equally beautiful. Even with couture-inspired bargain pieces, when compared to things at, say, Neiman Marcus, there is a huge difference, so I wouldn't fret the "stealing" aspect with clothes. With bags, it's a cheaper look, and why go there when the pleather will just tear fast, anyway? Consumers there don't get a lot for their lesser bucks, and they may still turn into designer customers when they are able to. Buying into the plastic purses might even be an education, later allowing a more-endowed, more mature woman to become a  great target for those life-lasting bags.

Q2. Sometimes we do things, even if they are unethical or illegal (downloading music for free, watching full movies on YouTube). Do you think it is unethical for a designer to copy a vintage piece, make it current and sell it?

A: It sounds like this is just inspiration and the designs are altered for today's woman, and I think that's great. How else can many of us find some great "Mad Men" inspiratons? For whatever reasons, many of us don't often or just don't buy vintage; so the existence of vintage-inspired, why not? Trends cycle anyway, and sometimes decades long ago come back. How else is this going to happen? It's natural and even desired; I think it should happen.

Q3. Would you buy an item that is a very well done copy of a runway garment if it fell within your budget?

A: Oh yeah, especially clothes. I'm sure I've done it. I just got this amazing bolero that is very "couture" and I'm sure it fits this category. (Left: Charlotte Russe, $40)

Q4. According to the fashion laws, at least in the US, apparel design is seen as too utilitarian to qualify for copyright protection. Would you think this is detrimental to the industry or beneficial?

A: I've already written about the possibility of a fashion copyright law in the US. Some in the small business side of the fashion industry are against it, but as one who would like to become a part of  that, I'm all for it. Even though the copyright process takes money, we must consider how large companies (more like mass market companies, not high end) rip off independent / hand-making label designs. The consumer is rarely aware this is not original. I'm on the side thinking this should stop, and it doesn't necessarily have to come with prohibitive price tags.

Q5.  Own up… share the things in your closet that are knock offs. You know those things you got in China Town, on the streets of New York, or where ever.

A: Real knock-offs? Don't have any. I've only mistakenly purchased two or maybe three from eBay, but I certainly didn't keep, carry or -god forbid- re-sell them. That's me. ;-)

Takeaway: Even though copying has a gray area, that does not mean that "Goach" bags, etc., are okay. Things near the borderline are tacky, and you should stay classy, and you'll be on the side of stylish.

Also remember that if you want to impress, cheap copies will not make you look rich to those in-the-know. Buy things you love and can afford, not cheap things that look like things you love but cannot afford. Try investing in your own career, and hope for the future!

I only recently discovered Friend Friday, a blogging weekly questions group, by Modly Chic. I soon applied, and here I am in the group! I'm very happy to begin and start answering some heavy questions. This week is light and fun though; and about fall. Fall is tricky for me here in Florida, but this year I'm determined to make the looks work in our sunshine.

1. What new fashion trend are you looking forward to sporting this fall?

Ladylike, that sums me up, any year.

I don't like a lot of them (my wallet and sense of personal style is thankful!), but I love 2.

#1 - 60s.

I love modest pieces; 40s, 50s and 60s, and I love circle skirts. I can't own enough of big, flowy, knee-length skirts! But right now "the" hemline hits just below the calf, so I am trying to avoid buying the knee-length kind and will for a time only go for that lower-calf length unless the piece is really special. Honestly, I'm on the hunt for the perfect-something similar to the beige skirt from Louis Vuitton's runway (which I've blogged about already).

I already have one dress that fits the length bill, but that's not enough of course! Hence the strict shopping diet to help focus my direction for my wardrobe collecting.

The beau and I just started watching Mad Men on DVD, and we're not hooked yet, but if we continue, it could be a great source of inspiration.

As for other pieces, like jackets and such, I will work on incorporating these pieces more, too!

#2 - Lingerie as outerwear

If I can find a corset/bustier top that looks right (black/nude lace) and fits my tummy; oh I want it badly! But I vow to keep it classy.

2. Which item in your closet is most likely to be your go-to transition piece?

I hadn't really had one for Florida weather yet, so I bought these new booties that are pretty open and with open toes. Many hate that look, but they're almost essential down here in order to participate in boot-wearing as early as everyone else. Besides, they're open in general and are actually that new thang called "shooties". I hadn't known how I really felt about them until August came, and now I know how helpful this style is for a FLashionista! ;-) I've included their picture. Buy them yourself from Zappos.

Vigotti - Paquita

$79.00 at  Zappos

I'm also going to incorporate different scarves in all-weather materials, asap.

3. What item from last year are you looking forward to reinventing this fall?

I didn't buy new clothes at all over 2008 and 2009 (nor shoes and nary a bag), but I'm looking forward to bringing back lightweight non-full-sleeve sweaters and even warm-weather/short-sleeve jackets for early fall. It's hard to wear those little boleros and things in summer, surprisingly, due to the hard-blasting AC that starts on Memorial Day. I'm just not that comfortable with throwing a sweater over a bolero and of course never over a short-sleeved blazer. I'm hoping the ACs will be adjusted after Labor Day weekend, and thick sweaters can again wait until "winter".

As for re-inventing, I'm not sure I do that with old-old pieces much, but this past year I've picked up a lot of ruffley or couture-looking pieces to blend in with my other favorites, which are modest skirts and such. I'm still in need of building my perfect wardrobe and perfecting my ensembles for who I am now and ... where I am now.

I am, however, re-inventing things that are new. I'm going to wear all-year scarves, which is rarely-if-ever done here, and I will soon be wearing a "six-way" scarf a lot more ways than that!

4. What is your favorite part about this time of the year?

I hate August, wherever I am, but that's not what the question asked. I guess I like this time of year for the easing temperatures, even though it's still the rainy season until late Autumn. I can't wait for Florida winter, actually.

My favorite aspect of Fall is the fashion, which I need to struggle to use. But I will! And I will feel proud of that accomplishment, so there is that.

5. Will you be attending any fashion events this fall?

Sadly, that's not likely; it's about the money situation in this household. I will be come February March though, and I'll be prepared!