Beating The Dead Horse Into A Pulp

Sorry about the graphic title. So I hate to jump in to the whole skinny model debate, but thanks to a Fashionista post from a while ago it has been brought to my attention that the TimesOnline has proclaimed that "The Death of Size Zero" is nigh. Well, ignoring the dumb title, it reminded me of the fact that some non-obscenely thin models do actually get work. I also discovered that Sasha Pivovarova had gained weight, and still booked quite a few shows. Now this makes me very happy!

I have to say as a teenage girl the media's influence on myself and my friend's body image is quite obvious. While I'm generally happy with my body at this point, I have friends who aren't despite the fact they are a size 2. While these people don't look at pictures of very thin models every day like I do, they still feel the influence of the pressure to become skinny. People argue that "oh, clothes just look better on thin girls" and "models don't actually influence real people". Um, I beg to differ. Maybe it's just that subconscious "people like seeing people like them" thing, but when I see a picture like this, I can't help but think "yes!" and actually be able to see myself in that outfit (well, this particular outfit is kind of hideous but you know what I mean).

Also cited in the article are Daisy Lowe and Lara Stone.

Doesn't that just make you feel better about yourself? She's wicked hot, and she (kind of) has thighs.

Hm. Lara is still really skinny. But wait! Look at that model behind her! Perspective, people.

I'm obviously not blasting people who are naturally skinny, but so few people actually look like that so it sets unattainable standards. Arguably that's what makes it desirable, but is that a good thing? I don't think so.

Of course, it's annoying to think that you'd have to already have an established reputation as a really thin model or have to come from famous parents to make it, but it's a start.

Also, I'm pretty pissed that people have told Karla she had huge thighs. Uhm, I'll take that personally, thank you. Athletic thighs kick ass! And Karla is so not fat, some people are just really bitchy and probably quite insecure themselves if they feel the need to point that out. Karla isn't even vaguely near being overweight, and how do they think making comments like that makes people who are on the heavier side feel? They're people too, and just because they're not a tiny size doesn't mean they can't like fashion. Alright, end rant.

Lara Stone

I just can't get over how beautiful she is.





When my aunt saw her Boss ad she may have said "Gosh, some of the people they allow to be models!" but I think she is so. Amazing. She's definitely not conventionally pretty (or a "classic beauty" as so many models are incorrectly described as... *cough*Erin Wasson*cough*Agyness Deyn*cough*) but that's boring anyway. She makes me wish I had a gap and never got braces. She just... is incredibly gorgeous. You know what I mean?

Not Your Average Mall Goth

Featuring my lovers Carine Roitfeld, Daul Kim, Irina Lazareanu, Maryna Linchuk, and Kate Lamphear, plus Lily Donaldson, Natasha Poly, an androgynous man (I think) and more!

Big studs on jacket. Oh my god, love.
I don't think he can see very well. Maybe he wouldn't notice if I stole his clothes....
When wearing head-to-toe black, it's important to mix different textures. Or so the magazine said. I like how she's wearing flats and carrying the heels.
It's Daul Kim. It's awesome. Need I say more?
Nylon says something about a hip pantsuit on it's cover. I bet they have this picture (beats Paris Hilton any day!) And she wearing Docs!
That coat is weird. But awesome. It reminds me of a star. And how much do I love limp white hair that doesn't look like it belongs to a 90-year-old.
Yeah, she just looks awesome. That's why models are models.
Gosh, I really have a leather jacket obsession....
Cute hat. Cute pants. Cute girl.
All black plus her makeup equals awesomeness.

A leather zip skirt. A leather zip skirt. A leather zip skirt. And a black fashion cape!

Yeah, I spent way too much time on Jak & Jil.

Almost Parabolic

Funniest picture ever, no?

It's easy to forget they're so small.... Whatever, their style is awesome. I would kill for either of their wardrobes.

Brilliant!

Look what I found on Fashionista:

"The people with the best style, for me, are the people that are the poorest. Like, when I go down to like Venice Beach and I see the homeless, I'm like, oh my god, you're pulling out like crazy looks. They pulled shit out of like garbage bags." - Erin Wasson to NylonTV.

Oh dear. Oh deary dear. I mean, it's okay to take some style cues from the homeless, but please don't call those poor people fashionable. Poop-for-brains.

You know what else? Fashion week coverage is kind of boring.

Wasson?

Much of the blogosphere (funny word, ain't it?) seems to be in love with the model-of-the-moment, Erin Wasson. The Alexander Wang muse (and honestly, who doesn't love Alexander Wang?) seems to be everywhere right now....

But the fact is, I'm just not that into her. I don't know what it is, but I don't really think she's anything special. Sure, she has that trendy just-rolled-out-of-bed look down to pat, but most of the time she just looks trashy. She does have a killer designer shoe collection... but wouldn't we all if we were models?

It's quite a talent to look like you're about to show off both your nipples and your butt crack, both at once.

But in all seriousness, she basically wears loose tops and cutoff shorts or flare jeans. Not a fashion crime exactly, but it ain't that interesting, folks. Well, maybe wearing bootcut is considered rebellious because all the fashion people wear skinnies, but it really isn't. Half the girls in my school own those very jeans, minus the trailer-trash-meets-Rocawear lace-up bit.

Rumi rocks the Erin Wasson x RVCA so much better than Erin herself. She's also much prettier in my opinion (even when making a kissy face).

She also totally copied my idea of wearing a corset over a white t-shirt. Okay, it's possible she did it first, but still....

This is scary. She was asked to model for Victoria's Secret, which makes sense I suppose because she does have a great model body. But it also doesn't make sense, because she really isn't pretty in a Victoria's Secret way. Well, if you can call that Marissa (I think that's her name?) girl pretty (I prefer Hollywood-plastic-scary). But I'm just jealous of their model-ness right?

This is my other problem with her. She can't pull off things like this. I guess it's not a big deal—not many people can—but she's supposed to be a model. It must be her manface ooh that was mean. Had to say it though. I kind of do like the way she looks, it's just... I don't know. Not compatible with certain looks.

Well basically what I'm trying to get across is not that Erin Wasson sucks or anything but more that I don't really understand why people are so obsessed with her. And the fact that her admittedly cool line of body chains were total knockoffs is a serious turn-off. Compared to so many bloggers, she is NOT stylish. I just don't really understand her appeal.

It Makes Me A Little Sad....

You might have heard of Kira Plastinina, the 16-year-old daughter of a Russian orange juice mogul (I'm not making this up) who has started her own eponymous chain store. Most everything I've heard of her so far has been applauding the fact that's so young and has her own store—the entrepreneurial spirit she must have! The ambition it must take to design a full line clothing at such a young age! And to decide to make it affordably priced so those unfortunates who aren't billionaires can have the clothes too! So I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at some of the clothes on her site. To say I was disappointed was an understatement, and my hopes hadn't even been set that high by what I'd already seen. Though, what did I expect from a girl my age who likes Hilary Duff and claims Paris Hilton as a role model. I can't imagine a single teen with half a bud of taste wearing any of this stuff and as I have learned from fashion blogging, some teenagers are actually quite stylish and would be able to design things 1000000x better. Here's a sampling of what Kira has to offer.

This monstrosity is for "when you can’t decide on a print tee, a swooping v-neck, or a hoodie—this top saves you from the pressure of early morning decision-making". It also saves you from the pressure of trying to look cheap—there's no effort involved here!

Shall I even began to enumerate the things wrong with this? To avoid stating the obvious, pockets in that area never work. Even the model is disgusted.

It doesn't work. It's like a balloon and an oversized softball shirt mated and had a baby which decided to call itself a dress. I won't even get into the random hood....

Ah, yes! This was just what was missing from my wardrobe! It brings "serious style to the all too regular hoodie". Yes. Wet Seal called. They want their archive piece from 2003 back.

Let's get things straight. I like this. I want this. But this thing... tramples the boundaries of taste and not in a good, innovative way.

These do not ever flatter the model. Enough said.

The really sad thing is that I would actually wear these if they weren't in a cheap-looking shiny fabric. That totally ruins them.

This is the "Punk Rock Princess" skirt. I'm not even going to get into that oxymoron, but again the only thing I can say is cheap.

Beating the dead horse, but these are odd and ugly and not in a good way like dropped crotch pants. I can't picture anyone wearing them unironically.


I'm not trying to be mean, and, if by some crazy chance Kira reads this, I'm not insulting you. I'm simply more than annoyed that just because your father is incredibly wealthy you get to make your own tacky store with what are in my own opinion extremely ugly clothes. Write me off as just being jealous that I can't have my own stores, okay? You have had all of this handed to you on a dainty little platter as you sit on your velour princess chair. Or private jet. There are so many more talented unknown designers who could use the money being wasted in opening 32 American stores. I'm putting all my faith in the American people that no one will buy this.

The Pictures Speak For Themselves

Photo Credits: The Fashion Spot

Sasha Pivovarova

She is so beautiful and really one of my favorite models! I tried to make a collage but Photoshop and QuarkXPress weren't working properly, so I'm just posting a few random editorial pictures that I've saved.

Photo Credits: The Fashion Spot