tforia

How did they get each model to look sad/upset in the same way?

Maybe it’s the natural model “pout”?

“as a fashion retailer ANF is susceptible to changing fashion trends. It missed out on two key trends during the first quarter of fiscal 2009–skirts and intricately patterned goods–which has contributed to a decrease in sales.” – wikinvest.com

A polka dotted blue skirt–front and center in the window.

Polka dots = extreme print for ANF, where everything is mostly in solid colors

I always wonder what kind of trends stores like Abercrombie would be able to pick up on. Cotton sweatshirts, tshirts, hoodies, tanks and denim seem to be what they stock every season. Ultimately, they are a fashion retailer and make money by giving their shoppers what they want.

“Missing out on trends is especially detrimental for teen retailers like Abercrombie, as its target demographic shops more frequently, adapts trends quicker and is more recession-resistant.” – CNBC.com

The 2010 skirts are very un-Abercrombie. The floral skirt below, for instance…

And a zebra print? ANF girls ride on horselike creatures, not wear them.

This is one ridiculous looking print:

Looks like someone puked a pomegranate cocktail over a yellow skirt.

ANF calling upon inspiration from Forever21? If they’re known for their solids and muted prints (stripes), why would anyone pay 3 x’s the amount for a skirt that could be found at Forever21? They certainly went overboard in offering a variety of patterned skirts.

It seems someone needs help with the ability to capitalize on trends and keep a consistent identity.

I was flipping through the endless “Vogue-a-Porter” editorial in February’s Paris Vogue and I realized every picture I liked was styled by Carine Roitfeld.

There were other editors: Camilla Nickerson and Emmanuelle Alt just didn’t make much of an impression.

Here are my favorites:

Her style reminds me of Moschino–overly dark and sweet at the same time. Black and bright red.

Similar palettes and similar prints season after season.  The baby dolls with empire waists on every dress.

Anything new?

The windows never change at Matthew Williamson.  He threw in the jumpsuit–probably because everyone else had one as well.

I’m not quite sure what they’re doing at Jeffrey on West 14th.

Using Lady Gaga as a theme for their mannequins and store?

It’s not like her outfits are available. Nor are you able to look anything like her.

They put Lady Gaga hats (from that video that shows white spandexed monsters come out of white futuristic coffins) on mannequins that were dressed in Prada skirts and nice blouses.

I guess it’s a “fun” way to inspire their clientele.

Across the street from 1 Oak, right below the High Line is CDG’s Black store.

I like how it’s monochromatic. There isn’t much in the collection–it can all be viewed from the window.

The store is located right below a huge, modern apartment complex. It doesn’t seem like a CDG area–the mama CDG store on W 22nd seems more appropriate.

Absolutely loved this collection. Where the boots went thigh high and the dresses with long torsos and a mini skirts…

Unforgettable.

I’m a fan of Tavi.

featured in Paris Vogue February 2010

Other than the fact she’s from Oak Park (a suburb of Chicago I’m familiar with…) Tavi puts together non traditional looks that are quite quirky and she truly LOVES fashion. I’m not so impressed by her age–I felt like I had the capacity to think like an adult at that age.

I find too many “fashion people” who are more obsessed with themselves than fashion. They care how they look! Much more than they appreciate the beauty and construction of the clothing and much more than the work that goes behind fashion photography and everything that makes the fashion world so fashiony.

It’s incredibly refreshing to see other bloggers try quirky silhouettes that look funky and neat. Really the heart of what fashion is.

Did anyone else think this shoot was weird?

Featured in February 2010’s Vogue was a fantasy romance between P. Diddy and Natalia Vodianova.

Some scenes made me uncomfortable. Like when P Diddy was in a wrinkled button down shirt (as if he had just had some action) on a bed next to Natalia in lacy boy shorts. Ewww. Maybe because I find P Diddy repulsive? I don’t think too many women consider him attractive.

modelcouture.com

To see a visual suggestion of Natalia’s affair with P Diddy is just too gross.

Also, it is a weird setting. The shots were trademark Leibovitz (dreamlike, foggy, romantic), but the era it was depicting? Quite strange to feature a black man with a white woman–knowing how forbidden that was in the 40’s, especially a black man that traveled so luxuriously without being hassled? No, I would not want to be Diddy in that era or ever think of what would have happened to him if he did travel in the way depicted in these scenes.

I recall a very old shoot with Kate Moss and P Diddy where they were in a palace much like Versaille. That very shoot was just as perplexing and that’s why I’ve remembered it to this day. What’s Wintour got with Diddy?

See all the pics here.

What does it mean for a look to be “styled by Joe Zee”?

Let’s take a look in the latest issue of Elle, March 2010.

elle.com

Keira Knightley is featured in this month’s issue. Joe Zee styles her in 5 looks:

Look 1:

Vera Wang Dress
Vera Wang Skirt

Too matchy matchy? JZee found this “look” visiting Vera Wang in Soho.

Look 2:

Plunging Canary yellow Bottega Veneta cocktail gown. How much styling is there in this look? Keira–put this on! Styled.

Look 3:

Emporio Armani black dress
Vera Wang black tights
De Beers Jewelry
Chanel Pumps

Black on black on black–it’s hard to match black, except in this picture, Keira is in the dark, so it doesn’t matter. Let’s just pull a few things in black and make her wear them.

Look 4:

Chanel Dress
Chanel Wrap

Creative. Chanel & Chanel. Maybe there’s a theme? Vera & Vera. What next?

Look 5:

Marc Jacobs Tunic
Marc Jacobs Tights
De Beers Jewelry
Antonio Berardi Pumps

Ah, Marc & Marc.

De Beers for all jewelry. Not sure why Elle is so conservative in introducing looks from a mixture of brands–just always seems so lazy.

Perhaps with less brands, their readers can understand better? Not sure.

JZee was featured on 2 reality shows: Stylista (the one where people fight to be Anne Slowey’s assistant) and MTV’s the City, where JZee hires Olivia Palermo. Bad judgement–Stylista is just terrible, makes Elle the laughing stock of the fashion world. The City–why on earth would you ever hire Olivia Palermo?

Based on the mtv show, Joe Zee has his assistants do all the work in pulling looks. So perhaps it wasn’t him, but the looks seem pretty boring.

The boring taste has been pretty consistent issue after issue. It is the style that is recognized at 100% Elle (post JZee takeover).