Does Fashion Week need to be revamped?

Your heart beats faster, you dress a little better and you have this excitement that won't go away. Sound familiar?! 

I know for me, that's what happens the week of MBFW... I can't imagine what would happen if I was actually attending one!

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The fashion, the fabrics, the details, the SHOES, the music (I blast the live stream at work), it all creates this excitement for the new season to come. Even though we are just going into the season before, you still have the chance to scope out new trends and figure out how to incorporate your style into the mix... but does that actually decrease our excitement once the pieces are released? 

I've seen many articles indicating Fashion Week is out of control or needs to reshape the way things are set up, but with the introduction of a plus-sized runway show, that tells me we're making some strides! 

The article, Is New York Fashion Week Near the End of the Runway? by Eric Wilson of The New York Times, sheds light on what goes through the heads of people involved in fashion "month."  With an ever expanding group of "the in crowd" needing to be at all shows, from NY to Paris, Fashion Week is getting overloaded with coverage/opinions/& people. Some designers are even pulling out of FW all together. Tamara Mellon is a perfect example. “I, for one, hate to buy a coat and not wear it for four or five months,” Mellon said. “And my customer doesn't care about Fashion Week.”

 With so many shows and people working the events, designers and models are being thrown to the curb faster than ever to get ready for the next show. If Fashion Week is seriously going to change, they first need to sit down and figure out what doesn't work. 

According to Fashionista's post Industry Insiders Agree: ‘Fashion Week Needs To Be Rethought’, the move from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center was an epic fail. Angry residents, lack of architectural appeal, the overpopulation of paparazzi, and the increased traffic from street style junkies has created a disconnect from what Fashion Week is all about: Allowing designers to promote collections to editors/buyers/industry professionals a few months before pieces are available to the public.

 

 

Oscar de la Renta has the right idea. He is scaling back his guest list to include only certain industry professionals who need to see the clothes before being released. 

"When you do megashows, it loses the reason of why we’re showing,” he said. “It’s important for [certain industry professionals] to look at the clothes and see them. They shouldn't have to go through 30,000 people, and 10,000 who are trying to take pictures of all of those people who are totally unrelated to the clothes." - Fashionista

More designers need to scale back on who is invited. The people who need to be there, should include: buyers, editors, and industry professionals who can display the pieces and interpret the trends. Live streaming should still continue so bloggers, interns, and society can have a view into the next season but the overexposure of Fashion Week has created a huge lack of excitement for trends when available in store. Without some major changes, I agree with these posts, Fashion Week might disappear sooner than we think. 

Personally, I love being able to watch the MBFW live stream. I like to watch shows and determine what the trends are before reading write-ups. It helps me understand what to look for and to see if collections accurately display the trends the designers are going for. 

I love fashion and always have. I don't want to model or design, I want to understand the big, crazy world of fashion. That's why I love Fashion Week. It shows all aspects of fashion. Here's hoping to see some solid changes so Fashion Week can stay amazing in an ever changing industry.

The image we should be....

I've seen multiple articles recently about controversy surrounding the right way to look. But who in fact decides what that image is? Why is it a constant struggle to live by this image that only a few people can really fit into?

A few weeks ago, it was an article about a woman who sued Prada because she was fired for being "ugly." Since when did it become all about JUST looks? Personality is a very important part of a person. It should in fact, be more important than looks... because looks fade. And to top it off, the single mom lost the lawsuit. Now Prada is countersuing her because "she" slandered the Prada name. Wait a second here, PRADA is suing her for damaging the company's reputation? Because of Prada's horrible decision to sue for $780,000, they as a company have in fact hurt the name even more.

Rina Bovrisse, the former employee of Prada.

I've also been amazed by this whole Abercrombie and Fitch controversy. What was CEO Mike Jeffries thinking? Saying he "doesn't want larger people shopping in his store, he wants thin and beautiful people." That his customers should feel like the "cool kids..." The cool kids, really? Jeffries is obviously a bully. Was he never taught, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all?" He is an example of why so many teens think they aren't cool enough or popular. What about the fact that most people can't afford $30+ for one shirt or $50 to upwards of $100 for a pair of jeans... so not having a certain label makes you uncool? 

This brings me to question, what is the image we need to be to fit in? You don't see many plus size mannequins, or companies that sell larger clothing... and that's just not fair. I've done multiple posts on this issue because it's mind boggling to sit here and think bigger sizes should be treated differently. I know I've struggled with weight just like every other woman out there and it's just not fair to make women feel worse because they can't find clothes to fit their body. It's crazy when I read these posts or articles about the constant, repetitive cycle of body image and what is right or wrong

And yet it's not just woman who are affected. This whole image issue is just a small glimpse into the world of bullying. Mean Girls is a perfect example. They had this idea that skinny is beautiful and if you were anything else other than skinny, with perfect hair, skin, features, you were in the burn book. So what guidelines are people following? and how do we break them down so people can be themselves and not have to worry about what criticism they will get for not looking a certain way or wearing a label? Creating that movie even unintentionally fueled the "image" fire because as much as they made fun of the "Mean Girls" they were also glamorized.

There are millions of women out there who strive to change the way we view beauty, and good for them! The more voices heard the better. Plus-sized blogger Gabi Gregg , who introduced a fabulous new two piece for plus size women and Jes, aka The Militant Baker, who did a photoshoot and wrote a great response to Mr. Jeffries, are just two examples of women stepping out to make a difference. I even read about a stepmother who required her daughter to wear secondhand clothing to teach the 4th grader empathy after she bullied a girl for her clothing.

Photo cred: Liora K Photography and Jes, the Militant Baker

These are all great examples of women who are trying to open our eyes and create a new idea of what we should look like. 

Remember: 

 Everyone has something that makes them beautiful, it just depends on if that person is going to let their beauty shine.

Mocking model wins popular vote but doesn't win over American Apparel

Nancy Upton was one of about a thousand women who entered American Apparel's newest contest, but she was probably the ONLY one who entered hoping not to win. 

AA is no stranger to controversy but this time they've opened up a whole new can of worms. The company created a photo contest trying to find "The Next BIG Thing"(which it was conveniently titled) to show off their new "extended sizes." It was geared toward finding a plus-size model, size 12-14, based on votes from visitors. 

Here is part of the description from the contest:

"If you think you’ve got what it takes to be the next XLent model, send us photos of you and your junk to back it up."

Upton, was annoyed by the campaign's tone, feeling as though she was being talked down to for her size. "The puns, the insulting, giggly tones, and the over-used euphemisms for fat that were scattered throughout the campaign’s solicitation began to crystalize an opinion in my mind," Upton said. So she did something about it. Upton recruited a photographer friend, Shannon Skloss to take photos protesting the new contest. The size 12, 24-year-old, uploaded her photos, never expecting to win, just hoping to create awareness. 

She took the pictures to mock the contest and she shares how she would never model for American Apparel on her blog Extra Wiggle Room, dedicated to her journey with AA and aftermath: 

'I most certainly would not model for American Apparel, because (pretty obviously) I don’t agree with their business practices. I also would not expect to be asked to do so, even if I receive a majority of the votes (something I never planned on).'

She goes on to write how she disagrees with the message AA is sending but she respects others opinions.  

Here is Upton's description of the blog:

"MY NAME IS NANCY UPTON. I'M A SIZE 12 AND WANTED TO SHOW AMERICAN APPAREL MY FRESH FACE (AND FULL FIGURE). MY GOOD FRIEND SHANNON SKLOSS CAME OVER TO TAKE SOME "BOOTY-FUL" PHOTOS OF ME...BUT I JUST COULDN'T STOP EATING. 

I CAME IN FIRST PLACE IN THE AA 'NEXT BIG THING' CONTEST, BUT WON'T BE MODELING FOR THE COMPANY ANY TIME SOON."

As the company learned of Upton's antics and her angle on the contest, AA's Iris Alonzo fired back. (Here is a a few pieces of the 7 paragraph letter to show the response)

"It’s a shame that your project attempts to discredit the positive intentions of our challenge based on your personal distaste for our use of light-hearted language, and that “bootylicous” was too much for you to handle. While we may be a bit TOO inspired by Beyoncé, and do have a tendency to occasionally go pun-crazy, we try not to take ourselves too seriously around here. I wonder if you had taken just a moment to imagine that this campaign could actually be well intentioned, and that my team and I are not out to offend and insult women, would you have still behaved in the same way, mocking the confident and excited participants who put themselves out there? " 

"Oh - and regarding winning the contest, while you were clearly the popular choice, we have decided to award the prizes to other contestants that we feel truly exemplify the idea of beauty inside and out, and whom we will be proud to have representing our company."

Trying to take a stand against the contest, Upton's dream became a reality. She has now caused an international discussion, bringing the problem of plus-sized women and the media to a forefront.

Upton has been featured in many publications and news stations including: 

Fashionista
The Frisky
Yahoo News UK and Ireland
AOL UK
The Independent

CNN

ABC

and the list goes on....

While many people are siding with her, there are those who just don't agree and that is why this controversy has become such a heated debate. 

"I feel like I accomplished what I set out to do on a greater scale than I realized I was doing,” Upton said. “I've provoked discussion and promoted awareness about the depiction of plus-size women in the media."

Photos from: http://extrawiggleroom.tumblr.com/

With all the media buzz and controversy that has stirred up, Upton and AA have reached an agreement to fly her and photographer friend Skloss to American Apparel in L.A. They will be able to see what the company is like and she is allowed to write about whatever she sees.

Check her blog for future updates.

Plus size, the media, and fashion industry

I attend Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida for communication, specifically journalism and media production. It's my last semester and I am in Advanced Reporting. This is my most recent news package. It is about the struggle between being plus size and being able to relate to magazines and fashion. 

I focused my piece on the St. Augustine area, but the plus size void is something that is happening throughout the world. 

There is a definite gap and a lot of people would like to see a change. 

Enjoy!

Plus size and the media. from Jody Marich on Vimeo.



A special thanks to my interviewees Rachel Bruce and Erin Healy. 

French Elle celebrates curves!

A couple posts back, I wrote about how the fashion world is seeking change for the "skinny" image. This cover, from the April issue of French Elle, is a perfect example of how fashion is emerging and beginning to embrace all body types. It's Elle's first ever issue dedicated to plus size models and fashion. Hopefully it won't be the last!




Tara Lynn, a plus sized model/actress, is featured on the cover looking fabulous in a white Hermès jumpsuit. The issue includes a special edition 20-30 page spread devoted to plus size fashion. Lynn, along with three other models, including Johanna Dray, were the stars of the spread that was all about, "Aime Vraiment Les Rondes," which means "loving the round."

The "Spécial Rondes" also known as, The Curvy Issue, is dedicated to giving tips, tricks, fashionable brands and beauty secrets for women with curves.





Vogue Curvy is another great example of the new image that the fashion world is embracing. I recently did a post on the new website that was launched in February. With stars like America Ferrera and Jennifer Hudson being featured in the 'Curvy Icons' section, the website is devoted to creating a positive image for curvy women.

As the recent discussion of Health Matters: Weight and Wellness in the World of Fashion occured, more people in the fashion world are taking active steps in creating a more well rounded image for women. With more magazines and website devoting time and pages to women who aren't a size two, the fashion industry is turning a new leaf.

Women are able to see that you can look sexy and stylish, no matter what size you are.

It's quite exciting to see the representation of women changing in the world of fashion and magazines. Hopefully this is only the beginning of a more diverse image of women and fashion.

Stay Fabulous!
♥