By Emili Vesilind on February 9, 2010
Sassybella somehow got a hold of what appears to be an untouched photo of Madge during last season’s Louis Vuitton campaign shoot. And all I have to say is, why would you erase the definition in those hot, hot arms? Those guns beat Michelle Obama’s any day.
Clearly, Madonna’s face was been completely de-lined and re-lit in Photoshop for the final image. But discovering that fact was like discovering that Sarah Palin is dumber than a package of gummy bears — we knew it all along.
Lastly, it’s amazing how illicit it feels to see older celebs un-retouched these days; akin to seeing someone topless in the 1980s, I’d imagine. Too bad we can’t celebrate what 50-something really looks like. (Though I sense a V Magazine “age” issue just around the corner — cover girl: Helen Mirren).
Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
By Erin Weinger on February 8, 2010
Last June, former Imitation of Christ designer Tara Subkoff was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor that Doctors said would prove fatal within two years if not removed. In July, friends rallied around the sometimes Indie actress and girl-about-downtown by throwing her a benefit at Jeffery Deitch’s New York gallery (Deitch has since been named the director of our very own MOCA). And by the end of the summer, Subkoff had the intricate surgery — which required the work of eleven specialists.
I was so excited over the weekend when I spotted Subkoff, whom I interned for three years ago, at an after hours bar on the edge of Echo Park. She looked beautiful and healthy in a vintage black velvet dress and crocheted metallic beret and said that she’s feeling fantastic, too. Apparently L.A. will be her sanctuary for now as she recuperates even further.
So glad to see her up and about. It’s nice to see that 2010 is already a year of stories with happy endings.
By admin on February 8, 2010
Jeans shopping at Barneys Co-Op isn’t usually my favorite pastime. I never understood the denim bar concept—why is high-end denim so sacrosanct that it has to be kept on shelves behind a counter staffed by a scarf-swathed waif? So I was happy to see a few pairs out in the open during a Sunday visit to The Grove location, and especially psyched to see Levi’s Capital E jeans going for a cool $69. Mainly matchstick slim-straight, one of the more accessible skinny styles on the market (as of yesterday there were still plenty of pairs left in normal guy sizes).
A helpful sales clerk told me the Capital E line is being phased out for a new collection, along with the stateside return of the 501. If that’s true, I’m sorry to see the line go, though I’ll gladly snatch a pair before they’re 86′ed. —Paul Dexter
By Emili Vesilind on February 8, 2010
It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, and, like it or not, your better half is expecting at least a small token of your devotion. But roses aren’t your scene — or ours. So we’ve rounded up a few cool, non-caloric treats for style-savvy girls and guys:
‘Mic Love’ pillowcase set, $28
Go easy on the cheese this year by giving your hipster hubbie (or girlie) a cool pillow-case set that’s totally plugged in.
Ryan Adams’ Heartbreaker, $13.99
Ryan Adams’ debut solo album is still one of the most resoundingly romantic round-ups of tunes we’ve ever heard.
Mulberry leather heart key chain, $128
Subtle and slick (read: not dumb and pink), these heart-shaped key chains from British fashion house Mulberry are chic year-round.
Forever 21 cut-off BFF top, $14.90
Even punk-rockers need love. Give your sweetheart a sweatshirt as scrappy as she is.
Heart speaker, $14
Share your love — and your music — with your funny valentine.
By Emili Vesilind on February 5, 2010
They’d have to be fools not to see it coming. Every season on Project Runway there’s at least one challenge where designers have to dress women who aren’t built like giraffes.
The dreaded real woman. Yet every season there’s a designer who claims something to the effect of, “I don’t make clothes for real women — my work is aspirational.”
Last night’s “Campbell’s Soup” challenge — where designers dressed heart disease survivors — didn’t bring out the total douche in any of the contenders, but one of the designers did call his model (who was maybe a size 6/8) “very full-figured,” and most contestants were generally freaking out, trying to “add height” to their ladies’ physiques.
Now I’m not going to get all sanctimonious about the blatant size-ism that runs like a poisonous river through the fashion industry (oops, too late), but I will say that it was appalling how amazingly off base some of the designers were in creating looks that flatter bigger women.
One seamster built a shiny white cropped jacket (??) to throw over a red dress, while another (that pretty little ingenue) created a frock with a two-toned bodice that made her “normal-sized” client look like a linebacker.
The winning designer, Nadine Jenkins, at least paid attention to proportion: creating a simple chiffon strapless sheath that moved like butter when sashaying down the runway. And she perhaps had the most non-model body to work with.
It all leads one to wonder: Are new designers in the industry in it to dress up Barbie dolls and say, “Look how pretty?” Or are they in it to make women feel gorgeous — and hopefully make heaps of money in the process?
Because when it comes making “real women” look stellar, they’re just going to have to “make it work, people.” That, or witness their biz sink faster than the Titanic.
By Andrew Harmon on February 5, 2010
Earlier this week, I spoke on the phone with Johnny Weir for an interview—mainly discussing the fur flying between him and animal rights activist groups like Friends of Animals and PETA. The smackdown occurred over his use of white fox fur for a “fallen angel” costume in the long program of the U.S. Nationals—a beautiful routine that I hope he skates well.
Johnny and I are on opposite sides of the fence when it comes to the fur issue (though I admit that my boyfriend owns a pair of vintage leather gloves with rabbit lining; I can understand why people lust over the real thing). But I hope the fur fracas doesn’t lead to what he told me he had feared—some wingnut throwing blood on the ice in Vancouver, or perhaps taking him down, Kerrigan-style. Figure skating is all about opera, and Weir has been the sport’s uncontested grande dame for good reason. On the ice, he scintillates. Let him do his thing.
Weir also said he may opt to change his costume altogether. I doubt it will be the Rodarte he was photographed in by Ryan McGinley for The New York Times (a fall on a triple axel would likely render him a ball of tangled yarn). But bravo to McGinley and the Mulleavy sisters for one beautiful pre-Olympics fashion story.
By Emili Vesilind on February 5, 2010
L.A. stylist Caroline Cagney reports on Los Angeles magazine’s Chic Leak blog that she was mistakenly identified as actress Abbie Cornish on E! Online’s “Hot Photos” blog.
“I was walking back to my car from the Larchmont Starbucks with coffee in hand, completely unaware that a paparazzo was clicking away,” wrote Cagney, who bears only a passing resemblance to the Aussie actress, most famous for stealing Reese Witherspoon’s former hubby, Ryan Phillipe. “Thank goodness I managed to sip my beverage without spilling and walk a straight line.”
Cagney got a kick out the catty comments the photo elicited, which included: “Home wrecker” and “Daft looking wellies.” But noted, “The haters don’t bug me. I’m more interested in thinking about potential for a little job on the side. So I’m headed back to Starbucks in hopes of fooling the photogs again, this time wearing fierce undies and some bubble wrap. I can channel Lady Gaga.”
Photos, from top: Cagney’s “celebrity” photo; Abbie Cornish in the flesh.
By admin on February 4, 2010
Via W’s editor’s blog, Opera Chic has a clever feature on the best-dressed conductors in the classical music world—and Gustavo Dudamel, the L.A. Phil’s irrepressible new conductor, didn’t make the cut with his Giorgio Armani tails (not quite sure what he wears off the podium, perhaps he’s donning DC Shoes apparel). However, his predecessor, Esa-Pekka Salonen (right), nabbed a spot on the list: “During rehearsals, his uniform reflects his casual L.A. style: black cotton t-shirt, black Levis and black boots. As a youthful fifty-something with intense blue eyes and blond hair, he can actually pull it off.” —Paul Dexter
By Claire Butler on February 4, 2010
Viva Glam, the MAC lip shades that benefit AIDS/HIV research, has two new faces: Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper.
Lauper, who stunned the world with her checkerboard hairdo and zany clothes in the 80s, is a definite predecessor to Gaga — who’s basically mixed Lauper’s punkiness with Alice Cooper-style darkness to hatch her own brand of freakiness.
The ad is totally charming; an ode to lingerie and luscious lipstick. And wouldn’t you know it — Lauper looks not a drop older than she did when she sang “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” Viva Photoshop.
By Erin Weinger on February 3, 2010
“It’s a gift to support these dogs and keep me out of the doghouse,” said one happy Jimmy Choo customer, carrying a bag of the brand’s luscious foot candy that would soon be a gift for his wife. Choo hosted an in-store soiree in Beverly Hills last night to benefit the Brittany Foundation, a SoCal-based dog rescue, and to celebrate Choo 24:7, the London-based cobbler’s latest collection.
The line comprises basic, wardrobe staple styles in varying heel heights, colors and materials, and is designed to transcend trends (and recessions). Styles including round toe, patent leather pumps and square toe flats come in nude and black patent leather, black satin and even animal prints. Though most of the shoes are nothing new to the Choo empire, a slightly Prom-ish pair of platform slingbacks have been introduced for the collection and will probably appeal to those who wish for Giselle-like height upon waking up in the morning.
This seems like a fantastic way to remind women about the fashion items actually worth buying during troubled times (if our personal times were slightly less troubled, we’d be buying a pair of nude patent pumps from the collection ASAP). But by the looks of the happy shoppers making their way through the store last night, business must be booming somewhere.
Lucky dogs.
