The Model Controversy

Our Models Ourselves


Since Spain decided to regulate the models weight, the whole industry is in an up roar. I say about time, how many of us women have been traumatized by the way we look because of the urge and need to look like a model? Ok I will be the first to admit; my name is Lotte and I am a model, fashion, and Vogue addict. I will stop at nothing to look and dress like a model. I have tried every diet; attempt to run regularly, love the drug ecstasy because I was the skinniest I have ever been in my life. While addicted to the drug. With the expectation of when I was 14-16 years old I have never been skinnier.

Wish I could get the drug in France that so many in the states including my mews Nicole Richie allegedly takes (ADHA drug Adderall XR Ritalin, Benzedrine) these are really not a diet drugs. It’s actually speed, the drug prescribed to children in the states with Attention Deficit Disorder. Here in France your local pharmacists know about it but they don’t sell it! Damn.

They only diet that I have not tried is the lemon, water and maple syrup detox one. No food for a week, just water, maple syrup, and lemon juice. Hey it did wonders for Beyonce and Karl Lagerfeld! Dreamgirls might not have been a hit, and Karl would not have been able to wear Heidi Slimane without. I am not that desperate yet. I love food too much and do not desire to look like a mosquito! I would just like to be a size 6 US, 10 UK and 38 EU that's all. I am not trying to be super anorexic skinny just healthy. There I have confessed, it feels great to confess after a run. Today is another day to challenge myself not to eat sweets or to many carbohydrates. Bonne Chance.

Now back to the Model Issue! Many in the fashion industry wish the press and the public would just let things stay under the rug. Like in the early 80’s-90’s when heroin chic was the entire rave and everyone was on drugs or just looked that way. A time when many in the in crowed died of overdose, AIDES, or both. Many great talents had gotten caught up in the life style and lost control for example Kurt Cobain, Jean Michel Basquiat and Gia, River and a ton of other Supermodels. Now the trend has started again an Italian model as supposedly died of anorexia, Harold Hunter New York skater supposedly died of an overdose and Kate Moss was busted sniffing coke. Everyone is pointing the finger! Like you have never tried or done coke, and been obsessed about your weight. Everyone likes to point the finger and not help the situation.

From the mouth of Karl Lagerfeld labeled the effort to regulate models "politically correct fascism." Is it fascism or is it the by Vladimir Nabokov Lolita, complex Karl? This book was a little hard to take for some, but I have to admit that it was a literary masterpiece beautifully written. With no direct sexual innuendoes within in the prose. Yet it opened many demons within men’s mind, which then poses these ideals on us women. For of course we all know that 35+ white men control the fashion and movie industry. They brainwash women to believe this is how they must dress, look and act! Hence the urge for plastic surgery, huge tits and no ass what a life. In today’s world our images of beauty do not help build self-esteem for our young women. It is scary to be an adolescent girl, they are taught just to be singers, and men's sexual toys, or oh models. I agree with Pink “Stupid Girls.” As well Hip Hop and R N B does not help. Not all of you video dolls will make it, and looks don’t last forever. It is not only a problem for women now the guys have self esteem issues. Sick now you see all these I wanted to be made shows with young men now wanting to get plastic surgery to look like someone else. As well as the drug look for guys. Like women some guy’s are meant to be skinny and some of you aren’t. On the streets of Paris is it so funny to see some of the guy’s who are not meant to be skinny wearing Dior Homme. I honestly think only gay men can pull it off!


I do think the ages of the models should be regulated. For example February British Vogue has a spread The Collections and on page 110 the young lady can be no more then 14 years old. I had this pre puberty body once to and I was that skinny. Not to say that there are not women out there who are naturally like this at any age. Yet, models should be like anyone else and there should be a legal age to work. I blame the mothers it’s their fault they live their lives through there daughters. Hence Beyonce and Paris Hilton, god wait I have to go url! Lol. Real women who have the money to buy these clothes are older then 14-20 go after the “DINKS” women. There is nothing scarier then a 50 year old women who looks like the wind could break her, tons of make up and tons of plastic surgery. This is what he industry is doing, even though a lot of magazines are doing the all age thing, which is great. Yet some women still don’t get it! I see with my own mother and mother in-law they are so scared of getting old. Hey it happens and age is just a number. If you take care of yourself when you are young you will have nothing to worry about. I mean I have so much love for Demi Moore, ok she might have had some surgery, but dam she looks good, and we cannot forget about Tina Turner, and Sophia Lauren! I guess I might speak to soon, but I have hope that I won’t freak out at 50 and enjoy my age! God willing!

Here are some Quotes form WWD on the model size controversy:

Designers: no big changes
That is the main consensus of fashion designers, who, for the most part, say they are not going to make any dramatic switches in the type of models they're hiring to walk their fall runways. And they don't want to be dictated to by their respective fashion organizations.

"The idea of ‘regulation' is revolting, but so much today," said Karl Lagerfeld. "Models are about looks, not about weight. For me, it's not even an issue; it's part of this new politically correct fascism."

‘While the focus seems to be firmly planted on models, designers believe the fashion industry is being singled out unfairly, and that Hollywood bears equal responsibility for promoting the images of super skinny women.’

“Carolina Herrera noted anorexia is prevalent among ballet dancers and students, as well as actresses.”

So whose fault is it any way? I am not saying that is not great to be healthy. I do understand how hard it is to stay fit. I have always juggled with my weight, yet I have learned to eat better, drink water, not smoke or drink alcohol. I think the Adkins diet is horrible for women, because we don’t get enough calcium. My problem is sweets! I say crisps; Ice Cream and Sweets should be outlawed and aloud only on Birthday’s. Keep the faith and stay stylish! Please hit me back and tell me your thoughts!

Cio
Donna of the Style Cartel

Cultivate Wisdom

You don't need to accumulate knowledge to become wise;anyone can become wise. When you become wise,you respect your body, your respect your mind, and you respect your soul. When you become wise,your life is controlled by your heart, not your head.

Turban Chic

Style Cartel Favorite Fashion accessory!

The days are getting longer, the winter sales are here, and you can almost taste spring in the air. It is even 50 F in Paris today. Now there are so many new fashion ideas to choose from to add that edge to your Spring wardrobe. Have you chosen which ones will complement your own personal Spring Style?

I am glad to announce one of my personal favorites is back, and I will not have to buy any new ones!!!! I can save for the Chanel bangles that I so desperately want and hope cupid will give me for Valentines Day. Now back to Business. Ladies and Gents pull out all those vintage scarves and tie a topknot! The head wrap turban whatever you want to call it, even the Erika Badu thing is BIG for spring.

Prada with it’s spring collection showed a burgundy turban ensemble with a duchesse satin min tunic, Lowe also showed a more North African twist Berber style outfits, and Ralph Lauren went Hollywood head wrap. The head wrap, scarf or turban chic is the catwalk and campaigns must have.

Those of us urban fashionites know that it was really Andre 3000 who made it super exotic, retro and elegant sultry almost 2 years ago. It has just taken the fashion house this long to understand the power of real urban guerilla street style. Or for them another return to the old glamour of Hollywood, Princess Grace wore them, it was also glam for the likes of style mavens Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor too.

It will be interesting to see what stars will be adventurous and don a turban this Spring/Summer. I am sure J-Lo will try at least once. She always has weird headgear moments. Yet, I think she is one of the only stars beside Nicole Richie who might be able to pull it off. I adore both ladies, J-Lo just because of where she came from and who she is now. Richie because she has such great style, just wished she would start to put on a little weight. I am not saying ‘Simple Life Weight” just a little she is starting to look old, with all the weight loss. When she was with Tyra Banks, Tyra looked younger!

I am just happy I have always wrapped my hair; it is the best thing on a bad hair day. It can add mystery and color to any outfit. I have many white girlfriends who were always afraid to wrap their hair. They love the style on me, never dared. I guess they felt it was too ethnic for them. Now that it is a feature in British Vogue maybe these girls will be more daring.

I also feel it is another way to market to some of fashions biggest and wealthiest clients. Women from UAE and for that matter all rich Muslims women! Oh smart!

Cio,
Donna

The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz

Daily Advice
There is wisdom in accepting what you are. It's difficult to try to be what you are not. Being what you are doesn't require any effort. When you become wise, you accept yourself the way you are, and the complete acceptance of yourself becomes the complete acceptance of everyone else.

Je suis Geshia

Je adore Dior, I have to admit I have never been a great fan of John Galliano. Sorry it is the truth until now. What a show, I adore everything Asian and many of my Asian friends are surprised at my knowledge of their culture and that I can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. As a child I went through a phase everything Japanese or Chinese never knowing about the wars between them. I adored the Chinese opera, and watching Chinese and Japanese TV. I ate everything with chopsticks for 2 years. Even loved hanging out with the Chinese gang members in my neighborhood in Queens, New York the “White Tigers.” My addiction would continue thorough out my life reading the book ‘ Memories of a Geisha’ then seeing the film and the play ‘Miss Saigon’ made me want to be a Geisha so delicate, so manicured, so artistic, I could go on.

This is why I have to re-think my opinions of Mr. Galliano. I once wrote the following describing him.

Her Majesty John Galliano


Mr. Galliano has been known to copy, and be inspired by Vivienne Westwood, and he also part responsible for the entire ‘Bling’ culture, as well as responsible for bringing the whole ‘grunge’ look to the runway way before Marc Jacobs brought it back this year. Even though ‘grunge’ was not accepted by the fashionable, how dared he bring the street to the catwalk, fashion is about looking and feeling good. Know one likes looking like a bum, sorry Courtney Love. These were fashions first look at the grunge look. The times and Marc Jacobs changed all of that last season.

My own feelings about Galliano are mixed, it was not until recently that he has designed garments which I kind of like. I speak about his most recent collection, for ‘I love Rock and Roll and it was a very rock and roll collection.’ His other collections are lest desirable. Although I don’t deny his talents, my personal opinion of the designer is that he is a misogynist, that deep down he hates women. Wanting only to cheapen us and sell us to the highest bidder. Or maybe he is just jealous? He is always questioning women’s sex appeal, even a man may make better female then real women.

There is a connection between Mr. Galliano’s cinematic visions of the vamp and their historical prototypes. When the vamp is seen as desirable, it is tinged with fear. Her sexuality is fatal, she destroys men as she entices and seduces them. Galliano fashioned the female Geisha after this, after all geisha’s are in fact kept women. Galliano has always had a love affair with women in history of this sort. This is why I have always had issues with him.

Yet Monday the 22nd of January 2007 the man called Galliano absolutely took my breath away. From the music from "Madame Butterfly" the soundtrack used to set the scene, which enthralled the onlookers. The epitome of Japanese elegance and ornamentation. We returned to they hey day of the House of Dior with the ‘New Look’ on the stage it rained cherry blossom’s and confetti butterflies. The stage designer was a larger take on the designer studio of Monsieur Dior himself, with the Gargantuan chairs from his studio!

His genius reined, he was able to incorporate the present, past and future of the Dior house. He also has put the ‘T’ in team work, pulling this spectacle off with the help of the amazing milliner Stephen Jones, who fashioned the headgear alone, the pagoda hats, cherry blossom branches, chopstick twigs and pink miniature lanterns. The makeup artist Pat McGrath complemented the trio with her graphic stripes of eye shadow on a white face was the work of the brilliant artist. Loved loved all the colors, that still gave the trend of everything disco 80’s glam, yet couture! This was art at it’s best, you could smell spring in the air, even though it was one of the coldest day’s this year in Paris. We all had rosy checks and wet eyes after viewing this show. Galliano has validated his 10 years at Dior.

Like many women’s lives we hide behind our beauty to cover up the tragic stories in our lives. Always hoping for our savior to come. With the couture industry almost a dieing art Galliano has come to save what we know as Paris Couture. In a époque of designer wanna bee’s couture has almost lost it’s edgy. It is word many modern day designers like ‘Juicy Couture’ add the word couture just to make it ‘Bling’. Dior is our redeemer and how classic for him with his appearance at the finale, swaggering down the runway in uniform as Colonel Pinkerton in "Madame Butterfly."

Reason to vist London!

http://stylescout.blogspot.com/index.html

THE STYLE SCOUT

THE STYLE SCOUT

Trendspotting Jan 07

For as look as I can remember I have had a love affair with fashion.
Now I am in Paris and many of my myspace friends dream of living in Paris, and dream of the pretty city. Many say Paris is the fashion capitol of the world. Since living here I beg to differ. I think Parisians have no style of their own at all. They are big copy cats, and just want to look like everyone else. No trend setters here! Only the clothes are made here, and it is the capital of many Luxury Brands. Now I want to break it down through my idea of Trend Spotting for January 2007.

London Calling

I have to say hands down London is leading a new revolution in Fashion. They have taken the New Urban throw back to the 80's look too new heights. The mix of De La Soul crossed with Kid and Play, mixed with Africa Bambatta look, with a touch of Eric B and Rakim gold. If you have not seen the VH1 special Hip Hop tributes you should cause this is were they got the inspiration. Erick Badu should move to London and join the revolution.

People like CassetePlay: http://www.myspace.com/cassetteplaya Are some of the trendsetter.
With girl pals the CoconutTwins especially The Real Kesh http://www.myspace.com/that_girl_kesshia

Not sure if they call themselves the CoconutTwins because one girl is darker then the other, but would love to know why.

Now to music: Hands down I think the new Brit's have started out to change the game. They have taken everything about Hip Hop and turned it into a new hybrid and given life back to urban music, and boy we needed It. I agree with Nas "Hip Hop is dead"I don't know about you, but I was getting a little tired of licking my lips, getting a weave and wearing barely clad outfits. Where is the style in it anyone can dress badly! The ladies are leading the Pack with M.I.A's http://www.myspace.com/mia mix of beats and inspiration, to Lady Sovereign getting signed by Def Jam! These ladies defiantly rock the MIC, and bring females on the MIC back to the days of Queen Latifiah and Mc Lyte. Last but not least I have to mention Ms. Lily Allen http://www.myspace.com/lilymusic
who I absolutely adore with her mix of ska, lovers rock, hip hop and anything cool. Now that is music finally!!!!! If I could ask her one question it would by about her style of course! I would ask if her style is her own or did she work with a stylist.


I cannot forget my boy Kim Jones http://www.myspace.com/kimnjones
who understands urban couture and is enabling the wild boys to dress well. Good luck with your New York show.

We also have to mention one of the best parties in London. If you haven't been you must and if you head to London you must. Big up to YoYo http://www.myspace.com/yoyouk
for continuing to deliver the Phat Beats to a lay-ed back crowd with regular people and where music industry types can chill together no drama!

This also would not be complete with out mentioning a few new comers coming of the London scene and you must check these females music. First is Ms. Rosita Lynch http://www.myspace.com/rositalynch
for bringing the soul back to British soul it is sad she had to go to LA to do it!, And this hot female MC Miskeena http://www.myspace.com/miskeena
talk about hard core! If I ever needed back up I would call her, and both ladies needed to really model and change the game!

I also have to mention my myspace girls Stacie http://www.myspace.com/stacielouise and Leila http://www.myspace.com/v4vintage, just because of their charm and ideas. These girls know everyone from London to New York,and London to LA.


All City Trendsetters Marking Moves

France
Eve The Rooky has a hard job a head of her, she is trying to change the game in Paris. Her dream is to open the doors and minds of French people. With new creative ideas for Public Relations. The Rest is a whole other blog!
http://www.myspace.com/evetherooky

Booba if you don't know google him, ladies save your thank yous for later. Check out his Uncut clothing line.
http://www.myspace.com/therealbooba92
http://www.myspace.com/booba92i
http://www.myspace.com/unkutwea

The Fab store Colette in Paris has gave birth to Ms Headbangirl check out her DJ Skills.
http://www.myspace.com/headbangirl

New York
What happend guys? I am a native New Yorker and lately nothing hot has come out of the streets of the city that never sleeps since hip hop. Yet many press on, the BK designer is so over, sorry. Where is the originality? Know one wants cut up vintage clothes re done, hello Imitation of Christ. Give me some fine tailoring something new. Yet I still have honorable mention when it comes to creativity and drive. As well New York still has the best parities.

Best new inventive style goes to the guys at Cliche for helping us get over wearing "Blood Demands" and wearing medallions that rep for mankind.
http://www.myspace.com/clicheallday

I have to give it up to the ladies that have taken over the night life. Thank god because the likes of one Bill Spector did not deserve it! Fuck you still Bill!

Big ups to Miss Saigon, Roxy Cotton Tail, and my love Kenny Kenny for letting me into clubs back in the day when I was only 14! Rock on Ladies!
http://www.myspace.com/djmisssaigon
http://www.myspace.com/oxycottontai
http://www.myspace.com/kennykennynyc

I also cannot forget JusSke you made it baby. I hope you thank all those models every night!
http://www.myspace.com/jusske

Movers and Shaker
I have to mention Fashion Indie they are helping to keep the fashion designer dream a live with hot tips, fashion shows and lots more. According to Suzy Menkes of the Herald Tribune we have reached the hardest error for the young creator, with out a big house to back you many will never make it. Yet I encourage you still to dream!
http://www.myspace.com/fashionindie


I could not leave New York with out introducing to those who don't know Mr. Livingroom Johnston this back in the day skater boy has really come into his own. He has brought the Pimp back home. He is a Harlem Renaissance man in a sense and put the pimp in back where it belongs. Even though he lives in brooklyn, oh lala "Quelle Class" A writer of prose and has ther true heart of an artist.
http://www.myspace.com/12921_liv
And Ms BiJules love her parties flyer's, vid clips, funny and she has style!
http://www.myspace.com/juleskim


Also can anyone explain the purpose behind Block Savy? Why would you want to be a member?

Amsterdam
Have to give hit up for the designer behind Ye$jewls she is a constant inspiration. and I think he London trend settrs copied her style! She has turned her passion for sneakers into a new cutting edge accessory line!
http://www.myspace.com/yesjew


Chicago Rising Star
I found a Trend my be popping up in The Windy City Zo lei I just love her page and wish her the best of luck with everything.
http://www.myspace.com/nkiszoe

Tokyo big up BAPE designer for the deal with Fendi. I want the next "it" Bag!


That's all for now I hope you enjoyed it! If I forgot anyone please sent me a post. If you know trendsetter in you town or city please nominate them. If you need trend spotting please ~I would be glad to help. Please check out all the myspace pages and learn something new.

Until next time please join our google group
fashion-dreams@goolgegroups.com
Check out my space
http://www.myspace.com/charlottefreckles

Cio