Archive for February, 2010
Is Fashion Week becoming less diverse?
Feb 22nd
New York's Fashion week for 2010, featuring mostly fall looks, features less ethnically diverse casts of models than in previous words. Are we in the fashion world backpedaling? Why are designers, who set the standards for beauty across the word using exclusively, or a majority all white cast when choosing models for their designs?
This is not exactly a new trend. Magazines have been cited as another prime culprit of lack of racial diversity in the fashion world. Fashion print shots, and the highest paid models are predominantly white. Are minorities being intentionally excluded from the fashion world, or is this just an oversight on the part of the designers (or a tendency to keep a consistent look among models?)
Intentional or not, there are hard figures to support the idea that the fashion industry has a predominantly white face, especially in North America and Europe. During New York's fashion week of 2010, a full 85% of all models cast were white. The next largest majority were Black models, at only 8%. Asians created the next segment, at 6%, with Latinas at 1%, and other or mixed races barely even on the register. The result is a hugely skewed model of the lack of diversity within the fashion world.
Some designers, such as A Detacher, Alice + Olivia, and Preen had no models of color at all. The rest used very few ethnically diverse casts. Some designers used only one non-Caucasian model, including brands like Calvin Klein and Diesel.
There have definitely been efforts in the past to reform the fashion industry. From everything from regulating BMI and trying to reduce cases of Anorexia in Models, to fighting the whitewashing of the industry, some fashion activists are trying to make themselves heard.
Perhaps activists are being actively ignored. In 2007, there was a full 20% non-Caucasion modeling cast at New York fashion week. Designers have even started speaking out against models that are bigger than the sample size (0). Is there a war going on between designers, and people who work in the fashion industry? In the effort to find the ideal from to show clothing, have fashion designers stepped over the line?
We'd love to hear your comments. What do you think about the overwhelming majority of white women in the modeling world? What can we do to bring in some diversity? How can we convince designers that we're tired of seeing the same old unattainable looks?
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Alexander McQueen commits suicide at age 40
Feb 11th
Yves St. Laurent, Isabella Blow, Bettie Page, and now Alexander McQueen. The fashion world is slowly losing some of its biggest names. Alexander (First name Lee) McQueen was discovered today in his London West End home by authorities.
McQueen was found hanged in his flat, though at this time, authorities are not regarding the death as suspicious, and will not confirm a suicide. All this, just weeks before fashion week.
He had recently suffered some personal losses, such as the death of a close friend in 2007, and he lost his mother only a week and a half ago.
McQueen is best known for his work at Givenchy, where he was the chief designer from 1996 to 2001. He is one of the most well known, and respected designers in the world, with four awards as British Designer of the year, and multiple international awards.
Recently, Alexander McQueen came into the spotlight more in America, when Lady Gaga dressed in head to toe McQueen for her "Bad Romance" video. Only the most innovative and exciting designers feature in Gaga's world. He has also designed for singer Rhianna, and Prince Charles.
Tributes to McQueen are pouring in from all over the world via social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. He will certainly be missed at this year's fashion week shows around the world.
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Lingerie for preteens? Has Noah Cyrus lost her mind?
Feb 5th
Even without a celebrity family, it would be shocking for a young girl to be interested in developing lingerie with her best friend. Comfy pajamas are one thing, but the looks the young Noah Cyrus has planned are a far cry from footed pajamas and teddy bears.
Noah's no stranger to controversy. Last Halloween, she was seen in a few questionable outfits as costumes. Patent knee high boots, and fishnets really have no place on a nine year old, but she was seen in two such outfits during the holiday when most girls her age are dressing up like princesses or butterflies.
You have to wonder who thought this kind of fashion move was a good idea. Is it just bad PR on the side of the Cyrus agents? Or is it indicative of questionable parenting skills? Even worse , is it deliberately exploitive? Are her parents knowingly using the controversy for buzz?
It's one thing to let a child wear whatever she wants around the house. As a child gymnast, I spent a lot of time running around in leotards and tights. But my parents didn't let me out in public like that, and I certainly knew the difference between appropriate clothing, and stuff that was for playing around in only. I certainly didn’t do a pole dance with all my friends to songs like "Smack That" as Naoh was seen doing last year.
What kind of fashion trends is this behavior setting for pre-teens? Will fishnets for kindergarteners be considered appropriate in 5-10 years? I am not sure if I should be more disturbed by the fact that the parents think this is appropriate, or the fact that Noah herself believes that it is. We can't expect a child to understand the connotations of her fashion choices – that's why it's up to parents to teach children what is not appropriate until they're old enough to know the reasons why.
I can only hope that as Noah ages, she's a little embarrassed of this kind of behavior. If she's got the usual celebrity need for attention, maybe she'll find more constructive ways to get it – like developing some kind of talent for acting, singing, or just doing charity work for people who are also lacking an education.
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