Editor Overload.

For seasons now, the biggest story in fashion has been the rise of editor chic. The thin, monied, females whose job it is to present the trends have steadily become the biggest trend, and now seem to be the only trend. They are dutifully stalked outside of fashion shows by photobloggers, Japanese tourists, and fervent fans. Their outfits are dissected and subjected to a special sort of rabid taxonomy. But, there is something about the photo below that gives me a twinge of hope that we'll soon be on to the next big thing.

Carine Roitfeld and Giovanna Battaglia at the Armani Prive show.

Editors have become ultra revered for their sophisticated, cool-isn't-even-the-word style. And this makes sense since they always look like they've gotten dressed with divine guidance from the fashion gods; but then, why wouldn't they? Their decks are stacked. Many of the editors on the mastheads of magazines are the progeny of old wealth. Many of them have arrived at the Conde Nast buildings of the world on the shoulders of their thick-pocketed forefathers who have been specifically cultured to do, have, and appear the best. No, I'm not saying that their fortunate financial state is an immediate cause for disqualification in the contest for fair fashion idolatry--this isn't a matter of envy (well, not completely), but I want some underdogs. If you live, breathe, eat, sleep, trade and dress in nothing but high fashion, you are going to look highly fashionable. You may even look phenomenally fashionable (hello Carine, Giovanna, Anna Dello Russo) but anything less would be a gross misuse of given natural resources. I'm hungry again for folks who make their aesthetic out of scraps and heaps of ambition. Out of dollar finds and craft supplies. I just feel like the editor-as-ultimate stylecon is a bit self-referential and congratulatory. They make the trends, they see the styles in sketch form, they know what's next not because it's coming directly from their desirous creativity, but because it is their job to know. I guess I'm looking for something a little less French cuffed and a little more off the cuff; a little less perfect and a lot more passionate. I don't even know what that would look like, but I'll keep my eyes peeled and let you know when I see it. You do the same.

Are Pigs Flying?

Tommy Ton of Jak and Jil Blog (see below post) caught Carine Roitfeld in a preppy "outfit".

WHA?! The queen of black, slick, sexiness is donning pinstripes and kahki? Carine, are you ok? Do you wanna talk about it? I know Anna's had quite a year, but it doesn't mean you've lost your edge of cool on her. Really, if you want to talk, I'm here for you. Just, don't go into any more Old Navy stores alone. Please.

Mark Wahlberg Should Talk to Fashionable Yetis.

I love this pic of Carine Roitfeld and Cecilia Dean backstage at the Marc Jacobs show:

I kind of imagine them preening each other's coats like two fastidious and super-fashionable yeti creatures just before the cameras arrived. I absolutely mean that in the most inoffensive way imaginable. If these two were fictional wild creatures, I would be a tunnel-digging mole. Actually, this picture makes me think that former Calvin Klein pants-dropper Mark "Marky Mark" Wahlberg should talk to a new breed of animals next time he makes an appearance on SNL. Remember this?



Oh man, I still love that! I would die to see Mark have a talk with the most fashionable Yeti creatures this side of...wherever Yetis may come from. "Marky Mark Talks To Fashion Creatures!"

Ok, maybe I'm not over my FWO (see below post). This may be the weirdest post I've ever written. No offense Carine, and Cecila. It's not you, it's me.

Photo from The New York Times

On Lak Down

Indian model Lakshmi Menon is bringing her Bangalore beauty to the mainstream. Fresh from recent ad campaigns for Hermes and Givenchy, Menon had a busy Spring show season, marching the runway for Sonia Rykiel, Stella McCartney, and Vera Wang among others. The recent October issue of French Vogue made good use of the model's angular, tough girl features by casting her in an opulent hip-hop themed editorial shoot styled by Madame Carine Roitfeld herself.

While her exposure is increasing, Lakshmi's no beginner. She's been modeling for over six years and already sees right through the fickle business. Her aspirations are more financial than fame-based. She admits she's posing for the handsome salary and fully intends to leave modeling for a more meaningful career in the future. For now, enjoy the view.

Click images above to view their source.

I want shoulder pads?!

I'm obsessed with the below photos of Ms. Carine Roitfeld, the editor-in-chief of French Vogue and the legendary stylist behind Tom Ford's erotically charged rise to fame at the house of Gucci. While Ford seems hell-bent on raising his cheese factor to heart clogging levels (nude shower scenes in Out Magazine?? His own sultry stare selling his perfume line a la' J.Lo??) Madame Roitfeld's still got it.

She is absolutely rocking shoulder pads. Tailored, pointy, elegant even; they are razor sharp and cutting edge. And, am I wrong or is she also working a black satin arm sling in a way that makes it look like some cool, strange fabric accessory that may help you to heal if you just so happened to break a bone? That is one prepared fashionista.