runway | Hold the Glamour

April 11, 2014

And the weight debate continues…

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia wrapped up yesterday after a five-day event in Sydney and once again the weight debate of models hits front page news.

Jackie Frank, the editor/publisher of Marie Claire spoke out against the weight of some of the models used in this weeks fashion show, now dubbed “The Hunger Games”. One model in particular was in designer, Alex Perry’s show.

The model in question came down the runway looking unhealthily rail thin in one of Perry’s gowns.

Sydney – Models walk the runway at the Alex Perry show. Photo: Getty Images.

Frank spoke out publicly at her shock and even called the models agent, hoping they would help her get healthy and to do something about her rail-thin appearance.

Alex Perry apologised for the slip-up and for his “serious lapse of judgement from my part that I actually let that happen”.

This is what needs to happen NOW:
1. Designers need to INCREASE their sample sizes
2. DON’T book models who are too skinny and look unhealthy

That’s where it starts. From there, the models don’t have the pressure to starve themselves to fit in to the samples the designers create. From there, you get healthy, happy models who actually look beautiful.

I personally love shape, form and curves in general and the supermodels of the 1980’s are my favourite women of the modeling era. They were healthy, gorgeous and they worked non-stop, sending positive body image messages to young girls like myself, who wanted to be just like them.

What kind of message is the image above sending society that include so many young and impressionable girls? That it’s okay and acceptable? I applaud Frank that she spoke out with such gusto — well done to you Jackie!

More has to be done and immediately. Let the designers take the lead by taking the pressure off models and what size they are. There is nothing sexier than a woman with curves and flesh! That’s what I want to see on the runways of the world.

Let’s not forget a picture is worth a thousand words.

L.
xoxo

July 18, 2013

Never take it for granted

I just returned from a shoot in San Francisco. I love this US city and there is something special and different about San Fran from most other places I visit.

San Francisco – Just landed and heading directly to my fitting

You can blindfold me before getting off an aircraft and I just know whether I’m on the east or west coast of America. On the west coast, the skies are bluer and clearer (or so they seem) — there is a feeling of space, clarity and nature. I love the difference between the coasts.

San Francisco – The skies are blue and vast

As my plane was descending and about to land, I looked outside my window and saw the Asiana Airlines Flight 214 that crashed upon landing, lying on the runway, only days before my arrival.

I was shocked to see it, seeing the plane in real life — what made headlines all over the world for days on end was now staring up at me as I flew over it.

It was so surreal and strange as I stared out the window. I was reminded how precious life is and how blessed I feel with the all the traveling I do.

San Francisco Airport

To all those involved and affected by this horrible tragedy, my thoughts and condolences go out to you. I am deeply sorry.

September 5, 2012

Fashion darlink!

Over the weekend I flew from New York to Sydney. It was a good flight, as long as a 27-hour, door-to-door travel experience goes. It’s a long way people however, worth it at both ends of the journey. I truly believe the more you do it, the more familiar the process becomes therefore, the easier or more bearable the trip becomes. I’ve been making this journey four times a year for almost 11 years. It adds up quickly.

This week, New York Fashion Week commences and simultaneously, Melbourne Spring Fashion week has been making a colourful splash. It is a fashion explosion of fabric, hair, make-up, accessories, music, flashes, people, celebrity and poses.

Already, there are trends for both the northern and southern hemispheres emerging. Colour that is bright, bold and even neon in palette is everywhere. Denim is back and beautiful. Some of my favourite colours include cobalt, teal and coral. Not to forget florals, lace, metallics, prints and the forever favourite of black are hot, hot, hot no matter where your plane is landing.

Speaking of cobalt, I was walking along 23rd Street last week in New York when I looked up and saw at least six people in front of me wearing hues of cobalt. I stared in wonder, laughed and struggled to get my phone out of my bag to take a photo. I was crossing 6th Avenue so it wasn’t particularly safe and sensible of me. As I reached the other side of 6th Ave, half of my cobalt people walked down the subway steps whilst the others continued along 23rd. My photo-op was over. It was a great, random vision of colour.

A that moment, I was reminded what a fashion trend was. When people embrace something that is being sold to them and run with it on mass – no matter what it is. It is a trend. It is fashion.

So get ready as the world of fashion darlink prepares to unleash its power of persuasion and wonder. Stirring up a need inside us to buy, buy, buy. A must have if you will!

What are some of your favourite pieces or trends that are coming off the runways?

What do you simply oppose?

Do you have any predictions to share?