WHILE-U-WAIT

Mael Model

This is actually Discotheque Confusion's debut Male model post, and what an appropriate name he has for this occassion, don't you agree?

Now Male models aren't my thing in the eye candy department, (Not a fan of the meterosexual look) but male model Mael Dalla Zuana is be-a-utiful!

Nearly as nice as his name. This picture sees him walking the Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 07 show.

I'm thinking the presence of Male models on the blog would be welcomed? It adds so much more variety, yes.

And I really think that male models are overshadowed by all the big female supermodels. While we're on the subject, what do you think of model couples? I'm of the opinion that they're rather boring. Too pretty pretty. It would be so refreshing to see a male model step out, smitten, with a woman who caused everyone to think and mutter "Uhhh, why her?" Teresa posted about male model Sean Opry last week, who is apparently one half of a model couple with Diana Moldovan.
Questionable other halves are so much more interesting. Eg, Brittany and Hubby...

Guess Who

I'm guessing this is Ms Roitfeld giving Wintour the finger after their little spat.
All I have to say is, Carine and Mario, you are geniuses!*

Check out Susie Bubbles article (click on the title for the link) Just shows to show that Paris Vogue is the one to be embraced.
And can someone please get Townsend and Newhouse (you know, the Conde Nast dudes) to give her the boot. Mind you, they're hardly likely to have enough fashion common sense to fill Moss's bra, and thats saying something.




A Moss Matter

And speaking of being given the finger, has anyone noticed a teeny absense of Kate Moss overexposure from their magazine pages?

Because she is no longer starring in the Burberry or Calvin Klein Jeans ads. It seems that when you let yourself go, others will too!
Although shes still filling up our pages. Longchamp, Cavalli, Versace? She's still hanging in there.

*but we knew that all ready, right?

PS, Hang in there for that Winter 2007 collections post! It's cooking up.

Very Big Crisis

She may have a habit of killing off the goodies, but this doesn't mean that the death of one of the best Spring 07 pieces should be taken any more lightly.

I'm thinking that Jack and Lazaro need to have a serious re-jig of their PR team and find out who it is who let this happen? Proenza Schouler is for the quirky girls, who take risks and go edgy, not for matchy-matchys who rely on their Christian Louboutins to make their outfits "acceptable".

At least Chloe can chuckle at this matter of schadenfraude, safely in the knowledge that her specs trumped VB's mere attempt.
Next.



When Summers Over

And onto cuter matters. I wanted to say something about Rachel Bilson and applaud her outfit that incorporates high waisted, flared jeans whilst steering clear of either the "mommy" or fashion victim connotations.

She's a natural (or at least Nicole Chavez is) at all things subtle (right down to her lovelife) and she is undoubtedly aware of what compliments her look.

Rachel keeps things casual with the jacket, and I like the fact that despite the heavy looking fabric it doesn't take away from the rest of the outfit. The detail around the collar adds interest too.

Anyone else feeling a sudden pang of missing Summer?

Fun for all the Family could be true

In the past two posts, I have delved into territory that usually, I would avoid. "Fun-for-all-the-Family" entertainment in the form of Harry Potter and The Simpsons just isn't very cool. Well, Harpers Bazaar* have quite possibly changed my mind.. The fashion magazine has injected some genius humour into their stuffy pages. How funny are Velma and whatshername, chainsmoking under Viktor and Rolf's controversial lighting dresses?

I would have expected something as genius as this to have come from POP!, but Harpers Bazaar?* Getting Groening to etch your editorial is one smart move, and even more so when there is The Simpsons movie to market to the fashion crowd. So what happens when the 1st (yellow) take a trip to Paris with, you guessed it, Linda Evangelista as their tourguide? Dude, I had Liya Kebede showing me the sights of Bilbao.. Yes it gets better... run ins with Karl, dress up with Donatella and runwy prep with Viktor and Rolf. Jealous, me?

Is COOL still cool?

The KEDS campaigns still seem to be going strong. As much as I like them, I still haven't been convinced that the granny daps are something that I would want to be seen in..

But as cheesy as they are, I'm still a sucker for a bit of "Cool Is..." even if the phrase may have been overplayed a little now? How many seasons worth of these campaigns has I flipped through in Teen Vogue, I wonder? Thoughts? Bored or Brilliant?

Short But Sweet

MK looked as teeny and fabulous as ever when she turned up to the Weeds press conference. Not sure who she is wearing, but I'm sniffing a bit of vintage? She's always fantastic at accessorising too, in my opinion. Steering away from the mathcy-matchy ala Paris.

Not at all believing those rumours of Sibling Rivalry that I read in Grazia last week? Apparently Ashley disaproves of MK's relationship with Max Snow (who by the bay is Uma Thurman's cousin!)

I say what.everrrrr.

*Thanks Mrs Fashion for the correction. The Simpsons ed is in Harpers Bazaar, not Tatler as I said. I always get these two posh ladyyy glossies mixed up! Personally I never read them myself, so thats probably why!...

Round Up

So back from my two week trip, and the joys of Tivo/Sky+ style TV, magazine subscriptions (the new Vogue is actually rather good), gossip websites and of course blogs, means that I am very glad to be back and within reach of adequate technology.

But I had a very nice time, thank you very much!

So first things first- I really never thought that I would write about an actor from Harry Potter, but it's kind of topical, no? I always enjoy keeping an eye on the wardrobe of an actress who istouring the globe with a new film. Miss Watson is particularly inriguing, and not just because we have all watched her tranformation from a frizzy haired littl'un gracing the red carpet to a chanel-ed up young ladyyyy, but also because of those Chanel rumours...

(Surely she's not a new muse? What you think, Irina?)

And although I find her over emphasised posh ways a little nauseating at times, I would like to give a thumbs up to whoever has been responsable for dressing her. She doesn't look like an over oranged up, over sexually active little wannabe like other teen starlets (Jamie Lynn, anyone?) Her outfits have stayed true to her "posh girl" character without making her look like a victim of fashion-age confusion ala Kate Middleton.

Speaking of Posh. I would like to point out that I am acknowledging the Spice Girls reform. Thoughts, everyone? And I'm feeling a little bored already of the amount of pictures I've seen of my favourite Chavs settling into LA LA Land. And we've all seen those W pictures, surely. Uhhh, yeah. They're interesting.

Two pap shots that have caught my eye (I spent a lot of time yesterday working my way through the Popsugar archives from over the last 2 weeks) are of MK and Penelope both pulling off very different shirt dress looks to a Teeeee. And I would like everyone to give them a round of applause, purely for the fact that they didn't cinch their waists in Fendi style belts like VB probably would have done.

And last but not least, a nod of recognition to this anonymous ladeee, an attendee at the Karl Lagerfeld party for her fantastic dress, which no doubt, was only suitably viewed from one angle. Lets just hope she didn't do a Lindsay in the pants department! Shuddder

Thanks for all the comments, I've been slowly but surely checking out some of your latest posts, I feel like I've missed so much!

And will be shortly starting work on a Winter Trends post so keep your eyes peeled...

Hoorah! I am now coming to the end of my time in France, and tomorrow will move on to Bilbao. I have found going cold turkey (from blogging) very hard, so felt very excited when stumbled across a "Mediàtheque" with internet access in the little village of Montcuq, where I'm staying. So bare with me while I get the hand of this unknown keyboard set-up, and please also excuse the absense of pictures from this post, donùt let the length put you off!...
Thanks for all the comments you left for my last couple of posts- I look forward to having a better read of them when I return home on the 13th, as well as checking out some of your latest posts.

But onto some pressing matters...

Tourist Snobbery

Snobbery is a funny thing. And I meqn funny odd, not funny HA HA. At tines it is very unPC (though ironically it's easy to be snobby of snobs) but often, especiqlly during the holiday season, it is inevitable.
I'm talking about one kind of snobbery, and thats Tourist Snobbery.

The sight of a fellow English person in the french village where I have been staying, decked out in khaki man shorts, white ankle socks, a camera bag strapped across his waist and a bulshy, overloud voice made me squeal slightly with embarrasment.

I find that I'm conscious not to stand out as a foreigner because of sights like this, and the other day even found myself considering the pros and cons of wearing flip flops, and whether they would give away my "real identity".

But after a little consideration; I found myself a little ashamed by all of this. It seems incredibly pretentious and a little know it all to attenpt or pretend to be a local in a foreign country. Travelling is all about experiencing different cultures and learning new things, but this doesn't mean you need to embrqce a new foreign identity.

As somebody who takes an interest in style, I relish the thought of putting together a holiday wardrobe, but at the end of the day, it's surely all about being laid back and comfortable with your own and even your country's) sense of style.

Introduction: So today, I will board the ferry (dude, it's so much better for the carbon footprint!) to France, where I will spend my time over the next week or so until we drive down to Bilbao in Spain, where I have never been before! So yay. But this sadly means that I will be absent from blogging over the next two weeks which I am rather sad about.. This is the first time I have been absent from posting for such a long time. Ha.. So please make the most of this post and savour it! If you are still wanting more, check out some of the "olden" days posts. Ooh Circa September 2006!

Ooh, and for all you Brits, there are a lot of changes over the next couple of weeks, rather annoyingly whilst I'm away. Smoking ban and Gordon Brown are the main changes. So briefly, thoughts on our new leader? Personally I rather like Mr Brown, he seems reliable and "sturdy"-just what we need!
Anyway, to all of you who are hawwlidaying, have a great time, and I'll be back Friday 13th. Eee!
Right, and back to fashion...

Bored of Boombox

Most of my friends would probably agree that I'm somewhat a campaigner for individuality, a martyr even. So the fact that I'm feeling a little disillusioned with individualism, has sent me into a deep frenzy of worry.

It seems that since the launch of sites like dirtydirtydancing and facehunter, the dirty pretty things who come out to play at clubs like Wet Yourself and Boombox are able to showcase their fashion talents, and individuality. Thats fine. But it seems that even these unique dressers are looking a little same-y.

I'm tired of the sub-conscious uniform that seems to have been adopted. The lens-free "Little Miss Sunshine" style glasses, the pvc leggings, slogan tees (I heart NY included), the bow ties, neons, scenestar and platinum pixie haircuts, chunky oversize necklaces, and well, quite frankly oversize everything.

And what makes me even more sad is that this is a look that I used to like, and admire, but when the clubbers spend more time in the bathroom preening and brushing their blunt fringes and getting themselves camera ready, than actually enjoying themselves on the dancefloor, It makes me wonder if sites such as facehunter are just becoming a new media tool for the public to use to "market" themselves.
With all the reality television programmes we are exposed to, people are becoming very savy about knowing how to "brand" themselves, and for me, this just takes all of the fun out of fashion.

Of course, I can't say this is the motive for all of the clubbers, and fashion paps like
Yvan are simply interested in showcasing whats being worn (and I enjoy scrolling through the pages of blogs like this, very much), but I think this is when the superficicial nature of fashion really stands out.

Thou Shalt Do As I Say

Lists are always nice. And the same is the case for "how to guides" and the occasional rule. Dictatorships are not nice. But are on a drifty sunday afternoon when they are fashion related, and one needs a little focus, I have concluded that they are completely necessary.

Failed in your quest to be a supermodel? Learn how to be a make model instead!

Feeling disillusioned by religion? Follow a fashion bible instead.. [click on the Browns link below for more...]

Summer is a good time for reinvention, no? And surely, everyone's new years resolutions have failed? I didn't even have any for 2007 because its highly unlikely that in the dark months of winter, and the anti-climax of post christmas that people are going to be able to muster together any motivation to change diets, regimes, blahh. And thats why I think summer is the time to do this!

Take a cue from the JUST JR "50 Things To Change" list. [Jamie seems to have gone AWOL by the way, anyone know where he is?] He suggests:

"Add a playlist for your iPod"
"Read a classic novel"
"Become a geek"
"Become a Robot"
"Be totally unpredictable"
"Start swearing"
"Get yourself a muse"
"Read an encyclopedia."

who said resolutions can't be fun and a little naughty? My resolutions? Study my dictionary, secretly read trashy tabloids, floss, become a movie snob, become a liberal intellectual, resist fake tan...

The Rise of The Celebrity Stylist

The likes of Rachel Zoe have raised the profile of the celebrity stylist, and these days it's assumed that pretty much everyone in the spotlight, with a shred of common sense will have hired help in the wardrobe department. Even celebrities deemed as "Style Icons" have people behind the scenes organising a look for them. Is it fair that anybody with a big paycheck can buy themselves a name as a style icon? Everyone knows in her pre Rachel Zoe days, Nicole Richie's dress sense was.. questionable, and look at her now.

Stylists are now just as important, if not more, than publicists, so what would happen if a star's ultimate tool was taken away? Would Gwen Stefani still be assosiated with individuality and quirkiness? Or would she revert to a disguise of hide-behind shades and sweats?

Meet the teams of stylists behind the A list stars...

Estee Stanley has styled Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, and along with her partner Cristina Ehrlich, she now styles Nicole Richie, post Rachel Z.

Jessica Pasteur is a favourite of Kate Bosworth and Jessica Simpson. She has transformed Kate's look from preppy jean and polo combos and boring premiere looks in her Blue Crush days to showstopping dresses and casual-cool street looks.

Surely Scarlett Johansson would rather forget her Horse Whisperer days, and thanks to Anabell Tollman, she can. Annabell is behind Scarlett's 1950's sex siren trademark, which has catapaulted her into best dressed lists.

Many people love Rachel Bilson's cute style which mixes berets, flea market finds and Chanel handbags with up and coming designers like Brian Reyes. Her close friend Nicole Chavez is also her stylist.

Kate Hudson's boho look is her trademark and is still standing strong after the Sienna Era. Her stylist is Britt Bardo. Britt defended herself when questioned about the state of ex-client Britney Spear's wardrobe by saying "Don't blame me...I make her up and she just takes everything off and does her own thing!"

But has the raised profile of the stylist become a threat to the clients? We all know the reason Rachel Zoe and Nicole Richie parted on not so friendly terms..

Even celebrity hairstylists like James Brown and Kev Paves have made names for themselves. It seems that members of celebrity entourages are taking advantage of their bosses status. Is this OK?

7 Parts of Me

looks like the tagging frenzy is in full swing, and I'm not one to pass down the opportunity to talk about myself for a whole post. Thanks to Coco, Diana Bobar, Ashley Heaton, Fashion Food Culture Life, Jennifer and Memily Edd et al for tagging me. I'm assuming many of you will have been tagged already but mehh, knock yourselfs out Allure Fashion, Cool Like Chloe, The Dressing Room, Wife on Mars, Fashion Orgasm, Fabi, Mash. Oops..thats eight.

1. Carrie Bradshaw

Sex and The City the first time round was bedfore my bedtime, but working mt way though reruns and box sets is incredibly satisfying, and just as I am falling more and more in love with NY, it's the same for Carrie. Her bijous little appartment, funny spontaneous moments and her love affair with NY give me serious lifestyle envy! As a brit, I completely identify with her dry humour, and I always love checking out her fantastic accessories; the infamous Carrie earrings and necklace are perfect. This is more then just a girl crush!

2. NY and Paris

I am currently in the process of planning a trip to New York for next spring, and am also planning (thuogh whether this one will actually happen, time will only tell...) a weekend break in Paris at the end of the year. A cup of peppermint tea and a heap of lonely planet guides before bed is my perfect new sleeping (and perfect dream inducing) regime.
I may post more soon about these trips, in particular NY, so that you can give me some insider tips, as I know that a lot of you are big apple residents!

3. Music.

Fashion and Music are my babies. This is why I always stumble over the "would you rather" senses question (would you rather lose your eyesight or your hearing?..) Of late my Most played list on my iPod has consisted of (mostly french) europop in the form of Justice, Uffie, The Teenagers, Camille, Air. And whilst the Indie/ Electronica genre is my prefered, dabbling in old school hip hop and new school Justin Timberlake floats my boat, too.

4. Summer Holidays

I'm just coming up the the end of the first week of my summer holidays. No more compulsory education for me! I actually forgot how fun holidays are without the stress of offputting coursework looming everywhere. Mornings are now made of dragging the duvet onto the sofa for a day of Sky+ recordings and cat stroking. Which makes a fantastic change from my ex morning hell of itchy school uniform and baggy eyes.

5. Solo Cinema
I love going alone to the cinema. Many of my friends find it odd, but I love the spontinaity of being able to pop in to any film I like and I really appreciate being able to process the film afterwards without the opinions of another person, and taking my time wandering home, reflecting, afterwards. I always remember the scene in Sex and The City where Charlotte is shocked that Carrie went alone to the Little Paris cinema, but I totally identify with sitting alone surrounded by strangers, all experiencing the same thing in silence.

6. Kinder Bueno

Over the past month I have developed an addiction for Kinder Bueno. Thats what nervous snacking during revision breaks does for you. But not many people have an addiction that they actually want...

7. The Ideal Dinner Party...

In this day and age, it's hardly rare to have a mild obsession with celebrities... my ideal dinner party guests range from my style icons (you should know who they are!) to Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot to er...Andrew Marr.