Stylish Thought

Givenchy, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Chanel Haute Couture Shows

Couture is the crown jewel in the tiara of fashion. It’s the piece de resistance, the nail in the veritable branding coffin. Haute couture shows the craftmanship behind a house, the creativity brewing within and the free-flowing of new ideas. But it also comes with hefty price tags and most pieces never see the light of day. In our near crumbling economy, does couture have a well-heeled leg to stand on or is it as outdated as last season’s latex leggings?

In her 2000 book The End of Fashion: How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever Teri Agins spelled the death of couture and fashion as we know it. While couture has yet to go katput, Agins predictions were not totally unjustified. In this day and age, the need for a “haute couture” custom-fitted gown or suit has been nearly eliminated, besides the ones who can afford a 50,000 dollar custom-made dress are outside of the norm.

The couture shows are happening at the moment and it makes me wonder, beside the pomp and circumstance and beautiful eye candy, what is the point of these shows and will couture survive? Admist of financial meltdowns, haute couture seems frivolous and in downright bad taste. However, while parading the world’s most expensive dresses seems counter-productive it is the way of fashion to keep going when everything else seems to fall around it.

Christian Lacroix, Elie Saab, Anne Valerie Hash, Dominique Sirop

And it is this precise reason that the couture shows must go on. While it’s been a bloodbath for new designers and fashion upstarts, with store and company closings, haute couture has survived for more than 150 years when Englishman Charles Fredrick Worth created its first gowns. It is the luxury of couture that pushes the fashion of the masses to continue and inspires the simple luxury that we can experience in our own world.

Sure, you and I may never be able to afford a couture dress, but the ideas trickle down to the masses and what’s shown on the couture runways in Paris inspire the fashion that you and I can actually afford. Yes, couture is totally frivolous and unnecessary, so are many things in fashion and the world. But do I think that the current state of the world will put an end to its tradition, no. Do I think that couturiers and ateliers should take in account current affairs when presenting collections, of course.

In the meantime, I am enjoying the collections from century old fashion houses and young ateliers alike. What do you think of haute couture?

These have been circulating in the blogshphere and with good reason. Alexander McQueen for Target is the next designer/retailer collaboration and one I’m salivating over. Every piece is covetable, particularly the black jumpsuit, belted trench and studded denim jacket. Amazing there’s a Target opening across the street from my apartment, so I’ll be in McQueen heaven come March, when the collection is due to hit stores.

What are your thoughts on Alexander McQueen for Target?

Creatively and mentally this has been a piss poor week for your girl Ms. Thought.

Over-Medication: I’m playing catch up this week due to a full week of raging fevers, stuffy noses and whooping coughs. Me and the love interest were both infected with what can only be described as the plague. Expecting a full recovery sometime this week. I don’t wish this hell on my worst enemy and I’ll spare you the pictures.

Happy Birthday to You: Speaking of the Love Interest, it was his birthday yesterday. We spent it shopping, eating (two of our favorite things) and sick together; the stuff memories are made of.

Road-Tripping: Despite being heinously sick, we managed to get out and go to the outlet shops in Limerick, PA (where we saw these smokestacks that can’t possibly be good for the air). They were a complete bust (more on that later) but the trip was a welcomed escape. And we came up on a Goodwill store, where I pillaged a $5 black and white, wool single-breasted jacket, with red lining in tact. Score!

New Hair, New Coat: I finally got a winter coat. Yes, I know I’m pretty late, but winter coat shopping is always so uninspiring to me. But I happened upon this teal blue Jessica Simpson quilted coat and was in love. Remember I told you about my love of Lady Gaga and she’s my hair-inspiration at the moment (her and all the other long-haired, bang girls out there)

An doldrum week made bearable by my love and looking forward to a better week.

How was your weekend? Did anything eventful happen?

It’s 30 below outside, snow is accumulating and hell hath frozen over literally. Unless your a big, hairy bear or born in Alaska, you’re fantasizing about warmer climates and sun-filled evenings. Look outside, this isn’t it. I can barely pull myself out of bed and clothing, well right now it’s top priority is to keep me warm, which explains my lack of WIW postings (sorry). This blows!

If you’re feeling the “winter blues” to it could potentially be something more than just the blues. Seasonal Affective Disorder or “SAD” is a diagnosed condition in which your mood changes with the changing of the seasons. Winter brings on lack of energy, increasing sleep, craving sweets and depression. Before you go stir crazy or ape shit or any manner of insane here are some fun and not so fun ways to rid yourself of a case of the SADs or avoid it all together.

Let there be Light!

A S.A.D. approved method of improving your mood is Bright Light Therapy. The waves in ultra-bright light mimic natural sunlight which can improve your symptoms. While natural sunlight is preferred, light boxes can provide up to 10,000 luminance.

Get Outta There!

Though you want to be holed up in the comfort of home, it’s counter-productive and can make your blues worse. Getting out into fresh air and natural sun will improve your mood and disposition. Plus exercise helps to keep adernaline pumping and relieves stress.

Be a Party Animal!

Ok, so don’t binge drink or do lines of coke, but have some fun! Plan outings with friends and family that are guaranteed to get you laughing and enjoying yourself. You’ll have a good time while taking your mind off of being tired or sad.

Embrace Winter, it’s Not Going Anywhere

Before you can rid yourself of the blues or SAD, you have to recognize that winter and it’s misfortune are here to stay. When you acknowledge that winter is a time for rebirth and reflection, your attitude towards the season won’t be so grim and neither will your reaction to it.

Suggested Reading:

Beating Winter Blues
Natural Ways to Beat SAD

How are you beating the “winter blues’?

Michelle Obama is my Big Sister, real rap. She’s older, more studious and our mother’s pet. She’s got straight A’s and she’s who I look up to, in addition to giving me the sisterly advice about boys and booze. She’s pretty much perfect, except for one thing; I got all the fashion sense.

Ok, so she’s not my real big sister, but in my head she is and that’s all that matters. While Mrs. O is the picture of womanly perfection, she’s smart as a whip and looks like she’s got a vicious temper that will get with you, but her fashion sense is, bland, simplistic. She thrives on casual elegance and J.Crew cardigans and there’s nothing wrong with that. What else do we expect from our First Lady: Gareth Pugh?

Her fashion choices for the Inauguration were exactly that; simple and elegant, but nothing to rave over. For the swearing-in ceremony she chose a pale yellow coat and matching sheath by Cuban-born designer Isabel Toledo. At the Luncheon she removed the jacket to reveal a yellow cardigan and she wore green leather gloves by J.Crew and matching sensible heels.

Toledo grew up in New Jersey and attended Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design where she developed her flair of pattern cutting and garment construction. She is married to sculptor Ruben Toledo, who is also her muse. She recently received The Couture Council Artistry of Fashion Award (2008).

For the Neighborhood Ball, (and the millions of other balls they attended that evening) Michelle chose Jason Wu, 26-year old designer. Wu debuted his collection in 2006 and has since gone on to have his line carried at carried at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Ikram, Nordstrom and many more. He has interned with Narciso Rodriguez and in July 2008 he was named one of the finalists in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.

It was a beautiful gown and the asymmetrical strap worked well with her toned shoulders. The cream was a rich color against her skin, but something was just off about it for me. I think I wanted more with the hair and makeup. It was again a simple choice for what is a simplistic woman. She didn’t need a lot of fuss and the Wu dress provided the right amount of glamor without overpowering her.

While some were looking for more retro glamor or cutting edge, Mrs. O managed to look poised and very First-Lady-essque. My big sister can do no wrong; it was like that growing up and not much as changed. She looked stunning and ready to lead the country alongside her dapper man.

What are your thoughts on Michelle Obama’s inauguration style?

*** I’m not an expert, I just play one on T.V.***

I am a fashion drag queen relating to bright colors, layering and added accessories. And although these fashion preferences saturate my wardrobe that isn’t problem. I am uber-indulged in accessories and I love the embellishments but I often go overbroad with them. I work in a relaxed environment and have some leg-room to experiment with my clothes. But since I have gained some weight, I haven’t been able to fit my actual clothing and do overboard with accessories to compensate. How do I style my clothing, keeping it tame while still showing personal style and hiding my weight gain?

– Dense Drag Queen

Hello my Mass Embellished Mamacita,

Whew, that’s quite a conundrum all rolled into quite a simple solution. First, I think it’s quite hilarious that you call yourself a drag queen. At times I think I’m a bit draq-esque with my penchant for bells and whistles and love of the over the topness of fashion. But I’ve learned that Draq Queens with all their adornment are FABULOUS and flamboyant and there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking style inspiration from Rupaul, Amanda Lepore or any of the many ferosh divas out there.

With that said, the major thing that stuck out to me in your question was your weight gain. At times we all have insecurities with our bodies and dressing our shape becomes problematic. To that I say, it’s not the clothes that need to change, it’s our attitude about ourselves that does. If you’re feeling insecure about your body, this is the time to over-indulge in the other things that make you feel better (not food). You’re feeling insecure one day, well don that fur coat or mass of bracelets that makes you feel like a million bucks. Before long, when you’re doing things that make the inside feel good, the outside will catch up.

Additionally, it’s a new year and another opportunity to change the things that we find fault in. If weight gain is your issue, then this is the time to join a gym, take a yoga class or go for that jog. When you’re treating your body right your spirit feels good.

Don’t let your “weight gain” ruin your love of fashion. Let it serve as an excuse to buy things that fit your amazing new physique. Your accessories or over-accessorizing can be tempered. The old rule is “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take off one item.” This will help you temper your over-indulgence while still maintaining your style.

It seems to me, Queen, that you already possess the personal style and chutzpah to pull off your love of bright colors, layering and accessories. And what needs to catch up is your love of yourself (and body) at the moment. Look in the mirror each day and tell yourself that you are beautiful no matter what size. Do something positive and healthy for your body and eventually those ill feelings will banish. And in the immortal words of one fierce Drag Queen, “You betta WERK!”

Your friend in Tranny Fiercness,