Model.Live episode 8 recap

This episode was a bit heartbreaking for me because neither Austria nor Madeline book any shows in Milan after going to more than 30 castings. Austria notices that "no one seems to like people of colour here." Breaks the heart. Her managers tell her that it's unfortunately true, but that they hope it will change in a couple of seasons. Austria looks disturbed and upset. Poor girl.
Austria's manager even gets a call from a casting agent saying that she "doesn't look her best." How do you tell that to a 16 (or is she 14?)-year-old girl? The industry can be really harsh.
Meanwhile Madeline thinks she isn't getting booked because she has short hair and thinks that Milan Fashion Week is all about long, luxurious hair à la Versace. She's right of course.

But Cato does very well, booking Cavalli, D&G and the mother of all shows, Prada. I expected that because she has the typical blond, blue-eye look that all casting agents are going for these days.

Next week: Paris!

Starry night on Jimmy Choo bag

It's called the Jimmy Choo "Sky" bag, and I'm in love. Love the slouch, the luscious leather on the sides and...those stars! Ohhhh starry niiiiiiight! Oh wait. I'm thinking of "Oh, Holy Night." Nevermind. Would love to carry this to L'Oréal Fashion Week. Stars are cuter than studs now.
I was never interested in Jimmy Choo bags because I thought they looked too generic but now I have to start looking them up and see if I've missed any goodies.

Sasha Baron Cohen storms Milan runway

Sasha Baron Cohen caused a panic when he leap on the runway at the Agatha Ruiz de la Prada show in Milan. Apparently he was playing his character Bruno for his new movie Bruno: Delicious Journeys Through America for the Purpose of Making Heterosexual Male.

Can you imagine what the pandemonium it would have caused had this been a huge show like Prada or Gucci? I would love to see Anna Wintour's horrified face.

I love what he's wearing: a mixture of MK Olsen and disowned royal. And look at the expression on his face! Zoolander! God, this guy has guts. Fashion Week definitely needs some humour in it.

He looks like the evil queen in Snow White. I die for that cape.

Update: Now with video!



(Photo: Getty Images, Reuters)

COME WITH ME!

26 Sep.: Victoria & Albert Friday Late special Fashion Photography, London
27 Sep. - 5 Oct. : Prêt-à-Porter Fashion Week, Paris
9-11 Oct.: Warsaw
15-19 Oct.: Iceland Airwaves, Reykjavik
19-21 Oct: Stockholm
22 Oct.: New Weekday opening, Gothenburg
23 Oct: Topshop opening, Warsaw

LONDON - on the street, soho, 09/25/08

The Duchess costumes

I just finished reading the biography about Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire, who died in the early 1800s. The movie doesn't seem to be anything like the book but that's ok because the costumes make up for it. In the book, Georgiana is portrayed is being a major influence on English politics; this was during the time of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette so there was a lot of political turmoil, revolution and war. Georgiana was also seen as the most fashionable woman in English society. She set all the trends; when she wore her hair up high with feathers, every woman copied her. The book also talks about her relationship with her husband, the Duke, and their ménage-à-trois with Georgiana's best friend, Bess. The movie producers and promoters are hoping that viewers will relate Georgiana to her great-great-great (a lot more greats) niece, the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Certainly there are a few similarities between the two women such as their love of being in the public eye, their love of fashion and the fact that their husbands weren't faithful. But that's where the similarities end.

I am excited to see the movie mostly because I love period pieces and the costumes. I expect similarities in dress to Marie Antoinette, the movie with Kirsten Dunst, as they are from the same time periods. Georgiana wasn't a royal but she did dress with a lot of flair in magnificent gowns.

Check out photo stills from the movie


I'm not an advocate for fur but I love those fox tails on her hat. I wish women wore fabulous hats like that in Toronto. Nobody wears majestic hats anymore. I'm tired of toques and berets.







This dress does not look comfortable at all. I can't imagine what a pain it was trying to walk around, get in and out of carriages, sit on the toilet, etc. in these restrictive frocks.


Was Georgiana the first woman who embraced androgynous dressing?

More Valentino: The Last Emperor

A couple days ago I posted a clip for the movie Valentino: The Last Emperor with his adorable pugs. There are two more clips that I'm excited to share with you.
One of the clips features a funny moment between Valentino and his business partner (and former lover) Giancarlo Giammetti. They are arguing playfully about where they met; both insist that they met at a different location. It really feels like you are a fly on the Parisian wall watching these two.
Enjoy!