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This week the word 'MOD' isn't referring to any retro fashion style, it's about 'MoD...Models Of Diversity.'
Models Of Diversity is a non profit organization based out of London that advocates for the recognition of men and women of all colors, shapes, ethnicity's & abilities. They even sponsor modeling workshops for individuals with disabilities which is way cool! They strive to fight against inequality and have a zero tolerance for the 'size 0' mentality that more often than not is the status quo mind set of the fashion world.
How often do we really see a true representation of anyone? Magazines airbrush and crop and in real life catwalk models have to be stick figure thin to even get a gig! 'MoD' holds firm to the concept that 'not everyone is model potential' in the sense that the individual still has to have marketability, however, they reject the ideas of today's 'norm' that include a narrow range in regards to age, race, etc...
Angel Sinclair, founder of 'Models Of Diversity' is herself a former model who began campaigning for model equality because she was appalled by what she was witnessing in regards to the way people were being treated if they didn't fit the mold. Although, I am all for this movement, from a realistic perspective I cannot foresee that there are going to be any size 20 models hired by Dior or Chanel to strut the catwalk anytime in the near future. The sad truth is we are a 'look oriented' society people! And it's only getting worse! How many girls and women these days have issues relating to 'not being happy with themselves' in regards to their appearance? How many have eating disorders because of it?
When you can listen to the news and hear of eight year olds undergoing plastic surgery in an attempt to counteract bullying you can pretty much assume that the idea of 100% equality on any level is pretty much a mute point!
As long as the media keeps exploiting the idea of 'perfection'...there will never be 'equality'!
pics: thumbs.dreamstime.com, fionasboots.com, prlog.org, womenstudiesjmu.wikispaces,com, benbarry.fils.wordpress.com
The Saturday Spotlight's is on Kim Kardashian and we are shining the light bright on her unflattering fashion fail as she was recently photographed filming her reality show in West Hollywood. I don't know which of the many Kardashian related shows it was because this Kardashian truly is hard to 'keep up with'...but nonetheless, she was seen wearing a belted, cream colored, stretch silk harem jumpsuit from designer Catherine Malandrino that she paired with a colorful clutch by Balenciaga and Givenchy booties. I give a two thumbs up to her exquisite choice of accessories, but there is so much wrong going on with this shapeless bunchy looking one piece that it doesn't really make a difference. It's no secret that Kim Kardashian has a curvy figure (i.e. baby got back) and with that being said, it would be in her favor if she chose more figure enhancing styles. When you are 'hippy' so to speak, the last thing you want to do is wear something loose and baggy which in turn will give the illusion of extra weightiness. There is nothing wrong with being voluptuous, however it's a huge misconception by most women that wearing bigger, looser clothes will make you appear smaller when actually, it's quite the opposite...
pics: www.myfashionpower.com
When you think of movies that inspire fashion, how can you not think of Carrie, Miranda, Sam & Charlotte, the wonderful witty women of Sex And The City? Oh, and let's not forget the 'fashions' which have been said to have a character spot status of their own! The first episode of the popular HBO hit series was aired on June 6th 1998 and was based partly on Candace Bushnells' novels of the same name. Her books were compiled from articles she had written for the New York Observer and she admits that her main character, Carrie Bradshaw a.k.a. Sarah Jessica Parker, is in fact her alter ego.
Each character had her own unique flair. Carrie was uptown chic and fearless with her fashion choices pairing thrift store vinrage with haute' couture. Charlotte was reserved, cutesy and feminine and was all about matching her bag with her shoes. Miranda gave rise to corporate chic and women's tailored suits and last but certainly not least the bold and bawdy Samantha exuded sex appeal and confidence to the max with her dare to bare flair!
This show gave a quirky yet realistic insight into the way women perceive men, relationships, fashion and everything in between however, as much as I enjoyed the entertainment, I could never get past the far fetched concept of how Carrie Bradshaw was able to live in New York City on a newspaper columnist's budget while all at the same time being able to party at A-list clubs every night and have money left over to buy haute' couture?
The most intriguing part of the series is that each week, the ladies of 'Sex And The City' gave us a glimpse of the diversity that each of us has inside ourselves... The prude, the free spirit, the goal oriented career woman and the bodacious bad girl!
Which one are you?...as for me, I'll never tell ;)
pics: wallpapergate.com, filmcritic.com, blogs.tr.com
The queen of second hand clothing and owner of 'Shareen Vintage' located in both New York and Los Angeles, is soon going to be featured on the Discovery Channel's spin off Planet Green's new reality show 'Dresscue Me'. The show is set to run for eight weeks beginning on April 19th at 10:30 p.m.
Each week, 'Dresscue Me' will follow the self taught vintage fashion maven on her quest to change women's lives forever by connecting them to style. The show will also get up close and personal into the behind the scenes of the vintage fashion business. Before there was ever a 'Shareen Vintage', Shareen Mitchell was a self proclaimed jack of all trades and did whatever she had to in order to make ends meet. This included everything from cleaning houses to babysitting round the clock for neighbors. She even tried her hand at being a thespian for awhile, and has a lengthy resume on IMDB as a bit part actress on quite a few t.v. series. In 2003 she decided to go into vintage retail and began her search for rare clothing finds as her passion for fashion grew. She opened her shop Shareen's Vintage in a warehouse in downtown L.A. and set it up like a home with furniture which rendered a comfy vibe to the aesthetics. A lack of dressing rooms is the reason she put a 'No Boys Allowed' sign in the front shop window...
In Shareen's vintage warehouse there are no two pieces alike and the really good stuff is said to get ripped from the racks rather quickly. Everyone wants first dibs on her one of a kind gems! She hand picks each new 'old' piece and brings it back to life by cleaning, steaming, mending and sometimes altering to bring each find up to par with current trends. I was really surprised after visiting her website online at www.shareenvintage.com to see that even given her cult status as vintage fashionista extraordinaire, her goods that range from the 1920's to the 1990's are extremely affordable!
Being proprietors of vintage couture, all of us here at Retro Threadz are looking forward to the first episode of 'Dresscue Me'! Make sure you check it out!
: planetgreen.discovery.com , stylecheckupla.com , thedelicatedish.wordpress.com
There's no denying that Lady GaGa is beyond no holds barred wild and crazy as far as her fashions and performances go, but get this...she's currently claiming that she didn't write her latest song 'Born This Way', because it was actually channeled through to her by one of her very good friends, the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen. She even went as far to comment in the interview with Harper's Bazaar that McQueen who took his own life a year ago last February planned the whole thing right after he died. GaGa also stated that she thinks it to be more than a coincidence that her label released the hit on the one year anniversary of his passing and that it truly confirms her belief that he was working through her.
In the same interview with Harper's Bazaar when asked about her new look (i.e. facial horns and shoulder bumps) since she debuted the song 'Born This Way', she went on to say..."They are not prosthetics, they are my bones...I have been waiting for the right time to reveal to the universe who I truly am."
Seriously people...isn't this stunt even a bit much for the extrovert extremist GaGa or has she finally gone goo goo with her antics? Either way, this totally trumps the time when Detroit born pop icon Madonna suddenly woke up one morning with foreign accent syndrome!
glamourmagazine.co.uk
Get your true grit on this Spring because vintage inspired, Western Navajo accessories such as sandals and wide brimmed fedoras are taking the reins! Embroidered leather totes, basket weave sandals and turquoise jewelry... It's all about the bohemian rustic vibe as we roll into the dog days of Summer...
Ralph Lauren's Spring 2011 collection showcased the wild west with a modern American prairies feel to his pieces that included giant belt buckles, suede choker necklaces and Navajo rug tote bags.
Fendi, Chloe & Emilio Pucci are in on the action this Spring strumming up some colorful Native American style shoes and hand bag...
I am truly fond of the vintage old West style, however I don't think of this fashion trend in terms of Summer wear because it doesn't have that light and airy appeal to me, but I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of this trend for Fall 2011.
styleist.com , thelookstore.com , petite.about.com
Since it's 'MOD Monday' thought we'd have a groovy little flash back and rap a bit about Peggy Moffit. Peggy was a California native born in 1939 who was known best for her unique look when she came on the fashion scene in the 60's, after initially pursuing a career in acting. She became a fave of the late German designer Rudi Gernreich and as soon as she became one of his models, her personal signature style was born. The Peggy Moffit look was all about false eyelashes & overly dramatic heavy eye makeup. Her one of a kind, asymmetrical hairstyle created for her by Vidal Sassoon became known as the 'five point' and at the time, was being duplicated by stylists the world over...
Gernreich and Moffitt became a scandalous duo when Gernreich designed the infamous 'topless bikini' dubbed the 'monokini' and Moffitt was photographed in it shortly thereafter! This bold fashion statement on Moffit's part pushed her to model star status being that she was pretty ballsy and one of few that would go that far at that time.
Gernreich and Moffitt's relationship as designer and muse evolved to that of business partners as it wasn't soon after the monokini shoot she was collaborating with him on styles.
They maintained their formidable partnership well up until Gernreich passed in 1985 at which time she held the trademark to his label name and designs. In 99' she allowed his vintage designs to be put on display in an art exhibition & within the same year she released a book chornicaling them.
In 2003, Peggy Moffitt released her own line which was a series of tee's with her image on them but hasn't produced much since...nontheless, I give this 'MOD Mama' mad props for maintaining longevity in the unforgiving world of fashion! On the flip side however, after seeing a recent photo of her with Raquel Welch at the Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills Fashion Show, I think she's traveling in some kind of time warp and in need of a serious 60's addiction intervention because seriously...I cannot believe she's held onto that do, that makeup and those lashes for over forty years! It totally worked for her then...but um yeah...not so much now!
makeupbeat.com , sixtiescity.com , members.tripod.com , fashionindie.com , fiftiesweb.com , 1.bp.blogspot.com , zimbio.com , quietes-vous.net
