Gossip Girl: Beth Ditto In Nylon

Our girl Beth Ditto has got 8 pages in this month's Nylon, outlining what fashion means to her, the Gossip's plans for the future and how fame has changed her life. While I am not a fan of the no eyebrows look on Beth - or anyone of that matter - I think the pictures are quite fierce. Got to love that custom Jeremy Scott dress - very Beth if you ask me.





Do you love it? Or are roadway sign dresses and glitter leggings not your thing?

Color by Technicolor: Wearing Springs Neons

I don't know about anyone else but I'm all about color right now. Not just color but the brightest most saturated brights in existence. Weeks of bronchitis and all things drab have left me eager for the full Crayola box selection. Since it is spring - and the stores are full of the latest in almost florescent color - its the perfect time to explore all that is bright and punchy. Of course we know that color this vivid can be a bit tricky so we have a little guide to navigating the dos and donts of bright colors.


Bold Color at Jil Sander, Sonia Rykiel and Marc by Marc Jacobs

1. Keep It Simple: Neon colors pack a punch all by themselves so one can keep the patterns to a minimum. Too much pattern and color could wind up looking too loud - or worse yet too 80s if done wrong. There is a fine line between looking chic and looking like an extra from a Duran Duran video. If you absolutely must go you're going to go for a pattern make sure its balanced - the right mix of neutral and bold. You might even want to try one of the numerous Balenciaga inspired floral patterns that abound this season.

2. Adjusting the Levels: There is bright and then there is BRIGHT. Neon can be very harsh so its important to pick the right shades to flatter your skintone. In general the warmer toned brights are more universally flattering - instead of an acid yellow go for a sunnier shade. Its important to always consult a mirror before wearing bright colors because the undertones in your skin play such a role in which shades will work best.

3. Balance: Head to toe neon is best left for fashion editorials and raves. Balance out your brights with subtler colors. Neutrals are great for this but don't be afraid to experiment with unexpected color combinations. Look at how well the pale pink and bright orange combo works at Jil Sander - sometimes a pastel or muted color can work just as well as a neutral.

4. Be Fearless: Fashion magazines are filled with crap about how black is slimming and blah blah wear dark colors if you aren't size 0. Forget all that garbage. Its spring - no one wants to be dressed like they're on the way to a funeral. Color is an incredible way to stand out in a crowd - however if you do feel shy about wearing such bright colors try a bright handbag or shoes instead.


Yellow Belted Mac - Evans, Black Straight Leg Jeans - Old Navy, Green Suede Bag - Derek Lam (in stores only), Yellow & Beige Pumps - L.A.M.B., Oversized Sunglasses - Tom Ford, Andy Warhol Union Square Fragrance - Bond No. 9

Now I've put together a little outfit with a lot of color that I think shows off a wearable version of this trend. We've got a great little top from Evans, in the perfect lemon yellow shade paired with classic black jeans from Old Navy. I think this combo is just great for spring and very easy to wear. For added interest we've got an equally juicy combo of accessories - amazing colorblocked pumps from L.A.M.B. (their shoes are consistently offbeat quirky) and an apple green suede bag from Derek Lam. Notice that the top and shoes are yellow but the bag is green - you don't want to do all one color its good to have a bit of difference to mix things up. Top it all off with a pair of over the top Tom Ford sunglasses and a spritz of Bond No. 9's latest pop art fragrance and you're good to go.

Will you be wearing bright colors this spring or are you planning on skipping this trend? I've already started up on it to be honest and I don't plan on stopping until the weather cools down.

La Belle Americane

Every so often there is an editorial that just gets under your skin - something that stands out in your memory as being completely flawless in its execution. La Belle Americane is one such edit for me. Shot for Vogue Paris by Patrick Demarchelier and styled by Carine Roitfeld, it really doesn't get much better in terms of creative talent. Add to this the fact that it showcases Ms. Crystal Renn, looking fierce in the hottest designer looks and you've got a recipe for perfection. If there were a high fashion plus sized monthly (and lets cross our fingers that one day there is) I would hope that this is what some of the content would look like. Until then I have my old issues of Vogue Paris and a big dream.


Thanks to Kasper & West Mags from tFS for the scans

Food for thought : I feel like I've seen more plus sized models in Vogue Paris per capita than I've ever seen in US Vogue with the noted exception of the shape issue and even then... Anyone else notice this? Whenever I can find a great edit featuring a plus model I'll post for inspiration but I feel as though (at least based on what I've seen) the majority of these pictures are in European magazines as opposed to American ones.

Will Success Spoil Beth Ditto?

Its hard to keep up with Beth Ditto this month. She's moved from rockin' musician to full fledged fashion icon with an editorial in the Fall/Winter issue of cutting edge British glossy Pop and an interview in the September edition of Vogue Paris, arguably the single most important fashion magazine in existence.

The Size Hero edit in Pop, styled by Katie Grand and shot by Steven Klein is as artistic and eye catching as the magazine's typical fare and features a glammed up Beth cavorting with male model Blake in the seasons choice outfits. Many specially made for Ditto just for the shoot - glamorous clothing yes but its a bit disheartening to know that the average girl will never have a shot at any of these things. I wouldn't mind a Hussien Chalayan dress in my closet, thats for sure.

The Vogue Paris interview contains a couple of very beautiful snaps and what appears to be a profile focused mainly on The Gossip's success. Though with my rather appalling command of the french language I could be entirely wrong. Eternal gratitude to anyone who can provide accurate translation.

It seems as though Beth is becoming more and more known, not just for her band but also for her status as a plus sized woman in an industry that isn't particularly known for his celebration of difference. I can't help but wonder whether the fashion press truly embraces her or if they are merely latching on to her seemingly endless cache of cool. Magazine's like Pop and Vogue Paris are known for being cutting edge so seeing Beth within their pages isn't as much of a shock but as Beth becomes more well known and ultimately more mainstream does the impact of her message get diluted? Is it less about plus sized girls and more about Beth Ditto, Rock Star?

How do you feel about the fashion world's current love affair with Beth?




Thanks to Dieselmax at tFS for scanning the lovely preview of Pop's editorial

Ashley Graham by Brian Boulos

I stumbled upon these fantastic beauty portraits of Ashley Graham by Brian Boulos on Flickr. Now we all know that Ashley is gorgeous but these pictures are amazing - she's really just got the perfect face for makeup. I was especially impressed when I went to Boulous' official site and found out that not only has he shot many of the other gorgeous plus models from Ford but he's only a mere 22 years old! Amazing. Please check out his work there or at this Flickr where he has loads of other lovely shots of plus size models. I really love his photographs, he's got a great use of light and color - not to mention his taste in models.

Crystal Renn & Hilary Rhoda in Vogue's Shape Issue

Before I launch into my full fledged critique of Vogue's annual Shape Issue I want to share this lovely editorial featuring two of my favorite models: one straight sized one plus. Crystal Renn and Hilary Rhoda are both gorgeous girls, who bear something of a resemblance with their matching Brooke Shield's eyebrows and classic features. In this editorial they both look stunning and healthy. Yes Hilary is a thin girl but she lacks the emaciated and vacant look of some of her peers, I don't look at her arms and wince. Crystal is amazing as always and it would appear that Vogue has not airbrushed off any of her natural beauty look at how statuesques and lush she looks in that black and white number.

Lovely images aside (and you can always count on Steven Meisel for that) I do have my qualms. I'm not exactly fond of some of the little descriptions on the sides wherein Hilary's lithe frame is described in glowing terms while Crystal's ravishing curves are something that needs to be "controlled" but all in all I appreciate this editorial. Granted, the visual style is typical Vogue fair and the styling is a bit contrived but something has to be said about the small positive changes going on at the worlds most influential fashion magazine. I seeing pictures of a girl who isn't tiny in full on Perhaps its it doesn't seem significant as the Shape issue always has its token plus model but just last month we got our first plus sized cover girl so I can't help but feel a little optimistic about the future. I most certainly plan on writing a letter to the powers that be about this edit.


Special thanks to Faith_Akiyama for the scans!

Crystal Renn in Harpers Bazaar

It appears our girl Crystal has landed the cover of Harpers Bazaar Russia! This is a huge thing as I don't think I have seen a plus sized model on the cover of a major international fashion magazine since Sophie Dahl way back when. To think I was just bemoaning Harper's Bazaar US's endless stream of dull celebrity covers on The Fashion Spot. Glenda Bailey and co. should take a Iesson from their Russian counterparts. I think this cover is stunning. I love that fierce look in her eyes. That is what we call attitude ladies and gentlemen!!



I am currently on the look out for a magazine shop carrying this treasure in New York so I can share the editorial with everyone but enjoy the cover and a stunning editorial with Crystal shot by the reknowned Ellen Von Unwerth for Above Magazine.



I love this edit because its a straight size model and a plus model together and its not shown as being abnormal or somehow astonishing. Its not "OMG! Look she is thin! OMG! She ISNT!", its "Look at these two gorgeous girls in Gaultier." I'd love to see more of that in fashion.