Back to the Future

You've seen all the catwalk shows, you've read the magazines, you've even spotted a trend or two on the high street... but you're still not clear on what 2008 holds for your wardrobe. Luckily, TFFF has gazed into its crystal ball (it's big and shiny and fabulous! -- we're thinking of having it set into platinum, wearing it on our ring finger, and pretending we're engaged to.. I dunno, someone fashionable), and possibly we also interviewed Dawn Pedersen, the Creative Director of trend-spotting company TRENDZINE, to let our readers know what the future holds...

The lovely Dawn was in Milan -- working on trends for S/S '09! -- at the time of the interview, so we're talking staccato keywords rather than in-depth answers, but we hope this helps in planning your shopping in this, the last year to end in an '08' in the first decade of this century.

Keywords for 2008

Transparency (lighter fabrics, look out for the new sheer cropped pants layered under dresses set to take over from leggings). Clean lines (split-level layering less decoration and more focus on fabric quality). New softer trousers (this season's jodhpur shape morphs into a softer ethnic pant for summer). Lux sportswear in fabulous fabrics for any occasion. Consumers will slowly edge out of 'it bag' mode and move towards other luxuries, i.e. expensive watches and jewellery will gain ground.

Length

Extremes will be the hottest news from daring cocktail shorts to midi and long length dresses.

Shape

The waist continues to be a focal point but generally clothes follow a slim straight silhouette.

Colour

Expect the unexpected; darker than usual in summer and pastels in winter. Mixtures of neutrals and flashes of brights.

Prints

Lots of floral patterns especially on lighter sheer fabrics. Fantasy style prints (take over from gothic symbols)

Fast versus Ethical Fashion

Fast fashion -- there's always room for fast fashion stores that supply cheap, trend-led clothing. The media attention surrounding eco-fashion was big last year and the interest should continue. Consumers are in the driving seat and will make the biggest difference. Designers mustn't rely on the 'Eco' tag and make design the primary consideration to attract more consumers.

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Don't forget to scroll down to my Heels.com post, where you can save 10% off shoes, exclusively to TFFF, until the end of January -- only 17 days left!

TFFF Interview: Rachel Clark

As much as we've tried to cover all aspects of the skinny model issue its difficult to know exactly what goes on behind the scenes. What is it really like for the girls in the industry and how are they affected? Before the holidays I had the opportunity to ask a few questions to Rachel Clark, a young model on the rise and one of the current faces of Louis Vuitton about the industry, its pressures and what its like to be a model nowadays.

TFFF: When did you first become interested in modeling? How did you get your start?

RACHEL: I wasn't very interested before I started (I was a complete geek tomboy, not a girlie girl), I just went on a whim for it after a hurricane came through and I lost my apartment and my job. I walked into an agency and they signed me on the spot in Miami basically. I lived a few hours from my agency in Florida so I didn't really have much of an opportunity to work while I was there. When I was shipped to New York last February I signed with Supreme who instantly put me smack-dab in the middle of fashion week and I've been in New York ever since.

TFFF: What is the relationship between an agency and a model in terms of health?

RACHEL: I know my agency maintains a very close and caring relationship with all their models. We depend on each other so it's always good to be aware and connected. From my experience, the agency is always on the ball and quick to schedule doctor's appointments for the girls' immediately as things arise because it is important for us to be in good health and to handle medical issues as soon as possible ensures our fluid schedules. I've been scheduled appointments on the spot for a wide range of things, from wisdom teeth to anxiety and even ear aches from frequent flying.

TFFF: Have you ever felt any personal pressure to lose weight from anyone within the industry?

RACHEL: Never. Not once. I have a crazy fast metabolism though and an inability to gain weight so I have to eat constantly to keep weight on which has landed me a notorious rep for eating obnoxious amounts of terrible food with ALL of my agencies. The drivers in foreign countries always gave me a hard time with my constant McDonalds and KFC runs in between shows. Sometimes they would even have it waiting for me when I'd come out from a show. Heck, the head of MDC (Models.com) even refers to me as mayo queen which is just too cute to let go.

TFFF: How do you keep a positive and healthy outlook?

RACHEL: Well I don't really have anything bringing it down in the first place -besides the occasional guy on the street who yells "eat a sandwich" Of course I reply "make it." You have to be able to take criticism and know how to let it roll off you. Understanding and having a lot of patience for negatively inflicting people while knowing and being comfortable with yourself and even being able to laugh at yourself now and then works wonders.



TFFF: Do you feel the media has blown issues regarding model weight out of proportion?

RACHEL: I'd sooner believe people are more influenced by the likes of well known celebrities blaring extreme weight loss across the gossip mags and tabloids if anything. I don't know a single 10 year old girl who knows any runway models but they sure as heck know the names of certain party happy "It" girls in Hollywood. Claiming that people are suffering the influences of such vague concepts as "all those skinny runway models" or fashion in general is really just another media scapegoat for those who can't accept responsibility for their own personal decisions they've allowed themselves to be victimized by.

From a medical standpoint, an eating disorder is considered a mental disorder in one form or another. In most cases they're coupled with addictive personalities, depression, anxiety, and even subtle hints of masochistic tendencies. For the imbalanced factors that aren't genetic, one could go to a psychiatrist who would have a field day trying to pin point which subconscious deep seeded issues provoke the behavior and mindset of a person who suffers from such disorders. I've yet to hear of a diagnosis that blamed a magazine for a disorder that requires such a cocktail of imbalances.

TFFF: Do you think regulations would be helpful or harmful for models?

RACHEL: Well it depends on the purpose of the regulations. The issue divides here for a lot of people. Some feel controversy and concern over the health of the models, others are concerned about the influence the image generates. If it's to get rid of the image of skinny models then it would be harmful to the employment status of all those skinny models, that's a given.

For health, of course there should be a healthy model regulation (who on earth wants sick models?) but health is not truly defined by how thin a girl looks so it would be difficult to enforce. It would be discrimination if a girl who appeared too thin was in perfect health and was barred from working. Statistically there will be a few women out of however so many who suffer from an eating disorder, I do not doubt that a few of those women happen to be models and the statistic of them being so could increase for those who are not well taken care of. The family and friends of the deceased models who were found to suffer from eating disorders claimed they knew of their next-to-nothing eating habits and yet did nothing to intervene or help. Common sense and awareness from their agencies or anyone who observed such behavior could have saved them, their families, and prevented the waves of controversy and finger pointing from staining what many of us would have as honest work.

TFFF: What shows are you looking forward to for F/W?

RACHEL Are you kidding? All I'm looking forward to right now is Christmas break!

TFFF Interview: Lisa of Lee Lee's Valise

Awhile ago I had the absolute pleasure of speaking to Lisa, the owner and creative force behind Lee Lee's Valise, the incredible Brooklyn plus-size boutique. Lisa's effervescent personality and hard work have helped changed the landscape of downtown / Brooklyn shopping. Boutique shopping is hard enough as is but presents special challenges for plus sized girls - if you think finding sizes is hard try walking into the average NYC boutique where the largest offered size is often a six. Fortunately for us new stores like Lee Lee's offer a haven of fun, fashionable shopping in a pleasant and atmospheric environment.


A peak inside the absolutely gorgeous Lee Lee's Valise, plus sized boutique in Carrol Gardens Brooklyn. Lisa showing off one of the many cute outfits there.

TFFF: How did you get your start in retail?

My retail experience was just shopping! My background was originally in illustration and graphic design - thats where I got my logo. This just needed to be done - I found my purpose on earth. I could use all my experiences positive and negative to figure out whats right.

TFFF: What made you want to do an on site store instead of a web store?

Reason for this store is because I could not shop in my own neighborhood. I didn't have that pleasure of walking into a store and finding something so I wanted to create it. I knew I wasn't alone and that it could make people happy.

TFFF: Why did you feel it was important to have services like on-site alterations?

You want that polished look and that's what does it. You may need a little pinch on the shoulder or a nip here and there - there is always something you can do to make your clothes better. What's been happening a lot though is that the designers that I carry only design for plus sizes. Before you just had to take things and fix them - they weren't made for you they were just the smaller sizes graded up. Now were getting big patterns - you're having a size 12 or 14 fit model.


TFFF: What make's Lee Lee's Valaise special?

A lot of thought was put into every detail. There is a whole feeling - everyone is acknowledged from the moment they walk in to the moment they leave with that gorgeous Euro bag over their shoulders. No one just sneaks in. Its comfortable here - its not a pretentious place. In a way I'm welcoming you into my home. From the way its decorated, to the general atmosphere. I wanted that warm feeling community feeling like in the old school Italian immigrant boutiques where the owners knew all their clients by name.

Some of these women are used to being ignored - I wanted to make it so that I'm not ignoring you. In here you're special.

TFFF: What has the reaction been thus far?

I have had women who come in here who cant spin on their heels fast enough the second they see a size - its like they think they're going to catch a disease. But for every one of those there are 30 happy people. That number to me is much more important - there's so many happy people here and if they can't deal with that its fine.

People have been coming from all over - the Bronx, Upper East Side, Jersey, Astoria - they come here after work and then take the train home when they're done shopping! And the best thing is that I'm trying to create a community here. You don't just walk in and out - we take your email address and send information about upcoming events and the customer service is very personal. I know every item in the store personally and I've mixed and matched them myself so I'm always ready to help. I want it to be fun and exciting why should shopping for a plus sized girl be a chore?

TFFF: What does the future hold for Lee Lee's Valise?

In September I'm going to start carrying some juniors clothes for back to school. I'm also looking into shoes. I want to find great wide width shoes and the best wide calf boots for fall. I would love to be able to bring some bridal clothes here too. Shopping for weddings can be nightmarish.

I'm looking to expand but within this area because I have to be there. So far I've worked here every single day since the store opened. I just feel the need to be here. Maybe that makes me a control freak but because I know all the clothes here I feel its important. So I'd like to super duper concentrate in this location for the time being.

Lee Lee's Valise is located at 368 Court Street Brooklyn, NY 11231. I don't think I could really reccommend this store more - there are unique on site services like the aforementioned alterations. Every plus sized designer you've ever heard of is stocked from Tadashi, Igigi, Kiyonna, Svoboda to Elena Miro and Anna Scholz its all there. Every neighborhood should have a store like this. And Lisa is truly a joy to talk to so makes sure to say hello once you step inside. Upcoming events include the Fall Anna Shoulz Trunk Show and I know everyone is itching to see those gorgeous styles up close and personal.

And click here for a nice 10% off coupon. Can't beat that with a stick.