Category: Fashion

Kristen Stewart: Fallible But Futureproof

Posted on by Kelly Welles

Kristen Stewart. Shows a promising disrespect for convention. Image via Gf/Bauer Griffin.

She plays the central character in a movie franchise that has changed the face of cinema, but is almost universally hated. She dates, and has been publicly vilified for cheating on, an actor who is repeatedly heralded as the most desirable male in the world today. She can rock the red carpet with the best of them, but given half a chance she’ll be accessorising her look with battered Converse instead of  designer heels. She has a healthy understanding of satire (see above).

All this at 22-years-old.

How Kristen Stewart has held onto her sanity, dignity and sense of humour in the last few years, I have no clue. But I will say this. In twenty-odd years, when Twilight is but a blot on her ouvre and her status as a feminist icon is unquestionable, remember where you read it first.

Fournié & FEMEN: Women With Their Weapons

Posted on by Kelly Welles

Left, a design from Julien Fournié’s collection at the launch of Singapore Fashion Week. Right, a FEMEN press shot. Images: Chris McGrath/Getty Images AsiaPac, facebook. 

FEMEN have been accused of many things, but being the inspiration behind a piece in a haute couture collection has, so far, not been one of them.

Given designer Julien Fournié’s bio, we should have seen it coming. The guy is a pot of poster paint away from a full blown feminist protest.

More on FEMEN: Exposing The Sanctity Of Marriage, You Can’t See Tits On The Radio, Provocative Enough For Pussy Riot?

Dressed To Impress: Activism With A Sartorial Edge

Posted on by Kelly Welles

In case you’ve been looking for me, my support of the FEMEN movement, the Free Pussy Riot campaign and the government & corporate accountability that the existence of Wikileaks provides, now dictates I can only leave the house dressed like this.

It might look peculiar, but I can assure you I’ve worn more ridiculous outfits out in public. I’m confident I can pull it off.

PETA vs. Lady Gaga: Let Them Eat Lettuce

Posted on by Kelly Welles

Dam Hong Loan takes on the carnivores (and garden pests) in Hanoi this morning. Brave girl. Images: HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/GettyImages.

You can see where she got the idea. And given Lady Gaga’s recent indecision regarding the ethical rights and wrongs of wearing fur, Dam Hong Loan’s PETA protest against animal cruelty was beautifully timed.

One wonders how she’s going to deal with the inevitable slug issue, though. At least Gaga had a team of slaves available to swat at her meat dress before the blowflies settled in. It’s conceivable she has salted the shit out of those lettuce leaves, but when you consider the issues at stake here, leaving a trail of gasping, melting slugs in her wake probably isn’t the most politically sensitive move.

It’s an ethical dilemma, and no mistake.

Take a second to check PETA out. They do great work. 

Lady Gaga & The Furry Flip Flop Of Doom

Posted on by Kelly Welles

That’s a real dog. Not a handbag. Although at this point, it would pay to be cautious. Image via tumblr.

Anti-fur campaigner Lady Gaga:

 I really loved that one in particular because I thought it was a commentary on not wearing fur, ’cause I hate fur and I don’t wear fur.

November 27, 2009

PETA baiter Lady Gaga:

For those press and such who are writing about whether or not my fur is actually real, please don’t forget to credit the designer HERMES. Thank You!

August 13, 2012

Make up your mind, luv. Inconsistency is where it all went wrong for Madonna, y’know.

Olympic Observations: Loose Ends & Legends

Posted on by Kelly Welles

“You’re the wires guy, right?” Boris assumes security has been heightened in light of his last adventure. Image: SEAN DEMPSEY/AFP/GettyImages.

It’s all over, people, and you can now expect the UK to drift back into the familiar territory of self-hatred and celebrity lovin’ superciliousness we know and the Daily Mail loves.

Let’s just have one more round-up to remember it by, shall we?

Continue reading “Olympic Observations: Loose Ends & Legends” →

Fashion Fail: It’s Like They Don’t Want Us To Feel Better

Posted on by Kelly Welles

Image:  Chris McGrath/Getty Images.

Research conducted by model agency founder Ben Barry suggests that if fashion used models reflecting a more realistic, less idealistic view of women, more of them would be more inclined to purchase their clothing.

I was so pleased when I read this. As one of a new breed of feminists content to complain about the status quo but not actually do anything about it, I was hoping fashion designers would eventually realise we’re not all 6ft tall, size zero creatures who can subsist quite comfortably on a diet of lettuce and nicotine. Surely, when this news broke, fashionistas would immediately dump those ethereal, inadequacy-perpetuating creatures and start throwing ‘real’ women down those catwalks: the ‘just need to shed that last 7lbs and I’d be perfect’ women, who fight a daily battle with chocolate donuts, and will definitely to make it to the gym later today, pinkie swear.

Like Ben Barry’s research says, more people would buy the clothes. We could all eat more cake. The designers would make an even bigger fortune. Have a huge presence.

No losers there.

Continue reading “Fashion Fail: It’s Like They Don’t Want Us To Feel Better” →

Agent Provocateur: “Unlikely To Cause Major Offence” Unfortunately

Posted on by Kelly Welles

I get that this is, as Agent Provocateur have stated in defence of their latest advertising campaign, is an homage to the Hammer horror movies of the 50’s & 60’s.

I also understand and accept that fashion, by it’s very definition, challenges and pushes the boundaries between eroticism and art, both in it’s construction and presentation.

But haven’t we challenged our boundary of tolerance towards implied violence towards women and their sexuality enough? Dragging what is essentially soft porn without a pay-off into the mainstream just doesn’t seem to be doing it for me anymore.

I guess the Advertising Standards Authority disagree.

Marc Jacobs: The Humbert Humbert Of The Fashion World, Apparently

Posted on by Kelly Welles

Is this advertisement for designer Marc Jacobs fragrance ‘Oh Lola’ sexually provocative? The British Advertising Standards Authority have banned the ad after complaints from the public stated that it’s imagery turned the model (actress Dakota Fanning) into a sex object.

One day, the rest of the media will figure out what the fashion industry have known and exploited for years. You can’t buy the kind of publicity a ban gives you for free.

Altogether now… DUH!!