I'm Back!!!!!

Well I took a bit of a break from blogging. For some reason it just got a bit overwhelming and I needed to step back and figure a few things out. I'm still going to review the fall collections; we'll take a little trip to the couture shows; and of course we will do our usual romp through the fall season.

It's funny. I love Paris in the fall. However, I love the collections that preview in March. I am more of a fall/winter dresser. Spring and summer are not bad. I just prefer the richness of the fabrics for fall and winter.

The reason I took a break was to watch "September Issue". I was in Bellevue when it came out and then when it was released it flew off of the shelves. I finally got a copy and I will say this, it did not disappoint. Do I have more empathy for Anna Wintour after seeing this documentary? Unfortunately no, I do not. To me she embodies everything that makes the industry unapproachable. To perpetuate everything that is negative about fashion saddens me.

For those who have not seen "September Issue" think back to "The Devil Wears Prada". Miranda Priestly was a caricature of Anna Wintour. To be fair, I do not know Ms. Wintour. Some who do know her say that her behavior is a shield and that she is actually shy. That may be. However, what is wrong with a bit of humility? What happend to treating people kindly and humanely? Why does she believe that she is single-handedly in charge of what I can buy, what I get to wear and even what I get to see?

If you are new to fashion go and invest in the latest issue of American Vogue. Then in contrast, grab the latest issue of Vogue Italia or French Vogue. The differences are amazing. American Vogue isn't really about fashion. It is about celebrity and advertisers. The European and Asian editions do have celebs and ads. But, by and large, they are about fashion.

American designers (and some European designers also) pay far too much attention to the musings of Anna Wintour. As a result if you wear even a size 8 in America, you'd hit the runways as a full-figured model. God help you if you wear a size 12. Then again, never mind that the most comon size for women in America is a 14. You are considered gi-hugic!!

After the obsession with being freakishly thin you move on to the obsession with youth. You hear them (the poeple in the industry) refer to it as being "fresh". What, you can't be 45 or even 60 and fresh? I see it in Paris every single day. Actual grown women who are stylish, fashionable and fresh.

The problem is that in America there is a fear and even an embarassment about aging. To me that is absurd. The alternative to aging is death. Which would you prefer? Give me as many trips around the sun as I can have. Each and every trip is a gift. My Aunt Mitte turns 100 on Tuesday, June 1st. Imagine the rich and wonderful stories she can tell. Just imagine the changes in the world, technology and society she has seen and lived through. So, if I have to get crows feet and laugh lines - - - bring them on!!! I want to be a member of the tribe for as long as I can.

Our goal at the Fashion Project is to let every woman know that she has the right to 'fashion'. Not only are we going to arm you with the tools to create your own style, we are going to keep reinforcing these ideas. Whether you are a size 2 or 22, whether you are 18 or 88, you count. You should be able to purchase beautiful stylish clothes that fit your lifestyle. You should be able to wear them proudly, no matter what!!

So, I am back in fighting form. J'ai revien ( I have returned).

Next post - - Balenciaga and Carolina Herrera? Also, if you have any requests for reviews of labels, post them in a comment. We'd love to comment on your favorite labels.

And before I go, my next post is going to explain the difference between couture and luxury labels. If one more person asks me if I am going to the couture shows in NYC I am going to scream. There would only be one show and it would have to be a collection by Ralph Rucci. He is the only couturier in America certified by La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture. I kid you not.

a la prochaine

Debra