Suffering for Fashion

Every day Jezebel runs a ragtrade post that just has various pieces of information from the fashion industry. Today I noticed a bullet about male model Ambrose Olson, which also included a link to a bullet from another post that detailed the number of model deaths over the past two years. I have included this information for your edification:

From Today:

Male model Ambrose Olson, 24, passed away last week. According to unconfirmed reports, he committed suicide by hanging. Olson, who was well-known for campaigns including Hugo Boss, Yves Saint Laurent, andArmani, is the fifth model to take his own life in less than two years. Additionally, in November, 2008, male model Randy Johnston died of a heroin overdose, apparently accidental

From April 26

Colombian model and celebrity Lina Marulanda has died, apparently by suicide. She jumped from the balcony of her sixth floor apartment. In November of last year, 20-year-old Korean model Daul Kim was found hanged in her boyfriend's apartment in Paris; in May, also in Paris, 28-year-old model andSpider-Man 3 actress Lucy Gordon was found dead, also by hanging. In November, 2008, 26-year-old Canadian model Hayley Kohle died after falling seven stories from the balcony of her agency-run apartment in Milan, and her death was ruled a suicide. So, too, was the June, 2008, death of 20-year-old Kazakh model Ruslana Korshunova, who was killed by the fall from her New York apartment's balcony. In February, 2008, former Yves Saint Laurent muse andFrance's Next Top Model host Katoucha Niane's body was fished out of the Seine. No foul play was suspected in her death. In addition, on the same day that Kohle died, American male model Randy Johnston was found dead of an accidental heroin overdose in London.

I am not familiar with all of these models' work except for Daul Kim (I have a link to her blog in my sidebar, and it is a very interesting read). I wonder whether if this series of model deaths could be labeled a trend, and what exactly is causing them. You could probably add Alexander McQueen to this list, in a way, since he committed suicide and was a well-known fashion designer.

Of course it is ironic that the beautiful, well-traveled, and (some of them) rich people of the fashion industry are taking their own lives. It rings too true of Richard Cory, the one and only poem I have memorized, about a rich man who takes his own life even though everybody in his town envies him. I have silly dreams and aspirations about being a model; after all, I might be America's Next Top Model's biggest fan and follower (that is a big claim to make but let's just run with it for the rest of the post). What other profession so readily funds you traveling the world, wearing fabulous clothing, and getting photographed while doing it? It is like career-porn for the young.

And then there is the other side. The side that results in accidental drug overdoses or purposeful suicides, the side where these faces that we encounter on the day to day are so meaningless to us that we no longer realize how lonely it must be to model. How hard it is to be looked at like cattle and criticized constantly. And underneath that, is there even the satisfaction of knowing that your work serves a greater purpose? I love models and modeling and I can't imagine a life without them, but isn't there the tiniest nugget of truth about the fact that modeling is an inherently selfish profession? Is it possible to save a life by wearing a Valentino dress or are you just perpetuating an industry that promotes rigid beauty standards, gender norms, and industrialized capitalism?

It is a terrible shame that all of these models are taking their lives. And obviously each death is unique: unique because every person is different, unique because the reasons why it happened are individual to each person who died. But these deaths, they should be analyzed, and used as a starting point for serious change in the fashion industry. Not a dedication of an episode of a reality show to Tyra's favorite designer (photo below).

Life has been getting in the way lately

Life has been all up in my junk lately and I haven't has as much time to write on the blog. I recommend you check out my tumblr if you're dying to see my internet activity. It mainly consists of fashion images I find interesting and other internet detritus.

In other news, I found this Runaways video the other day and thought I would share it purely on the basis of Cherie Curie's silver jumpsuit. Oh yeah, be still my heart!

Heidi Montag's Plastic Surgery

Listen, I know, I KNOW. I know I'm coming to the boat late on this one. But yesterday Jezebel posted a gossip item about Ol' Plastic Bag Montag which you can see here {usmagazine}

OH, it horrifies me! It haunts my dreams! The notions that not only did Montag get her back "scooped" (which honestly makes it sound like the plastic surgeon just went in there and made an ice cream cone of her back tissue), she did it WITHOUT REALLY KNOWING WHAT IT WAS. And really, if you look at the picture in the link, you will definitely think "hmm, yes, that girl's back has been scooped" (no sarcasm here) which is ALSO horrifying to me.

What is there to say that hasn't already been said? She can't jog now because her boobs are too big and because her back scooping probably makes it too painful. She says it herself--she's afraid to hug people because her body is fragile. She committed to all of these procedures so she could be a walking wax mannequin and not even be willing to HUG people because her body is so fragile? Can this woman even have the babies she was begging Spencer Pratt for in the last season of the Hills?

Let's wrap this mini rant up by saying, America's tabloid celebrity media machine really fucking sucks if this is the outcome.

On Iceland Banning Strip Clubs

The News Itself

All Right All Right All Right! Iceland banned strip clubs for FEMINIST reasons, crazy enough, and they have a totally awesome lesbian Prime Minister. A friend of mine posted the following link to the Atlantic, with two dissenting opinions, which both basically say: if a woman wants to voluntarily take her clothes off for money, who are we to say she can't?

the Atlantic's take on it

I mean, who are we to say SHE CAN?! It seems really fucked up to me that we would prioritize the idea of capitalism over leveling the playing field (even if it's just a tad, and even if it's just in Iceland) for women? Because, at the root of it all, we know that the motivation for ANYBODY to become a stripper is MONEY. You don't hear about little girls raising their hands in first grade class and expounding on the reasons they want to become a stripper. When people tell you to "do what you love and figure out a way to get paid for it," 99.999999% of the time they aren't talking about stripping. And maybe stripping is a safer job than prostitution (which, if you read the articles, Iceland has already outlawed), but that doesn't mean that it's not degrading or objectifying.

When I took Gender and Women's studies there was a lot of discussion about how sex workers should be allowed the right to choose their sex work. Obviously this fell under the Choosy Feminists let you Choose your Choice branch of feminism, one that I ultimately agree with. I'm not here to shame prostitutes or strippers--ultimately, if we lived in a completely non-sexist (and non-racist, non-classist, etc) society, than I think the ability to be a stripper or a prostitute should be anyone's god-given right. However, it seems to me that when someone is a stripper, too many societal forces come in to play: the (wealthier) male has the power of the cliched male gaze, possessing the female body, and ultimately determining her (monetary) worth. The idea of strip clubs really icks me out, and maybe if we lived in a society without them that would be an improvement.

Jezebel's take on it


However, if you are the kind of person who worries about the government controlling everything, than for sure, this does not bode well for the people of Iceland, who better like their socialism! (For real though, I can haz your socialism pleaze?)

/In the interest of full disclosure, I feel like I should include the fact that I actually wrote this post about a week to two weeks ago, whenever the news actually broke that Iceland had banned strip clubs. I wanted to write about it immediately because what an incredible idea! What if we could actually *ohmygod don't say it girl* LEGISLATE EQUALITY?

I'm still not sure it's possible. And for those of you who would argue that limited a woman's right to choose a profession in which she shows her body for money is somehow inherently anti-feminist: well, maybe you're right. I wouldn't go so far as to claim that it goes against FEMINISM but I will agree that it certainly ISN'T pro-choice.

The bottom line, though, is that I would much rather live in a society that attempts to remove the institutional barriers that perpetuate inequality (read: classism, racism, sexism, etc) than to live in one that encourages these barriers (read: parental notification laws for abortion, for starters), so I'm going to continue to argue that YES, Iceland really does rock for doing this. And NO there is no way in hell this is going to happen in the United States anytime soon. It would be interesting if the idea of outlawing strip clubs went to vote, however: would we have a group called the "Pole Grabbers" standing around with signs like "KEEP YOUR COMMUNIST HANDS OUT OF MY STRIP CLUB"?

and the sky was made of amethyst

yet another hole lyric i thought the world should see

urban outfitters reviews of products

One of my favorite pastimes at work is to go on Urban Outfitters and read the reviews that people post of the products. It's stranger than fiction and when I considered parodying it, I decided "Well, fuck. How am I going to make up anything that is funnier than this and isn't just the same thing exactly?" So I've decided to excerpt some samples of UO crazy ass clothing reviews for your perusal:

"I ordered the white, it is sheer but that just adds to the spring time feel. I am 5'6" tall and 115 pounds. 32A. I ordered a small, and it deff runs true to size. It fits me perfectly. I do wish that i would have ordered a medium however, simply for the extra loose look. But it runs true to size in my opinion. If i order another color I will order a medium for the looser fit."

"this top is so versatile and the perfect light button-up for spring and summer! i got it in blue, and with a nude bra, although the top is super sheer, you couldn't see it. i'm petite with a big bust, 5'4'' 120 lbs 30F, and i got a small. i'm on the fence about returning it to get a medium, because it fits, but if i button the second to last button to the top, it's a little tight around my bust. the sizing problem is just preference but other than that it looks great!"

"I have been looking for the perfect oxford shirt for the longest time. In fact, when I bought this blouse, I already had three light blue oxfords that just didn't fit the bill. I think I can call the search off finally! This top has the perfect mix between feminine details like the rounded collar with the best parts of a men's shirt- like the pocket, rolled sleeves, and looser cut. I found that it was the perfect length for tucking in skirts or wearing with jeans. As someone else mentioned, it does have that "stiff" quality to it, but that was always one of the things I liked about men's dress shirts, so I don't mind it. I am 5'8" 132 lbs and I bought the size medium (my typical size). It has a looser fit, but I wouldn't have sized down because it would be too tight across my shoulders, plus, I think that a more masculine fit was the intent of this shirt. Overall, it is very well made and the quality seems so much better than the price tag. I would definitely recommend this oxford, I'm going to scoop up the white while I still can."

"I really like this shirt, I got it in blue xs and I'm about 5'8" + 120 lbs, but it's definitely not a typical tailored women shirt. It being an oxford shirt it has more of a boy shape to it in the body area, also the sleeves are a little lose around the wrist (hence the reason they only show pictures with the sleeves rolled up) but the length is good and I personally like the style. Very dapper and the material is thicker and well constructed (like it's not going to disintegrate after a few washings)"

"This is an amazing shirt. I'm 5'3, 110 and ordered an XS. It fits perfectly and will be a perfect button up for spring and summer."

"I loved this shirt online, but when it arrived in the mail and I tried it on it didn't fit well. I was surprised because it was too small on my chest- I'm 5'5", 115-120 pounds and a 34 A, and the xs was really tight around the bust and really loose everywhere else. It was also really short. I loved it though, it's really pretty, so maybe if you have an even smaller bust and a fuller waist/hip area I'd recommend it."

"I bought this in red yesterday and I want more colors.
I am 4'11, 105 lbs, 32C. The XS fits me perfectly. It isn't too short for me to wear with jeans, and it is really flattering even with no bra.
I wore it out last night and felt great, but it could also easily be dressed up or down.
I highly recommend it."

"I love this top sooo much. I ordered the red floral and although it looks nothing like the picture it is the cutest shirt! I find reasons to go out so I can wear it. Don't get it if you want one exactly like the picture because you most likely won't get one that looks like that but i recommend get it its comfortable and chic. Im 5'8" 120 lbs and i got small/medium, fits perfectly, tad short but not a big deal. GET IT"

"I got this in the mail in the floral print and although it looks nothing like the one in the picture is super cute! I wore it out to dinner the first night I had it! It turned out to but a pink floral shirt. Its a little bigger than i thought it was going to be, in 120 lbs, 5'8" and got a small and its a little baggy but not a big deal its still soooo adorable."

"I LOVE UO silk shirts. I got this shirt in the washed gray. I am 5'2 and about 112 lbs and I got a Medium. I usually like my shirts long and a bit loose. I alsoI fit the small and it fitted perfectly, the only thing is that it is a bit short so that's why I got the medium instead."

Ok so I included a lot of examples. If you made if through all of them I applaud you--that is some seriously drecky stuff (holler at your girl, Andre Leon Talley!) The more I read on Urban, the more I am beginning to think that either they have paid copywriters who go in and post fake reviews or else all of these chicks have SERIOUSLY drunk the UO Kool-aid. In fact, as I'm writing this, I'm wondering what a review of the Men's clothes looks like. BRB.

I'm back. Here's an example of a men's review:

"The Shirt In Question is great, but the fit may be questionable for some. It jumps from sizes. The small is much snugger, and the medium is a lot bigger. I'm skinny so it fits me, but it' is not good for people with broad shoulders in a small."

So I'm gonna go with...not that different. This is seriously scaring me you guys. Every review has several things in common:

1) the fit wasn't EXACTLY right in some way, but for the most part it was TOTALLY PERFECT

2) Here are my measurements! My shapely bust is like 35 inches and I have a 25 inch waist!
3) I totally ordered an extra-small and it was perfect.

Also, I'm offended that the copy writer feels the need to make it seem like the men just say they are skinny while the women give exact numbers. LADIES--you need to KNOW that if you are 120 pounds and 5'0" that you are FAT.

Urban Outfitters: you've been warned.