Biz Buzz: Weekly Round-Up

Biz Buzz keeps its fabulously accessorized ear to the ground to provide breaking fashion news coverage.

Scott Schuman, famous for his mega-popular blog The Sartorialist, incited a hailstorm of fury Wednesday after posting pictures of fashion blogger Angelica Ardasheva and calling her “bigger” and “sturdy.” The post had 1,426 comments at the time this ‘Cuse Clothes Line post was written. Many of the commentators were unhappy that this girl was considered heavier or plus sized. Schuman updated the post by saying, “I love a post like this. It creates a real and important conversation. A number of the commenters are upset by the word ‘curvy.’ They feel I should have used the word ‘normal.’ However, normal is relative. There is a young lady on my team who is 5'0", and another who is 5'9". Which would be ‘normal’?” Ardasheva responded to the controversy on her blog by saying that she thought she has a “normal body” but “did not mind [Schuman’s comments] at all.”

The photos of Ardasheva that appeared on The Sartorialist, courtesy of Jezebel

Knockoff versions of designer bags are not a new trend, but designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler are not happy that Target is making knockoffs of their PS1 bag under their Mossimo line. “The attitude, the slouch of the bag — they got the weight really right,” Hernandez told the New York Times. This is especially an issue because Proenza Schouler has collaborated with Target on their Go International Collection. “So our product is in Target right now, and then this bag comes out. It’s just disappointing, especially from someone we worked with,” said Shirley Cook, Proenza Schouler’s chief executive.

The Proenza Schouler PS1, courtesy of The New York Times

The Mossimo for Target PS1 knockoff, courtesy of Fashionista.com

Carine Roitfeld, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, is now working as a guest editor and stylist for Barneys New York. She’ll work on its fall ad campaign, catalogue and window displays, according to Women’s Wear Daily.

Carine Roitfeld, courtesy of style.com

Super stylist Rachel Zoe and husband Roger Berman welcomed their first child, Skyler Morrison Berman on Thursday, March 24. “Thank you all so much for your love! @rbermanus and I couldn't be happier with little Skyler Morrison in our arms...he is everything,” Zoe tweeted Thursday. She posted a photo of the family on Twitter the following Wednesday.

Roger Berman and Rachel Zoe with their son Skyler Morrison Berman, courtesy of rachelzoe.com

Other news in Zoe-land has Rachel’s former assistant, Brad Goreski, launching his own series on Bravo, the channel that made him famous with The Rachel Zoe Project. “I'm so excited about my show on @bravotv!! Can't wait to start filming ‘Its a Brad Brad World!!’ Dream come true!!” Goreski tweeted Wednesday.

Brad Goreski, courtesy of style.com

-Julie Kosin

Designer Confidential: "The Inspired Rookie - Jess Wolfe"

Designer Confidential highlights the work of SU's greatest fashion asset: its student designers.

Jess Wolfe didn’t always know she wanted to be a fashion designer. She entered Syracuse University as a ceramics major. While taking a textiles class during the second semester of her freshman year, she fell head over heels for fashion design and has never looked back.

“I love ceramics. But it didn’t really support the lifestyle I wanted. After taking the textiles class I could really see a future for myself in the fashion industry,” Wolfe says.

To catch up to her classmates in the fashion program, Wolfe has had to double up on studio electives and work extra hard.

“It is challenging, but I’m learning a lot. It is definitely worth it,” she says.

An extensive history in retail has helped expose her to the ins and outs of the industry. Wolfe has worked at Hollister Co., Pac Sun, Plato’s Closet and is presently employed at Clinique. She sees herself working in the fashion industry with similarly large companies as a ready-to-wear designer.

“I would love to work for someone like Michael Kors,” Wolfe says. “He’s talented and affordable.”

Wolfe is currently working on a midterm for her Fashion Illustration class. The project involves designing a 12-piece collection around two opposing elements. Wolfe was given two pieces of fabric-a leather and an orange knit. Her spring collection combines flirty feminine looks with an edgy rocker aesthetic, relying on tweed, knit, and leather fabrics to give the collection a sweet but rugged feel.

“When looking at my final work for this collection I see my drawing has... developed a lot from the beginning of the year. I really have learned a lot in only a year,” Wolfe proclaims.

Dream Job: To work for a famous designer in the ready-to-wear department. She notes she would also be interested in working as a celebrity stylist.

“I think it would be a really exciting job. I love Rachel Zoe and I think her job is amazing” Wolfe states.

Designer Confidential: She switched into fashion after completing an inspiring project for her Fiber Arts class, which found her looking at a Christian Dior collection inspired by Geishas.

-Christina Riggio

Biz Buzz: Weekly Round-Up

Biz Buzz keeps its fabulously accessorized ear to the ground to provide breaking fashion news coverage.

Paris Fashion Week just ended, and with it ends Fashion Month. Trends to watch out for on the Paris runways include architectural details, sparkly gold frocks and lots of all-black ensembles. Now to wait patiently for September…

The architectural trend at Issey Miyake, courtesy of New York Magazine

The gold look at Vivienne Westwood, courtesy of New York Magazine

The all-black trend at Nina Ricci, courtesy of New York Magazine

Rumor has it that Riccardo Tisci, creative director of Givenchy, is set to replace John Galliano at Christian Dior. No word on who is to replace him at Givenchy yet.

Riccardo Tisci, courtesy of Refinery 29

A new week, a new scandal: a former American Apparel employee is suing the CEO Dov Charney, claiming that he forced her to have sex with him repeatedly over an eight month period. This is not the first time Charney has been accused of sexual advances towards employees, but none of the previous cases were proven. This is definitely the worst accusation against him we’ve seen yet.

Dov Charney, courtesy of New York Daily News

Super stylist Rachel Zoe tops The Hollywood Reporter’s list of the most powerful stylists in Hollywood. This can’t really come as a shock to anyone; Zoe has transformed herself from the little-known stylist of Demi Moore and Anne Hathaway to a branded machine through her show The Rachel Zoe Project and her clothing lines. Also featured on the list is Kate Young, Natalie Portman’s stylist, who comes in at number two, and Petra Flanner, stylist to Zoe Saldana and Emma Stone, at number three. See the complete list here.

Rachel Zoe, courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter

Meanwhile, the adorable Brad Goreski, the former assistant to Rachel Zoe, has launched his own blog, offering a behind-the-scenes look at his life as a stylist. Check it out here.

Brad Goreski, courtesy of Brad’s Blog

- Julie Kosin

Biz Buzz: And So it Begins…

Biz Buzz keeps its fabulously accessorized ear to the ground to provide breaking fashion news coverage.

Courtesy of FabSugar

Fashion Month is upon us! First off we have New York Fashion Week, where so far trends include color blocking, menswear-inspired looks, throwbacks to the ‘90s, and lots of red, whether it’s on the clothes or the models’ lips. Find full coverage of the shows and reviews at Style.com and New York Magazine’s Fashion Show Page.

This year we’re being treated to plenty of backstage coverage as well, thanks to the 24 bloggers blogging platform Tumblr flew out for the week. Find the complete list on Fashionista.

Teen Vogue editor Eva Chen has been chronicling her all-access backstage escapades on her Tumblr blog What Eva Wants.

The Grammy awards were Sunday night. Who tops your best and worst lists? Check out FabSugar and Go Fug Yourself for all the looks (including Gaga’s egg!).

Celebrity fashion line alert! Both Rachel Zoe and Lauren Conrad debuted new collections this week.

Jezebel has a great video of images of pre- and post-Photoshop models. See, no one is born with perfectly airbrushed skin!

Courtesy of Go Fug Yourself

- Julie Kosin

The Craze: Faux Fur, Real Fashion

The Craze is a trend report bringing you the latest (and, duh, the greatest) in beauty and style.

Designers were sending their models down the runway in huge fur coats for their Fall/Winter 2010 collections. We at The ‘Cuse Clothes Line are not advocating the use of animal products. That is a personal decision. But we are encouraging the use of faux fur—animal friendly and fashionable.

Antonio Berardi

A.F. Vandevorst

This time last year a few female students were rocking the faux fur vest a la Rachel Zoe. A year later and faux fur is still trendy! We haven’t experience a real snowfall in Syracuse this semester, but that doesn’t mean the weather hasn’t been cold. Instead of wearing a puffy vest, which looks like your winter coat minus the sleeves, try wearing faux fur. It is much cuter, more comfortable, and still provides the same amount of warmth. Faux fur will instantly add class to any ensemble. Others will think you put a lot of time into your daily outfit, but you’ll know the real fashion secret.

Forever 21

Forever 21

Kensie

-Lauren Dulay

Rag Report: Wait, she's only 16?!?

Rag Report dives under the covers of fashion publications to rant or rave about all the glossy goodness. 

 

Frida Gustavsson in Numéro

Model Frida Gustavsson heats up this month’s issue of Numéro. Dressed up in all things flirty and sexy, 16-year-old Gustavsson is hardly recognizable. The close up of her is particularly beautiful. Her makeup is sensual and simple, but dramatic too - a combination that is difficult to pull off. Her dark red lips against the simplicity of her eye shadow and bleached eyebrows are striking. The audience is immediately drawn to Gustavsson’s sultry innocence.

 

Numéro

Ruffled skirts are great to have in your closet because they can be sweet and sexy. We love how stylist Capucine Safyurtlu paired the ruffled skirt with lace and ridiculously amazing Fendi heels. Even though the heels stand out, they don’t detract attention from the setting of the photo. Gustavsson’s pose is perfect, especially when the lighting hits her frame. The overall look is breathtaking!

 

Numéro

This shot is simple but still makes a statement. The combination of lace and leather is divine. As Rachel Zoe would say, “I DIE!” The only problem is that half of Gustavsson’s face is hidden. We wish we could have seen her whole face with open eyes. Regardless, we love the editorial. Gustavsson really steps it up for the shoot and we commend her for it.

- by Ivie Igbeare