Body Ink - Artistic Expression or Permanent Accessory?

Often times we pass individuals on the street with various representations of themselves scrolled across their bodies. Some tattoos appear to have personal/ emotional indications, but others could very well be the result of silly adolescence or a night of intoxication. Either way, there is a market for permanent body ink. The question is, how do these lasting expressions affect the ever changing realm of style?

Persons with tattoos often defend their body ink as a form of artistic expression. Yet, can this form of expression take away from another? In fashion, there are a few style choices that could possibly be enhanced by tattoos; for example, Glam Rock or Punk. Familiar public figures that often exhibit this look are Rihanna and Adam Lambert. But when the style changes, is it possible for the body art to adjust to the new look?

Angelina Jolie, an actress famous for her tattoos, is pictured above in a long elegant black gown with the updo to match. Though, when she turns around, her tattoos are made visible and somewhat downplay the look of the woman facing forward. The picture almost depicts a mullet sort of effect. Ms. Jolie seems to be business in the front, but all party in the back.

Of course, tattoos are a personal choice and definitely a lot easier to pull-off in Hollywood than corporate America, but when contemplating which picture should be imprinted on an ankle, back or forearm, how long will it be before the look just does not fit? After all, one scarf may be great under a blazer, but may not suit that polka-dotted cardigan as well.

(Pictures provided by 2tattoodesigns.com and trendhunter.com)

It's Time to Reap What You SEW!

Tonight was the premiere of Project Runway season 9. In an effort to stir up the original formula, 20 designers were invited to New York, but by the end of day one only 16 could continue on in the hopes of becoming America's Next Top...wait, wrong show.

The designers chosen for this show are creative, vivacious and their personalities never disappoint. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the first runway show. It was clear that the designers comprehended the 70s wide leg trend and the remaining looks were rather one note. Of course this could be accredited to first day jitters and limited materials (pajamas and sheets?!?).

The most impressive, both through design, styling and construction, was former Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe, Anya. She entered the competition with only 4 months sewing experience but was able to produce a silk kimono print halter with a well-tailored wide leg grey pant . Yet, she was in great company with adorably wearable pieces produced by Anthony Ryan and Bert. Anthony Ryan, though challenged by color blindness, created a grey blouse with striped black lace and paired it with an emerald green mini with continued lace detailing along the front. Bert cleverly converted boxer shorts into a chic day dress using slate grey to perfectly color block the peach strips in the undergarment. Putting aside a few dated styling concerns, the judges named Bert the winner of this week's challenge.

On a more sour note, viewers can only hope to recover from the eyesores that were Joshua's, Julie's and Rafael's designs. Although Rafael was forewarned by the insightful Tim Gunn about the judges concerns regarding his taste and style, he produced a rather frightful display of ill-fitting heather grey capris, an okay white blouse and a leopard bib-like necklace. Unsurprisingly, Rafael was the first eliminated from the competition. Fortunately, fans can take comfort in knowing there are many more episodes to come.

Until next week :)

(Picture provided by askmissa.com)

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(Picture provided by propsblog.com)

Lavishness Is Sooooooo Last Year!

The fashion industry has not been exempt from the wrath of the global economic crisis and thus we have witnessed various alterations for these exhibitors of style. Fashion magazines are vying for greater ad layouts and using the mass appeal of celebrities to increase sales and profits. Luxury designers are experiencing the weight of potential foreclosures and in turn have opted for a more cost-effective means of artistic expression. Today, fashion greats such as Vera Wang, Karl Lagerfeld, and Jean Paul Gaultier have partnered with department stores Kohls, Macy's and Target, respectively, to offset the loses they are experiencing on the "high-end".

It seems a bit ironic that an industry based on the glamour of inaccessibility is forced to perform the same checks and balances that everyday citizens endure. Yet, due to the basic principals of supply and demand, the same industry that dictates our trends has now fallen to the will of the people.

Don't get me wrong, I am not exempt from the overwhelming gaiety any fashion aficionado feels in the presence of Chanel, Louboutin, and Prada. There is a sense of accomplishment that is highlighted when given the opportunity or achieving the success to obtain such rare and luxurious pieces. Yet, until both we as individuals and the global economy are financially tuned enough to keep up with the Jones', the more fiscally fabulous clothing options will do just nicely. "Fiscally fabulous" - sounds better than "economical", "cheaper", or "discounted" right!

(Picture provided by editinternational.com)

Following the Leader

This... 'stuff'? Oh... ok. I see, you think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select out, oh I don't know, that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise, it's not lapis, it's actually cerulean. You're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar De La Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves St Laurent, wasn't it, who showed cerulean military jackets? And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of 8 different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic casual corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and so it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room. From a pile of stuff.(Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada)

Although this excerpt from The Devil Wears Prada is a bit lengthy, I could not agree more with how well it sums up the effect of the fashion industry on every man. More specifically, that there are a set few rooms full of people that have selected certain items for the masses and all but too many have fallen slave to these decisions. One could even suggest that there is a sinister facet that allows this select few to determine just what people would be willing to wear as long as someone of consequence deems it "fashionable".

Some of the items that plague the greater population include Uggs, Jack Rodgers sandals and now TOMS. If you have not noticed already, you will now.

Challenge yourself on the commute home from work to count how many pairs you can spot. Just how uniform have the decisions of select few made us as a population?

Maybe you'll have to start this challenge in your own closet.

(Pictures provided by shoebuy.com, kozeetoes.com, popentertainment.com and hcs.harvard.edu)

"Stayin Alive": Summer Trends from the 70s

We all know that fashion trends are recycled and in general "the more things change the more they stay the same." As we enter the summer solstice, let's check out the 2011 spring/summer trends that extract hints from the disco decade.

                                                                                                                                      

Marc Jacobs was seriously channeling Jodie Foster in the 1976 hit movie "Taxi Driver". He combined the broad rimmed sunhat with bare-all shorts, strappy sandles and a few psychedelic patterns to make for an all out 70s inspired look.

Although we are in the summer season, that is no reason to shy away from long sleeves or pants. We have a Spring 2010 repeat and with light fabrics such as, silk and even cotton, you can tap into the flower child within with an array of 70s style jumpsuits.

Other major 70s trends you may notice this summer include, bold stipes, electric colors (often paired together) and highwaisted capris that may differ from the more familiar wide-leg or bell-bottom, but still maintains the 70s appeal.

(Pictures provided by, sweetfuzz.com, refinery29.com and polyvore.com)

Age Appropriate: Is 14 the new 40?

Many Sex in the City fans can recall the red carpet blunder that placed fifty something Samantha Jones in the same ensemble as Miley Cyrus, the teen queen. Although this scene was intended for comedic entertainment, several of us have witnessed similiar mishaps in a more everyday setting.

In our current realm of age obsession, how often do we see women of an advanced age or young girls trying to grab hold of the coveted twenties age range. Even Hollywood celebrities who are styled to a "T" illuminate this awful epidemic. So, let us take the time and observe just how this is displayed. Is the outfit too old or too young? Reference the ages and you decide!

Yes Miley, I too would feel uncomfortable in a dress I could not fill out.
(Miley Cyrus 2010 Oscars - Age: 17; stylefrizz.com)

Even young girls should not wear this one Mariah.
(Mariah Carey 2008 Candid Shot - Age: 38; thehoodtimes.com)

Like mother like daughter. Not inappropriate, but the similarities are outstanding.
(Madonna and Lourdes Macy's "Material Girl" clothing line launch - Madonna Age: 52; Lourdes Age: 13)