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The Etceterist | 09/08/2008 9:30 am

Fashion Week: Everything These Days Is Fashion

It is really too early in the scheme of New York Fashion Week to predict the trends and winners. So far there’s been some pretty. Pretty is good, isn’t it? Designer names to jot down on your scorecard from the weekend include Adam (Adam Lippes), Jenni Kayne, Rachel Roy, DKNY, Diane von Fürstenberg with her star-studded audience including Jennifer Lopez, Uma Thurman, Lee Radziwill, Anderson Cooper, Google founder Sergey Brin and Venus Williams … Carolina Herrera gets the ball (gown) rolling this morning with her show at 10 AM.

But do we really need Fashion Week to remind us that everything these days is fashion? Just in case you hadn’t noticed, the election is now a Style Wars. The difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom, we learn, is lipstick. Maybe you heard the concluding remarks of one observer at the Republican convention, telling CNN that the election is now, thanks to Sarah Palin, all about “Wranglers versus designer jeans.”

Or you read that Halloween Adventure in Greenwich Village expects to do a big business next month in John McCain and Obama masks but they are worried that Sarah Palin masks won’t be ready in time. And did you know that teenage mother Jamie Lynn Spears, according to The Washington Post, sent $60 worth of burp cloths from Petit Tresor, a luxury baby store in Los Angeles, to Bristol Palin, in lieu of actually having her address, in care of Alaska’s state Capitol. (Petit Tresor confirmed this.)

Indeed, it is Style Wars out there. But it is also Monday and if you are feeling blue, wear red! (To quote the late, great Pauline Trigère.) Or try this bit of diversion, straight from Fashion Questionnaire, a new book this year from Assouline with an introduction by New Yorker writer Michael Specter, a sort of Proustian series of questions put to a dozen or so top designers including Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, Donna Karan and Pierre Cardin.

Here are the questions, fill in the blanks:

Your symbol of high fashion:
Your favorite fabric:
Your favorite color:
The collection you’ll never forget:
The style you most dislike:
Your favorite fashion photographer:
Your favorite model:
Your shoe/shoe designer fetish:
Your jewel/jewelry designer fetish:
Your favorite fashion accessory:
Your ideal bag:
The most creative designer:
The most timeless designer:
Your favorite decade in fashion:
Your contemporary muse or inspiration:
Your historical muse or icon:
The “look” you prefer for a man:
The “look” you prefer for a woman:
The city with the most style:
Your favorite book or film about fashion:
The fashion faux pas you can tolerate most:
The fashion faux pas you can tolerate least:
What is your present state of mind:
Your fashion motto:

13 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Chrome Toe
I don’t really have a “symbol” of high fashion. I’m not even sure what high fashion is. I know some designer names and have a couple pieces. But that’s it. No favorite fabric either. But whatever it is it has to be quality. I don’t like cheap feeling fabric of any type. Some synthetics feel amazing when they are quality and organics like cotton, wool and silk as well. As far as favorite colors I tend to favor black and white and/or a scheme of earthy type tones. Browns… grays… greens… No collection I remember The style I most dislike right now is all the jewels and glittery stuff on everything. and embroidery. what IS that? can’t name a fashion photograher don’t have a favorite model - but i liked when they had more meat on their bones no favorite shoe designer - no favorite jewlery designer favorite accessory is earrings - and layers. I layer like crazy. It’s a joke in my family My ideal bag is one I can wear slung over my shoulder across my body for easy movement and no hassle I only know the names of the classic type designers but Bob Mackie is incredibly creative Oscar De La Renta is timeless My favorite decade in fashion might be this one. I love how every decade is now incorporated. I absolutely LOVED the forties. But also some of the fifties, sixties, seventies and oh ya twenties and thirties. Could have totally skipped the eighties and nineties. Acid washed jeans? yukk! My contemporary muse is a cross between several. Sheryl Crow or in rocker mode when i’m feeling casual. When I’m feeling formal or need to get real dressy I channel more of a Hepburn/ Monroe/Grace Kelly thing. When I’m feeling like a hippie Kate Hudson is gracefully inspirational. Back in the day it was Stevie Nicks. Still is occassionally. Can you tell I like clothes? LOL Historically it would have to be Katherine Hepburn. That’s still my favorite look. A rather masculine/feminine mix. I’ve got a vintage tuxedo jacket with tails that i’ve mixed with both skirts and pants and wild and not wild for formal events over the years. I like a lot of different male looks. I don’t like suits. Don’t know why. But I don’t like a man who is “matched” up and down the body. I like a look on a woman that she likes on herself. I don’t like “over done”. But then again Dolly Parton always looks fabulous to me and she’s the queen of over done. so i guess I like anything that someone can pull off as an individual. I have no idea what city has the most style. I’m guessing it’s not Portland Oregon lol. no favorite film or book. fashion faux paux i tolerate most is pretty much all of them. don’t really believe in generalized faux paux. But the one I can tolerate least is skin tight super revealing clothing on women my age. No matter how good their body or their botox is. It just looks so desperate. My fashion motto is “me first and screw everyone else. If i like it i’m wearing it”.
By Chrome Toe on 09/08/2008 9:44 am
C Hardy
Fashion? Um ok…My fashion mostly comes from NY&CO…My fashion is comfort…I run around after a 2 year old so wearing dresses and skirts and all that, not really for me…I much rather perfer a good pair of comfy jeans with my black cowgirl boots in the winter & in the summer a comfy pair of shorts w/ tennis shoes or capri’s with a tank top! As long as the clothes dont make me look fatter I am good to go! Plus who has the money for those fashions being shown? Not I!
By C Hardy on 09/08/2008 10:23 am
E W
I haven’t even worn my fall clothes yet and they are fussing over next spring…I’m over this.
By E W on 09/08/2008 11:20 am
Chari Bonagua
I don’t really follow fashion trends. When they make up their minds whether the length of your dress should be just so, then I would probably, not 100%, mind you, be a fashionista. But who can afford those designr dresses? And the price of those bags and shoes and… oh forget it.
By Chari Bonagua on 09/08/2008 12:17 pm
im p
Your symbol of high fashion: Chanel, when she was alive. Your favorite fabric: Silk Your favorite color: Blue The collection you’ll never forget: Anything by Oscar de la Renta The style you most dislike: All Japanese designers that do the weirdly cut clothes that have NOTHING to do with the human body. They look like fabric pieces picked up from the cutting floor. Your favorite fashion photographer: Don’t have one. Your favorite model: They are all to thin. Your shoe/shoe designer fetish: Manolo Blahnik Your jewel/jewelry designer fetish: David Yurman Your favorite fashion accessory: Pearls Your ideal bag: My old Coach I’ve been carrying for years. The most creative designer: Don’t know The most timeless designer: de la Renta Your favorite decade in fashion: 30’s and 40’s Your contemporary muse or inspiration: Eileen Fisher Your historical muse or icon: Chanel The “look” you prefer for a man: suit and tie The “look” you prefer for a woman: Classic with few accessories The city with the most style: New York Your favorite book or film about fashion: Don’t have one The fashion faux pas you can tolerate most: Anything teens do. The fashion faux pas you can tolerate least: stretch pants on dimpled butts and legs What is your present state of mind: Happy Your fashion motto: I want it to look like $1,000 but only cost $100.
By im p on 09/08/2008 2:28 pm
Diana T
There is a heckuvalotof difference between Fashion and Style. I took my 10 yr. old shopping after school today, and I have never seen so many ugly colors, fabric and design. Sloppy, depressing fabrics, ugh! Classic design and a pride in ones’ appearance never goes out of style. And, as Chanel used to say, “Less is more.”
By Diana T on 09/08/2008 10:05 pm
No Kill and Drill Palin
Proust Questionnaire-ish. Are you completing a dossier on us wOw? So when my book’s a best-seller some elf will come forth with my indiscrete comments. C’est la vie. Your symbol of high fashion: Audrey/Jackie Your favorite fabric: Silk peau de soie, but actually have too many to have a favorite. The fabric must serve the design and vice versa. Your favorite color: On me? White, black, gold, champagne, toast, camel, buttercup, ivory, carmel. The collection you’ll never forget: Have no favorites love Chanel (classic not the gaudy of today) Hubert De Givenchy, some Ralph Lauren, some Adrienne Vittadini. I like clean cut. The style you most dislike: Anything overdone, garish, slutty, do not like lots of buttons, go for the simplest, well cut, best material, good color, fresh classic without looking dated. Your favorite fashion photographer: Harry Benson Your favorite model: I’ll say Alessandra Ambrosio because she is in my FaceBook friends and just had a baby girl, and she’s terrific, and there’s too many great ones like her to admire. But #1: Suzy Parker. Your shoe/shoe designer fetish: Nice, classic, low-key shoes. Your jewel/jewelry designer fetish: I love Schlumberger enamel bracelets..although not this color but only one I could find http://swanestatejewelry.com/content/images/1927808_display_1.jpg love pearl necklaces and charm bracelets and discrete earrings except at night. Although for everyday only thing I wear are diamond stud earrings that go with black lyrca and french manicure. Casual but polished. Your favorite fashion accessory: Pilates body. Your ideal bag: Quilted chanel tote if on a trip or taking laptop, quilted Marc Jacobs tiny zippered purse that fits in hand if out walking or something…enough for cellphone, money, comb, lipstick. The most creative designer: As passe as this sounds have to hand it to Oleg Cassini for being at the right place, with the right look, at the right time. That is creative to capture the essence of the entire shebang and do it quietly. The most timeless designer: Christabal, Chanel, Fendi Farragamo. Givenchy. Your favorite decade in fashion: Early 60s. Your contemporary muse or inspiration: There are so many great looking women…whoever is sleek, pulled together and spare. All time favorite fashion photo/oufit/person in it was CZ Guest at the Villa Artemis. http://www.photographersgallery.com/i/full/nice_pool.jpg Your historical muse or icon: Meaning any non fashion? Diane de Poitier, St. Joan of Arc, Berle Marham, Jackie, Audrey, Grace Kelly in a few instances…in High Society. Great clothes. The “look” you prefer for a man: Anything clean-cut, elegant and defined. Favorite Cary Grant, George Clooney. Whether in sports clothes or dinner clothes, neat, clean, all pulled together. The “look” you prefer for a woman: Casual, sporty chic like Jackie. The city with the most style: NYC/Paris/Milan/Florence/London/Rome/San Francisco (I’m saying that to be nice because my City but ‘social’ women here have nothing on NYC. Compare party photos in Town and Country. Many society women in SF look as if the Bowry Gold Rush Days are not far behind. Too much. Your favorite book or film about fashion: Funny Face. The fashion faux pas you can tolerate most: If it is a faux pas, underdressing. Tatoos/green hair/metal studs etc. While is nothing I’d do….often think it looks artistic. The fashion faux pas you can tolerate least: Speaking loudly or with poor diction, poor posture, chewing gum in public, slovenly looks., too much of anything, poor fitting clothes, unfit shape. What is your present state of mind: Complex. Your fashion motto: Simplicity!
By No Kill and Drill Palin on 09/08/2008 11:02 pm
Dora M
Thank you, in the midst of all this political rancor (and I don’t mean just on this site alone) I welcome a light question, even if for the sake of a quick exercise in escapism, so here goes: Your symbol of high fashion: Karl Lagerfeld Your favorite fabric: Matte jersey Your favorite color: One? hmmm… deep coffee brown, burgundy, black The collection you’ll never forget: Narcisco Rodriguez’s first collection The style you most dislike: Bubble skirts Your favorite fashion photographer: Patrick de Marchelier Your favorite model: Jean Shrimpton Your shoe/shoe designer fetish: Chloe, Bottega Veneta and Prada Your jewel/jewelry designer fetish: Marni Your favorite fashion accessory: Statement necklaces Your ideal bag: right now, Fendi doctor bag in dark brown The most creative designer: Marni The most timeless designer: YSL Your favorite decade in fashion: 60’s Your contemporary muse or inspiration: Tilda Swinton Your historical muse or icon: Audrey Hepburn The “look” you prefer for a man: Italian sportswear, inc. sport coat The “look” you prefer for a woman: eclectic elegant boho chic, like Vera Wang The city with the most style: Paris Your favorite book or film about fashion: The Devil Wears Prada The fashion faux pas you can tolerate most: Jeans everywhere The fashion faux pas you can tolerate least: Older women dressing like girls What is your present state of mind: Exhausted, but amused by fashion Your fashion motto: Motto: If something you find pretty or flattering has the power of making you feel like a million bucks when you slip it on then that’s the merit of this frivolous pursuit. Rule: Necklace, Earrings, Bracelets, always pick two of three.
By Dora M on 09/08/2008 11:05 pm
Buh- Bye
Fabric - one word COTTON! 100% please. It breathes. It’s soft. It doesn’t pill or catch. It gets better with age. It’s luxurious. Natural and non toxic. No more chemicals. I beg of the industry. I am so tired of shopping for clothing that has plastic in it. Can you even buy a pair of jeans today that aren’t “stretchy?” Last year I tried to get a pair at The Gap (the reliable standby) and the salesperson said “all of our jeans are stretchy now.” I reeled. Cotton. Cashmere. Silk. That’s all I ever want to wear. Else my skin literally crawls. Fond of DKNY and Eileen Fischer, Ralph Lauren, Tahari, etc.
By Buh- Bye on 09/09/2008 1:28 am
E W
I want to know who though up this “everyone looks great in maternity tops” school of fashion. WTH were they thinking ? NO ONE looks good in these things.
By E W on 09/09/2008 5:01 am
Buh- Bye
sooooo agree EW!
By Buh- Bye on 09/09/2008 1:11 pm
Kim Speight
The fashion faux pas you can tolerate least: I loathe the fact that it seems okay to have ones bra straps (or the whole enchilada) showing.
By Kim Speight on 09/09/2008 12:19 pm
alisa beck

Your symbol of high fashion: Chanel
Your favorite fabric: chiffon
Your favorite color: green
The collection you’ll never forget: Ellie Saab, spring 2006

The style you most dislike: poofy shoulders
Your favorite fashion photographer: idk
Your favorite model: Klum
Your shoe/shoe designer fetish: Jimmy Choo
Your jewel/jewelry designer fetish: Tiffany
Your favorite fashion accessory: Bags
Your ideal bag: big, and chic
The most creative designer: Betsy Johnson
The most timeless designer: Yves Saint Laurent
Your favorite decade in fashion: 90’s
Your contemporary muse or inspiration: Michael Kors
Your historical muse or icon: Audrey Hepburn
The “look” you prefer for a man: clean cut, and well put together
The “look” you prefer for a woman: Classi, elegant, sophisticated
The city with the most style: New York.
Your favorite book or film about fashion: The Devil Wears Prada
The fashion faux pas you can tolerate most: fur
The fashion faux pas you can tolerate least: crocs, short shirts
What is your present state of mind: focused
Your fashion motto: In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.

By alisa beck on 03/24/2009 6:05 pm