The last time I saw a Hermès Birkin in a Bollywood movie, it was being featured as an honorary prop/character (see “bagwati” the Birkin in Zoya Akhtar’s 2011 film ‘Zindagi na milegi dobara’) “bagwati” retailed at €12,000 in the film (approximately $15,000 USD or £10,000 GBP) eek! So imagine my surprise when director Karan Johar (My name is Khan, Kabhie Kushie Kabhie Gham) unveiled the first look for his upcoming film ‘Student of the Year’ last week and one of the main characters was shown sporting a Birkin as her school book bag. All I’m saying at this point is that this character (portrayed by 16-year-old newcomer Alia Bhatt) better be the daughter of a Sheik, oil tycoon or a shrewd businessperson in order to justify why a teenager would carry such an expensive accessory to her HIGH SCHOOL.
~Fashionwidget
Photo Credit: Red Chillies Entertainment/Dharma Productions
A few months ago Fashionwidget reported that Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor had shot a sizzling item number for her upcoming film ‘Heroine’. Photos that floated out from behind-the-scenes showed a scantily clad Kapoor (wearing Manish Malholtra) proudly showing off her curvy figure which made it all the more shocking when the official posters were released this past weekend, with one of them showing the actress looking more like a rail-thin supermodel compared with what we’d previously seen. Gone were the curves, her cherubic face and full arms replaced by a too-thin-to-be-real waistline, suspicious looking bosom area, toned tummy, poreless skin and thinner arms. To call this an enforcement of an unfair ideal would be understating the obvious. To be fair, the movie which reportedly has received an “A” certificate (India’s answer to the NC-17 feature) is not marketed towards tweens and teens but that does not excuse this Photoshop fiasco.
Dolly Magazine recently held a newly revived version of the talent search/contest that churned out international model Miranda Kerr in 1997. Thirteen-year-old Kirsty Thatcher (pictured) emerged the winner out of the several hundreds who entered the contest and is now receiving heavy criticism for being too young to enter the modelling world. The controversial contest was scrapped for ten years due to negative feedback and concern for the welfare of entrants but has seen a revival under new management of the magazine. Thatcher’s winnings include a contract with Chadwicks, a trip to New York City to meet with agents in the fashion industry and being appointed the brand ambassador for Dolly magazine which includes being a role model for her peers, according to the International Business Times.
In my opinion, Thatcher IS indeed too young for a career in modelling, especially when she is going to seek work in New York City. Nothing can mentally prepare a child for something like that, especially if she is going to be dealing with the rejection, image obsession and other high demands commonly associated with the fashion world. Additionally, from what I have seen she does not look her age. One can only imagine what would happen to her if she falls into the wrong hands and what certain fashion people would attempt to get away with. Plus, a modelling contract with Chadwicks? I don’t know about Australia but here in America, Chadwicks markets older women’s apparel not teenagers. I hope her parents intervene with proper guidance and help this child take the right decisions in her career. The world does not need the next Miranda Kerr or the next anybody else for that matter, just be yourself.
Yves Saint Laurent, the founding father of the renowned fashion house of the same name died in 2008 and now the powers that remain at the helm of the brand have announced that YSL will soon be known simply as SLP, Saint Laurent Paris. This is a very bold and not to mention risky move, changing the name of a successfully established and legendary brand.
WHO: Priyanka and Parineeti Chopra take on Fashion Icon Sonam Kapoor’s style
WHAT: Fashion Showdown
WHEN: June 9th
WHERE: 2012 IIFA Awards in Singapore
Sonam(left) & Parineeti
FASHIONWIDGET’S VERDICT: Sonam Kapoor’s debut on the international scene at last year’s Cannes Film Festival was a big deal for the Indian fashion circuit and perhaps even globally as many international designers such as Prabal Gurung, Victoria Beckham & Jean Paul Gaultier (whom she wore for her debut) began to open their eyes to the baby fashion darling. That said, stylists for both Parineeti & Priyanka Chopra must have known what the were doing when they decided to place both actresses in statements already made by Kapoor. Excuse me while I gasp, if no stylists were involved. I think Priyanka wearing the Dolce & Gabbana dress (previously worn by Kapoor at Cosmopolitan’s Fun & Fearless Female Awards) is actually forgivable because in the long run designers want their clothes to be worn by as many people as possible. It is her cousin Parineeti’s fashion faux pas that took the whole ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ thing to a whole other level. SHE IS WEARING A JATIN VARMA THAT LOOKS LIKE A PLAGIARISED KNOCK-OFF OF THE JEAN PAUL GAULTIER KAPOOR WORE AT CANNES…LAST YEAR. Should stars be caught wearing knock-offs? Should designers dressing stars be caught allegedly borrowing from other designers? It is one thing to do something like this on a regional level but at an award show that takes place at an international venue where the foreign press is invited? There are pictures on Getty for crying out loud!
~Fashionwidget
Photo Credit: Viral Bhayani for the photo of Sonam Kapoor in the red Dolce & Gabbana + Getty Images for all other photos
Why Weren’t Our Favourite Fashionistas Sucker Punching Us With Style On the Red Carpet at People’s Choice Awards Last Night? Have Your Say by voting below.
2012 People's Choice Awards
Photo Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images North America
3. Styled wrong (the hat throws the whole outfit off and the gold clutch looks like it belongs with an evening gown and not this suit).
4. What is that scarf doing there? Oh! No wait….it’s a halter top underneath a waist-coat. WOW! 😯
5. Salma Hayek who is obviously a beautiful petite woman looked like she was drowning in fabric on that red carpet. We know it’s cold in London this time of the year but seriously, how many minutes was she going to spend on that red carpet posing for pictures?
THE LOOK↓
YSL Classic Tuxedo Jacket in Black Worsted Barathea - $2,320 - ysl.com
After excelling herself so well this week with her New York City Sidewalk Style, what could Kim Kardashian have been thinking by donning this over-the-top ghastly looking houndstooth poncho ensemble? It looks like maternity wear gone awry? Is Kim K trying to fan the flames of a ‘pregnancy rumour’ ahead of the tabloids? She topped off her look with a charcoal birkin and black Christian Louboutin knee-high heels but any way you slice it, this look is still a no.
In NYC - October 8, 2011
THE SHOES ARE↓
Christian Louboutin Gazolina Suede Over-The-Knee Boots - $2,295 - saksfifthavenue.com
In NYC - October 8th, 2011
THE BAG IS a BIRKIN by Hermès
Bags & Luggage Hermès (Price @ usa.hermes.com)
IN THE MARKET FOR A HOUNDSTOOTH PONCHO?
TRY THIS INSTEAD↓
Live a Little Houndstooth Cape - $88 - bloomingdales.com
is fierce but Fashionwidget is officially joining the bandwagon of those who would like to see Ms. Fierce incorporate long and flowing gowns into her maternity wardrobe. Late last month when Beyonce announced her pregnancy to the world, she wore this gorgeous tailored-to-fit-her-baby-bump floor length Lanvin gown…
August 28th
but ever since then and for reasons only known to the fierce one, she has been showing up at events and/or has been photographed on the sidewalks and streets of New York City dressed in one unflattering mini thing or the other.
EXHIBIT A
September 13th in NYC
EXHIBIT B
September 13th in NYC
EXHIBIT C
September 21st in NYC
EXHIBIT D
September 30th in NYC
Beyonce, we get it, you can still work those heels and your legs…forces to be reckoned with for sure but please stock up on some lovely long fluid with flattering silhouette gowns.
I am actually trying my best possible not to say anything mean so I will refrain from going on and on about this ensemble except to ask if there is anyone out there who sees the“fashion”is this look? Please comment and let us discuss it.
Fashionwidget 