reflection: musings on fashion blogging #3

There's an ongoing thread at the Fashion Spot that's kept my interest for the past month or so on the topic of fashion blogging. I've had a few things to say about this topic in the past, but a newly discovered revelation has really garnered my attention.

Exhibit A:

from Facebook group, Il Covo delle SoloAvvilite

Before I begin, I want to state that I don't read The Blonde Salad, nor do I know anything about Chiara except that she got invited to Cannes this year, which made me very jealous. In fact, I don't read any of the blogs that she supposedly copies because none of them give me intellectual fodder. (I like my fashion photos to be accompanied with ramblings on consumerism, sexism, racism - essentially anything with an -ism at the end.)

Exhibit B:

Chiara's interview starts at 2:30.

At the same time, I do have to ask who the fuck invites a girl like this to a fashion show and then asks her for an interview in which she describes everything as "nice." I'm going to cut her a break on the "it was a little bit less edgy and fashion than woman's shows" [sic] and "there was less checks than usual; it wasn't so much Burberry" [sic] because English is not her first language. I am going to suggest grabbing a thesaurus and finding some synonyms for "nice." But I have to draw the line on the description of "ethno-chic." First, what is that supposed to mean? And second, is that a word you would EVER use to describe BURBERRY?

When I heard "ethno-chic," it made me think of the late 90s/early 00s when designers LOVED to put "Chinese inspired" designs down the runway. I'm talking cheongsam/qipao detailing, dragon printed silk (seat covers at Chinese restaurants), even the pointy hats - which, in my opinion, is one of the most extreme forms of sartorial racial objectification that I've encountered in the fashion industry. (There are probably more, but I wasn't around to experience or view them on the runway, so I'm going to discount them for this argument.) Her use of "ethno-chic" is probably a nod to Bailey's use of ikat prints, but the underlying presumption of the Burberry Prorsum FW '12 show is still undeniably modern prep, which is the image both Burberry and Bailey present consistently. The entire scenario just highlights that Chiara (and many other popular fashion bloggers) is an extremely inadequate fashion journalist (because that's how she got into the show, right, as press?) as she's only capable of parroting descriptions she must've picked up from other writers without the sense to pair the proper buzz words with the right designers.

In regards to her copying other bloggers: as a product of the 21st century, I know that there is very little that's artistically original in this society. All the great things seem to have already been discovered (e.g. pop art, mini skirts, adhesive nail polish), so I can sympathize with the plague of maintaining (or creating) originality. But you can be unique without resorting to plagiarism. Maybe what she's doing is totally unconscious and that she ends up mimicking other bloggers as a result of being saturated with images. Maybe she does it because she has no originality of her own and just purchases items that are popular at the moment. I don't begrudge her for either reasons, because that's what the term "mass market" means. But it's obvious from her popularity that this is what people want to read, so instead of disparaging her, shouldn't we reprimanding the "readers" of her blog?






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brunch at parish

Last weekend, I drove out of my suburban bubble to Inman Park for brunch with Sooji and Lola at Parish. I forewent the usual brunch mimosa and opted for a strong, black coffee (with plenty of refills) and had the fried green tomato benedict. My PICs had the fried chicken doghead benedict and the french toast. The fare was super delicious (and a far better option than Highland Bakery, in my humble opinion), but they had me sold at the complimentary beignets. I also loved the abandoned, haunted mansion decor, though the beaded curtain at the entrance felt a bit kitsch.

Fried Green Tomato Benedict

Fried Chicken Doghead Biscuit

French toast

Wearing: Ann Mashburn gingham shirt, Rag & Bone Errington eyelet short, white Zara blazer, Chloe Kirsten wedges, Bebe necklace, pearl necklace, Celine bi-color pouch.






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thanks solestruck!

I entered my "What's In My [Celine] Clutch" photo in the Solestruck contest and won! The most adorable leopard print with pink leather minibag came in the mail yesterday - perfect for all the upcoming music/beer/art/book festivals this fall. Is this a subtle hint for me to start incorporating more color and print into my wardrobe?







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free people atl

On Thursday, Free People opened their first store in Atlanta and kicked it off with a little party with free flowing wine plus hors d'oeuvres by Ecco. I've always loved the concept of Free People, but never found myself ordering anything from the website because I just couldn't convince myself of the quality (ironic because I had no problem ordering from the Forever 21 website, maybe it's the difference in price points?). But after stepping into a store and touching all the fabrics themselves, I'm completely sold. The Venice lookbook is amazing, and all the pieces live up to the hype. The space is a little small for now, but I foresee FP easily expanding into a larger area very soon. Now, if only they would carry shoes...

oh mummy, what's a sex pistol

Summer just wouldn't be right without an outdoor music festival. My baby cousin scored some free tickets to the Identity Festival after working at the radio station during the summer, so I got to see Steve Aoki and Rusko as well as too many neon colored furry boots and extra short tutus. I could handle the Mukluks on acid and the Tinkerbell-esque outfits, but I had to draw the line at the pacifiers. Let's leave those and candy necklace in late 90s thankyouverymuch.

P.S. I missed fulfilling my 2011 goal of meeting a "The Vampire Diaries" cast member by a millimeter! Michael Trevino (Tyler, on the show) was at Aoki with Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina on "Glee"). Looks like it's back to waiting outside Ian Somerhalder's building in hopes of catching him on his way in or out...



Summer uniform: T by Alexander Wang tank, Blank NYC studded cutoffs, Sam Edelman Pax boots, Minkpink Elisa Day Soft Jacket

museum of design - atlanta

I went to the Museum of Design Atlanta today with Rahul and saw the bathroom exhibit that's going to be there until mid-September, which was perfect because R. has an unhealthy obsession with bathrooms. There's a brief timeline on the bathroom, followed by three designers' interpretation of the modern bathroom. Each perspective is unique, but our favorite was definitely the interactive one by the Bouroullecs where you can construct your own sink. We're like kids; give us toys and we'll be entertained for hours. It's sad that our toys are now sink fixtures.








(Zara leather jacket, Alexander Wang tank, BCBG chiffon skirt, Sam Edelman Pax boots)

omg taco!

I had my first fusion taco experience at OMG Taco today. I feel almost shameful admitting it. My mom and I have been making some bastardized version of Korean tacos at home (marinated pork Korean style, fresh salsa from tomatoes/cilantros/lots of red onion/jalapenos, topped with some 고추장 sauce my mom makes specially), so it was nice to get a version of what the west coast's been hyping around the street food arena. Run by a guy originally from San Diego, OMG Taco takes its abbreviations seriously with their LOL and WTF toppings. But I wouldn't be the asshole I am if I didn't point out their misuse of the word "infamous," which is turning out to be Alanis' "Ironic" of our generation.

I can't wait for my 35mm lens to get here so I can stop with these out of focus food photos.

Chicken tacos with WTF sauce

LOL Fries, I think

(Alexander Wang silk top, black Zara skirt, Sam Edelman Pax boots, Celine boston bag)

salt lake city and yellowstone national park

I've befallen a series of technological disasters. Right before I left for Yellowstone/Utah, my Leica died. I don't have the heart (or reliable technician or the funds) to get it fixed, so I rushed to get another camera before heading west. I ended up getting the Nikon D7000 at Costco (best return policy plus best deals ever), and it proved to be a decent choice for the mostly landscape photos I ended up taking.

Temple Square; Salt Lake City, UT

Utah State Capitol

Pago; Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City Public Library

Salt Lake City Public Library, interior

Old Faithful Geyser; Yellowstone National Park

Jackson Lodge; Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park

reincarnation of isabel marant dicker boots

Do you remember the Isabel Marant Dicker boots? Of course you do. Who could forget with Kate Bosworth and Rosie Huntington Whitley and even Katie Holmes prancing about with them on their feet? It was the subtle "it" boot of last fall, rendered even more lustworthy because of its exclusive availability and high sticker price.



Well, I almost scored myself a pair on Net-A-Porter. Almost is the clue word. Like an idiot, I listened to the sizing recommendation on their website and went one size down instead of ordering the usual 37. So, when they arrived, I had to send them back because they were too tight. I may be $615 richer, but it hasn't stopped these boots from haunting me.

Maybe it's a good thing I didn't get them, because nearly every single high street retailer has released their own interpretation of this elusive boot.



Out of all of them, I want to say that the Aldo Qualheims are the closest to the original Dicker boots, since it keeps the low shaft and the side zip. The Steve Madden Pembrooks look like they would be the most snug fit and also the best suede, but at $160 and a chunkier heel, it does look like Dicker's bastard brother who came out of the womb missing a few essential parts (i.e. the side zipper). ASOS' Aggie is the cheapest and the highest heel height, but the boot is too high and the pull tab on the side is an extraneous detail that has little use aesthetically or in practicality.

Verdict: Go with the ASOS Aggies. You'll cry less when the heel eventually gives out from excessive use. Also, I don't forsee these boots living for another season.

what's in my clutch?

You'd be amazed at what I can fit in this thing.

Celine bi-color pouch can hold:

• wallet
• envelope pencil case holder for lipstick and other necessities
• Dior Addict lipstick in Diorkiss
• Fresh's Strawberry Flowers travel perfume
• butter nail polish in Lady Muck & Artful Dodger (I've now started painting nails while sitting in the car)
• Fujifilm Nexia Q1 for fun photos
• Kindle - because one day I will finish the "Game of Thrones" series

leaving on a jet plane pt. 3

I'm off again for a real vacation this time. I'm spending a week out west with my family - going on a tour of Yosemite, wandering around Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas. Really excited to pull out all my recent acquisitions of California style clothing (or at least what I imagine to be California style). Regular updates will be scheduled for here, but stop by my tumblr for all the quick shots I take on my phone!
kittenmasks' tumblr

things i don't understand #2

Aside from the fugly sold out items on Net-A-Porter, there's another dimension of WTF on the site: FUGS items. These items aren't necessarily overpriced. They can be a reasonable bargain, but still prompt you to ask yourself why anyone would ever want to buy this.

This week, there seemed to be a plethora of these items.

net a porter, why pt. 2 by kittenmasks

(clockwise, from top left):

• Vivienne Westwood dress - this looks like pantaloon onesie set. I think it's just the photography.
• Vionnet fringed wool poncho - what in the name of Ugly Betty is this?!
• Miu Miu basket weave vest - this could be cute styled correctly, but I guarantee that the person who buys this is retired and just wants to cozy up to the fire with a collie.
• Lanvin silk pajamas - these are cute, but why would you need to pay $2600 for them? 
• Valentino pleat skirt lace dress - I could see Alexa Chung wearing this dress and it being very cute on her. Unfortunately, I can also see Katy Perry/Amanda Seyfried/Olivia Wilde/Katie Holmes wearing it and looking like a hot mess.
• Vionnet feather gown of bad press - there is NOTHING good about this dress. NOTHING. It makes the fit model look fat and dumb. Can you imagine seeing this on the red carpet? Actually, I can. And it smells like road kill.

crossing the ga/al state lines pt. 3

Although the trip to UBC proved fruitless, I didn't completely hate the entire trip or regret it. We had a really good lunch at the Magnolia House, where we drank sweet tea and had a meat 'n three. I may not talk like a southerner or look like one, but gravy and fried okra runs in my veins. The best thing about living in the south is the massive amount of fatty, delicious food. BBQ pork, collards, candied yams, green beans, country fried steak, and oh god, the cornbread. Is your mouth watering yet?




And no trip is complete without a photo of Georgia red clay. This is the soil that's responsible for cotton, tobacco, and peaches.

photo by Jinah

Jinah captured this photo of me goofing off.

photo by Jinah

crossing the ga/al state lines pt. 2

Soooo, what's the dish on the Unclaimed Baggage Center? First, it looks like a DMV that you would see in Florida. I don't know why they chose to decorate in the colors they did. Maybe it was renovated in the '80s when washed out pastel colors mixed with various shades of brown was acceptable. Maybe the folks who drew up the plans were drunk when they chose the colors. So many plausible explanations could be given.



Second, it isn't exactly the bargain heaven that the website wants you to believe. There were a few goodies that I spotted: a pair of River Island purple suede platform pumps for $25 and an almost brand new ASOS pussy bow blouse in size 8 for $10. Jinah also picked up a pair of Paige denim jeans with the tags still on them for $15. (Her haul is SO much better than mine, even if the one shouldered print dress she found is too small for her.)



I was in the market for T-shirts, so I dug through the boy's section and found a few for $0.99. The best find was a T-shirt that was NWT and purchased for $4.29. I came home to find that it's from the Korean brand SPAO and endorsed by K-pop mega band, Super Junior.

Other items that were spotted but extremely overpriced: Kate Spade items that ran from $150-$200, badly made counterfeit Gucci bags for $50, worn in Christian Louboutin knockoffs for $80, USED make up items for $17-$30, formal dresses for $80-$150, a Sonia Rykiel pink feather fur coat for $200 (dubious origin).



Clearly, the people who are behind the pricing at the Unclaimed Baggage Center have lofty notions of the market value of their goods. At the end of the day, UBC is simply a nicely done thrift store. Their prices should reflect as such. Only an idiot would be dumb enough to pay $200 for a pair of Kate Spade shoes that are out of season, maybe used, and without a box. With competition from websites like The Outnet, Neiman Marcus midday dash plus their outlet stores, UBC doesn't exactly prove to the bargain it advertises itself to be. If you're considering making the trip out to Scottsboro, I would suggest that you're better off visiting the nearest outlet center or even checking out the sales at the nearest mall near you.

all photos on this page by Jinah! Click here for her take on the trip.