Wordpress Update

FYI: I am going to attempt the switch to wordpress today or tomorrow, so the blog may go down at some point in time, or some links may appear broken.  Please don't panic - hopefully I can get this to work right (ha!) and you will barely notice.

At some point in time I will also have to temporarily go back to my old blogspot address here in order to import the blog into wordpress, but please leave your links, etc. pointing to www.beautifully-invisible.com and check back!

Thanks, and sorry for any disruption this may cause.

The Bride of Frankenstein?

I admit, I watch a few reality television shows.  I am addicted to The Bachelor/ette.  I enjoy Project Runway.  I occasionally cry while watching an episode of Extreme Home Makeover. Others, I stay away from completely because I just don't get the appeal.

Today, the newest entry into the reality-tv fray has left me completely dumbfounded.  There have been shows focused on brides-to-be before.  There have also been shows focused on plastic surgery before.  But when happens when you combine the two topics?

Bridalplasty happens.

What is Bridalplasty, you ask?

It is a new reality TV show being launched by the E! Network.  According to the Hollywood Reporter:

"...brides-to-be [will] compete in wedding-themed challenges to win extensive surgical procedures. Each week, a group of women competes head-to-head in such challenges as writing wedding vows and planning honeymoons. The winner receives the chance to choose a plastic surgery procedure from her "wish list." She's given the procedure immediately, and results are shown at the start of the following week's episode."

OK - let's evaluate that description.  These women are engaged.  They aren't looking for love - they have found it.  Someone fell in love with each of them, with the person they are - looks and all - and wants to spend the rest of their lives with them.  The catch is, these women appear to be so insecure that they want EXTREME plastic surgery prior to their wedding.  I know all women want to look their best when they get married - but I, for one, plan to look like ME when I get married.

OK - moving on.  

"One by one, the women are voted out by their competitors and, according to the show's description, "possibly walking away with nothing and losing (their) chance to be the perfect bride." 

Hmmm.  So apparently, this show defines "the perfect bride" as one who has had enough plastic surgery to make her completely unrecognizable? 

But wait, there is more!  The last bride standing gets the wedding of her dreams - and the chance to FINALLY reveal NEW appearance to friends, family and the GROOM.  On her wedding day!  Yikes.

"Viewers will witness his emotional and possibly shocked reaction as they stand at the altar and he lifts her veil to see her for the first time following her extreme plastic surgery."

 

I know love conquers all, but is this groom really going to want to marry someone that was so insecure in their own appearance that they completely changed their looks before their wedding?  Someone that didn't trust he'd want to be with her just the way she was?  Does anyone else think he'd be nuts to stay with this woman?!

What kind of message is this show sending?  It's a train wreck waiting to happen, and I hope it gets canceled after the first episode.


What do you think - will you watch?

All images via Google Images and UK Daily Mail (screen caps are of Katy Perry's Hot N Cold video)

The Meat Dress: fashionable, art or just controversial?

I know you've heard about Lady GaGa's meat dress.  Everyone has heard about the meat dress, and the corresponding PETA uproar.  However, how much do you know about the original meat dress and its message about fashion?

The History

In 1987, artist Jana Sterbak created the first - and extremely controversial - iteration of the meat dress.  It was composed of 50 - 60 pounds of raw flank stank that was salted to naturally undergo the curing process.  Sterbak attached the steak to a mannequin and fashioned it into the form of a dress.  The sculpture, entitled "Vanitas: Flesh Dress for an Albino Anorectic," was meant to emphasize the contrast between vanity and bodily decay.   

In 1991, the controversial sculpture was exhibited in Ottowa's National Gallery alongside a self-portrait of Sterbak wearing her creation.  Much like PETA's outcry in response to Lady GaGa's dress today, there was an outcry in 1991.  The dress was a waste of food and a waste of taxpayers money.  It wasn't art, it was offensive.  People even protested the exhibit by sending scarps of meat to the gallery!

In 1993, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis aquired the piece and still owns it today.  According the museum's catalogue: 

"the dress was stitched together from 60 pounds of raw flank steak and must be constructed anew each time it is shown. Following a centuries-old method of food preservation, the meat is heavily salted and allowed to air-dry. Over the span of the exhibition, the aging process drastically changes the appearance of the work."

It is currently on display at the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris' modern art museum.  The exhibit, simply entitled "elles", is a changing year-long survey dedicated to female contemporary artists which runs through February 2011.

The Meaning

It is always interesting to learn how an artist perceives their own work, and this case is no different.  Jana Sterbak considers "Vanitas" one of her most successful pieces:

“I think [Vanitas] is quite a successful work, if I can put it like that, because it can be interpreted in many different ways, from the respect that we do not accord to animals we raise for our food needs, to our own aging and death, the rituals of possession and absorption, etc. Vanitas could also be about the way time changes our perception of works. On the day of the opening, when the dress is exhibited the flesh is raw. Then the meat dries and starts to look like leather. Then everything is better, it becomes acceptable. This is also true for artists. Some curators prefer to work with dead artists because they’re less troublesome.“

She is completely right.  When the Walker Art Center catalogued its collection and came to this piece they deduced that, in addition to its message about mortality, it was a direct reflection on fashion:

"The work also addresses issues concerning women, fashion, consumption, and the body. The equation of women with meat and the notion that “you are what you wear” are common ideas in Western society. In the United States, statistics have pointed to a growing number of young women with eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa (referred to in the title), because their body types do not match the prevailing fashion or “look” sported by the tall, thin models populating the media."

I can definitely see that.  

Lady GaGa, in contrast, told Ellen DeGeneres that for her personally, wearing the meat dress was a protest against the miltary's "don't ask, don't tell" policy and the governmental restrictions placed on the rights of gay soldiers.  She said:

"For me, it says if we don’t stand up for what we believe in, if we don’t fight for our rights, pretty soon we are going to have as much rights as the meat on our bones. And, I am not a piece of meat."

I guess I can see that as well, but I wonder how much of it has to do with that as opposed with simple shock and publicity value.  Prior to the meat dress, she wore a meat bikini on the cover of September's Vogue Hommes Japan.  I haven't heard what the reasoning behind that shoot was, but my guess is something similar.  Either way, the meat dress isn't a new concept - it's been done before.

Now, if I was ever going to wear something made out of meat, it would be this replica Chanel bag by Nancy Wu.  It's made completely out of hand-sewn beef jerky.  Brilliant.

What are your thoughts on these 2 meat dresses?

Images courtesy of: janasterbak.com, Nancy Wu Art and Design, NY Daily News, Franc/Fernandez Blog

Whatever Wednesday: Lagerfield, Missy Rayder, Stacy Lomann and more...

Karl Lagerfield

I've mentioned before that I am not a huge fan of some of the things that come out of Lagerfield's mouth, but there is no denying the man is talented.  The European House of Photography in Paris is currently hosting an exhibition of his photography. "Karl Lagerfeld, parcours de travail" is being billed as the largest exhibit ever of his work: over 300 of his shots are being shown.  More information on the exhibit, which runs through October 31st, can be found here.  I'd love to see this in person.

     

Growing Blogger Influence

There is a nice piece on the ever-growing influence of fashion bloggers in Reuters today.  Reporter Michelle Nichols focuses on New York Fashion Week and the significant increase in online media coverage resulting from the changing blogosphere. 

Colleen Sherin, Saks Fifth Avenue fashion market director, is quoted in the piece: 

“We do pay attention to it … It’s important to be aware of what they are blogging about and what’s inspiring them.  Some of the things we might have been seeing on the street are perhaps now brought to us by the Internet.”

Check out the rest here.

Off the Runway

Except for this post about Tom Ford's new collection, I have stayed away from New York fashion Week coverage on my blog.  There is so much great coverage out there already, I don't feel the need to rehash here.  I AM going to post two quick tidbits, though.  

1. I can't stop staring at this Vera Wang dress.  LOVE the color and LOVE the design.  Gorgeous.
   
   
2. The Huffington Post published this great video interview with designer Stacy Lomann.  She discusses her new line and how she used crowdfunding to raise her funds and get it off the ground.
   
   
   

Guess the Mystery Model

Can you tell who the latest model for trendy Italian clothing line Fornarina is?  Truthfully, I found her quite unrecognizable!

Finally, a couple of doses of inspiration

I am still on my boot kick from the guest post yesterday.  Boots... I love boots.  Missy Rayder for Beyman:

Photoshoot Details:

Beymen Fall 2010/2011 Campaign

Photographer: Koray Birand
Stylist: Murat Turkili

Images courtesy of:  Fashion Gone Rogue, fashionising, The Daily Mail UK and The Associated Press

Guest Post: Fall Boot-y Call

A couple of weeks ago Tanvi, the sassy and über stylish writer of The Fabulous Life of Not-So-Rich and Infamous, approached me about doing a guest post for her blog.  After a quick brainstorming session we decided on the topic: boots!  (A little conspicuous consumption never killed anyone, right?).  Click on the image above to check it out.  Thank you, Tanvi, for such an honor!

That guest post was probably the hardest post I have ever had to write.  You have no idea of the emotional turmoil it caused both myself and Tanvi. OK, so maybe it wasn't the post that caused the turmoil.  Maybe it was blogger...

Tom Ford, how do I love thee...

let me count the ways...

Tom Ford, I love you because:

1. After a 6-year absence from woman's fashion, during which time you were sorely missed, you will be back Spring/Summer 2011!
2. You stole the spotlight at NYFW with the "secret" and highly exclusive presentation of your new line.
3. Your new line was modeled by women who are an inspiration to YOU.
4. According to reports, your models were styled perfectly, the runway show was a couture-style show (elegant and glamorous), and you narrated the show yourself.
5. Your new collection sounds remarkable. According to Cathy Horyn: "[The new collection is] the height of glamour — sharp pantsuits in black silk or a leopard pattern, gorgeous black evening clothes with sheer blouses, corsets and maybe a shrug in shredded tulle, impeccable details like hammered gold jewelry, stilettos with ankle ties and seamed black stockings."  All words I love.
6. Most of all, I love you because you used models of all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors in your "secret" launch. YAY! 

Now, Tom Ford, why do I hate you?

1. You only let one photographer - Terry Richardson, use a camera to document the evening.
2. We have to wait until January to see the collection.
3. Did I mention you only let one measly camera into the show?  *pout*
4. You are such a tease.

OK, so now what?  Let the thumb-twiddling commence.  I can't believe I am now looking forward to January! 

In the meantime, we can at least take a brief look at some of the models who were reportedly in the show.  It's a teaser, but at least we can imagine how beautiful they each must have been walking Tom Ford's runway! (Note: the images below are NOT from the show, just random shots I like of the models!)

Natalia Vodianova

Freja Beha Erichsen

Beyoncé

Daria Werbowy

Monika 'Jac' Jagaciak

Abbey Lee Kershaw

Lauren Hutton

Karlie Kloss

Lou Doillon

Du Juan

Julianne Moore

Lisa Eisner

Karen Elson

Marisa Berenson

Joan Smalls

Emmanuelle Seigner

Rachel Feinstein (pictured with Zac Posen)

Farida Khelfa

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld

Rita Wilson

Amber Valletta

Lakshmi Menon

Chanel Iman

Daphne Guinness

Carolyn Murphy

Rinko Kikuchi

Liya Kebede

Anja Rubik

According to Joe Zee, the creative director of Elle Magazine, the show was "a visual smorgasboard of refined chic and sexiness."  With these gorgeous women, and Tom Ford's designs - I bet it was!

I can't wait to see the images!

A quick note and a dose of inspiration: Carey Mulligan

First, a quick note: you may have noticed that the blog address switched from beautifully-invisible.blogspot.com to beautifully-invisible.com yesterday.  Although traffic is currently being redirected from the old link, please update any bookmarks you may have to the new address (people following via RSS should be fine).  

I plan on switching from blogger to wordpress in the next week or two, and the new address will be the permanent one.  Hang tight if you follow via bloglovin' - I am checking to see if they can update the address for me.  Thanks!

Now, on to Carey Mulligan for the October 2010 issue of Vogue.   I love shots like this.  It's earthy, whimsical and elegant all at the same time!

Photoshoot Details:

Vogue, October 2010

Photographer: Peter Lindbergh