Whatever Wednesday: ANTM controversy, DVF does hospital, True Blood nakedness and more!

What better way to start this Whatever Wednesday than with some controversy?

The Girl With the Disappearing Waist

Disclaimer: I am not a huge Tyra Banks fan, nor am I a fan of America's Next Top Model.  I respect Tyra's stance on body image, and I'd be lying if I said I had never seen an episode of the show, but generally speaking I have only watched out of sheer and utter boredom. Project Runway is more my style.  I am loving this season of PR, especially hometown girl Valerie Mayen's work to date! 

But I digress.  Back to ANTM.  This latest controversy fits in perfectly with the size/weight debate which has been dominating lately.  The source of the controversy is the newly released promo below:

As you might guess, it's Ann's body - specifically her tiny waist - that is causing the stir.   

Critics are saying that the ad promotes poor body image and I have seen the words "skeletal," "unnatural," and "anorexic" attributed to Ann by various sources.   New York Magazine printed a piece on the story which included a statement from Tyra.  Her response seems to indicate that Ann does not have a healthy body image:

"...During this season of Top Model, you will see that Ann (the woman featured in the trailer) provided another opportunity for me to support a young woman struggling with her own body image issues (she's 6'2''; and is the receiver of countless stares and ridicule). Helping young ladies, like Ann and countless others that have confided in me, furthers and supports my core mission."

Although the ANTM judges appears to be taken aback when they first see Ann, there is no question that the promo makes it seem that the panel is ultimately approving of Ann's figure.  This is where the concern lies.  Based on Tyra's comments above, it appears that the show will delve into Ann's body image issues this season.  I would also infer, from that comment, that Ann may be completely healthy and perhaps just has a very unique body type.  The concern is - again - what will impressionable young women think when they see that type of body being promoted?  What if they don't watch the show, and just see the promo, and come to the conclusion that must be the ideal body shape?  For the majority of women, it certainly is not.  

This is essentially the flip-side of the plus-size debate.  Shouldn't both sides be represented?  In theory, yes.  I would argue, however, that in my experience I have seen countless plus-size women, and very few that have Ann's proportions (actually, none).  Hopefully Ann is a healthy, unique young woman and ANTM can use this controversy to help promote a positive body image.

What are your thoughts on the subject? 

 

Angelina Jolie as Marilyn Monroe?

The past few days rumors have been flying that Angelina Jolie has signed on to play Marilyn Monroe in the adaptation of Andrew O'Hagan's novel The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe.  According to The Daily Mail, Angelina had beat out both Scarlett Johansson and Christina Hendricks for the role.  

Although I have always loved Angelina Jolie, I don't know if I like the idea of her playing Marilyn.  Physically she just doesn't seem voluptuous enough.

 

I was relieved when The Los Angeles Times confirmed that Angelina is not attached to the project after all.

Who would you cast in the role?

   

DVF's newest creation
Now for some news that hits closer to home: Diane Von Furstenberg has helped to design a line of hospital gowns!  According to Jeanne Ryan, the Cleveland Clinic staffer overseeing the project, the redesign has been underway for 3 years. The Cleveland Clinic finally began piloting the new prototype-gown design in May, and so far the reviews are good.

"The current model is a full-coverage, reversible design, incorporating the Cleveland Clinic’s diamond logo into von Furstenberg’s signature repetition pattern. Other changes include an elastic waistband, wrap-around closure, and a wide V-neck to accommodate chest monitoring and stethoscopes.

Most important... the gown is functional while preserving modesty: "Physicians can open the gown to expose the part they need to access without exposing the patient completely.""

Not something you would generally expect to see from a designer of Von Furstenberg's caliber, right?  Well, they may not be high-fashion, but they are DVF!

COACH Poppy Project redux

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you may have noticed that I have removed the COACH Poppy project from my side bar.  There is a great conversation going on at IFB on the project and what it's true benefits (or lack thereof) may be for bloggers.

If you haven't done so already I encourage you to check it out.  The post and subsequent comments really made me take a look at the perceived "benefits" I was getting and I decided - for myself- that it didn't make sense to participate.  That may not be true for you, but it's worth looking into!

The good news is - no more annoying Grow, Poppy Grow tweets from me! 

Is that a *collective sigh of relief* I hear?  :)

Nakedness

Finally, in other jaw-dropping news.... I bring you the True Blood Rolling Stone cover.  I would probably think it was genius if I wasn't too busy wondering how - um - revealing - shooting it must have been for Anna Paquin.  Wow.

What is on your mind this Whatever Wednesday?

All images courtesy of Google Images or Rolling Stone magazine.

Me Wants It: Valerie Mayen, McQueen, Choo and more!

Did you know that Cleveland, OH holds its own Fashion Week every May?

Or that three Ohioans competed in Season 5 of Project Runway?  

Or that Seasons 3, 6 and 7 also each had one contestant from the state?

Or that at least ten different Ohio schools offer degrees in Fashion Design?

Most people don't think "fashion" when they think of Cleveland, yet fashion is an important facet of the city.

Project Runway kicked off it's 8th Season last week.  During the premiere episode we were introduced to another local contestant: Valerie Mayen.  Although she's been sworn to secrecy regarding the show, the local buzz is that she may be among the final contestants competing for top prize.

Valerie's designs, and her shop Yellowcake, are well known amongst Clevelanders who do follow fashion.  This weeks edition of "Me Wants It" includes two coats from her etsy shop that would be perfect for those chilly Cleveland days that are around the corner.

  

I love the name of this Valerie Mayen coat: The Blue Kangaroo.  How cute is that, and how great is the color?    

This white Valerie Mayen coat is also just as lust-worthy.  Great shape, excellent-looking construction.  I don't know which coat I like more.
 

 

This military-inspired Jack by BB Dakota coat is not as luxe as Mayen's pieces, but it is still on trend. 

Moving on to footwear, first up are these Frye Over the Knee Boots in distressed, pebbled leather.  I can't decide between smoke and black.  Which do you prefer?

Then we have these Jimmy Choo suede ankle boots.  I love this take on shearling - very glamorous. 

Saks Fifth Avenue NYC recently announced that it would begin carrying some designs in size 14 (and up) in (extremely) limited numbers.  In the meantime, I can pretend the two dresses come in my size.

I love the exposed lining and frayed wool in this Alexander McQueen's distressed pencil dress.  

There is a definite vintage feel to this printed silk dress by Erdem.  All it needs is a pen necklace like the one Joan wears on Mad Men!

My weekly bag pick is this Sara Berman studded slouch bag.  Check out the different sizes of the studs on the bottom of the bag.  It's a softer look than the studded bags of the past few seasons.

 
  

Finally we have this simple necklace by Gorjana.  I'm a huge fan of her line, and this piece is no exception.  

What are you coveting?  What Fall trends are you most excited about? 

All images courtesy of net-a-porter, Etsy, shopbop, and ModCloth