When I was 12 I had thick bangs, giant braces and a wardrobe that consisted of my brothers’ yellow-crusted-arm-pitted-hand-me-downs. I wore Umbros – one leg green, one leg purple – and maroon reverse fit jeans (read: mom jeans). I thought I was super stylish when I threw on one of my brother’s flannel button downs…and only buttoned the middle one!

I realize times have changed and fashion is a lot more accessible to the youngsters, but this girl is really making me feel like sh*t. Even now. And I really love my wardrobe. Or, I did, until I started seeing hers.

I don’t really know who this chicadee is and I totally question who is really behind the writing of this blog (because there is no way in hell a 12 year old could write this way….and if she can, I hate her even more), but none of that really matters. This little fashionista clearly exists…and obviously does so just to make us normal people feel bad about ourselves.

The whole thing is just crazy. She struts her chic NYC style down the hallways of her middle school. She rocks vintage frocks as she jumps the swings on the playground. And she can rock a look like this without looking totally ridiculous. Read More »

[Everyone’s had that internship. The one that sounded awesome but ended up being awful. I had that internship. I thought I’d be reading scripts and doing coverage, but instead, I was leaning over a rickety filing cabinet for 5 hours every day, filing bullsh*t as big Important People stepped over me and constantly forgot my name. I also went on errands for necessary things like laundry, cappucinos, dog food, and cardboard boxes. It was truly a monumental waste of time.

Judging by stories from friends and colleagues, I know I’m not the only one who’s done something stupid in the name of free, resume-building labor. When CollegeCandy put out a request for a Secret Intern to write an Internship Diary, we got some truly cringe-inducing stories, but “Elisa’s” experience trumped all.

Currently, “Elisa” is interning for a big, flashy 5th Avenue designer. Sounds awesome, right? Well…read on.]

“What are you doing this summer?”
“I’m a marketing intern for a designer on 5th ave.”
“No way!! You’re so lucky.”

Yup. That was me. The “lucky” one. Little did I know I was in for a whole different ride. Read More »

It’s hard to take a stand on designer copyright.

On one hand, I understand why designers are so angry when their goods are blatantly copied by mass retailers (I’m looking at you Forever 21…), and on the other, I’m incredibly poor and terribly fashionable.

I am torn between what I know is right (not buying copied clothes) and wanting a great piece for a fraction of the price.

I don’t think it is right, but I don’t necessarily do anything to stop the flow of copied goods either. It’s not like I’m buying knock-offs on the street in Chinatown. That, I can’t do, because I can see the faces of small children locked in factories making fake purses for ten cents a day. My soft heart just can’t take it.

For a while this was okay. I couldn’t ever really decide how I felt on the issue. I understand copying an idea: a trend, a hem a silhouette. I understand that designers feel slighted and angry.

Overall, they feel that while unfair, it really just makes the trends end faster. All of a sudden, those with money aren’t the only trendsetters, as trendy items are available at every price range. I get it.

But then, it hit home. Read More »

I may be a fashionista, but clothes remain an oddity to me. I gave up dressing for the male gender along time ago and now if I show off my tits it’s because I want to. And because I like my breasts, to me they are empowering.

I embraced the baby doll tent/trapeze dress for summer because for once it was a style that was breezy and light and dare I say it comfortable. I decided I’d stick it to the man (or men) who found the style unappealing. I liked it. And they showcased my legs, another of my favorite features. It allowed me to keep the ladies under wraps but let people go gaga over my gams.

All in all, I loved the shape of the summer dresses, or the fact that there wasn’t much shape to them at all.

But it all got me to thinking. In a way although we dress for ourselves, we do dress for others. And the other night I had a horrifying experience where in all of this shapely/shapeless controversy came to a head.

I was walking to the train from work, standing on a corner about to walk into Union Square. It was late and I was tired and talking to my boyfriend. That day I had worn an American Apparel strapless tube dress with a flouncy tunic to cover up the fact that the dress showed more curves than I was comfortable with.

So, I was showing off my shape, but still covering it up. And I had on my mother’s old cowboy boots, since I work at a Texas BBQ restaurant and its pretty much the only dress code requirement of a hostess. They also draw way more attention from men than I ever imagined—I get a “hey cowgirl” at least every other day. Read More »

I fully agree with some of the gripes that Leah has with Teen Vogue (seriously, the duration of their internships is growing painful). However, while browsing the site recently, I came upon a program Teen Vogue sponsers that seems like it may be worthwhile.

Teen Vogue Fashion University takes place throughout the weekend of October 26-28 in a variety of venues in NYC. The event is designed for girls ages 18-22 who are looking to become involved in some aspect of the fashion industry.

The list of guest speakers is impressive, ranging from designers Vera Wang and Phillip Lim to Tim Gunn (from Project Runway) to fashion and beauty photographer Kevin O’Brien. For $150, “students” will get to choose which seminars they would like to attend, recieve a tour of the Teen Vogue offices, attend a concert by up-and-coming band Locksley and network with some major names in the fashion world. Read More »