Friend Friday: Blogger Narcissism

Katy Rose of ModlyChic has sent around another round of questions for the Friend Friday project. This week: Blogger Narcissism!

1. Do you think personal fashion blogging is inherently narcissistic?

The reason I write about fashion as I am sure many other people do is that they think they have a P.O.V. and want to share that with others. I think as long as people keep it about that and not themselves you can avoid being labeled narcissistic. It can be tricky though as fashion as a whole is a lot of navel gazing.


2. I think we can all agree, that certainly some blogs are personal odes to the blogger. In your opinion what makes a blog narcissistic.


In terms of fashion blogs, I think it begins and ends with the blogger's approach to outfit posts. If they are the only focus of the blog and lack any dialogue on the fashion choices behind them then that is most definitely narcissism-ahoy. There is nothing wrong with outfit posts in and of themselves, but when it is just obviously fishing for complements it annoys me. Blogs that do this also have very little posts on fashion itself outside of the clothes on the blogger's back, which is also another red flag for the blog being narcissistic. It is great to have a POV on fashion, but by only using it to explore your wardrobe choices is limiting.


3. Would you classify your blog as narcissistic? Why?

In all honestly, it is a bit. I have trouble about writing about things that I do not find interesting or match my fashion POV. Like, I refuse to include certain brands that I do not like or have value. I feel like I would be letting my readers down, but it does make for lower page views. I try to find the obscure and stylish, which makes my POV a bit narrow sometimes.


4. How can we combat the idea that because we share personal style thoughts/pictures we are automatically full of ourselves?


I love to ask people who bring this up: Do you ever talk about fashion with your friends? Have you ever commented on an awesome piece in someone's wardrobe? Someone's haircut? Do you ever admire your outfit in a mirror? Then guess what? You are doing the same exact thing I am doing!

Fashion in itself is our way of communicating who we are as people. Once you have studied fashion as a true field (meaning: historical, sociological, and craft) you would understand that. Those portraits of people hanging in the museums that people ogle day in and day out were made for the same reasons as outfit posts.

I do believe that posting about fashion does make you full of yourself in a way. You have a POV and you are secure in it. Enough to share it with the world and open it to criticism. Why should that necessarily be a bad thing?


5. How do you explain what you do to others in a way that doesn't come across as narcissistic?

It is not narcissistic if you are right.

Then you just come across as overconfident to some, but secure to others. If you cannot do that then maybe you want to re-consider the position of your blog. I mean I am a complete wuss in social situations in many ways at times, but I defend my blog with a ferocity I have not seen in myself in awhile. I just feel that deep down that my POV is interesting and is useful to people, and if others cannot see that they are not worth my time.

Readers what do you think? Is the blog a bit narcissistic? Let me know in the comments.

Friend Friday: Mothers

I recently joined a group called Friend Fridays being run by Katy of Modly Chic. She sends questions and we answer them on our own blogs. Then we send them over to her for meta posting on her blog!


This week's topic: Mothers

1. Which character trait of your mother's do you hope to emulate?

When I was young, my mom told me once that there was no reason not to share as you could always get more. Rampant consumerism aside, this I think is one of the best lessons she ever imparted on me. Generosity is one of the rarer traits seen in this world today, and as such I could not think of a more desirable trait to want to emulate.

2. What are your thoughts on your mother's/grandmother's sense of fashion?

I love my mom, but I hate the way she dresses herself. She could look so much better if she took the time to invest in herself, but like a true mom she just does not have any time for that. One of these days, I swear I'm going to plan a What Not to Wear intervention for her!

As far as my grandmother is concerned, in her youth full on Doris Day and in her old age Annie Hall inspired fashions reigned supreme in her closet. Black was one of her favorite colors and she wore it almost everyday, and as the years passed on it became a staple in mine as well. She may not be around anymore, but everytime I don something black I think of her.

3. When you reach your 70's you want people to look at you and think...

There is no way you are in your seventies! I know with age comes wisdom, but I am not necessarily looking forward to the wrinkles. Then again this may be highly possible as I am going to be 26 soon and people still think I am 13 - 14 sans fards. Plus, as long as the medical advances in science do not turn us all into zombies - I am pretty sure it is a go.

4. What piece or pieces from your mom's closet would you like to incorporate into your own?

Tough question as I said fashion is really not her cup of tea. I mentioned this question to my husband and he said why not opt for her gun? My mother is an ex-police officer, and according to him a girl could not look hotter than when she is packing heat in a sexy dress. Is it any wonder he likes the Resident Evil games?

5. What I like best about my mother is..

Besides her generosity, I think her willingness to do whatever how uncomfortable when asked by her daughters. Most recently, she has agreed to go bungee jumping with my sister for her 22nd birthday. If that is not a superhuman level of dedication to the whims of your children - I have no idea what is!

Fashion wise if you want to know how me and my mom match up - this graduation photo speaks volumes. Also, I had a panic attack earlier that day hence my delightful expression!

Anything you can do, I can do better: Issues of Copyright in Fashion

Fashion rarely reinvents the wheel. More often than not you can trace the origins of certain sartorial choices to historical periods, cultural overtures, or even a particular designer of the past. It is a bit of an Ouroboros by nature, but lately it has transgressed the boundary of referential good taste.

Fashionista has been keeping tabs on this in their Adventures in Copyright Series. Just take a look below and you will see exactly what I am talking about.


It is not a new phenomena exactly as it has been endemic in some form to fashion retail in America for quite some time.

"Couture houses sold their patterns to American department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue in New York or I. Magnin in San Francisco for one-year reproduction rights...It wouldn't be a a Paris creation per se, but pretty close...Middle market garment manufactures would pay a fee in 1957, it was $2,000--plus royalties to Dior to incorporate elements of Dior's design into dresses and suits that retailed for $50 or $60 in the United States".
-- Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster by Dana Thomas

The only difference between this situation and the current state of affairs in fashion is lack of due credit. I think it evolved as such because consumers simply do not care about the lineage of the products they purchase. Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster examines this disconnect in luxury retail, but I cannot comment definitively on it as I have yet to finish it. From what I have read so far, it seems mass production of luxury is responsible for dulling the senses of consumers to the finer qualities of design. Thus devaluing its importance in the eyes of consumers and creating the widespread belief that superficial similarity is "good enough".

I cannot say that I have not fed into the system myself as I have been known to pour over "get the look" pages in magazines from time to time. There is, however, a big difference from taking inspiration from the runway and blatantly ripping off a designer. Capsule collections are probably the best solution for consumers that are hungry for luxury trends. It creates a market for those more apt to opt for the knockoffs that litter canal street to purchase "true" designer goods at an affordable price. It also ensures that the designers the recognition and control over the final design they deserve. Win - win right?

The other option for consumers who are low on cash is to support indie designers. The goods do not have the price inflation of high end designer garb, the cookie cutter look of luxury brands, nor lapses in production values that occur sometimes in haute products. I mean how can you go wrong?

Thoughts on it? Leave it the comments.

A Different Kind of Green for St. Patrick's Day

St. Patty's Day is about many types of green. Green clothing that represents Irish pride, greenbacks used to buy one off shamrock paraphernalia, green beer drank in copious amounts, and green faces when you go a bit overboard.

I would like, however, to talk about another type of green: green living. Today is one of those days when you really see the excess of our culture. Essentially, we desecrate a religious by buying all these tchotchkes to celebrate and also by getting rip roaring drunk. Not that I will be attending church today or anything, but I thought it might be a good time for a post on eco-awareness.

I also just finished this amazing book by Raj Patel called The Value of Nothing: How to Reshape Market Society and Redefine Democracy, which despite some out there ideas is a pretty solid read on how to change society for the better in regards to the environment and treating others humanely. So, maybe I just have it on the brain!

Enough with the diatribe as I am sure you like me have some serious drinking to do today!

Here is a list of 5 unusual ways you can go green:

1. Use Open Source Software: OS software can run leaner and meaner thanks to the millions of coders working on the program. The more efficient the code the more efficient the computer runs and as a result the more green your web surfing becomes. A great example of this is Linux, which I have yet to use myself as I am an Apple fangirl. It is actually more customizable than the MAC OS and better yet it is free! The only reason I have not made the big switch is because I am tied into Apple due to programs like Adobe Creative Suite.


2. Cut Back on the Booze: I know it is a strange thing to say on St. Patrick's Day, but by cutting back just a smidge on your drinking you can help save the environment. According to Treehugger, if I would save myself $1,304 and the earth 1,472 lbs of CO2 per year! Translation: that could put one hell of a fancy handbag on my arm.


3. Buy Vintage: I love vintage. If there was a vintage god, I would visit it's temple everyday and pray for lovely vintage goodies to rain down upon me. Since, unfortunately, that does not exist in real life I depend on awesome re-sellers. In NYC, I normally go to either HousingWorks or this thrift store in the 20s whose name escapes me right now. (I guess I started a bit too early - eh?) In cyberspace, I go to VintageSparkles and LA Vintage. The former has an awesome selection of accessories, and the latter believe it or not has PLUS SIZE vintage!


4. Join Shared Ownership Programs: I love movies. I literally cannot resist buying the bargain basement priced DVDs from Target. It is my secret shame, because obviously I don't watch these movies often enough to justify owning them. That is why I joined Netflix. The same goes for driving and living in the city, which is why we chucked the car and joined ZipCar. Books are another sore spot for me as I love them, but I normally never read them more than once. That is where companies like BookSwim come in for people like me. Not only does it curb spending, but helps me live a little bit greener. Finally, I can't consider myself a fashion blogger without mentioning Avelle formally known as Bag, Borrow, or Steal. Normally, I get to stare at these pieces behind glass but this company puts them within reach.


5. Mend What You Own: We live in a disposable culture. I mean when is the last time you ever heard someone say they were going to mend their socks? I buy pretty expensive shoes when I can scrape together the cash, and I make sure that I maximize the purchase by making sure they are in tip top shape by visiting a cobbler on the regular. I also have had the lining on my coats repaired numerous times, because plus size limitations aside I am extremely discerning when it comes to my clothes. This not only helps me save money and stimulate the economy at the same - it also helps me green my life a bit by cutting down on unnecessary purchases.

I hope that was helpful and I promise I have an awesome post coming up soon. I just had an interview to prepare for and that took a lot out of me!

Enjoy your day of drunken debauchery, religious observance, or regular old Wednesday goodness!

The Plus Sized Fashionista's New Best Friend: the Millennial

Elitism in fashion is on its way out and we have the rise of the Millennials to thank for it.

Marketers are literally chomping at the bit to appeal these consumers aged 18-28 as they are considered to be the holy grail in this depressed economy. Why? They have the most disposable cash and are considered to be the tastemakers of today as well as tomorrow.


Millennials are different from other consumer groups as they are "eager to be entertained and informed yet [they] are resistant to the familiar...in-your-face 20th-century approach". They are a "generation of free downloads, easy access to everything — what the American psychologist Nathan Brody calls 'the entitled generation'". Brands, as such, have been forced to create new strategies to speak to these consumers in order to simply survive.

It is no wonder then that exclusive world of fashion has begun to open up lately - it has no other choice! That is why everyone recently is trying to get on the diffusion/capsule collection bandwagon, and also why we are seeing an increased presence of brands on the web outside of etail. Millennials, after all, are known for their love of wired interactive connectivity and brands as such are scrambling to catch up.


A prime example of this is Nowness a new website launched by LVMH. There are no products being directly sold on the site and no mention of the site's ownership by LVMH. In fact, the only press they get from the website is when a product from one of their lines is mentioned every so often. It may seem strange but the main goal of this website is to generate goodwill via remarkable experiential editorials, and also to stand as demonstration of the brand's commitment to their consumers opinions/interests. This is essential when marketing to Millennials as they will seek out other brands if they feel that they are being ignored, and in a market being propped up by their purchases their departure can be deadly blow.


So, what does this mean for the plus size fashionista you may be asking yourself? It means for the first time there is a chance new voices to be heard in fashion, and plus size voices are breaking through as we speak. Marie Claire was the first to jump on the bandwagon of plus size editorials by having plus sized columnist Ashley Falcon join their team. The blogosphere also is a heavy hitting sphere of influence in this regard as it is changing the way fashion is being viewed. Take Gabi of Young, Fat, & Fabulous - she is now vlogging for Vogue Italia Curvy, which is a whole website owned by Vogue Italia devoted to plus size high fashion. Or the fact that Stéphanie of Le Blog de Big Beauty is being paid to create a plus size collection for La Redoute.

I mean I know we still have a long way to go until parity is reached, but for the first time in a long time it actually feels like my voice is being heard.

The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades

Today I was browsing through my google reader and I came across this post from Young, Fat, & Fabulous. In in it, Amelia Pontes (guest blogger from Sound Bites) talks about her love of taking fashions risks despite being plus size.

It got me thinking about my own wardrobe and where I could use an injection of fresh new style.

Then it hit me. Sunglasses. I love them more then life and I had a pretty eclectic expensive collection that got lost in a previous move. I was devastated, because like all truly valuable items they were rare. So, in short re-buying them was never an option and they were never to be seen again.

I just did not have the heart to start collecting all over again, and as such my sunglasses assortment suffers to this day.

I think that is all going to change now, because some of these sunglasses I cannot see myself living without. I know I will have to chose just one, but I know in my heart of hearts that each one of these deserves a place in my collection! So, don't fret sunnies that don't get picked - when I win the lottery you are all coming home with me!

(Left to Right)

1. Nathan Jenden - Ms. Demeanor (Black): $295.00 www.lindaderector.com

2. Linda Farrow - Luxe (Snakeskin): $600 www.lindafarrow.co.uk

3. Moss Pull - Exotic Leather Mosiac (Ostrich): $1200.00 www.lindaderector.com

4. GianFranco Ferre - Luigi: $325.00 www.lindaderector.com

5. Linda Farrow - Alexander Wang: $288.00 www.lindafarrow.co.uk

6. Linda Farrow - Walter (Black/Red + Removable Lens): $256.00 www.lindafarrow.co.uk

Love some of these items but sticker shock has got you down? Try www.like.com and www.styleshopper.com. More often than not you can find something similar at a reduced price. All you have to do is enter the designer and product name and it should come up within the search, and from there it should only be a few seconds to find similar items.

The Negatives of Plus Size via Curves and Chaos

I came across this posting on Curves and Chaos today. Monique posted a link to an article written by Greta Hagen-Richardson titled "The Negatives of Plus Size" and as you imagine it made me pretty incensed.

Here are some of the choice lines:

1) "Despite my very secure self-identification as a feminist, I find myself a bit out of sorts where this topic is involved. While I oppose the idea of size-0 models as the only representation of the female form on the runway, I don’t think I am a fan of the size-12 models either."

How does being a feminist justify that statement? She has the right to say what she will about models, but the size 12 model has been integral to the market for quite some time. Size 12 models just have not been involved in catwalks as visibly until now, and this fact alone just indicates how ill informed the writer is on the subject.

2) "Let me say right now that I am no size 2 or 4 (or 6 for that matter), so I think I can understand the desire of many proponents of the plus-size movement...However, the sizes that the public consider to be in the plus range, 14-18, are to my mind just as unhealthy as the 0s and 2."

I agree to a certain against about the health concerns of being plus sized. I have said it before, and I will again that being on the high end of plus sized is not healthy. I recognize this fact and it is a cause of great anxiety, but that does not mean I need to be discriminated against by becoming fashion's invisible woman. Also, we are not privy to every woman's history - so who is she to judge their health?

3) "Part of what bothers me about having the size 14 on the runway is the motivation for it. In this economic climate, it would seem that many designers are doing whatever they can to jump on a market that was previously untapped...Perhaps this is a marketing ploy more than a new acceptance. If that is the case, then the inclusion of these new models could be just as damaging."

I agree with her to a certain extent in this regard. The fact is I mentioned it yesterday in my post Square Peg/Round Hole: The Dilemma of the Plus Sized Model. Diversity is a slippery slope and being exploited is sometimes the byproduct of inclusion, but does that necessarily mean we should argue against it?

4) "A few months ago, Glamour magazine drummed up a lot of attention by featuring a photo shoot of several plus-size models in the industry. Among them was Lizzi Miller, star of Glamour’s first nude plus-size photo shoot. In an interview, size 12-14 Miller said that she eats right and exercises daily and that her size is an accurate reflection of her natural weight. I find this pretty difficult to believe. I run between a size 8 and a size 10 and like athletics, so perhaps I am unable to shelve my own bias. But it would seem to me that someone eating optimally (six roughly 300-calorie meals a day, complete with the proper distribution of proteins, veggies, and fruits) and working out daily (could be as little as a 20-30 minute run) should be closer to a size 6 or 8."

This is the part of the article that really pissed me off. I have no idea why she thought it was necessary to bring in her own statistics when discussing the model's weight. It screamed to me "hey I'm thinner than this "fatty" why does she get to model"?

5) "I am by no means condemning larger sizes aesthetically. The plus-size women who have walked the runways thus far have been as beautiful as the typical Fashion Week model fare. Trust me — I am about as awed by Miller’s looks as I am of Agyness Deyn’s."

What a backhanded complement! How many times have you heard "you have such a beautiful place, but..."? Same sentiment - different wording.

I just feel overall this woman had her own issues, and took them out on the plus sized models of the catwalk. She mentioned nothing about the mechanics behind the size 0/plus size debate, which is integral to understanding the situation in its entirety.

The clothes shown on the runway are sent out to magazines for shoots. These are normally the only samples that showrooms have to send out for sample requests, and as such the model sizes on the runway determine the sizes you see in magazines. So, in short the models you see on the runway perpetrate the cycle of thinspiration entrenched in the American psyche.

(Sorry for the brevity in the post today. I have a severe headache, and this was all I could muster up before I had to lay back down again.)

Inside Out: Lingerie Inspired Fashions for Spring

"For lingerie inspired looks what matters is that you convey an idea of the unseen and allow the dream" - Stefano Gabbana (Marie Claire - March 2010)

Elegance and illusion are key to making this work this spring, and this is especially so in the case those with a bit of "junk in the trunk".

In order to pull it off, it is essential therefore to find the right balance to avoid becoming a burlesque caricature. Showing too much is sometimes difficult to estimate for a plus sized fashionista, as what it considered a little proportionally for us may be overboard in the opinion of the general public. Remember this is a look about sleek and subtle nods to their boudoir complements - so discretion in this regard is vital!

Caftan Inspired Looks

Caftans are not only one of the most enjoyable words to say in the English language, they are also an integral part of the lingerie category. Originally making their way into boudoirs from the Middle East they now have become a staple in lingerie. Their lose fit and intricate detailing make them a sure fire hit this spring.

Dorothy Perkins - Rise Asia dress: $54.00 (US Size 12 - 14) www.dorothyperkins.com

Dorothy Perkins - Rise Embellished Dress $46.00 (US size 12 - 14) www.dorothyperkins.com

Warehouse - Embroidered Batwing Silk Top $77.00 (US size 12 - 14) www.asos.com

Corset Inspired Looks

Corsets were essential as foundation garments for centuries - well until the bra was finally able to claim its rightful place in the market. Now this season, once again, they are cropping up as outerwear. This is a look that requires some discretion as it can look too costumey if done wrong, and that is why you want to work towards creating moreso the illusion of a corset than actually wearing one.

ASOS - Contrast Panelled Jersey Corset $43.00 (US size 12 - 16) www.asos.com

ASOS - Halterneck Body Con Top $43.00 (US size 12 - 16) www.asos.com

Cami Inspired Details

Camisole detailing is also making its presence known in fashion. Lacey elements about this season and add a touch of femininity and sensuality to almost every category of clothing. In short, it is one of the easiest ways to include some lingerie inspired looks into your wardrobe this season.

Karen Millen - Cutwork Vest: $77.95 (US 12 - 14) www.asos.com

ASOS - Crochet Trim Top: $43.00 (US Sizes 12 - 18) www.asos.com

ASOS - Lace Mono Two in One Dress: $74.00 (Us Sizes 12 - 16) www.asos.com

Sensual Hosiery

stylehive had this great pair of garter leggings by LnA listed as one of the ways to wear lingerie as daywear. Sadly, I was unable to find a comparable substitute in a plus size size range. There are, however, extremely sexy back seam and Cuban Heel thigh highs available in plus sizes in an array of colors/styles. (Cuban Heel hosiery are those items that have a back seam as well as a higher than usual reinforcement on the heel.)

Fredrick's of Hollywood - Color Band Backseam Thigh High Plus: $14 (1X-2X) www.fredricks.com

Hips and Curves - Cuban Heel Contrast Top Stocking: $7.95 (Queen) www.hipsandcurves.com

Hips and Curves - Color Band & Backseam Stockings: $13.95 (1X - 6X) www.hipsandcurves.com

Hips and Curves - Cuban Heel Sheer Lycra Thigh Highs: $7.95 (Queen) www.hipsandcurves.com

If you are like me and thigh highs never stay up for you, I highly suggest investing in a garter belt. It takes the whole anxiety of whether or not your thighs are falling down out of the equation. Just make sure they are not too tight/short or else it will be an extremely uncomfortable fit.

Shoes: Flirty and Feminine or Tough Girl Chic

Elle suggests pairing lingerie-inspired separates with "shoes and bags embellished with flirty, feminine touches". Stylecaster, however, thinks that pairing these looks with "flat boots for a bit of contrast" helps "balance out the look". Either is a great choice, but for me I think that flirty and feminine complements the look best.

Manolo Blahnik - Raia: $995.00 www.barneys.com

Christian Louboutin - Ernesta Bow: $875.00 www.barneys.com

Miu Miu - Bow Pump: $560.00 www.barneys.com

Vera Wang Lavender Label - "Lynette" Satin Ballet Flats: $225.00 www.bloomingdales.com

Valentino - Bow-detail Satin Sandals: $825 www.net-a-porter.com

Love some of these items but sticker shock has got you down? Try www.like.com and www.styleshopper.com. More often than not you can find something similar at a reduced price. All you have to do is enter the designer and product name and it should come up within the search, and from there it should only be a few seconds to find similar items.

What Not To Wear: Leggings as Standalone Pants

Just because you can fit into something it does not necessarily mean that you should wear it. Discretion is key to being truly fashionable as it gives one the ability to ascertain whether or not a look works for their body type. After all, is not one of the main aims of modern fashion to create an ensemble that flatters the figure?

Why do I bring this up? Today as I was going about my day, I saw two of my chotto brethren wearing leggings as standalone pants. I know I have a whole post about how leggings are godsends, but that was was in regards to when worn as intended: foundation garments! For all of you unfamiliar with foundation garments: they are normally items meant to be worn underneath another item of clothing.

In the case of leggings, especially for larger fashionistas this means that it should be worn underneath a long sweater/shirt or a dress/skirt and not serve as a replacement for pants. Why? It more often than not emphasizes the not so sexy elements of the plus size frame when worn as standalone pants. I personally am part of the majority of people that cannot pull of this look, and that is why I always wear leggings as a foundation garment only.

If your intent is to emphasize the curves of your lower half you would be better served wearing something more akin to a pencil skirt in lieu of leggings as pants. It accentuates plus size curves in all the right places, and also provides the coverage needed to hide any negatives. I mean look at how great Stéphanie of Le Blog de Big Beauty looks to the left. It should be obvious that this is look is a win-win!

Fashion Fiction vs. Reality: The Devil Doesn't Always Wear Prada

Fashion week has a lot of fond memories for me.

I met one of my most recent besties there about 1 year ago at the Karen Walker Show. (She's based in Paris now and has an amazing blog on vintage fashion. Check it out here.) The year before that I was an intern at Zero + Maria Cornejo and I helped coordinate their show as well. It was truly one of the most amazing and challenging times in my life as I got to learn all about the process of putting on a show.

I was lucky to get this opportunity at Zero + Maria Cornejo, because they are such an amazing brand. The designer Maria is extremely talented and has a choice story about a particularly famous fashion editor who shall remain nameless. I will not get into details - but in short she lived to tell the tale. That alone should give you some insight into the woman's talent and tenacity, which of course is very present in her designs.

The other reason I value my time spent at Zero so much is that it showed me fashion is not always about who you know or what you look like. It is very much about hard work, and that was all it took to get the position there. This was not always the case for me, as there have been multiple occasions in my fashion career where my appearance sunk my chances of snagging a position. This was such a non issue that they even had me do check in at the door at the show!

They also have been known to make their items in up to size 16 for special orders, which in my opinion reflects the abilities of Maria as a designer. Some people have to rely on hangers to make their clothes look great, but she does it by having the talent to create amazing designs.

Why do I bring this up today? I saw on twitter today that Bono had popped into their show and WomensWear Daily posted some pics from the show as well. It made me so happy to know that a brand with such vision and great people behind it are getting noticed.

Understanding the loss of McQueen: Not as easy as it seems

Alexander McQueen

Many articles have been written about Alexander McQueen since his passing on Thursday, but none of them really explore the impact of the man and his work on the fashion scene as well as Frédérique Renaut of Benjamin Kanarek's blog.

"He had it all: A perfect technique of “the cut”, the tailoring which was the foundation and basis of his work learned while on Savile Row. Yet with this classic training, he was able to take his creations much further expressed with his own tragic poetry. Some people might have complained and stated, “Give me a break they are only clothing after all…” Perhaps, but the end product was more than “Just Clothing”."

Alexander McQueen's fashions were definitely more than "just clothing". He was a true designer in the sense that he used fashion to convey a story, and respected those who attempted to do the same. After all, this is the same man that fell so hard for plus sized icon Beth Ditto that he "creat[ed] a number of designs for Ditto" and has had her attend his fashion shows.


Beth Ditto in Alexander McQueen

This was a man who was not afraid to be inclusive even though it did not distill down to consumers exactly - he was still one of those rare designers willing to design for a plus sized woman. So, for that in addition to his amazing talent he will most definitely be missed.

If interested in reading the rest of Frédérique Renaut thoughts on McQueen check out his posting: God did not save McQueen! It has youtube videos, a breakdown of some of his work, and some interesting trivia about McQueen as well.