Whatever Wednesday: Donna Karan, Gareth Pugh, Numéro Magazine, Illamasqua and more!

by Beautifully Invisible on September 29, 2010

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Donna Karan enters the world of e-commerce

Have you checked out Donna Karan’s new website yet? You can now shop the Fall Collection from the comfort of your own home! In addition to enjoying the convenience of shopping online, you can also enter to win a $10,000 Donna Karan wardrobe here, or check out Donna’s Journal, which is full of tidbits on wonderful women who inspire. Included in the list are Susan Sarandan, Milla Jovovich, Brooke Shields, and a myriad of other remarkable women. My favorite, of course, if the ever-glorious Christina Hendricks. Click the image to be taken directly to her interview.

Source: donnakaran.com

Kristen McMenamy for Gareth Pugh S/S 2011

No words needed for this. Click and enjoy!

Gareth Pugh S/S 2011 Collection – Director: Ruth Hogben from SHOWstudio on Vimeo.

Constance Jablonski for Numéro No. 117

You’ve probably heard about the latest fashion editorial controversy:  Constance Jablonski styled in varying degrees of blackface and an afro in the October 2010 issue of Numéro Magazine.

This isn’t the first time this practice has caused controversy in the fashion industry. Last year, French Vogue caused a stir when they featured a blackfaced Lara Stone in an editorial. More recently, Karl Lagerfield shot Claudia Schiffer in blackface (amongst other looks). Without a doubt, the use of blackface always leads to some controversy and increased publicity for a publication. What do you think of this practice? My thoughts are: why couldn’t they use a stunner like Joan Smalls or Liya Kebede in the shoot instead? Is it really necessary to take a woman with fair skin and style her in an afro and blackface, when there are beautiful black models out there? Personally, I like the late 60’s, early 70’s vibe of the editorial itself, I just wish they had gone with a different model.

Just for comparison, here we have Constance Jablonski in the June/July 2010 issue of Vogue Paris:

Photobucket Photobucket

Photographers: Claudia Knoepfel & Stefan Indlekofer

And here she is in Numéro No. 117:

Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket PhotobucketPhotobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket

Photographer: Greg Kadel

So, what do you think?

Illamasqua’s Art of Darkness

If you have ever been on the hunt for bright, dramatic makeup that was also high-quality, you may have stumbled across Illamasqua. I came across the Art of Darkness promotional film for their Fall Collection, and no matter what you think about the video, you can’t argue that it’s a unique and memorable approach! They definitely made great use of the product and created something unique with the film.

Lipstick at all Times

I came across this photo on facebook the other day and had to post it. Bojan Stanic is one of my favorite Serbian photographers, and this image is a teaser from a photoshoot he recently did. No matter what is going on in your life – wear lipstick!

Tamara Simic, photographed by Bojan Stanic

I hope you are having a great Wednesday!

{ 11 comments… add one }

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  • Anonymous September 30, 2010, 1:58 PM

    I hadn’t seen any of the “blackface” editorials before, so when I read the word, I was expecting something a lot more stagey-stereotypical and clearly offensive — as Wikipedia definies the term, “theatrical makeup used in minstrel shows, and later vaudeville.”

    I don’t have much of a problem with the so-called blackface in these modern pictures. It’s subtly and beautifully done. If Caucasian model has the bone structure, expressions, body moves, attitude, and gaze you want, make her any color you want and with any hairstyle you want.

    I think it also introduces a long-overdue idea: why shouldn’t fair or straight-haired women emulate darker complexions or full, curly hair if it’s a look they want to embrace? Why does the path usually go the other way, with skin lighteners, peroxide, and straightening chemicals and instruments?

    If Numéro had used a black model, it would be just that — a beautiful black woman in vintage styles. But the use of a white model really gets us thinking about different shades of beauty and how we can create it, and style it. More layers of thought here. I gather that Numéro is meant to be more thinky and edgy that way.

    Perhaps part of the problem is the use of the label “blackface” with all its historic stigma.

    Reply

    • Beautifully Invisible October 6, 2010, 7:33 PM

      I think fair and straight-haired women often do emulate darker complexions and curly hair – that is part of the reason tanning is so prevalent, and also part of the reason perms were so popular. I gather now straight hair is in, but me – with my wavy hair – have always wished it was curly! LOL

      I think my main issue with the blackface is I feel that if someone wants to get us thinking about different shades of beauty, then they should use women that ARE different shades of beautiful, instead of making someone into something they are not. Maybe I am being narrow-minded about it, but I just wish that the industry would celebrate real diversity, instead of creating it where it is not.

      Reply

  • Casee Marie September 30, 2010, 3:35 AM

    Christinalicious Christina! Just can’t get enough of that gal.

    I remember the first time I saw blackface was in an old Bing Crosby film, Holiday Inn. I’d never even heard of the process and, considering the mood in terms of racial tolerance back then, I was a bit struck. It seemed offensive, even for something as light-hearted as a Bing Crosby film (the very one that gave us “White Christmas” of all things! Stop it now, Casee, your film geekery is showing). Anyway, things have changed so much now and fashion is fashion, but I still feel like using blackface is in some way supporting its original use. And that’s a little bothersome.
    Ramble, ramble. Regardless of the blackface, though, I do love the shoot!

    Reply

    • Beautifully Invisible October 6, 2010, 7:27 PM

      I think you hit the nail on the head: part of the problem is the fact that whenever blackface is used, it makes people think of minstrel shows, etc. And the term itself sounds derogatory… so even though its use is somewhat common in fashion, it always causes a stir because it brings up those old emotions for people.

      Reply

  • Grit and Glamour September 29, 2010, 6:50 PM

    Awesome post! Love the Pugh vid. I so want those slit, wide leg pants. Kristen M. is more compelling now than she EVER was in her younger years. And I ALWAYS wear lipstick…amen!

    ♥ V
    http://www.gritandglamour.com
    twitter: @gritandglamour

    Reply

    • Beautifully Invisible October 6, 2010, 7:24 PM

      Love the video too… don’t think I could rock the pants, but they look fab on her (and would on you as well!).

      Reply

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