Winter 1991
Cover: Winter 1991
Context: Madonna’s “Justify My Love” spends the first two weeks of the year in the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100. A masked Ceri Marsh is rumored to appear briefly in the accompanying video. The US Congress passes a resolution on January 12 authorizing the use of military force to liberate Kuwait. In what will become an iconic performance, Whitney Houston sings ”The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl on January 27. On February 5, a Michigan court bars Dr. Jack Kevorkian from assisting in suicides.
Points of Interest: Featured designer Christian Lacroix’s rise in prominence during this era emphasized the insurmountable gulf between mainstream fashion and street styles such as grunge and hip-hop.
What Tyra Would Say: “Alie sort of resembles Linda Evangelista, but Linda Evangelista wouldn’t have lost her neck in a photo. A top model does this instead of this. See the difference?”
Grade: B.
Happy Birthday, Judy Tenuta
Happy birthday, Judy Tenuta. You know, Linda Evangelista plays the accordian, too. When you’re both holding one, I can barely tell you apart.
Happy Birthday, Sally Field
Happy birthday, Sally Field. I don’t mean to get off-topic on your special day, but that nun in the bottom left-hand corner of the photo looks just like Patrick Swayze.
Canadian Designer Week
Like a more-glamorous, less-butch Nancy Drew, I’ve gotten to the bottom of the mystery of why so many Canadian designers have been hawking their wares on The Shopping Channel. It’s Canadian Designer Week!
It’s nice to see people like Lucian Matis, David Dixon and Brian Bailey going mass-market. We all want to wear well-designed clothing of good quality. Only the tragically vain worry about what the label says and where they purchase their clothing and accessories. If there are good deals on good products available on The Shopping Channel, then more Canadians are going to be supporting Canadian designers.
Perhaps this is the future of the diffusion line in Canada. Since retailers such as Target don’t operate up here, we’re missing out on all the fun when designers like Alexander McQueen and Issac Mizrahi launch mass-market collections. Sure, H&M carries diffusion lines, too, but only in a handful of stores, missing entire chunks of our vast country.
Wouldn’t it be nice if a retailer like Sears started to get on the diffusion bandwagon. as well? With their complete mass-market domination of the country through their online and catalogue channels, plus their retail division, it’s surprising that the company hasn’t jumped at the opportunity yet.
Jessica Biffi, I didn’t read your name on the TSC website yet. Maybe it’s time to offer your services elsewhere. “Jessica Biffi for Sears” has a nice ring to it, sort of like a cash register full of money.
Never on a Sundai
Much to my surprise, Sundai was sent home on last night’s episode of “America’s Next Top Model.”
In a previous post, I compared her to Furonda, who also was eliminated from the show in fifth place. However, the two girls were polar opposites. Furonda was a photogenic girl who possessed all the skills necessary to win ANTM, except that she looked nothing like a model in person. Sundai may have been the most telegenic girl in the competition, but she was also the least photogenic girl of the season. Her portfolio was terrible.
For some reason, though, I thought that she was headed for the final two. Previous horrible winners such as Tootie and Whitney skated on thin ice with horrible portfolios for the entire competition, so why not Sundai?
Anyway, I’m quite pleased with the final four. My favorite, Laura, is still around, and I’ve become quite a fan of Nicole. I could deal with Erin making it to the final two because she’s got the skills and a competitive spirit, and I actually liked Jennifer’s CoverGirl commercial enough to accept her as a finalist without reservation.
Dear Zob in heaven, is it true? Has Tyra actually assembled a credible top four?
What do you think of this season’s finalists?
Ripped Off!
So not only was I not nominated for a P&G Beauty Award, but I was also snubbed by the event’s organizers who neglected to send me an invitation to the prestigious affair.
I guess I could have lived with that if Jennifer Campbell hadn’t started bragging about the fabulous swag she received for attending the awards ceremony. Included in her gift bag was a copy of Valerie Bertinelli’s “Losing It: And Gaining My Life Back One Pound at a Time.” Even luckier staffers received Lisa Rinna’s “Rinnovation: Getting Your Best Life Ever.”
I can just imagine how much more gorgeous the FASHION offices are going to become now that the girls who put the magazine together are privy to Rinna’s secrets, including “Lisa’s instant “lip plumper,” quick-fix tanner, everyday makeup advice, hairstyling secrets, and even super-hot sex tips!“
Oh well — there’s always next year. Maybe I’ll have finished my own book by then. Just think of getting a gift bag with a copy of “Gorgeous Like Me“ inside, and a bottle of my signature scent, “Auntie Fashion: Smell My Magic.” Between that and seeing me walk onto the stage to accept my award for the Best Fashion or Beauty Blog, I couldn’t imagine a more enchanting evening. Can you?
Happy Birthday, Famke Janssen
Happy birthday, Famke Janssen. I’ve been a huge fan ever since I first saw you trying to crack Pierce Brosnan like a coconut between your thighs.
Huh? Part 2
Okay, I just saw David Dixon selling a secondary line on The Shopping Channel, just like Lucian Matis. Am I the only person who didn’t know about this?
It doesn’t bother me. In fact, if that’s what it takes to become a success in the Canadian fashion business, good for them. I’m just really surprised.
Anyway, I’m going to do a little research and find out exactly what these guys are selling. I want to buy Jennifer Campbell something nice for Christmas that she’ll be able to wear around the FASHION Magazine office. One of these, perhaps.
The TyraScope: Addison Gill
Casting Special Comments: “Do I look at Addison and say ‘Now there’s a Top Model?’ No. Do I look at Addison and say ‘Now there’s a girl who I can make cry during a photoshoot?’ Yes!”
Obstacles to Overcome: A crippling, paralyzing fear of the screech monkeys which figure prominently in several of her season’s photo shoots and in the final runway challenge.
Probable Edit: Addison’s youthful complexion and girlish figure will likely hamper her performance in the competition. Unless she starts smoking and tanning immediately, she’s headed for an early exit.
Elimination Order: 10th place.
