October 2004

Cover: October 2004

Context: “Saw,” the first film in what would become a long-running “torture porn” franchise premieres on October 1.  On the same day, legendary fashion photographer Richard Avedon dies.  “Desperate Housewives” debuts on ABC on October 3.  On October 9, direct elections for president are held for the first time in Afghanistan.  Ashlee Simpson is accused of lip-synching on the television show “Saturday Night Live” on October 23.

Points of Interest: Cover model Daria Werbowy was riding her second-wave of popularity after almost quitting modeling.  This is her first “FASHION” cover.

What Tyra Would Say: “I’ve invited Daria back to compete again because I saw something in her that made me believe that she’s a fighter.  Forget the fact that I eliminated her for losing her spark a few cycles back . . .”.

What Auntie Fashion Says: This is a lovely photo but the cover copy is as bland and uninspired as any issue of “FASHION” in the magazine’s history.  I’d get more excitement from reading tombstones.

Grade: C.

September 2004

Cover: September 2004

Context: Sexploitation film director Russ Meyers dies on September 18.  On the same day, Britney Spears gets married to Kevin Federline.  “The Sopranos” and “Arrested Development” are amongst the major winners at the 56th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 19.  On September 24, Major League Baseball announces that the Montreal Expos will move to Washington D.C. in 2005.

Points of Interest: This cover marks an interesting period of transition for at least two of the individuals involved in its creation.  Cover model Diane Kruger was not yet well known to film audiences because “National Treasure” would not be released until November of 2004.  Although designer Tom Ford had exited Gucci in April of the same year, he could be credited for creating the cover dress as part of his final collection for the label.

What Tyra Would Say: “It’s interesting to note how relaxed Diane appears in this photo because although the harness and the 2000′ vertical drop have been digitally removed from the picture, they were still there.  She looks terrific for a girl who is standing on the precipice of a cliff during a violent windstorm.”

What Auntie Fashion Says: I don’t know why I don’t wear more pleated, flared sleeves.  And why isn’t there anything in my closet in the color of Thrills gum?

Grade: B.

June 2004

Cover: June 2004

Context: Former US President Ronald Reagan dies on June 5.  A transit of Venus across the face of the sun takes place on June 8.  The previous pair of transits were in December 1874 and December 1882, and the next will be on June 6, 2012.  On June 11, Terry Nichols is spared the death penalty by an Oklahoma state court on murder charges stemming from the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.  The Liberal Party of Canada, led by Paul Martin, is reduced to a minority government on June 28 after holding a majority since November 1993.

Points of Interest: Cover dress designer Narciso Rodriguez won the CFDA Womenwear Designer of the Year Award in both 2002 and 2003, but was still struggling financially in 2004 when this cover hit the shelves.

What Tyra Would Say: “Rachel isn’t just ‘modeling: the verb‘ while giving me ‘model: the noun,’ but she’s also ‘modeling!: the interjection‘ while appearing ‘modelly: the adjective.’  You know, one day I’m going to take my vast knowledge of the English language and write a novel . . .”.

What Auntie Fashion Says: At first glance, I can tell the difference between the Susie Sheffman covers and the photos that “FASHION” has purchased.  This is one of the latter.   It’s like comparing “Vogue Italia” with “InStyle.”

Grade: C+.

May 2004

Cover: May 2004

Context: On May 1, the largest expansion to date of the European Union takes place, extending the Union by ten member-states, including Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Malta and Cyprus.  On May 6, the series finale of “Friends” airs on NBC.  “New York Minute,” the first film to feature the Olsen twins as teenagers, debuts on May 7.  On May 26, Fantasia Barrino wins the third season of American Idol, defeating Diana DeGarmo.

Points of Interest: For the first time since the magazine debuted in 1977, the title “FASHION” is allowed to stand alone on the cover.

What Tyra Would Say: “I can’t even begin to imagine what Sidney went through before she entered this competition.  Still, the memories that haunt her to this day had nothing to do with this week’s photoshoot that features masked serial killers terrorizing the models in an edgy, high-fashion way.  Here’s Sidney’s best shot.”

What Auntie Fashion Says: Every time I read the phrase “all about” (“Spring’s All About Dresses and Skirts“), I want to punch someone in the head.  It’s the laziest trope in journalism.

Grade: B.

April 2004

Cover: April 2004

Context: Franz Ferdinand release their debut album in North America on April 20.  On the same day, Whoopi Goldberg’s sitcom “Whoopi” is cancelled after only one season.  Cosmetics industry legend Estée Lauder dies on April 24.  On April 28, Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse in Iraq is revealed on the television show “60 Minutes II.”  The last Oldsmobile rolls off the assembly line on April 29.  Lindsay Lohan’s breakout film, “Mean Girls,” premieres on April 30.

Points of Interest: This is the first gown with a five-figure price tag to appear on the cover of “FASHION.”

What Tyra Would Say: “Liisa Winkler has been an integral part of the “FASHION“ brand and she helped turn this magazine into the household name it is today.  She has been an amazing asset to the magazine and will always be a part of the “FASHION” family.  We will continue to actively work with her on future projects — but she’s fired.”

What Auntie Fashion Says: That’s what a $10,000 dress looks like?

Grade: C.

March 2004

Cover: March 2004

Context: On March 2, NASA announces that the Mars rover “Opportunity” has confirmed that its landing area was once drenched in water.  “Pimp My Ride” premieres on MTV on March 4.  On the same day, fashion designer Stephen Sprouse dies of heart failure in New York City after being diagnosed with lung cancer the year before.  On March 11, terrorists execute simultaneous bomb attacks in four rush-hour trains in Madrid, Spain, killing 191 people.  “Yeah” by Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris spends the entire month atop the Billboard Hot 100.

Points of Interest: This is the first of Jessica Stam’s four appearances on the cover of “FASHION.”

What Tyra Would Say: “This week we asked the Canadian girls to dress up as beavers in order to appear in the video for my latest single, ‘Tooch Ya Booty.’  Jessica refused to wear the beaver costume.  As a result, we have a difficult decision to make.  Do we give her another chance despite the fact that she didn’t participate in the challenge, or do we keep Becky even though this is her sixth-consecutive week in the bottom two?”

What Auntie Fashion Says: $7200 for that vulgar Louis Vuitton bag?  If I spent $7200 on a purse, I’d wear it over my head to hide my shame.

Grade: A-.

February 2004

Cover: February 2004

Context: On February 1, Janet Jackson’s left breast is exposed onstage at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show.  The phrase “wardrobe malfunction” is coined due to the controversy.  On February 3, the CIA admits that there was no imminent threat from weapons of mass destruction before the 2003 invasion of Iraq.  “Sex and the City” airs its final episode on February 22.  On February 28, “Gigli” dominates the Golden Raspberry Awards, walking away with statues for Worst Picture, Worst Actor, Worst Actress, Worst Director, Worst Screenplay and Worst On-Screen Couple.

Points of Interest: I once wrote a list of “The World’s Sexiest Foods,” too, that included corn dogs, fish tacos, zucchini and — of course — my own special recipe for “Clams Casino.”

What Tyra Would Say: “For this shoot we vaccinated the girls against several communicable diseases.  Kelly got a shot in the arm for rabies.  Here’s her best shot.”

What Auntie Fashion Says: Zzzz . . .

Grade: C-.

Winter 2004

Cover: Winter 2004

Context: On January 3, Britney Spears marries Jason Allen Alexander, a childhood friend, in Las Vegas.  The marriage is annulled two days later.  “The Apprentice” premieres on NBC on January 7.  Queen Elizabeth II christens the RMS Queen Mary 2 cruise liner, the largest passenger ship afloat, on January 8.  Despite earning mostly negative reviews, the Jennifer Aniston vehicle “Along Came Polly” debuts at number-one in the US on January 16, pulling in almost $28 million in its opening weekend.

Points of Interest: Before this cover hit the shelves, Britney Spears’ reputation was mostly squeaky-clean, aside from a kiss from Madonna at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.  Afterward, not so much.  I blame “FASHION” . . .

What Tyra Would Say: “I’m going to give you a superhero name in order to help you define your brand within the fashion industry.  Your name is Cheetosia . . .”.

What Auntie Fashion Says: All the Susie Sheffman styling in the world still can’t convince me that this is a magazine that I’d want to buy.  It’s Britney Spears, for Zob’s sake!

Grade: D.

Another Reason to Adore Susie Sheffman

FASHION

Everyone already knows that I think that Susie Sheffman is a national treasure.  Her body of work at “FASHION” over the years has never failed to amaze me.  Still, she’s like the gift that keeps on giving.

I was watching a segment on “InFashion” this past Sunday where the show tagged along on Sheffman’s working vacation to the Bahamas (nice work if you can get it, huh?).  Anyway, one of the photographs that resulted from the shoot has become my favorite fashion image in recent memory.  I haven’t fawned over a photo like this since Raquel Zimmermann posed with a dozen snakes for Alexander McQueen.  I’d hang it on my wall if I could.

When last September’s S/S Prada show showed aquamarine and shell pink clothes, I doubted that I was ready for the trend to come back because the colors reminded me of porcelain bathroom fixtures from the 1950s.  With one perfectly-styled image, Susie Sheffman has convinced me that aquamarine is my new favorite color.

That’s all it took, and that’s all it should take.  When you’re good at your job, your work shouldn’t just speak for itself: it should make people want more.  I always want more from Susie Sheffman and that’s the greatest compliment I could probably give anyone in the fashion business.

Toronto FASHION Week: The Marathon Session

FASHION

Well, it’s time for your old Auntie to kick it into gear and review everything that’s shown already during World MasterCard Toronto Fashion Week.  I’ve been negligent in my duties because, frankly, I’m usually sick of fashion shows by the time Toronto gets its time in the sun.  And the fact that it’s been sunny outside hasn’t made me eager to spend more time in front of my computer.  In fact, I’ve been taking advantage of the spring weather to burn off some of the winter flab I’ve packed on over the past few months.  Tube top and trampoline season is almost here.

But I digress!  I’m going to get through as many shows as I can this morning in my trademark Three-Word Runway Review format.  Thankfully, “FASHION Magazine” makes it so easy to watch the shows on their website, unlike style.com which continually devises new ways to slow down the delivery of its content in order to infuriate the people who visit the site.  I used to blame Condé Nast for the sins of style.com, but vogue.com has been a wonderful site to navigate since its launch.  However, fashionmagazine.com is still my favorite magazine site.  It’s easy to use, it has terrific content that I won’t find in the magazine itself, and — best of all —  its got a sense of humor on par with my favorite fashion blog: The Cut.

So I’d like to thank everyone at “FASHION.”  You make stealing — I mean reposting — your content a delight.  Keep up the good work!