A lot of fashion, not so much news, this week. Honestly, this works out great, because there was a lot of pre-fall shows this week and the People’s Choice Awards also happened, and I just don’t want to make a separate newsletter for those two things. So let’s just go ahead and judge a bunch of fashion.
If you’re on TikTok, or if you’re not on TikTok, you’ve probably seen the Chanel Advent Calendar debacle. If I’m being honest, I can’t believe that this has become such a hot topic. Like I get it, but also I don’t. Chanel literally deleted their TikTok account because they were dragged to hell and back for their $800 advent calendar that consisted of dust bags and stickers. Honestly, if you’re buying an $800 advent calendar, literally shut up, lol. I’m not saying it isn’t dumb, but they very clearly state what is inside the calendar. I don’t understand where the surprise of what’s inside is coming from. Chanel doesn’t care what you think, I promise you.
Choose your fighter, the Chanel Pre-Fall 2022 show or the Chanel advent calendar. Did people… actually like this collection? Like, actually? It just looks like the same thing over and over again in a different font. I also never understand the styling behind Virgnie’s shows. Make it make sense. There was a lot of, I don’t even know what, happening. One floor length tweed coat was actually lovely, but that’s the only thing I can really recall from what I looked at. The rest has been trauma blocked. The acid wash, frilled denim, good lord. Also, why are we still trying to make leggings a thing? I understand trying to modernize a design and trying to be with the times, but I think Virginie has strengths in doing simple, classic, beautiful things, and she’s refusing to play into those strengths in order to be ~cool~.
It’s giving… Demna. While the Y2K revival seems to be lasting longer than the actual 2000s themselves, Balenciaga took us back to the 90s. If there’s anything Demna’s gonna give us, it’s some oversized clothing and baggy denim. Look, I like a lot of these looks, I do. I’m just getting a little bored. Demna is interesting to me, because he puts so much thought into his collections and what they’re supposed to represent. He’s also very consistent and there’s not doubt that Balenciaga has had people talking multiple times this year, this collection being no exception. I just want to be blown away by something and I haven’t been. There was a maxi wool skirt suit with a sharp wasp-waist that I can’t stop thinking about. A green fur-coat and tweed dress that called Chanel ugly were also interesting. While there were pops of color and florals, many complained about the use of too much black. Not only is that a Demna thing, but it was also a Cristobal Balenciaga thing, so it doesn’t bother me. I didn’t think it was as bad as people are saying it was, but I’m also not impressed overall. Also I get the whole 90s VCR, polaroid thing, but I want to see the clothing clearly and not gain anymore wrinkles from zooming and squinting.
This Balmain collection is really cunty. While I wouldn’t necessarily wear all of it, I really enjoyed it. Olivier said that he was embracing grunge for this collection and finding the imperfection in perfection. His signature house codes were tattered and messed with to create a really fun collection. Velvets inspired by his furniture were gorgeous and fit to perfection. The last few leather pieces that looked as if they had been put back together with stitching and gold glue, were stunning. I also loved the last dress with small pearls all over and larger ones coming down the center like buttons and knits with longer pieces that fell to the ground. I don’t think I’ll ever get around to liking the moto pants, and while I understand the “Do you still buy magazines?” Kurt Cobain inspo, it’s not my favorite. Overall, I did like this collection.
The 60s are giving the 2000s a run for its money, and Moschino is the latest to make its supporting arguments. Jermey Scott referenced Sgt. Pepper as inspiration for this collection, and I think that’s evident. A Clockwork Orange was also mentioned, which is evident in the bowler hats. Low key feel like on a subconscious level, Jojo’s Circus was also a reference. I really enjoyed the color blocking in this collection, and I honestly expect no less from Jermey Scott when it comes to expression and experimentation. Some trump l’oeil moments didn’t really hit for me, but others were fun. This one print made me think a little longer, but the more I looked at it, the more I really enjoyed the effect of the uneven cuts through the circles. Yes, there’s a lot of vibrant, punchy colors, but there’s also a lot of elegant and really beautiful pieces!
Is Kim Jones entering his flop era, because what was I supposed to gather from the Dior men’s collection? I get the whole Kerouac thing, but I was honestly so bored. Also, we’re still doing fanny packs? The only thing I really enjoyed were those thick cardigans. At times I kind of felt like I was watching an off-brand Gucci show. There were some individual pieces that were fine, but overall… it’s a pass for me.
I ain’t ever seen a Thom Browne collection I didn’t like. The clothing was all cut beautifully, duh. There was a lot of nautical references with no shortage of lobster motifs. The sea greens and blues were so gorgeous and Hector got some pj’s y’all!!! The lovely jade floral print is reminiscent of Browne’s wallpaper above his bed in his Manhattan home. I loved the continuation of more pleated skirts as menswear and I always love a short suit. I mean, really what’s not too love about this collection. I had to stop myself before I linked all the looks.
- Kristen McMenamy for British Vogue; If you don’t know Kristen McMenamy, EDUCATE YOURSELF. This iconic 90s model is still just the coolest ever. I love this shoot. With Steven Meisel behind the lens and Kristen just being herself, I really don’t need much more to be satisfied. Styled by Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele.
- Zendaya for Interview; Zendaya obviously looks great, she always does, that’s why it’s tricky to judge her fashion sometimes, because I always lean towards liking it. We love a Barbarella moment and I love what Mel Ottenberg is doing at Interview, however I just feel like it’s been done so many times, I would have loved a different concept. The Schiaparelli look was gorg, and I’m sure you guessed that I loved the Loewe moment too. While I was one of the people that actually really liked this Miu Miu collection, I don’t like how the top looks shot like this. A little DIY. Styled by Law Roach.
- Lourdes “Lola” Leon for Paper; This shoot was so Y2K and spicy. Honestly, I liked it. However, I did think it was ironic how Lola talked about how she wished fashion was less trendy and less whatever’s happening on TikTok, but her styling for this shoot is just that. Styled by Indiana Piorek.
Emma Corrin in Marco Ribeiro is cute. Circles are Marco’s main thing, so this look check out! I really love this blue and purple together and how they compliment her hair. I’m not crazy about the shoes and wish the pants bunched a little less at the bottom.
This is a simple look, but it fits Tom so well and I like the leather jacket instead of a blazer and the unbuttoned shirt for a more casual look. What I’m really here for though is the healed boot!!!
Not only do the crystal embellishments look like webbing, but the gray and black colors also remind me of Venom. Zendaya’s Spiderman promo outfits all seem to be a nod to villains from the franchise. I really like this look, and I love how the earrings play into it.
Tell me right now who put the queen of Christmas in this Dolce & Gabbana dress. It’s giving Nordstrom sales rack.
Megan Fox isn’t really blowing me away with this look. The sheer piece on top appeared to be a bit shorter on the runway and I think the proportions looked better like that. I also hate the belt and don’t love that black crystal chain underneath.
I really love this jumpsuits. Mark Fast makes so many fun knit pieces. The jewelry is super over the top and super Cardi. I don’t love the shoes though.
I appreciate Florence doing something a little different than what we usually see from her, but I don’t love this. Valentino RTW tends to fall flat for me, and I don’t hate this, but something about it is throwing me off.
This look is so silly, I love it. Kid Cudi always goes for it, which I appreciate. Honestly, why not wear $2,000 slippers to a movie premiere.
The Devil wears Marc Jacobs apparently!!! Okay Meryl, go off. She looks great.
Jonah Hill and his girlfriend, Sarah Brady, wore matching Gucci suits to the premiere of Don’t Look Up, and honestly, don’t hate it. The suits are simple, but they fit well. The sleeves on Sarah could have been a little shorter. I love the no shirt underneath, the pinned flours, the beaded necklace, and the matching Manolos.
Claudia Schiffer looks stunning in this Balmain dress. I’m assuming this is a custom look based off of the shorter pearl dress from the pre-fall 2022 collection. I think the pearls are gorgeous, and I love how the two black lines going down the sides accentuate her body. I understand that it’s probably easier to move in this way, but I do wish the buttons went all the way down and the dress didn’t split open at the bottom.
A simple, white dress on a gorgeous model, of course it’s going to look good. I do however like the wrap around sleeve/scarf moment.
We’ve definitely seen this Armani silhouette before, but I still think it looks great. I’m not sure that I love this color on Nicole, but the dress is lovely and I think the frills on the bust are fun.
I’m torn, because I think Niecy looks stunning and I love seeing smaller designers on the red carpet, however there’s no reason Niecy shouldn’t be able to pull Schiaparelli.
I love this Del Core look on Tessa. The bottom is nothing crazy, but the neckline and sleeves are stunning. It adds so much to a simple look.
I’m obsessed with Ruth Negga inn this look. I don’t see Duro Olowu very often, and I think we need to change that. This print is so fun.
H.E.R in this color is too good. The suit is simple, but it fits her perfectly. I also think the black lace underneath is a cute touch.
Madelyn is another one of those people that looks great in anything, but I didn’t love this Versace collection and I still don’t love this look. It just looks a little too put together at the last minute. There’s too many things happening at once and it’s not even a crazy look.
I would (wouldn’t) totally wear this dress to get brunch with the girlies, but on the red carpet??? I also don’t understand why that necklace was necessary. Poor Addison. She just can’t seem to get it down.
Kim Kardashian won the fashion icon award at the People’s Choice Awards and she wore Balenciaga, of course. Listen, I don’t mind Kim’s Balenciaga era, however I did like how this look didn’t have a long sleeve underneath in the lookbook.
It’s nothing crazy, but honestly, Cardi ate. I think she looks great. It fits her beautifully and I love the color. I also appreciate putting the slit in the back instead of it ruining the front.
Beyoncé get it. She does. It’s fun seeing this “hacked” collection more and more.
This Dolce dress is so bad and it just ages Charli so much. Someone, please dress this girl well.
Halle Berry looks insane in this Rick Owens look. It’s just the right amount of ridiculous.
Whoever keeps putting Tessa Thompson in Christian Siriano needs to stop, RIGHT NOW! The fit of this is awful and it’s just ugly. Also, the asymmetrical hat?!
I’m obsessed with this look. I think Alana looks great. I think the skirt is so lovely and all of these colors pair together so nicely.
Oh my god, POP OFF MIRANDA!!! This color is beautiful, and I just love this look. What more can I say?
I understand the nod to the iconic tutu, but I really think CJR could have done better. I don’t love these colors together and I think something that looked a little more Oscar de la Renta was definitely doable. Carrie wears some ridiculous shit, but I don’t even think she’d be down with this.
If Rachel Zegler is going to continue wearing Michael Kors, I just hope she keeps doing it like this. A nicely fitted lace dress, WITHOUT the belt it walked down the runway with.
Absolutely yes. That is all. Jodie Turner-Smith is everything.
First Lizzo gave us a Richard Quinn moment that I’m obsessed with, and then her Di Petsa look was just the icing on the cake. I love how the green earring in the Richard Quinn look play off the green in the jumpsuit nnd compliment the purple. We always see Di Petsa do their signature wet look with dresses, but I love seeing it as a pair of pants (skirt?).
Billie Eilish wore Simone Rocha while doing her SNL monologue, and while I love this, I hope she wore it because she actually liked it as an outfit, and not just to play into this whole Christmas theme of the show. Simone Rocha is one of my favorites and I’d love to see Billie in more.
Ask me how many times I’ve watched the Vogue Macarena video. Go ahead, ask.
A Birkin that I actually like, and it’s not even real.
You made it through!!! I was starting to lose steam, not going to lie, but we did it. I’m proud of us. More me than you.
xx