Burning Up The Blogosphere

Is it a model? A muse? A fashion siren? Oh, it's a fashion blogger.

We're all used to the fashionable people who aren't all that good looking, and yet, know so much. Well things are changing in a big way with the rise of the gorgeous fashionistas, serving as style icons and industry shapers.

Who would have thought that the fashion world would be dominated by the opinions of street style icons instead of celebs? Let me break down the major players in the street style and blogosphere game, also known as the Chic Clique

Miroslava Duma

Daughter of Russian senator

Former Editor of Harper's Bazaar Russia

Founder of style super-site Buro 24/7

Ulyana Sergeenko

Fashion designer

Wife of Russian insurance billionaire Danil Khachaturov

Inspiration for women who want to age gracefully.

Elena Perminova AKA Legs.

Model

Girlfriend of media mogul billionaire Alexander Lebedev

Vika Gazinskaya

Fashion Designer

Hairdo Chameleon

Is Edgy The New Elegant?

Fashion has evolved to say the least, and is worlds apart from the elitist institution it once was. The same can be said for the canvases of the fashion industry, namely, the models and muses of our time. The original supermodels were founded on Amazonian qualities, but also on a timeless elegance which was complimented by their lady-like appeal. I find that the tables have turned somewhat, with alternative girls throwing the industry on its head, proving that edgy can be beautiful, and that edgy is elegance gorgeously offset by personality. Here are some of the front runners in the industry. 

Kate Moss: "Heroin Chic"

Kate is the epitome of the danger girl, with a love for dangerous men, dangerous substances and funny enough, manages to turn the edgiest of photographs into captivating artworks. Blame it on the eyes.

**Kate was also painted by Lucian Freud

Biggest Campaigns: Dior Addict, Calvin Klein, Dolce and Gabbana, Chanel, Mango, Burberry, Topshop.

Freja Beha Erichsen: The Favourite

Although Freja is not walking the runway at the moment and only has one perfume campaign out for the season, the industry is still captivated by that sculpted face and doe-eyes. She is best known for the edge she brings with her bangs and her tattoos. 

Biggest Campaigns: Balenciaga, Jil Sander, Gucci, H&M, Calvin Klein, Hermes, Isabel Marant, Chanel, Pringle, Roberto Cavalli, Chloe, Valentino, Tom Ford.

Cara Delevingne: Taking To The Street

Cara is the muse of the moment (its no surprise I included her, I am just a tad obsessed) and her appeal is rooted in her ability to pull off high fashion as well as street. Her love for bucket caps and sneakers is somewhat legendary and her associations support her edge, particularly her love of hip hop powerhouses like Azalea Banks. Cara is for the people, you can take the girl off the street...

Biggest Campaigns: Burberry, Chanel, Blumarine, Zara.

A Year of Controversy

2012 has proven to be a year of much controversy and discussion, with a lot of sexism, racism and anti-semitism. Here are some of the bigger stories.

Dolce & Gabbana: Southern Hospitality Gone Bad

Dolce & Gabbana found themselves in hot water after the world witnessed what was a very very curious collection. What was meant to be an ode to Sicilian heritage, really just came across as being intensely insensitive to the slave trade and the racism faced by Africans. 

Complaints From: Azalea Banks (and not just a complaint but a full on boycott from the condom blower herself)



"Whoever designed that racist ass Dolce and Gabanna collection needs a swift kick in the mouth and a big dick up the ass,"

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/blogs/thread-count/azealia-banks-denounces-racist-dolce-gabbana-clothing-line-20121023#ixzz2C5jZzZh8

Dolce's Response: The figures were based on Moorish figures, which do not refer to slavery, but to a general group of people. 

Yay or Nay? Azalea has a valid complaint, and Dolce's justification is just a tad ignorant. They may have been representing a group of people, but that group of people are not fond of their historical treatment. 

Diorshow Mascara: Enhancements Are Not Welcome

Complaints From: L'Oreal (better known as the one cosmetics company who gets gunned down for digital enhancement, sweep your own porch first dears..)

A few of L'Oreal's banned products:

"misleadingly exaggerated the likely effects of the product"

Dior's Response: that a "minimal" amount of enhancement was used.

Yay or Nay? Well the ASA banned the ad anyway, even though I thought it was petty of L'Oreal and hardly a huge offense for Dior. 

Victoria's Secret: The Kid Who Never Learns His/Her Lesson

Complaints From: Native Appropriations who said

"Besides the daily harm of these on-going micro aggressions for Native folks, the sexualisation of Native women continues to be an ignored and continuing epidemic,"

prior to that, complaints arose regarding their geisha collection too from Jessica Wakeman of The Frisky
“Considering the complicated history of geishas, repurposing the ‘look’ for a major corporation to sell as role-playing lingerie seems a bit tasteless,”

VS's Response: Karlie Kloss who modeled the Indian get-up apologised and so did VS,

"I am deeply sorry if what I wore during the VS Show offended anyone. I support VS's decision to remove the outfit from the broadcast."

with regards to the Geisha scandal though, many people were divided on whether it was racist at all. The campaign was pulled though, which speaks louder than any apology.

Yay or Nay? Victoria's Secret is a brand which revels in the hypersexualisation of women in general, which in my opinion makes it irrelevant to complain about one particular group when the shows and campaigns coordinated by the brand are all aimed at portraying women in a sexy and quite frankly, objectified way. So no, I don't agree with the fuss, because it isn't about race, it's about an entire condoned market.

what do you think? hit me up at thealteregofashionista@gmail.com or follow me @TheAttaMonster.

Proudly South African

Now while this blog focuses on the international fashion scene, I feel obliged in the most passionate sense of the word to showcase the South African designers that I love, and love to watch on their way up.

Black Coal: Taking Denim To The Next Level

The Mastermind: Pumeza Mekuto

Signature: A remarkable use of denim, an ethnic touch and the ability to turn hard-to-wear colours into solid pieces we need to wear. 

Viyella: Menswear Gets Suave

est: 1784 

Signature: Luxury menswear of the finest materials, impeccable tailoring and collections that exude enough of the right kind of swagger to be worthy of international acclaim. 

David Tlale: The Heavyweight

Signature: Elaborate, outrageous, mental attention to detail and in all honesty, the most promising SA designer at the moment. 

images courtesy of AFI  and Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

Sibling Rivalry

The Power Sisters. Batman & Robin (?).

  The Delevingne sisters are taking the industry one shoot at a time, but who do you prefer?

Poppy Delevingne: The Older (read: Proper) One

Poppy is the socialite most accepted. With her blonde locks, lengthy torso and ability to ooze aristocratic appeal, she is a sure winner for the elitist magazine heritage (ie. Bazaar, Tatler). 

Mango Campaign

Alberta Ferretti 

Modeled For: Laura Ashley, Anya Hindmarch, Paige Adams, Mango, Alberta Ferretti and Burberry

The Big One: Louis Vuitton

Cara Delevingne: The Rebel

Cara is the younger of the two, but is by no means out-shadowed by her older sister, and is now being dubbed as the next Kate Moss. Her edge is what gives her an...erm, edge. Those unkempt eyebrows, love of bucket caps and sneaks makes her one of the most relatable models out there today. She embodies the street trend of high fashion to the tee and the fashion houses have taken notice. 

 Chanel

 Jason Wu

Oscar De La Renta 

Dolce and Gabbana

Modeled For: Shiatzy Chen, Jason Wu, Oscar de la Renta, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Stella McCartney and Chanel

The Big One: Burberry 

Take your pic, will it be the English Rose or the Tempting Thorn? Regardless, the Delevingne sisters have cemented their spot in fashion history.