Jezebel: Robin Givhan

Tyra Banks Is Now A New York Times Best-Selling Author

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:55:00 EDT

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Tyra Banks' YA novel Modelland just débuted at number 2 on the New York Times' best-seller list, children's chapter books section. You can read an excerpt — this is the story with the protagonist named Tookie De La Creme, remember — here. [NewNowNext] More »

Mean Audience Snickers At Victoria Beckham's Fashion Show

Jenna Sauers — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 13:58:00 EST

At Victoria Beckham's recent runway show in New York, the audience of "fashion mean girls" were openly hostile to the designer, who stood up and talked about each dress in the show as the models walked. (Who does Beckham think she is, a couturière in the '50s or something?) Reports Robin Givhan, "There were muffled giggles, knowing glances, and plenty of eye-rolling over the non-stop narration." Givhan says that because Beckham came off as earnest, and anything that challenges the fashion industry's protective layer of industrial-strength irony must be destroyed, the crowd turned on her. [TDB]
At the same show, Beckham told Hilary Alexander that Kate Middleton likes her clothes, and has asked to see a selection of them. Beckham says dressing Middleton would be an "honor." [CNN]
Irina Shayk's Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition cover was printed on a billboard, and covered up for a big reveal that was to take place during a taped segment of David Letterman. But the billboard was publicly visible for a few minutes while the cameras were rolling, and an office worker snapped a photo of the cover and Tweeted it. [THR]
Demi Moore may no longer be working with her longtime stylist, Rachel Zoe. Who is rumored to have replaced Zoe in her heart? None other than Zoe's former assistant, Brad Goreski. Bananas. [P6]
Andrej Pejic says being cast in women's fashionn shows "is not something that I feel uncomfortable [with]. Sometimes women's wear is more fun and less restrictive." So far at New York fashion week, he's walked in five men's shows and four women's shows. [NYPost]
Aw. Zac Efron thinks that by sitting front-row at a Calvin Klein show, he will learn something about the way the fashion industry really works. "I've never seen the inner workings of the fashion industry." Bless him. [NYObs]
Amar'e Stoudemire, on his forthcoming fashion line with Rachel Roy: "We're trying to give the women something to wear when they go to sporting events. I want to add some flair to the hoodies and T-shirts." [P6]
Lynn Yaeger, on the Marc Jacobs collection: "Admit it — your first thought is, 'I hate this.' After all, you were expecting something wriggly and soft, not these hard-edged, almost militaristic clothes. But after twenty or so outfits, the strict tailoring — tailleurs that rely on a surfeit of plastic and polyester; accessories that appear to be made from the hide of a Dalmatian whose spots have grown too large — you begin to maybe like it a little better. Which is part of Marc's gift — and what makes all really good designers interesting: They can turn your assumptions upside down, and you walk away not knowing exactly what you think — is this pretty ugly, or jolie laide?" [The Cut]
We must admit, having to see the Marc Jacobs collection while a loop of Marilyn Manson's "Beautiful People" played nonstop would be almost enough to make us loathe it, right there. [WWD]
The Man Repeller, Leandra Medine, would like to admit something to you all right now. She does not always feel compelled to repel men through her dress. For instance, recently she attended a wedding, "so I wore a silk Peter Som skirt and a plain white tank, an open-backed tank. A ton of girls I didn't know rushed over to me and they were like, 'You're not man repelling! Oh my god! Is that a man next to you? What's going on?' I'm like, 'Relax, that's my brother.'" [NYObs]
Macy's, apparently suffering from the delusion that it is Abercrombie & Fitch, has a new marketing campaign involving underclothed models targeting college students in Chicago. All month, bikini-clad models will be passing out hot chocolate from beach-themed huts at Northwestern, Chicago, and Columbia. [WWD]
Miss J. Alexander has a verdict on the new hairstyle Nigel Barker's been sporting around fashion week. Now that the Noted Fashion Photographer has hair, as opposed to a shaved head, Barker is "UNRECOGNIZABLE. NIGEL BARKER'S HAIR. UNRECOGNIZABLE." [The Cut]
Lily Cole and her actor boyfriend of two years, Enrique Murciano, have broken up. Cole was spotted with David Gandy, leading to rumors that they're now hooking up. [Daily Mail]
Lily Aldridge, Chanel Iman, Alessandra Ambrosio, Erin Heatherton and Adriana Lima all shot another Victoria's Secret commercial with Michael Bay in Malibu. We imagine them standing on a beach, repeating "Sexy. Sexy. Sexy. Sexy. Sex-y. Sexy. Sexy." in different intonations, while the cameras roll. And lots of slow turns toward the camera. Then an explosion. Scene. [Vogue UK]
Singer Vanessa Paradis, who's the new face of Chanel lipstick, had Chanel make her custom costumes for her forthcoming New York performance. [WWD]
Olivier Zahm predicts that within six months, Vogue Paris and Condé Nast will be begging Carine Roifeld to come back. "She will be really deeply missed at Vogue, I'm sure. They will call her back in six months and pray that she comes back." As for her future plans, "She will start her own magazine," he says, either online or in print (but he suspects the latter). "She's open to anything, and she's the best fashion editor in France now." [The Cut]
Roitfeld herself swears she's really nice. "I'm a very shy person. When people know me, I'm not cold; I'm quite a nice person. It's difficult as the editor of a magazine to be totally yourself because you're a bit frightened." She also says that from now on, what she does "will be my risk, not Vogue's risk." And she's on good terms with Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquière. [Vogue UK]
Textile scientists in Colombia have developed a fabric that looks, feels, and apparently performs like all-cotton denim, but which in fact made with 32% recycled plastic bottles. It currently costs 10% more to make than traditional denim, but has already attracted a $160,000 order from a German jeans company. [WWD]

Kate Moss And Jamie Hince Enter 19th Tabloid Betrothal

Jenna Sauers — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST

Supposedly, Kate Moss and Jamie Hince are engaged. According to tabloid reports, they were spotted leaving a jewelry store recently, so it must be true! Can't you see this is the body language of a newly engaged couple?

A Heavily Photoshopped Khloe Kardashian Does Most Random, Bondage-y, Fashion Cover Ever

Jenna Sauers — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST

Khloe Kardashian, her late, lamented red hair, and a mask apparently made of plastic packing straps and a packet of studs from the nearest Michaels star on the cover of NY skate shop Yellow Rat Bastard's in-store mag, YRB. [Racked]

The Ten Worst Things Robin Givhan Ever Wrote

Jenna Sauers — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:16:00 EST

Amanda Hess offers this compendium of Pulitzer-winning fashion critic Robin Givhan's underminery. "Kagan's version of middle-age seems stuck in a time warp, back when 50-something did not mean Kim Cattrall or Sharon Stone, Cougar Town or Sex and the City." More »

Jonathan Adler: "Nothing Tastes As Good As Skinny Feels"

Jenna Sauers — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:31:00 EST

Designer (and husband of Barneys creative director/fashion sage Simon Doonan) Jonathan Adler is selling a needlepoint pillow emblazoned with the pro-ana proverb "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." Which, as Adler should know, is pretty much anorexia's catchphrase. [Racked]

Tom Ford Shows French Vogue His Headdress Collection

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:38:00 EST

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Tom Ford's issue of Vogue Paris boasts a spread of children wearing jewelry and makeup, the promised editorial featuring women d'un certain age who spurn plastic surgery, and a photo of Tom Ford in a Native American-style headdress. Tasteful. [HuffPo]

In Defense of Cathy Horyn

Jenna Sauers — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 19:31:00 EDT

Cathy Horyn is not sorry for what she wrote about Snooki. Nor does she feel particularly bad for Tommy Hilfiger, Alexander Wang, Giorgio Armani, or any of the other people whose collections and/or fashion sense she has publicly critiqued. More »

Marion Cotillard Ditches Her Eyebrows For French Vogue Cover

Jenna Sauers — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:30:00 EDT

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Vogue Paris picked Marion Cotillard for its September cover, and bleached her eyebrows. Strangely enough, the French actress has never been on the cover of Vogue Paris before, though she made American Vogue's cover last November and this July. [@VogueParisLive]

The American Experience: Women Of Color And Fashion

Minh-Ha T. Pham — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:20:00 EDT

So much of the African American experience is stashed in basements and attics. So writes fashion journalist Robin Givhan in her recent article about the Black Fashion Museum Collection's move to the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture. More »

Adriana Lima's Baby Is A Covergirl; Celebrity Perfumes Made By Workers Earning $3 A Day

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EDT

Adriana Lima, husband Marko Jaric, and baby daughter Valentina posed for Hola! brazil. The Victoria's Secret model discussed her pregnancy, which was plagued with complications including preeclampsia. Valentina was born prematurely. [HuffPo]

Senator Klobuchar Scolds Fashion Writer On Senate Floor For Sexism

Irin Carmon — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:00:38 EDT

It's not often that the Senate chamber talks fashion criticism, but yesterday, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar was sufficiently irritated by Robin Givhan's Washington Post piece to chastise her for her Kagan critique. Meanwhile, Givhan is defending herself. More »

Elena Kagan's "Dowdiness" And Fashion's Seriousness Problem

Irin Carmon — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:20:00 EDT

Another major staging of political theater, another opportunity for the Washington Post's Robin Givhan to offend with her fashion close readings. This weekend: Elena Kagan. Bonus: Givhan's existential angst about why "serious" people — especially in Washington — hate fashion. More »

Gaga "Never" Walks Red Carpets; Naomi Celebrates 40th In France

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 24 May 2010 11:30:00 EDT

"I don't give a fuck about red carpets, and I never do them," lies Gaga. "I don't like them. First of all — how could any of these outfits possibly look good with an ugly red carpet under them?" [ToL]

Meet The Man Behind The Plus-Size Revolution

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:00:00 EDT

The increasing visibility of models like Crystal Renn, Tara Lynn, and Ashley Graham isn't just a fluke: Each is represented by Gary Dakin, a man who's been trying to re-make the plus-size modeling industry for over a decade. More »

Vogue India Gets Non-Whitewashed Cover; Carolina Herrera In Tiff With Tinsley

Jenna Sauers — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:40:00 EDT

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Vogue India, which has been criticized in the past for promoting only light skin as beautiful, has five darker-skinned models on its new cover. [Vogue UK]
Illustrator Kate Bingaman-Burt drew everything she purchased since 2006, and made a book. [Racked]

Lindsay And Ungaro Part Ways; YSL Designer Sues Paper For Reprinting His Racist Comments

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:40:00 EST

"She's not involved in this collection," said Ungaro owner Asim Abdullah just before his show commenced this afternoon, Paris time. He was referring, of course, to "artistic adviser" Lindsay Lohan, whose future at Ungaro had long been in doubt. [WWD]

Post Critic Sees 85%-White Fashion Week As Example Of Progress

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST

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"The fashion industry sent a commendably eclectic array of models down the New York runways this month. The women were more diverse in ethnicity, age and size," writes Robin Givhan. She must have watched a different season than we did. More »

"Is He For Or Against Women?" Alexander McQueen And The Female Form

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST

Now that Alexander McQueen is dead, the question of his legacy — and the ultimate meaning of his work — remains. Did the designer who put models in cages, and whose shows referenced rape and violence, respect women? Interpretations vary. More »

Robin Givhan Sees Liberation In Katie Couric's Heels (And Miniskirts)

Irin Carmon — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:40:00 EST

Katie Couric's new Harper's Bazaar shoot is markedly different from her turn in Vogue last year, replacing coats and newspapers with smoky eyes and one-shoulder dresses. The Washington Post's Robin Givhan is pretty excited about it. More »

More Voices Join The Plus-Size Fashion Conversation

Dodai Stewart — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST

Yup, people are still talking about "big women," "curves," and plus-sizes in fashion. And some of what they're saying is pretty great: More »

Sidibe's Designer States The Obvious: "It's All About Picking The Right Silhouette For Her Shape."

Megan Carpentier — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:45:00 EST

The Washington Post's Robin Givhan takes issue with the calls for designers to feature more women of various sizes, from 2 to 20. Gabourey Sidibe's designer Kevan Hall illuminates the reason why many designers don't: they're egotistical and lazy. More »

Michelle Obama: First Mom In Chief?

LatoyaPeterson — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:30:00 EST

In Robin Givhan's new book Michelle: Her First Year as First Lady, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post fashion critic addresses the "mom-in-chief" effect - how Obama transformed her image by embracing issues related to childrearing and motherhood. More »

Emma Watson Does Burberry Again; Lindsay Lohan In Intellectual Property Conundrum

Jenna Sauers — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST

Emma Watson has returned as the Spring face of Burberry. This time, she brought her younger brother, Alex, along for the ride.

Michelle Obama Criticized For "Lack of Focus" in White House Advocacy

LatoyaPeterson — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST

What is the role of the modern first lady? In Sunday's Washington Post, Robin Givhan takes Michelle Obama to task for failing to advocate for a specific cause during her first year in the White House. More »

Jessica Simpson Shows Bikini Line; Condé Nast Sues Blogger

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:20:00 EST

Jessica Simpson's swimwear line is here! Simpson says it's inspired by the jet-setting getaways she dreams about. [Stylelist]
Since snow ruined the last shopping weekend before Christmas for the Northeast, expect stores to offer extended hours and other enticements. [WWD]

Screw The Real Housewives - Washington Can Do Bitchy All By Itself

Sadie Stein — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

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Last night, late, great Jezebel editor Megan Carpentier and friends described the White-House-crashin' Salahis as "the Speidi of Washington." What does that make scapegoat Desiree Rogers: LC? Or, worse, Audrina - someone raising herself above her natural place and abilities? More »

It's The Obesity, Stupid!

Sadie Stein — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EDT

Robin Givhan's no fool. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post columnist/critic must have known that this piece was going to ruffle feathers. Her thesis? Fatties, heal thyselves. Fashion's just doing its job. More »

Abercrombie Loses Another Discrimination Suit; Lindsay Lohan Is New Ungaro Artiste

Jenna Sauers — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EDT

After barring a woman from helping her autistic sister try on clothes at the chain's Mall of America outpost, Abercrombie & Fitch was fined $115,264 for discrimination. Now we can say it definitively: Abercrombie doesn't like disabled people. [StarTrib]

The New Project Runway Looks A Lot Like The Old Project Runway

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:20:00 EDT

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After what feels like forever, Project Runway is back. And, as LA Times TV critic Mary McNamara writes: "Different venue, different city, same show. In fact, it's a bit alarming how little change there is." More »

People Furious About National Scandal Of Obama's Dad-Rock Jeans

Sadie Stein — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:40:00 EDT

And I'm just gonna go there: were they really that bad? The Washington Post's Robin Givhan says yes. More »

Critique Of Sotomayor's Fashion Choices Falls Flat

Megan Carpentier — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EDT

The Washington Post's Robin Givhan is rather disappointed in Judge Sonia Sotomayor's latest sartorial decisions, deeming her choice of professional attire at last week's historic confirmation hearings not nearly feminine enough. What? More »

Screw The Husbands: What Is Today's Humiliated Wife Wearing?

Sadie Stein — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EDT

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GMA is concerned about how Jenny Sanford is "coping." Robin Givhan says, just look at the clothes: she's fine! But when we see Ruth Madoff's roots? That analysis is accompanied by Schadenfreude. More »

Notable/Quotable

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:40:00 EDT

"No one noted all the white chicks covering Laura Bush." — The Washington Post's Robin Givhan, to Howard Kurtz, who points out that five reporters who cover Michelle Obama happen to be African American women. [Poynter, Politico] More »

Kate Moss Destroys Hopes Of Kills Fans; Emma Watson To Design Own Line?

TatianaTheAnonymousModel — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:30:00 EDT

One of the hazards of dating a rock star: When, mid-fight, you want to throw some of his stuff into a pool, there's a slight risk that he might have unreleased, non-backed-up new songs among his personal effects. [Mirror]

Michelle Obama Is Not Claire Huxtable: The Dangers Of Comparing Reality To TV

Anna North — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EDT

Robin Givhan's comparison of Michelle Obama to Claire Huxtable is far from new, but it is newly bizarre, implying that six months into the Obama administration, Americans still need a dated TV show to understand Michelle. More »

Carrie Prejean: Political Visionary

Sadie Stein — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT

Were the former Miss California's beauty less great, she'd be less typical of this new movement! More »

Kate Moss Officially "Fat"; Anthropologie Upset With Forever 21

TatianaTheAnonymousModel — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EDT

1. Kate Moss is fat. 2. Kate Moss is in. 3. Fat is in. Q.E.D. [Times of London]
Salma Hayek wore Balenciaga for her second wedding to Francois-Henri Pinault, head of PPR. [UK Elle]

Does Susan Boyle Need A Makeover?

Sadie Stein — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EDT

Writes the WaPo's Pulitzer Prize winning fashion critic Robin Givhan, "Should Susan Boyle have a makeover? The politically correct answer: Only if she wants one. The honest answer: Yes." More »

Vogue Readers Don't Get The Bag; Filene's Basement On The Block

TatianaTheAnonymousModel — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EDT

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Vogue subscribers are lured with a free-gift gimmick that looks...different when it comes in the mail. Of course, subscribing to Vogue is basically scheduling disappointment monthly, but the bait-and-switch is not normally so overt. [NYPost]