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Fashionista Didn't Mean To Say Tavi Gevinson Was Just "A Novelty"
Elle Editor Leads Backlash Against 13-Year-Old Fashion Blogger
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Lumix
12/11/09

In reply to Fashionista Didn't Mean To Say Tavi Gevinson Was Just "A Novelty"
On the one hand I do not believe that she should be dismissed as serious simply because of her age, which seems like the tone of the original piece; on the other hand I do believe that her age should not exclude her from serious criticism.

If her designs or writings are amateur or just bad then that is what they are and it can be observed and noted as such, while still allowing her to grow and develop her talents.

Our culture does tend to reach out toward young creative minds that produce "good for their age" work, but not good in relation to the work of others who have more experience, etc.
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logruszed
12/11/09

@Lumix: That was me, I didn't realize that she was logged in to my box. If anyone dislikes what I posted please take it out on me. Lumix is not responsible for the thoughts and opinions expressed above.
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Aesop's Foibles. YES.
12/11/09

In reply to Fashionista Didn't Mean To Say Tavi Gevinson Was Just "A Novelty"
I think her redaction was tacky and did more to reinforce her under-cutty tone than anything. Tavi is enjoying herself and people obviously appreciate her take on fashion or she wouldn't have garnered all this attention. Cripes.
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whynotshesaid
12/11/09

In reply to Fashionista Didn't Mean To Say Tavi Gevinson Was Just "A Novelty"
Maybe it's just me, but using Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen as comparison points seems to undermine her argument. They both seem pretty serious about fashion. Plus I'm always seeing their Elizabeth and James stuff showing up in editorials.
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sydbarrettsaves, emissary of hell
12/11/09

In reply to Fashionista Didn't Mean To Say Tavi Gevinson Was Just "A Novelty"
Yes, Blume. Back away from the ignorant comments. Slowly now, don't make it too obvious. Make sure people understand that you were only concerned for their safety regarding Tavi's existence as a "marketing gimmick." Because in reality, Elle supports nothing of the sort.
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LazyHippo
12/11/09

In reply to Fashionista Didn't Mean To Say Tavi Gevinson Was Just "A Novelty"
New book by Lesley M.M. Blume: Are You There God? It's Me, Lesley, Trying to Make a Retraction.
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janusjana
12/11/09

In reply to Fashionista Didn't Mean To Say Tavi Gevinson Was Just "A Novelty"
I wonder if Blume has done more than glance at Tavi's blog? It's 2 parts personal opinion, 1 part esoteric knowledge, and 1 part "here's what I'm wearing". I've spent hours reading the blog after NY Mag's "The Cut" disparaged it in passing, and I found nothing to hate. Perhaps we adult women are just SO used to be told what to wear, we can't imaging fashion writing being anything else?
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phoebe.assenza
12/11/09

In reply to Fashionista Didn't Mean To Say Tavi Gevinson Was Just "A Novelty"
I didn't think Blume's comments were all that bad. She's not attacking a 13-year old girl, she's commenting on the ridiculous, intense amount of media attention Gevinson is getting, and aptly predicting how short-lived it will be.

I'm surprised Jezebel would be so quick to demonize someone for cutting through the bullshit and calling it like it is. Also, stringing words like "insulting," "crazy," and "novelty" together isn't an accurate paraphrase, Jenna. I'm pretty sure Fox News doesn't even do that anymore.
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Pizza!Pizza!Pizza!
12/11/09

@phoebe.assenza: I completely agree. And assuming her comments come only out of jealousy – couldn't we say the same about people who think teen models are too young both to be examples of beauty for older women and for the harsh glare of the media and the public eye? It is slightly insulting for older women to be told they need to either try to ape teenagers or take themselves out of the fashion world all together. Hiring a smart kid like Tavi may not be a prime example of the fetishization of youth, but she's certainly a symptom.
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Edited by Pizza!Pizza!Pizza! at 12/11/09 6:31 PM Pizza!Pizza!Pizza! was starred

Norton
12/11/09

In reply to Fashionista Didn't Mean To Say Tavi Gevinson Was Just "A Novelty"
But... she IS a novelty. That doesn't mean that she isn't knowledgeable or any of that. It means that she's known solely because she's 13. It's a great opportunity for her and I'm sure she deserves it. But I doubt that Harper's hired her because she was the best in the industry.
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BeckySharper
12/11/09

In reply to Fashionista Didn't Mean To Say Tavi Gevinson Was Just "A Novelty"
Yeah, because the fashion industry is sooooo concerned about the welfare of adolescents. Noooooo they'd never want to seen teenage girls be exploited for the sake of novelty or as a marketing gimmick.

/sarcasm
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labratintraining
12/11/09

@BeckySharper: Pshaw, adolescents are better seen than heard. Or read. Or remotely understood.
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dripdrop
12/11/09

In reply to Fashionista Didn't Mean To Say Tavi Gevinson Was Just "A Novelty"
I sort of see where she's coming from when she says " I also expressed concern that she is being used as a novel marketing gimmick by an industry not exactly known for its positive messages for and treatment of young girls."

If HB is featuring Tavi because they really like her and think she has unique things to say about fashion, then that's great. But if they're using her and her popularity as a way to sell more magazines, I think that's pretty shitty and Tavi doesn't deserve to be treated that way. I hope I'm making sense...
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EarlyGrey
12/11/09

In reply to Fashionista Didn't Mean To Say Tavi Gevinson Was Just "A Novelty"
I sort of agree with the idea that it's insulting to expect adult women to heed the fashion cues of a 13 year old child. If for no other reason than adult women bodies and child bodies are generally very different, and fashion, in the end, is about getting dressed. What's good for my body is not what's good for Tavi's body. I'm interested in reading her Harper's Bazaar column for her take on what's going on in the industry, because she does seem very knowledgeable, but if it's some kind of fashion advice column I'll stay away.
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Jenna
12/11/09

@EarlyGrey: Tavi doesn't dispense fashion advice. For adult women or anyone else. She writes a blog about things she likes, and things she does.
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EarlyGrey
12/11/09

@Jenna: The quote from Blume doesn't give that impression, since she mentions the Olsen bag lady phenomenon.
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Jenna
12/11/09

@EarlyGrey: Which is why I, for one, interpret the quote as the needlessly snarky and totally beside the point musings of someone who comes off as unfamiliar with Gevinson's entire phenomenon.
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pesematology
12/11/09

@EarlyGrey: "I sort of agree with the idea that it's insulting to expect adult women to heed the fashion cues of a 13 year old child. "

So why isn't it insulting to 13 year olds that they're constantly being marketed stuff that was designed with adult women (their sexuality at least, if not always their actual bodies) in mind?

I have a real problem with the way we as a society treats teenagers, expecting them to be more perfect (in a way we imagine is innocent, childlike but is actually absurdly stoic and cheerful) than adults, dismissing them as "crazy teenagers" when they fail to live up to or express concerns about this standard, and then slapping them down if they have any aspirations or abilities that we feel encroach on our magical, super-important grown-up territory.
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scullymurphy
12/11/09

@Jenna: Bingo.
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EarlyGrey
12/11/09

@pesematology: Um, what? I never said it isn't insulting to 13 year-olds to be marketed fashion moer appropriate for adult women. I never said anything even remotely close to that.
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sydbarrettsaves, emissary of hell
12/11/09

@Jenna: THANK YOU. Tavi is just being herself. People should read the blog before commenting.
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sydbarrettsaves, emissary of hell
12/11/09

@pesematology: I feel that comment was discriminatory. Individuals can contribute to society in many ways, at different ages. They should judged according to the quality of their work, not their ascribed status as an adolescent.
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Zombie Ms. Skittles
12/11/09

In reply to Fashionista Didn't Mean To Say Tavi Gevinson Was Just "A Novelty"
"I didn't mean to call her a novelty, except for all those times I called her a novelty. I mean, I seriously don't know how you got 'novelty' from what I said, it's completely not what I meant. Also, I'm sorry you were offended."
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Trulymadlyme
12/11/09

@Zombie Ms. Skittles: In other news, I'm sorry I called you a fat bitch. It isn't your fault you're so fat.

falls into crowd of teenaged girls...
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Edited by Trulymadlyme at 12/11/09 4:10 PM Trulymadlyme was starred Trulymadlyme was unstarred

SharonTaint
12/11/09

In reply to Elle Editor Leads Backlash Against 13-Year-Old Fashion Blogger
She's too young to be swallowed up by the Fashion/Consumerism Beast.

I feel quite sad for her.
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mimigoliath
12/11/09

In reply to Elle Editor Leads Backlash Against 13-Year-Old Fashion Blogger
Tavi is just too awesome for these uppity haters. Be as awesome as you can be, Tavi, and never stop writing. You will only get better and better.

I'm so happy for this girl. If I'd had an outlet like this at 13, I would have been so psyched. Good for her!
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msredshoes
12/11/09

In reply to Elle Editor Leads Backlash Against 13-Year-Old Fashion Blogger
I've never heard of Tavi before, so I read her blog. I have to say, I don't think its particularly well written and I'm not really down with her personal style. But whatever, it sounds like a 13 year old girl who is WAY into fashion; which she is, and that's cool. Props to her for using her energy to engage with/learn about something that she loves. I just hope she doesn't take this attention too seriously, one way or the other. I would hate for her to be crushed/over-inflated so early! But to those succesful women who are taking time out to hate on her; for shame, for shame.
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