The "Dirty Hair" Look: Will It Ever Catch On?

The week at New York Fashion Week, our very own Alexander Wang had models walk down the runway with hair in a state that we would never leave our house in. It looked nothing short of greasy and stuck on your face like they hadn't washed it in over a week. Wang loves to push the envelope and take an unconventional route in his shows, but whether the fashionistas of this world will adopt this look is another question altogether.

via fashionisers.com

 The question is: Is this fashion?

Several seasons ago, Prada had her models sport the exact opposite of Wang's, the wet I-just-showered look. It was definitely something we wouldn't mind trying ourselves. Is fashion transitioning into a more "easy" look when it comes to hair? In other words, are we spending way too much time with the hairdryer? Wang says yes. So does Miuccia. Perhaps our best look is one that is most natural.

With hairstylists running to and fro during fashion week, we can safely say they're doing their job, but their work is so expertly executed that it appears as close to natural as can be. However, we all know the secret behind the no-makeup makeup look. Only a true artist can achieve a natural look with the same amount of effort as the, shall we say, unnatural look. Without access to these stylists, can we even pull off runway hair? Should we even try? Is this merely an expression of artistic freedom or a message to the masses?

Though this hairstyle seems absurd to the average person, is it possible that Wang is trying to tell us something? Should we be taking a break from our intensive beauty routines and opt for something slightly less done? This is not a revolutionary idea. Beach waves are a prime example of keeping the hair as "natural" as possible. But we all know Blake Lively's hair does NOT look like that in the morning. Or do we? How about the mantra "I woke up like this" as adopted by Beyonce? Would it be so ridiculous to wake up and walk out the door without touching a strand? Is done-down the new done-up?

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella

That Time Alexander Wang #BroketheInternet

via style.com

Did that image make you uncomfortable?

via hypebeast.com

How about that one?

Thought so.

After scoping the internet for comments on Alexander Wang's recent denim campaign, I was surprised to see a slew of praise that made me question my propensity to say "huh?"

The best part is that the above photos aren't the worst of the bunch, but I chose to omit the image of Anna Ewers touching herself out of respect for her and others who feel as uncomfortable with this as I do. Yes, Wang #BroketheInternet, but at what cost? I understand that denim is a saturated market, but does this really make people want to buy the pants or the woman? Am I the only one slightly turned off by this blatant display of female sexuality? I feel like I'm intruding on Anna Ewers' private time.

Obviously, Alexander Wang got the well spread memo that "sex sells", but haven't we established that good jeans sell too? And didn't he just come out with an H&M collaboration that already increased his popularity ranking? Come on, Wang.

Now, I would not consider myself a prude. I believe in fashion's campaign to #freethenipple, but there are so many other ways of displaying nudity that are not quite as cringe inducing. A woman's body is beautiful, but oiled up to this extent, it looses its tastefulness and becomes a clear cry for attention.

Remember when you saw that girl in your class on Facebook posing with pouty lips in front of the camera screaming for someone to notice her cleavage? You thought, "wow, that girl is insecure and needs attention real bad" or maybe you thought, "she's hot". But then again, she wasn't trying to sell jeans, was she? She was just a girl like any other imitating something she may have seen in a magazine.

Now, there's a question I'd like to ask. Can you envision this image in your latest Vogue? Can you imagine your 12 year old sister catching a glimpse? Is that what you would call "pushing the boundaries" or does it take things to a level where people can't leave it on their coffee table? I am all for boundary pushing, but to what degree?

On the bright side, the image stayed in my mind for over a week and therefore, it must have done its job. Does it make me scream for those jeans? Probably not. But I am talking about it, so I suppose Wang got exactly the reaction he wanted. Now we all know that Alexander Wang makes jeans.

Alexander Wang for H&M? So last month.
Kim Kardashian's oiled body on Paper Mag? Psh, Kim who?

Make way for Alexander Wang and let me know what you think of this image. Good career move or pornographic? Or both?

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella

Do You Have To BE Athletic to LOOK Athletic?

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Images via Vogue.com

Karl Lagerfeld introduced the concept of sneakers on the HAUTE COUTURE runway.

Donna Karan had her DKNY models wearing NYC baseball caps to showcase their pride in their city.

Mulberry's new Cara Delevingne backpacks lean towards chic practicality for the average school girl.

So, it shouldn't come as a shock that Alexander Wang's H&M collection consists entirely of sportswear. From casual wear to athletic street gear, gender lines are getting more blurred by the minute.

"Anyone can get dressed up and glamorous but it is how people dress in their days off that are the most intriguing." No truer words have ever been spoken by a wise 30 year old designer also known as Alexander Wang.

As stilettos are getting replaced as cool shoe of the moment by Adidas Originals, casual, nay sporty, becomes the new chic. It's the beginning of a new fashion era where comfort dominates the streets and feminism is a term being swooshed around like a hockey puck. While the mod movement remains the trend du jour and 90's nostalgia is all the rage, sportswear is taking centre stage, as it becomes the cool new kid on the block. In light of society's growing obsession with the gym and kale, everyone's talking about staying fit and taking up a sport has never been cooler.

But what if you aren't the athletic type? Does that mean Alexander Wang's new H&M collaboration isn't for you? OR are you allowed to fake it? Is wearing a gym getup on the street the equivalent of Drake saying he's from the street?

via lifestylemirror.com

In the fashion world, your outfit is a reflection of your personality and you are defined by your ability to express your individuality through your personal style. If that is the case, how can a girl wear basketball shoes if she doesn't play basketball? Is it possible to pull off sportswear without looking like you're trying too hard to be someone you're not?

According to Alexander Wang, the collection is NOT just for the athletically inclined. Phew. Despite the sporty themes, these pieces are meant to be transitional looks that can be worn in other settings. In fact, it sounds a lot like he's telling us to wear these items #fothesakeoffashion and not purely for recreational purposes.

Many moons ago, sportswear was only meant to be worn when playing sports. Often, it wasn't very stylish, but merely a necessity with the right qualities to suit the game at hand. Soccer shoes were for soccer because they had cleats. It was a given. No questions asked. For this reason, fashionistas were appalled at the thought of being caught in their sports attire. 

But what happens when we start loving our sportswear? 

What happens when the fashion world decides that being athletic can be fashionable? 

What happens when your Nikes become a fashion statement rather than just a sports shoe?
And what happens when you're choosing your Nikes over your Louboutins?

Will this inspire some of us (myself) to take up sports? 

Does it even have to?

Ponder It,

XOXO,

Bella