Dolce and Gabanna: In Trouble Again?

As you may or may not have heard, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabanna have incited the outrage of the entire fashion world due to their statement about "synthetic children". In a such a socially advanced world, it's no wonder that everyone from Olivier Rousteing to Elton John had something to say regarding this statement.

via ca.eonline.com

Their latest collection at Fashion Week, one of my personal favourites thus far, featured models on the runway with their children and celebrated motherhood. There is absolutely nothing wrong with honouring mothers but in today's modern world, condemning other forms of parenthood seems entirely out of place.

I know that you may have already heard your fair share of commentary on the issue, but I could not resist expressing my dismay at such tactless commentary from the designers. Though they may come from a more traditional background, the fashion world is a place for crossing boundaries and accepting all definitions of gender. Is it possible that certain individuals still aren't quite ready for a more modern society?

After this outrageous anti-IVF baby comment, a boycott Dolce and Gabanna post was published on Twitter by Elton John.

What do you think of this decision? Will you be boycotting these designers?

Ponder It,

XOXO,

Bella

Are You Ready for Some Fur Controversy?

While in the midst of Fall 2014 New York Fashion Week, it's impossible to ignore the lavish furs that make their way down the runways like it's nobody's business. From BCBG to Kenneth Cole New York, fur is everywhere this season, and frankly, are we really surprised? In temperatures like these, designers, editors, and bloggers alike always have fur on the brain and across their shoulders, around their neck, and occasionally, on their shoes as well. Despite the controversies that will forever invade the fashion industry regarding animal cruelty, fur doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Red paint or blue paint, painting your fur is right on trend anyway, so throw that paint and those designers will find a creative way to incorporate it into their collections. Like it or not, this is the reality that pervades this industry and will always be part of the Fall discussion. We can fight it or embrace it, but as far as Lagerfeld is concerned "in a meat-eating world, wearing leather for shoes and even clothes, the discussion of fur is childish".

Last year, I wrote a satirical list on why one should wear fur. In honor of Fall Fashion Week, I'd like to re-present this list to remind us why fur is furtastic and the fashionable solution to the cringe-inducing parka.

1) Synthetic materials pollute our environment, including the waters. Animals drink from those waters. They get poisoned. We get poisoned. Enough said.

2) It’s timeless and durable. You can have one fur coat that will last you a lifetime. Just ask your grandmother. And if you’re really against it, you can wear vintage fur because that animal probably would have died a lifetime ago anyway. 

3) People eat cows. Some cultures honour cows. People domesticate dogs. Some cultures eat dogs. It’s all relative, really.

4) If you’re going to wear your Canada Goose and your leather boots, you can wear fur. Don’t be a hypocrite. We live in Canada. It’s cold.

5) The fur trade is part of Canada’s heritage and it is our duty to honour that heritage.

6) Women wear flowers in their hair. Children step on plants and pull them out of the ground for fun. People forget to water their grass. Lumberjacks cut down trees. What about cruelty to plants?

7) Would you rather support the children working in the factories to create your synthetic materials? I don’t think so.

8) People on farms raise animals for slaughter (Ever read Charlotte’s Web?). Is that really any better? Is Wilbur a friend or is he food? Think about that.

9) If the government wants to dispose themselves of the raccoon infestation, why not use the fur rather than merely killing them? We use our natural resources all the time for various purposes. 

10) Nature is beautiful. Fur is a part of nature. Let’s just be one with nature like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. 

Here are some of the best furs so far at New York Fashion Week:

KENNETH COLE NEW YORK

ADEAM

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

DKNY

BCBG MAX AZRIA

If you're still a fur sceptic and think this is the most offensive piece of writing you've ever encountered, you should probably avoid fashion week altogether. Fur is a tradition and traditions like that don't disappear with a snap of our perfectly manicured fingers.

Happy Monday!

Bella

Image Sources: style.com

Karl Lagerfeld Can Teach You A Thing Or Two About North American History

If you haven't opened a history textbook in about 10-15 years, watch the Chanel Pre-Fall 2014 show. That's right. Yesterday, Chanel took on Dallas and told a little Western about Cowboys and Indians. Are you familiar? This is PROOF that fashion CAN tell a story. He didn't need words or pages (as much as I'm an advocate of words AND pages), but simply some elaborate costumes to give you a taste of all those clichés with a sprinkle of Lagerfeld. This is why Karl Lagerfeld is King of the Fashion Industry/Historian. It's an established fact.

At this time of year, numerous designers come up with their pre-Fall 2014 Collections. In case you weren't sure, I am referring to September 2014, which is exactly 9 months, 12 days, 11 hours, and 7 minutes from now (this is probably accurate, but I'm no mathematician). Sound crazy to you? Well, that is how the fashion industry works and Karl is a boss because he's one of the only designers who produces over 80 looks in this PRE collection (95 to be exact) and gets to display them on a runway. It is clear that this man has taken Chanel by a storm and ravaged the rest of the fashion world. He is the one and only ruler and we must bow (Just Kidding).

By the way, since this is the pre-collection, you can only bet that the actual Fall 2014 collection is going to be MAJOR. Stay tuned for something epic.

Much Love,

Bella

P.S The only one who stands a chance next to Lagerfeld is Marc Jacobs. So, keep reading and you may get a brief review on his awesomeness in the near future by yours truly.

Take a look at the Chanel Pre-Fall 2014 collection here: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/2014PF-CHANEL/

Welcome Ladies, Gentlemen, and Fashionistas

Once upon a time, I had a runway blog and my sole purpose was to critique catwalk fashion. It didn't work out between us, and well, we parted ways. And so, I decided to take my beloved http://myfashionstatements.tumblr.com and take it to Blogger for a fresh new accessible and readable look. Big day for me. Rather than focusing on the lovely inspirational images that I find on other tumblr blogs, I've decided to nurture my writing and delve deeply into my fashion personality (separate from my actual personality, so don't get them confused). If you're patient enough to read some lines, I'll be posting some interesting fashion ideas that can raise questions and ALAS, make statements. Get ready because it's going to be MAJOR. And funny. No promises though. But you'll probably laugh. Probably. If you're not that into fashion, this may not be the place for you, but I don't think this state of being exists. And no, I am not delusional. I just believe that everyone wears clothes and therefore, fashion is relevant to ALL of us. What you look like is a clear reflection of who you are, so don't half-ass it. And with those wise words, I'll leave you.

Bella