Balmain's Spring Ad Campaign: Girls Will Be Boys

via fashionista.com

Let's talk about this ad.

via fashionista.com

And that one.

To the naked eye, these images may appear to be classic "girls just wanna have fun" photos featuring the hottest models in the industry stuffing their faces and still looking like goddesses. To the knowledgable eye, this is a Balmain Ad Campaign featuring five stunning Victoria's Secret Angels: Adriana Lima, Crista Cober, Isabeli Fontana, Joan Smalls, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley taking on role model status.

Last week, I spoke about Alexander Wang's new denim campaign. I was flabbergasted (to say the least) at the blatant sexual image of Anna Ewers. This week, I found an ad that does "thought-provoking" the right way. As much as I love Wang, if this were a style contest, Balmain wore it better. Not only does this Balmain campaign promote an image of diversity (an important facet for designer, Olivier Rousteing), but it defies gender roles by placing women in a typically masculine setting doing typically masculine activities such as playing video games and eating fast food. Of course, these women are dressed a lot more scantily than your average male in his sweatpants in front of the TV, but in case you hadn't noticed, that is only the case for the first image, and even then, they look like sexy superheroes. In the second, they're wearing bold colour blocked dresses and jumpsuits, while enjoying a feast of burgers and fries. That is definitely NOT an image you see every day. Just when you thought the industry wanted us all to be skin thin, we find an ad such as this one telling skinny girls to EAT and not just a salad, but the fattest food around.

If this ad does not send a positive message, I don't know what does. While the Wang image resonated because of its sexually provocative nature, this one makes us think about the industry in a new light by painting an unconventional picture of models that subverts expectations. Rousteing takes the androgyny trend to a new level by having his models dressed in sexy and feminine gear, while engaging in stereotypically masculine endeavours. Essentially, according to this designer, girls can be boys without actually dressing like them. They can play Nintendo and eat fast food like the boys, but they should not lose their sensuality in the process.

Message received.

XOXO,

Bella

Kate Moss Was Cara Delevingne For Halloween: Let's Discuss

Our favourite model of the moment, the silly faced Cara Delevingne has officially reached the status of Halloween costume. She can now be aligned with the vampires and minions of this world. Who made it all possible? Well naturally, it was none other than Kate Moss. Cara has already declared the supermodel as someone she aspires to, but who would have envisioned the impact this would have on the queen of modelling herself?

This weekend, Kate Moss decided to honor/mock/celebrate Cara by dressing up in head-to-toe Cara gear for Halloween (hoodie and tongue included). While a costume can have many functions, including but not limited to, seductive, scary, and shocking, this one was particularly striking due to the frequent comparisons drawn between the two. While Kate Moss was the sexy party girl of yesteryear, Cara is everyone's current muse with an infectious personality that makes everyone want to be her best friend (including Pharrell). The two models were recently featured in an ad together for Burberry because of everyone's obsession with pairing them together.

What do these two women have in common?
They're both British.
They're both party girls.
They're both blond.
They're both top models in the industry.
They're both Burberry girls.

Need I say more?

Now, let's contemplate the psychological motivations behind this costume choice for a moment.

Was it tasteful or tasteless?
Is Cara's transformation into a Halloween costume a signal of her status in the industry?
Is Kate's jest funny or slightly offensive?
Is Kate looking to regain the attention that's been diverted towards Cara?

OR can one view this costume choice as an older sister making fun of her younger sibling? If that is the case, let them be sisters for a night. Perhaps next year, Cara will be Kate. But in this case, it probably won't be Halloween.

Images via www.dailymail.co.uk

Ponder It,

XOXO,

Bella

QUIZ TIME: Which Young, Flourishing Fashion Model Are You?

We all know about the Supers: Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford. If you don't, I urge to check out Models.com immediately as you lower your head in embarrassment. Today, we've got a new batch of ladies everyone's talking about and I'm about to tell you which one is your soul sister. But wait. First you have to take this quiz. Find out if you're a Cara, a Karlie, a Joan, or a Soo Joo.

1. Pick your favourite fashion brand.
a) DKNY
b) Oscar de la Renta
c) Missoni
d) Chanel

2. Which of these words describes you best?
a) Goofy
b) Friendly
c) Fierce
d) Non-Conformist

3. What's your best physical feature?
a) Your eyebrows
b) Your swan neck
c) Your lips
d) Your cheekbones

4. What's your motto?
a) Life's a playground. Don't take it too seriously.
b) Don't worry. Have a cookie.
c) Beauty is about diversity.
d) Uniqueness is the emblem of success.

5. Time to make a change. What do you do to your hair?
a) Dye it dirty blond
b) Chop it all off
c) Change my hair? NEVER.
d) Bleach it

6. What's your spirit animal?
a) A bunny
b) A puppy
c) A lion
d) An iguana

7. What's your favourite fashion trend?
a) Sneakers
b) Minimalism
d) HATS
e) Grunge

MOSTLY A's: You Are CARA DELEVINGNE

via www.theformulablog.com

You love to have a good time no matter the place and people are attracted to your youthful spirit. Some say you're a bit wild, but you just like to live life to its fullest. Every day is a party and you're ready to celebrate the good times. Come on.

MOSTLY B's: You Are KARLIE KLOSS

via www.thewallpapers.org

Everybody loves you because you're the sweetest person they know. You're a major philanthropist and live to help others reach their full potential. People are addicted to your laid back personality and nonchalance, but let that not be mistaken for laziness because you are anything but.

MOSTLY C's: You Are JOAN SMALLS

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You're a strong woman with solid values that guide you through your decisions. With fierce determination, you know how to get what you want. Your attitude and presence may be intimidating, but it makes you a better person and someone that others look up to.

MOSTLY D'S: You Are SOO JOO PARK

via www.lifeandtimes.com

You live to be different and play with the various assets of your personality. People consider you to be unique and envy your propensity to take a risk and set yourself apart from the crowd. You're the girl that stands out in a crowd and that no one can miss because of your infectious personality and killer style.

I REALLY Want To Talk About Eyebrows

Fashion's favourite new look? Heavy duty Sandy Cohen meets Bert eyebrows. It's time to put those tweezers back in the drawer and cut down on your visits to the aesthetician. All your woes have come to an end. Eyebrows are in. They have invaded the runways and the faces of all our favourite models, starting with my favourite brit, Cara Delevingne. And for those who don't have eyebrows, with the magic of makeup, you can make it happen (just don't paint them on inadequately, because it's frightening for onlookers). So, this post is dedicated to our new favourite facial feature: Eyebrows. Forget those fake lashes and bold lips, it's time to direct the attention towards your brows. If I say eyebrow one more time, my brain will combust, so let these photos speak for themselves.

If you aren't yet sold on this concept, don't fret. These ladies will convince you to let your facial bush run wild. Here are some of my favourite heavy browed babes:

CARA: Queen of the Eyebrow

She rules the eyebrow world because she started the trend. At first, we thought "where are her tweezers?" Who's laughing now?

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LILY COLLINS: Eyebrow Princess

I have a crush on her eyebrows and they make me want to be her best friend. Is that normal?

via Glamour

AUDREY HEPBURN: Original Eyebrow Ruler

Okay, maybe Cara didn't start it. But if Audrey Hepburn is still iconic and known for those bushy brows, we all better follow suit.

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BROOKE SHIELDS: Eyebrows Diva

And then Brooke Shields did it in the 80s and it was pretty wow. If it's on Vogue, it's high fashion. It's law.

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BAMBI NORTHWOOD BLYTH: Eyebrow Babe

And today, this Australian model is rocking those brows like it's nobody's business. Does that make her unattractive? As a matter of fact, I'd kill for that level of fierce only attainable through those massive brows.

via roseoverclothes.blogspot.com

So, thick brows are the new gap tooth. Embrace your weird defects because they are now your most beautiful asset. Then again, some women (Miley Cyrus) are bleaching their brows. Pick your extreme. There's nothing in between. Go big or go home.

Love,

Bella

#IconCity: You Go Coco!

In honor of Coco Rocha's Model of the Year Award at the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards this past week, I'd like to bestow upon her an award of my own: The Icon Award. As a top Canadian fashion model in the industry, one of the best in my own biased Canadian opinion, she deserves to roam the streets of IconCity alongside Victoria Beckham, Diane Kruger, and Brad Goreski (wouldn't they make a great dinner party?). Her emotional speech at the CADA awards in which she announced a child protection law vowing to end child exploitation in the modelling industry, we were all brought to tears at how incredibly inspirational she is. Her ability to make every possibly facial expression look fierce, bringing justice to that overused cliched word, along with her down-to-earth personality which she exhibits on The Face, make her an icon for women across the globe. Here are some of her best looks according to moi.

LOOK 1

Coco Rocha rocked this junglesque dress at the 2013 Met Gala "From Punk Chaos to Couture", attracting much media attention. Her ability to pull off the leopard print with such confident ease is inspirational and her bold statement made every head turn.

via ca.eonline.com

LOOK 2

As a street style favourite, Coco hasn't met a print she can't effortlessly wear and this bold jumpsuit is no exception. Evidently, this woman is fearless with her fashion choices AND her haircuts.

via www.fashionmagazine.com

LOOK 3

Coco Rocha is so rock n' roll in this Fausto Puglisi getup that I can't help but wish we were best friends. Her ability to rock a leather pant with this envy-worthy leather jacket fills me with a boundless desire to raid her closet.

via www.whosay.com

LOOK 4

Obviously, Coco makes a statement again in a red TopShop blazer and gold necklace. Can I please have this outfit? Let's not forget that signature red lip.

via www.collagevintage.com

LOOK 5

And finally, Coco's CADA DSquared2 dress that I can't seem to get over. Not only do I love DSquared2, but I absolutely adore Coco in white. A vision of elegance and sophistication, this model never ceases to blow me away.

via www.becauseimfabulous.com

If I could post more outfits, I would, but that would get incredibly tedious and verge on overkill. This is a simple overview of Coco Rocha's remarkable sense of style. Representing Canada, I'm proud to be a part of Team Coco.

Love,

Bella