STITCH April 2012

STITCH APRIL 2011 NO 14

Contents 5.

LOOKS Dispatches from Paris and London, illustrated by Cristine Ryan

7.

PLEASURES A few of STITCH’s favorite (dream) items

9.

SPOTTED Northwestern street style, captured by our STREET TEAM

11.

FEATURE “Fashion That Cares” by Delia Privitera

15 . COVER

“The Gridiron Gang” by Jacqueline Andriakos

Photographed by Luke Vogelzang

25. SHOOT

“Tough as Nails” by Nick Arcos 33.

SHOOT “His and Hers” by Justin Schuman

49.

2DO Music Review by MattGrosinger and TV Review by Corinne White

51.

LAST WORD “Where Have All the Models Gone?” by Arabella Watters

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

“Fashion is connected to the reality in which we live. It’s not just about a logo or how short is a dress. We have to care about what’s going on around us.” –Franca Sozzani, Editor-in-chief of Italian Vogue I look up to Franca Sozzani for more reasons other than the fact that her iPod is filled with Neil Young and the Stones. I read about Sozzani in a recent profile in the Wall Street Journal and was struck by her determination to use her position as editor to raise awareness of important issues, like the lack of business interest in Africa. Sozzani, who has been editor for 24 years, constantly pushes for a realistic, substantive approach to fashion. For example, she tweets ways to help victims of the Syrian uprising and gives lectures on the importance of increasing diversity in fashion.

As the new editor of STITCH, I want to give you a magazine that, yes, is aesthetically pleasing and puts fashion in the context of a college student’s life, in a smart and useful way. But in the spirit of Sozzani, I want to prove that a fashion magazine can have a larger effect than just being a piece of eye candy. Fashion is a vital piece of the cultural pie, and we’re here to serve you a delicious and nutritious slice throughout your career here at Northwestern.

That being said, I’m so proud to introduce our April issue, where staff writer Delia Privatera explores the realm of eco-friendly fashion. Regardless of your opinion on global warming, we should all share a desire to treat our beautiful planet with love. What you wear, to be sure, is an important part of that, and not often considered when creating a wardrobe.

We share with you a list of companies that Mother Nature will thank you for wearing.

As for me, I thank you for reading! Please email me at corinnewhite@u.northwestern.edu with any comments or suggestions for future issues of STITCH. --Corinne

3| STITCH

STITCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Corinne White CREATIVE DIRECTOR Diane Tsai MANAGING EDITOR Alyssa Clough SENIOR EDITOR Jacqueline Andriakos PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Nick Arcos DESIGN EDITOR Rosalind Mowitt EDITOR-AT-LARGE Nadina Gerlach CO-DIRECTORS OF PHOTO-SHOOTS Samantha Brody & Katie Cannady PHOTO-SHOOTS Carly Shapiro STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Luke Vogelzang, Hillary Thorton, Christina Jameson, Justin Schuman, Maggie Gorman, Christina Welch, Kate Villa, Tracy Lin, Ivonne Carla, Ben Breuner ONLINE DESIGN EDITOR Jessica Kane ASSISTANT EDITOR-PRINT Kendra Vaculin ASSISTANT EDITORS-ONLINE Sara Chernus & Brianna Keefe DESIGN AND MULTIMEDIA Alexandra Sifferlin, Rebecca Lai, Meg Baglien, Sophie Jenkins, Christine Ryan Michelle Chang, Peter Yoo, Eden Schoofs, Rachel Jones, Sungsub Billy Choo STAFF WRITERS Kendra Vaculin, Matt Grosinger, Alexa Wong, Alia Wilhem, Arabella Watters, Beth Glaser, Cathaleen Qiao Chen, Delia Privitera, Emerly Soong, Erin Ku, Hannah Howard, Kalindi Shah, Rachel Nussbaum, Sameeraa Pahwa, Victoria Castro, Xander Shepherd, Ian Hendrickson COPY EDITING Catherine Clark, Samantha Kaiser DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Jazmyn Tuberville PUBLIC RELATIONS Danielle Pieere, Andy Garden, Tim Hughes, Rebecca Rodriquez TREASURER Imani Mixon DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING AND ADVERTISING Clarke Humphrey FUNDRAISING Neelima Agrawal, Diana Tseng, Amy Beadle ADVERTISING Lauren Schiappa, Rebecca Liron, Sonali Dasgupta, Clarke Humphrey

STITCH |4

LOOKS In his last show for the brand, Stefano Pilati made magic. The elegant looks that characterize Yves Saint Laurent were given a more whimsical touch with the addition of colored flowers and gold trim.

A parade of varying textures and embellishments, such as this looks heavy silk and leather, exhibit the brilliance that will soon be missing from the label. After spring’s pastel flurry, Pilati reminded everyone the power of black and intense gold and jewel tones. Needless to say, his successor will have very large shoes to fill.

Fall at McQueen was all about volume and embellishment, once again showing Sarah Burton’s ability to mix feminine romanticism and artistic creativity. This ribcage-baring look reminds us how “leaving something to the imagination” can still be sexy and young. In an effort to reclaim the edge that the label is known for, Burton accessorizes the look with voluminous skirt-like armbands, towering abstract heels, and an opaque visor.

In her fall collection for her namesake label, Mary Katrantzou managed to make mixing saturated hues, house wares, and floral prints all make sense together.

Continually topping herself each season, Katrantzou uses architectural aspects, like this dress’ strong shoulders and swirling skirt as a palette for shocking colors and life-like patterning. Not to shy away from boldness, Katrantzou choose to pair the look with a sleek yet sloppy bun and matching yellow heels. While her looks are wild and not for the faint of heart, Katrantzou never ceases to flatter a woman’s body, or to appeal to her inner eccentric.

5| STITCH

YSL

Alexander McQueen Mary Katrantzou STITCH |6

PLEASURES

CHICAGO SPORTS COOKIES, PRICES VARY, SARAH’S PASTERIES ON OAK ST

DISNEY COUTURE SNOW WHITE POISON APPLE RING, $45, AMAZON.COM

MILK CHOCOLATE CARAMEL BRULEE BITES, $1.75, STARBUCKS

OLYMPIA LE-TAN BOOK CLUTCH, MARC JACOBS, $1500

WES ANDERSON’S MOONRISE KINGDOM, IN THEATRES MAY 25

7| STITCH

RINGSANDTINGS.COM ONLINE FASHION AND JEWELRY STORE

YVES SAINT LAURENT GLOSSY STAIN, $32, SEPHORA.COM

O.P.I NICKI MINAJ NAIL LACQUER, $12.93, AMAZON.COM

BZR OMBRE TIGHTS IN COAL, $50, ETSY.COM

SIGG WATER BOTTLE, $21.99, MYSIG.COM

STITCH |8

SPOTTED

9| STITCH

“I just got these red pants yesterday. I’ve wanted them for a while and it seems like they’re pretty in right now. And I love leopard print.”

PHARAH DAHYA SENIOR • AMERICAN STUDIES MAJOR JEANS: GAP SHIRT: H&M JEAN JACKET: RALPH LAUREN SHOES: KATE SPADE BAG: FRANCESCA SCARF: “I HONESTLY HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT’S FROM BUT I WANNA SAY URBAN.”

CHECK OUT MORE STREET TEAM PHOTOS AT STITCHFASHION.COM

STITCH |10

Fashion Tha

How eco fashion, fair trade, and sustainable desig

13| STITCH

at Cares

gn are changing the fashion industry

by Delia Privitera

STITCH |12

A

PHOTO T COURTERS R Y OF ARTI R SANDHU

WORK BY: DERICK MELANDER

s slaves to a world of consumer-

themselves spiraling within a vicious cycle of buying more and more. With retail superpowers like H&M and Zara offering lowcost clothing inspired by coveted runway and haute couture trends, it’s easy to fall prey to a borderline shopaholic mindset. update their wardrobe every season. What’s the shame in having ten pairs of dark wash skinny jeans in your closet if you can afford it?

To answer this question we must think of the wasteful consequences of our out of control shopping habits. According to statistics from the Textile Exchange Sustainable Apparel Workshop, textile waste ocin the U.S. and it takes approximately 700 gallons of freshwater to make a cotton tshirt. With statistics such as these, many companies worldwide are embracing innovative textile materials, from organic cotton tempt to reduce their carbon footprint.

Unfortunately, sustainable design is not necessarily 100 percent environmentally friendly. “Eco fashion is part of sustainable fashion,” says Arti Sandhu, fashion design professor at Columbia College. “But, sustainable fashion is not always eco fashion.”

She believes that the difference lies in the concept of sustainable design. “It’s about creating or designing products and services that have a longer lifespan with resources that have more sustainability on a 13| STITCH

long-term level”, says Sandhu.

The Columbia College professor put these ideas to test last year as a curate of the ZERØ Waste exhibition. ZERØ Waste focused on two popular approaches to sustainable design: recycled products and products that don’t create production waste.

“The exhibition featured both artists and designers,” said Sandhu. “The designers were thinking about products that are marketable for sale and are actually on the market, whereas artists were making work that was zero waste and provocative.”

The exhibition was a showcase of the alternatives to the current fast fashion system, which is based on instant purchases and immediate satisfaction, but not necessarily longevity. A lot of shoppers today accept the fact that an item of clothing is not going to last, but it was not always like this.

Think back to your grandparents. How many suits does your grandpa own? How many times have you seen your Grandma ironing the same navy blue skirt?

“Before the 1950s,” says Sandhu, “people had few things, but they had good things.”

Our grandparents’ generation collected unique, well-made, and wonderfully crafted clothing, planning to wear it for decades. People accommodated to changing trends by transforming clothes they already owned, according to Sandhu. Nowadays, the majority of people do not think of sustainability; quantity often prevails over quality and longevity.

Another important aspect of sustain-

ability is its social commitment. The fashion world is home to labor rights violations and corporate governance lawsuits that deeply contrast the glamorously portrayed industry. Shoppers should be conscious of the manufacturing process sweatshops, exploitation and miserable wages can be the apparel industry’s bestkept secrets. An alternative to this corrupt system is fair trade fashion. Fair trade is a form of trade that helps developing counHolly Elzinga, manager of Andersonville Galleria and founder of Fair Earth, discovered the power of fair trade during a trip to Uganda, where she went to teach functional art skills at a local development organization.

Elzinga views her stay in Uganda as a tremendous learning experience, saying, “I saw how fair trade made a tangible difference in women’s lives in Uganda.”

The experience pushed her to found Fair Earth, an eco friendly and socially conscious brand that produces accessories and jewelry, with a focus on using recycled materials. Fair Earth counts on East African artisans for the production of its merchandise.

“The bottom line is that fair trade puts people before numbers,” says Elzcheapest place to produce our product line. We are working to provide opportunities for sustainable employment; the social element is more important.”

Social responsibility and sustainability come together in fair trade, a system that is gaining popularity among costumers.

Elzinga says, “More and more people care about where they spend their money. Customers want to put their money towards something meaningful, or a cause that they believe in.”

As consumers, we are witnessing a rise of the conscious shopper and a transition to a system that promotes sustainable fashion, a change that Professor Sandhu hopes will become a global long-term cultural shift. It’s the advent of a new era where luxury fashion houses and retailers alike are committed to improving ethical responsibility. Will you take part in the movement?

Bran ands ds you ou’ll ll feel good ood buy uying ng fro from: m: S ella McCartney’s Stella McC rtn ’s collections ect ns often en feature ure natural atu l and an organic orga c materials. m eria Vi enn Westwood Vivienne W wo d debuted d ute an n accesso a ess riess collection c ect n in collaboration llab ati with wit the he Ethical hic Fashion F ion Africa frica Programme, Prog mm a project p ject that at aims ims to empower em we Kenyan Ken n artisans ar ans and nd bring b ng wealth alth to poor poo African Afri n communities. c mu ies Forr Spring S ng 2012 2 2H H&M M launched unc d an Exclusive xclu ve Glamour G mou Collection olle on of o red-carpet ed- rpe looks ook made mad from rom sustainable sta ble materials. ter s. All A year yea round oun H&M &M carries ies thee sustainable su na Conscious Co cio Col Co lection. le n ISSI’s I’s chicc accessories ac sor are all made ma from fro waste (http://www.issiworld.com). wa htt /ww ssiw rld. m).

J John Patrick Pa k designed de ned thee “O byy Organic” O nic” col ollection ect for Anthropologie thr olo , a linee made m from fro organic ani and nd recycled r cled materials ater

STITCH |14

STITCH |16

17| STITCH

It is impossible to conduct a boring interview when the word ‘swag’ even enters conversation. From the second that Kain walked into Norris, it was clear who he was even without the quick photo stalking that I did on the Northwestern athletics page.

He did in fact have swag, an unexpected ease as he met a stranger armed with questions, ready to dissect his personal life. Wearing sweatpants, a flat-brimmed Northwestern Wildcats hat and Timberland boots, Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter slipped out of athlete mode and eased into 52 minutes of conversation surrounding a man’s nightmares: girls, gossip, and glam.

Kain greeted me in the lobby of Norris with a firm, purposeful handshake and one of those it’s-really-a-pleasure smiles that almost makes you forget if you asked them to meet you for the interview or if it was the other way around. As we walked down to the bottom level of Norris to find a quiet interview-friendly table, we eased into small talk about football and midterms. He seemed appropriately rehearsed with answers regarding his post-college plans, pressures of football, nerves during the big games of the season. But what was still puzzling was why his email wasn’t “Kain” at all, but instead Theodis.

“I’ve just gone by Kain my whole life. But if I think about it I actually respond to either one. I think Theodis is a nice and strong name too,” he said with a smile.

Despite the big name revelation, Theodis Kain Colter remained a relative stranger, so we began with the typical academic demographics: 19-year-old sophomore, psychology and pre-med student. Growing up in Denver, Colo. surrounded by an athletic family (a University of Colorado football national champion dad and a UFC football star uncle), it was inevitable that Kain would head down a sports road in their footsteps. Although he was surrounded by this familial love for the game, he never felt pressured to relive family glory days.

“My parents did a good job of never pressuring me to do anything I didn’t want to but I realized I really did love it,” said Kain. “I’m also just a really competitive person and no matter what it was I always wanted to go out there and perform well.”

After agreeing to participate in a fashion magazine spread, it was only a matter of time until the STITCH team would see whether or not this football star could bring that same competitive A-game attitude to a photo shoot set. Aside from the perks of pretty female models, STITCH |18

cameras, and the familiar backdrop of Ryan Field, Kain did admit to having some long-standing personal interest in this type of feature.

“I usually only get asked to do interviews for sports things, so I got excited to see the email from the fashion magazine,” he said. I waited out his sheepish grin for what I really wanted to hear, “And O.K, I have thought about modeling. It can’t be too difficult, right?”

It was endearing to watch as athlete stereotypes melted away, revealing a reasonably fashion-fueled man under a façade of purple jerseys and game-day suits. I learned that a typical Kain-night-out consisted of rendezvous’ with team members at David Nwabuisi’s apartment, one of Kain’s fellow NU footballers. He clarified that his winter attire frequently consists of jeans, Timberlands, a neat button-down, and his pea coat and scarf to “keep it classy.”

One had to wonder, however, if there was any behind-the-scenes fashionista planting trends and labels into this quarterback’s closet. Regardless of his off-the-market status – with a long-distance girlfriend, a love interest originally from his hometown – he was more than willing to spill his personal dating criteria.

“I don’t discriminate,” he assured laughingly, claiming to have dated just about every size, color, and shape out there. “First off, she’s got to be intelligent. I like smart girls.”

Luckily, after a shoulder injury resulting in a decision to decommit from Stanford and switch to Northwestern, he certainly didn’t leave behind that perk of an intelligent dating pool. Not only has the academic rigor of NU showed him the importance of brains over beauty, Kain continued to 19| STITCH

explain the importance of a woman having that same internal drive that pushes him both on and off the field.

“She needs to be independent.

Don’t get me wrong; I like a girl holding my arm, showing that she likes to be with me. But I really like when a girl has her own ambitions.

She wants something out of life.”

At this point hearts are both melting and shattering as this macho athlete admits to valuing his indisputably meaningful relationship with his chick, who also happens to be a fashion-aspirant at Loyola Chicago to whom Kain gives credit for some of his better-dressed days. But right before walking away under the impression that there is in fact a holy grail of a man out there solely attracted to personality he was sure to add the disclaimer, “Number three, she’s got to look good. I’m not shallow or anything but hey, that really makes a relationship whole, for both people.”

O.K. so we forgive him; and in all honesty girls are probably still wondering

what sparks Mr. Colter’s attention so I asked and he answered: sundresses.

“I might be athletic but I really do like a girly girl,” he said. “I’m not really all that picky, though. I mean if she looks good, she looks good. Am I right?”

After an hour of entertaining conversation learning both the ins and outs of Kain, it was apparent that the guy had it all: A great athletic career, a steady girlfriend, a supportive family, academic drive. But even this Big Ten name could admit to the understandable apprehensions of what is to come, both in his pending college years and post-college endeavors.

With the obvious dream of playing in the NFL, Kain spoke very honestly about his coming to terms with the fact that playing for the big leagues is a long shot for any college athlete.

“If it isn’t football it would probably be medical school. But can you imagine, eight more years of schooling?” he laughed.

As only a second-year student at NU, Kain will certainly become a more Evanston-household name as he climbs the football ranks and

continues to excel on the field. With the pressures of being a young and successful Big Ten athlete, Kain has learned ways to cope with the external pressures of being a known player. Through all of the sports haze and publicity that constantly surrounds him, he still managed to radiate a humble self-assurance, while remaining completely raw and honest about the non-sports world in which he lives.

“Everyone here at Northwestern has these unbelievable abilities and talents that God has given them and mine right now just happens to be football. There are people here going on to be doctors, lawyers, actors,” he said. “Who am I to ever say that what I do is any better or more worthwhile than what these people accomplish everyday around me?”

It was time to let this Levi-501’s wearing, swag-filled man get back to the rest of his afternoon. However, this whole notion of swag stuck with me and I couldn’t help but ask, what does that even mean?

“Swag is confidence,” he clarified. “I always let it come out because confidence is contagious to other people.

Wherever I go, whatever I put on, I make sure I’m still wearing swag.”

Kain’s confidence was in fact contagious. It was admirable to watch an infamous campus character emotionally disrobe and let someone into his world, beyond the automatic and rehearsed world of sports journalism. With his confidence and drive, hopes are high for this Wildcat.

“I can have confidence and continue to be competitive but in the end things will work out the way they are supposed to,” he said. “I always remind myself, whatever God wills for us on that day, just let it happen.”

-Jacqueline Andriakos STITCH |20

STITCH |24

TOUGH AS NAILS 25| STITCH

STITCH |26

29| STITCH

STITCH |30

designs by: Catherine Moglia and Taylor Thomas models: Kaitlin Miller, Elizabeth Male, Laura Prullage, Megan Jane Bradley, and Rachel Jones photographed by: Nick Arcos

33| STITCH

HIS HIS HERS

&

Girls can (and should) borrow from the boys. After all, isn’t a good mix of masculine and feminine what makes the world go ‘round? Dress the part.

skirt: Beyond Vintage shirt: Rag&Bone KNIT vest: model’s own (Isabel Marant) 35| STITCH

pants: model’s own (JCrew) shirt: model’s own (Isabel Marant) shoes: model’s own (Miu Miu)

39| STITCH

pants: Funktional bra: Cameo blazer: model’s own (JCrew)

STITCH |40

skirt: Cut25 shirt: Whetherly shoes: model’s own (Christian Louboutin) 41| STITCH

shirt: model’s own pants: McQ by Alexander McQueen cream skirt: Beyond Vintage shirt: Rag&Bone KNIT

shirt: model’s own (Polo) pants: McQ by Alexander McQueen

dress: model’s own (Betsey Johnson) 47| STITCH

photographed by: justin schuman models: elise chagas (‘14), kavi gupta (‘14) styling by: katie cannady jewelry provided by: gavin STITCH |48

TO LISTEN

THE ALABAMA SHAKES BY: MATT GROSINGER

BOYS & GIRLS

2

DO

I am sick of all my music. Given the whole “music diehard/reviewer” thing, this has become more than slightly distressing and problematic. I feel like everything I listen to is just a staid formula of what pop media dictates (and what I propagate) or a disjointed web of related artists. Thinking about music is something that I obviously love to do, but I would never care about the analytical endeavor were it not the logical extension of feeling the music, of hearing it for the first time and instinctively liking it before grokking why.

Such was the visceral tryst of hearing the Alabama Shakes’ debut LP, Boys & Girls for the first time. I say “hearing” instead of “listening” because listening implies some sort of concerted effort on behalf of the audience: before my synapses fired and registered the Shakes’ penchant for blues hooks or Brittany Howard’s robust vocal prowess, the corners of my mouth had already turned upward and my foot had already began rapidly assaulting the floor. To be

8.Kanye West “Theraflu” 9. THEESatisfaction “QueenS” 10. Action Bronson “Hookers at the Point”

10

49| STITCH

5. Lotus Plaza “Monoliths” 6. Chromatics “Kill For Love” 7. Japandroids “The House That Heaven Built”

TOP

1. Jai Paul “Jasmine” 2. Mikal Cronin “Apathy” 3. Willis Earl Beal “Monotony” 4. Ratking “Wikispeaks”

terse, Boys & Girls is a blues album that succeeds more the less it is appraised.

I could tell you that Jack White is a huge proponent for this band. I could also compare their sonic inclinations to the neo-garage movement of the early 2000s. But none of this matters.

When it is just you and your speakers, lurching two-step and twelve-bar dives coarsely remove mythology. On “Hold On,” the album’s anthemic opener, Howard even obviates the need for an audience by directly addressing herself in the bridge: “You got to come on Brittany, you got to come on up.”

All that matters is that the individual engages presently with the song, and trusts the sunbconscious reflex – for their part, the Shakes do an insane job of conveying spontaneity within the tight confines of a thirty minute record.

Decontextualizing this album into its most basic parts and trusting the knee-jerk reaction seemed at first like a faulty critical approach, but Boys & Girls is an album you need to hear first and listen to second. Sometimes you just need to reboot and trust your instincts.

TO WATCH

GIRL, PLEASE BY: CORINNE WHITE

HBO’S “GIRLS” So it finally happened. After the incessant hype, Girls premiered on HBO last Sunday. As an English major who will probably move to New York after I graduate (much like the writer/ producer/main character Lena Dunham, and much like many many other literary-minded college graduates across the globe), and as an avid Sex and the City watcher (which Girls is constantly compared to), I was looking forward to the premiere. Really looking forward to it.

But after watching, I couldn’t help but wonder: why do I want Sex and the City right now like it’s a glass of ice water in a desert.

Critics love Girls because it’s realistic, unlike the Manolo-wearing, hot-sex having Sex and the City crew.

The characters in Girls wear scuffed-up boots from Urban Outfitters and have sex that is much more awkward than it is hot (Samantha would be horrified).

Where SATC is cotton candy, Girls is, you know, a sandwich. It’s funny, it’s intelligent, it has layers. How many layers did Carrie have? And that’s not counting the many layers of her clothing.

In a particularly shocking scene, Lena eats a cupcake for break-

fast, naked in her bathtub, while her roommate sits on the edge of the tub shaving her legs. See—this sounds great in theory. It’s real. This realness is—or at least supposed to be—refreshing. And maybe after a few more episodes of Girls, I’ll adapt to it. But I have to admit, I found myself craving the escapism of SATC. I found myself thinking, “Man. I really don’t want another reminder about how broke I’m going to be in a year.”

Most people knew that SATC wasn’t realistic. Articles were published in countless women’s magazines about how Carrie’s newspaper columnist salary would barely cover four pairs of Manolos. SATC wasn’t great because it was realistic. Is Girls great because it is?

Maybe the Girls sandwich just looks too meaty for me right now.

Maybe, after the fluff and sparkle of SATC, my tastes are skewed, addicted to sugar. Sugar, though, is an acquired taste. I’ll keep watching Girls, because I do think it is certainly worth watching. After all, when you’re hungry, who would take cotton candy over a sandwich? And our generation— who often can’t afford lunch unless our parents cover it (like Lena Dunham in the pilot episode)—is hungry.

2

DO

STITCH |50

LAST WORD

where have all the models gone?

By: Arabella Watters

AS A SEVENTH GRADER I WAS NOTORIOUSLY GOOD AT KEEPING UP WITH MY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS. I LIVED FOR THE THURSDAY AFTERNOON WHEN VOGUE WOULD LAND IN MY MAILBOX AND I’D GET TO CEREMONIOUSLY RIP OFF THE PLASTIC, ANTICIPATING WHO WAS ON THE COVER. A PARTICULARLY AWE-INDUCING COVER OF NATALIA VODIANOVA LOOKING STUNNING IN A WHITE DRESS HUNG ON MY WALL FOR YEARS. THESE DAYS I’M HORRIFIED THAT THE COVER OF A W MAGAZINE LYING ON MY ROOMMATE’S BED IS JESSICA BIEL, TRYING HER HARDEST TO LOOKING ALLURING.

Aside from the fact that Biel is a subpar actress (have you seen Valentine’s Day? Wow), I find it slightly off-putting that magazines like W that pride themselves on being at the forefront of fashion journalism continue to put celebrities on their covers. A lot of celebrities do dress well, but it isn’t without effort. I have qualms since most stars are styled meticulously by stylists who don’t let them walk out of their mansions in West Hollywood without looking artfully tousled. The fusion of fashion and celebrity is something that has always been a part of pop culture, but lately the fashion world seems to have been completely infiltrated by “stars.” I don’t know when the ability to act began to equate with the ability to model, but it certainly seems that way.

Celebrities are everywhere: modeling badly on the cover of magazines (I cringe thinking 51| STITCH

about Jessica Simpson’s most recent naked, pregnant cover of Elle), starring in ad campaigns for designers (the atrocity of Mischa Barton’s dead-eyed, open-mouth modeling 2009 stint for Bebe), and getting their outfits plastered all over my favorite blogs. It’s not as though I specifically resent the idea of the celebrity as a fashion icon.

I don’t deny that I am obsessed with Rooney Mara and Emma Stone and crave the way they seem to effortlessly put their looks together, but it perturbs me that simply by being an actress, you get an all access pass to the fashion world.

Please, if you’re going to put a celebrity on the cover of your reputable publication, make it someone who actually knows how to take a photograph; I’m sorry Jennifer Aniston, I love you, but you constantly look like a deer in the headlights.

Get everything from purses and necklaces to earrings. But hurry, because each deal only last 24 hours

75%

Trendenzas is an online site that offers daily discounts on fashion accessories at up to off

By Alyssa Keller

S

STITCH WWW.STITCHFASHION.COM • UPDATED DAILY