Demure is back for fall and spring, declared Christina Binkley in “The Real Housewives,” the lead story in the Off Duty section of the weekend’s Wall Street Journal. “The most startling thing about women’s fashion right right now is how perfectly not-startling it is,” Binkley wrote. “June Cleaver would approve: skirts swish about the shins,…
In the News
Throwback Musical Fashions From the Jacksons … and Rihanna?
In 2010, a year after singer Michael Jackson’s death, his family launched the J5 Collection. J5 stands for the Jackson 5 — the family musical group that launched Michael, who ultimately went on to much bigger stardom. The website describes the “collection” as “a unique celebration of The Jacksons achievements as an international mega group.” …
Sucks to Be Kelly Clarkson
Last Sunday’s New York Times had an article about singer Kelly Clarkson called “Kelly Clarkson, a Pop Star Proud in Her Own Skin.” It looked at how fans identify with Clarkson not just because of her powerful voice and stand-up-for-yourself lyrics but also because of her habit of “dismissing withering criticism of her weight.” Courtney…
Snarky Political Commentary From Poland
I’m sure all of my fashion-obsessed readers are eagerly following the news of Europe’s deal to reduce Greece’s debt and stem the financial crisis that has shaken the euro. The Wall Street Journal’s front page story, headlined, “EU Forges Greek Bond Deal,” explains that European leaders “had reached agreement with private banks on a ‘voluntary’…
Style Icon: Walt “Clyde” Frazier
In the ’90s, I lived with a roommate in a nice-enough apartment building. We had a doorman, a marble lobby and the location was decent — not too far from the subway — but it definitely wasn’t Park Avenue. One day, I saw a tall, elegant man in the elevator. He was wearing the most…
My Virginia Woolf Whistle Necklace in and on ELLE
Thanks to everyone for your nice notes about my Virginia Woolf Whistle necklace‘s appearance in November’s ELLE! I thought I’d give you one more view of the whistle’s size. Here’s the real-life necklace next to ELLE’s photo. UPDATED TO ADD: Click here for my original post on this design.
Meet the WendyB Team and Bid Adieu to Steve Jobs
After I asked for pictures of people wearing my team colors of black and denim, I didn’t get any photos right away. Instead, I got a couple of comments from fashion bloggers who said they didn’t have any solid black tops or never wore jeans. I started thinking, “Wow! I thought I was dressing in…
Anna Wintour’s Genius Comment About Kanye West
The musically talented but otherwise insufferable Kanye “Gay Fish” West showed his first line of women’s clothing in Paris on Saturday, earning reviews such as “Good thing Kanye West has a day job.” I’ve become inured to random-ass celebrities who deem themselves qualified to launch clothing and jewelry lines to great fanfare just because they’ve…
In Case You Missed This Weekend’s Posts …
I’m busy catching up on some work that I put off while I was writing my 9/11 remembrance posts. If you missed those over the weekend, they’re here: 10 Years Later: “Essential Acts of Witness” 10 Years Later: The Weak Horse I’ll be back tomorrow.
Requiescat in Pace, Andy Whitfield
I’m so sad to read that actor Andy Whitfield, the star of the first season of Spartacus, has died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 39. My stepdaughter and I watched when Spartacus premiered on STARZ in January 2010. The first episode was truly terrible — something that deserved a “Worst!TV!Show!Ever! comment — yet something drew…