I have not yet been to 9/11 Memorial Museum, but acquaintances who have gone photographed a display that tells the story of the Wall Street Journal’s Sept. 12, 2001, issue. That quote across the top — “I want a six-column headline!” — is from MrB. He was the managing editor of the Wall Street Journal…
Slut-Shaming and Women-Blaming at People Magazine
I was managing editor of People Magazine’s website in 1999, and I’ve subscribed to the magazine ever since I left that job. Today, I was flipping through the Sept. 15, 2014, issue and came across an item about the recent celebrity nude-photo hacking. Because it slut-shamed and blamed actress Jennifer Lawrence and model Kate Upton…
What Wendy Wore: Zang Toi’s 25th Anniversary Show
Last night, I went to my designing friend Zang Toi’s Spring 2015 runway show at Lincoln Center. The show was also a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Zang’s line. That’s a long run in fashion! You have to multiply fashion years the way you would dog years. Like, 25 years in fashion is at…
The Week in Review
In case you missed it, here’s what was on the blog this week. Wednesday: Thoughts about privacy and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Thursday: I think I need red overalls and a pink elephant at New York Fashion Week inspired me to share a sneak peak of a new design. Friday: New emoji jewelry designs,…
RIP, Simone Battle
I’m shocked and saddened to read that Simone Battle, an X Factor finalist who went on to become part of the group G.R.L., has died aged only 25. The cause of death hasn’t been officially confirmed but TMZ is claiming it was a suicide by hanging — the same as Alexander McQueen, L’Wren Scott and…
Who Wore It Best: WendyB or a Kardashian?
On second thought, don’t answer that “Who wore it best?” question in the title of this post! I can’t compete with a girl who is young enough to be my daughter. But here is 17-year-old Kylie Jenner — part of the Kardashian family — wearing a vintage Moschino dress in a shoot for Miss Vogue….
Wendy Brandes Jewelry in New York’s Story
If you lived in New York City in the 1980s, you might be familiar with a nightclub called Area. From 1983 to 1987, Area transformed itself every six weeks or so to express different themes, which included Night, Gnarly, Surrealism and Suburbia. (I went there just once while I was in college and I felt…
Pink Elephants for Fashion Week … and Maneaters
I am pleased to see that pink elephants are in style, or, more specifically, in the Thursday Styles section of the New York Times. As the Times reported, attendees of runway shows being held at Milk Studios during New York Fashion Week will be greeted by a 10-foot-tall inflatable pink elephant, designed by artist Tristin…
Throwback Thursday: My Oldest Friend & Outfit Inspiration
When my parents moved out of my childhood home last year, they gave me lots of old photos. I was rummaging through those yesterday when I came across a photo of me with my first-ever friend. I was 10 weeks old when that photo was taken. (Teddy was wearing diapers because my father wanted me…
Hal Finney, Privacy, and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
As I’ve mentioned before, I like to read the obituaries in the print edition of the New York Times — the physical act of turning the pages draws my attention to stories that I wouldn’t necessarily click online. Monday, I read an obituary for cryptographer Hal Finney, who died last week at age 58 from…








