Ombre-tastic: Tie-Dye Redefined

Ombre (n) A French word meaning “shaded.” Usually a multicolored stripe with colors graduating from light to dark.
This technique of dyeing from light to dark has been around for a long time. It’s basically tie-dye’s distant (high-fashion) cousin. But, don’t expect the kids at your local YMCA summer camps to start making ombre T-Shirts instead of traditional tie-dye gear. Ombre is an extremely rigorous process because the color effect is actually intricately woven into the fabric, which is why sporting the dip-die look can be pricey. Total cost depends on labor, colors, and the number of transitions (read: how hard the garment was to make).

I assume the trend will last all thru the summer. That’s fine with me because I love the look. (Hippie-chic, ultra-girlie, colorful...)
However, my only problem with the whole ombre-fad is the style of the garments themselves. It’s like they got lazy and just took all of last year's bubble dresses, maxi-dresses, 60s-inspired frocks, tank tops and tunics, and updated them with ombre prints. And while the new color palettes are eye-catching and its an easy-to-pull-off look that requires no accessorizing, it still seems half-assed to me. Come on! I'm tired of over-the-top billowy boho-glam. Enough already!
This is why I don’t think I’ll be investing in any ombre-patterned clothes or accessories. Not to mention my New Year’s Resolution was to stop purchasing of-the-moment trends. And if I must have it, it must come from Forever 21. (And all bills must be paid in full) I’ve done pretty well and my boyfriend has actually convinced me to clean out my closet and *gasp* get rid of things! I know, I know—love will make you do crazy things!

One Skirt

The Balancing Act

Danish art student Nadia Plesner designed this T-shirt depicting a Darfurian child holding a Louis Vuitton bag and a Chihuahua. Her point being that we are more interested in celebrity culture than the genocide in Darfur. In February Louis Vuitton hit Plesner with a copyright lawsuit demanding she pay $20,000 a day for each day she continued to use this image and reimbursement for legal fees. Plesner continues to fight and has refused to stop using the image.

“My illustration Simple Living is an idea inspired by the media’s constant cover of completely meaningless things [ie. Paris Hilton], ” Plesner said. “My thought was: Since doing nothing but wearing designer bags and carrying small ugly dogs apparently is enough to get you on a magazine cover, maybe it’s worth a try for people who actually deserves and needs attention.”

I admire Plesner’s guts and I think her intensions were 100% sincere. After all, the LV bag could be swapped with a Prada, Gucci, or Dior handbag, the Chihuahua could be swapped with a Miniature Pincher or a Bijan Frise—I get it. Part of me is like, “who cares if LV’s mad, Plesner’s point is solid, besides they have enough money and loyal customers, this won’t even ding their public image, ” however; since I love to play devil’s advocate, the other part of me has to ask, “is it fair to use a high-profile company to promote your cause?” hmmm…

More than likely, this will blow over by the time I post this blog. And, if Plesner’s observations about our inability to watch and/or care about current events are correct, no one will ever be aware that this situation exists—unless E! News decides to cover the story.

Instead of LV turning this into an attack against their brand and suing, LV needs to TAKE ACTION and immediately do something to set a good example. If I was their PR rep, this would be my plan:

Step 1. Amend this situation. Louis Vuitton should drop the suit, which will end up costing millions and instead donate that money to the Dafur Awareness Movement.

Step 2. Redirect the negative press. Instead of immediately getting defensive, I’d make them step back and find out what the public is thinking. Get discussions going via YouTube, respectable blogs, and other neutral, third-party media outlets. Then use their high profile status to raise money and awareness for the cause. ie: Design a bag specifically for the cause and donate all proceeds to the Darfur Awareness Movement.

Step 3. Inadvertently, with dignity, elegance, and style, continue to be part of the solution. Isn’t that what makes the Louis Vuitton brand iconic in the first place—being a brand us regular folk adore as the epitome of dignified, elegant style?

Final Thought: Not every American is out-of-touch, celebrity obsessed, and superficial. We’re not a complete lost cause—Sheesh!

 I listen to NPR in the morning, but I also watch Showbiz Tonight.

 I read the Washington Post during my lunch break, but I read Lucky Magazine before bed.

 I care about the upcoming election, but I also care the Jen Aniston is dating John Mayer.

 I take part in the “ultimate form of recycling” and buy practically everything second-hand, but I also take part in good ol’ fashioned Shopping Sprees at Banana Republic or Ikea.

 I confidently believe that you can be “pop-culturally” conscious and still be socially conscious. I think that that’s the direction we're headed. (slowly but surly—and God Bless any celebrities who are leading the way…(think Brangelina, Ryan Gosling, Sheryl Crow, and Leonardo DiCaprio)

 I love both ends of the spectrum equally---and I’m pretty sure there are plenty of other people who do, too.

Perplexed in the City

The Sex and the City movie hits theaters on May 30th, the studio is kicking their promotional efforts into 5th gear. This movie's premiere is set to shake up the lives of impressionable, forward-thinking, young women and gay men everywhere. It's the movie equivalent of Uggs and Skinny jeans. However—like skinny jeans, uggs, and other relentless trends—this movie isn’t for everyone. And, from the looks of this picture, it seems like the stars are wondering if it’s even right for them.

Now for my favorite activity, à la Perez Hilton... Let’s Fill in the Blank:

Kristen Davis is ________________.

· Photo-shopped into the picture. She couldn’t make it because she’s been too busy whoring-out every beauty product on the market for the past 5 years.
· squealing, “ooh, a shiny penny!”

Cynthia Nixon is ________________________.
· The new spokeswoman for Forever 21’s over-40 line.
· Doing her best Hillary Clinton impression.
· Very, very uncomfortable.

Sarah Jessica Parker is ___________________.
· Having a nicotine fit.
· Laughing because she makes twice as much money as Kim Cattrall, but has ½ the acting chops.
· So hungry, she’s eating her hair. Someone please feed her!

Kim Cattrall is __________________.
· Wishing she’d shown more clevage.
· Feeling very overwhelmed (you just can’t tell because of all the Botox)
· Thinking, “SJP, if you bump into me one more time, I’m gonna snap your boney ass in two!”

All jokes aside, here is a sneak peak of the upcoming movie. I know I can’t wait! Can you?