Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
Many fans of reality TV are familiar with Mandana Dayani from her days on “The Rachel Zoe Project.” A former attorney and vice president of Zoe’s fashion empire, she offered a cool and calm presence on the sometimes frenetic series. Dayani has parlayed her love of vintage pieces, fashion and antiques into a new career with the tech start-up, Everything But the House (ebth.com), which makes estate sales accessible online.
I love boots. Besides providing warmth and traction, they also cover up a multitude of sins, such as cankles, unflattering pants and general slovenliness. And not that I’m into cosplay — because I’m not (not that there’s anything wrong with it) — but when I wear boots, I feel spritely. Like an elf. Not the Will Ferrell kind of elf, but the Legolas/Galadriel kind. Anyone else? No? Just me? Alrighty then… Moving on.
Hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum, who exhibits a wry sense of humor while keeping the show moving at a brisk pace, the series is smartly entertaining. Fan favorite Tim Gunn returns, as does judge Nina Garcia. This season’s guest stars include fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker, who helps critique the contestants’ creations for her affordable Bitten line.
Few would have guessed that Yves Saint Laurent idolized beatniks, and even secretly desired to become one. But already known for his impeccable taste and proper upbringing, the fashion designer was reticent to change too much from what brought him fame–haute couture.
As 2004 draws to a close, we can’t help but wonder how some of America’s wealthiest women managed to dress so poorly. Could the stylists be having private jokes at their clients’ expense? Whatever the reason, these are grown women who should’ve known better. So Paris, Ivana and Britney — we hope you’re reading. It’s time for a makeover. We don’t want to see you back here next year.
Women hate trying on clothes. Women hate unrealistic sizes. But women love shopping. Comic Margaret Cho found that the only comfortable, fun clothes she could wear were ones she designed herself or had specially made for her.
I recently saw a display of vintage mannequins from the turn of the century that shocked me. They were life-size and wearing dresses equivalent to a Size 10 or 12. Fast-forward to a shopping trip to a downtown Chicago department store where the mannequins were roughly the shape of your 12-year-old nephew.