I have no illusions about "fashion originality". I like to call it recycling. Shows in the big tents are often a compilation of recycled and referenced ideas from past runway seasons and unfortunately this epidemic is not confined to the tents - it spills over into editorials and "inspired" covers too. Yes, the true originators are pretty much few and far between. Which is why I was so enamored with a little fashion comic that was published in limited run last year called Petit Mal. It was the brain child of Mark Vassalo - style director for Australia's Harper's Bazaar. It featured backstage shots from the Fall 07 shows brilliantly edited into a witty comic book - with titles that made me laugh like "The Pride of Pradastan".
Anyhoo, I was a little surprised to see style.coms compilation of images meant to push the up-coming Superhero themed Met Ball (hosted by none other than Anna Wintour herself). Just wondering - is she running out of ideas? I'm having flashbacks to the Gisele/LeBron Vogue cover that was oft compared to the Carolyn Murphy/Andre J. French Vogue Roitfeld's cover. Hmm.
Style.com pics April 08:
Pics petit-mal and style.com