Offering full service and well researched discourse to the history,  cultural phenomenons, and critical theory inspired by fashion.

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With all the political campaigns shoving their way into our brains, it’s hard not to see the power of language these days. So as a tribute, though more appropriately a cleanse, here are a few notable sayings of the fashionable nature. No less chichi, but much more chic….

The best style advice I ever recieved from my mother:
“You can never be over dressed. Only underdressed.”

The best style advice I ever recieved from a collegue, PR Rockstar Jacqueline Chambers:
“To big fashion events, I always try to wear something unique and bold. That way whoever I meet won’t forget me.”

The best style advice I’ve ever heard from a designer:
“Fashions fade; style is eternal.” – Yves Saint Laurant

“A woman should be two things: classy, and fabulous.” – Coco Chanel

“I think there is beauty in everything. What ‘normal’ people would percieve as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it.” – Alexander McQueen

The best quotes I’ve ever heard from fashion icons:
“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” Marilyn Monroe

“Your clothes should show your shape, not hide your curves. Dressing in baggy clothes, ladies, makes you look and feel bigger than you are.” -Gok Wan

“I can’t concentrate in flats!” -Victoria Beckham. Well, Posh, to each his/her own!

“I like my money right where I can see it – hanging in my closet.” -Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

When asked in an interview how to look as lovely as she does, Audrey Hepburn replied:
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others. For beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness. And for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

So while your out there braving the crowded airwaves of political rambling today, don’t let it get you down…but if it does, put on a higher heel! Have a great week fashionistas!

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Accessories on the Wire:
JewelMint offers members unique designs and discounts to Glamour Wire readers
(AND free stuff!)

Jewelry design and online shopping have finally formed the perfect union in the Kate Bosworth and Cher Coulter brainchild JewelMint. The gist: a membership program in which a personal style quiz reveals your best jewelry matches, and a monthly delivery of your selections perfect for you and your wardrobe. Finally, a monthly ritual we can actually look forward to!

The genius part of the entire scheme is not only the fact that every month buyers get a new addition to their wardrobe, but that each piece is designed intentionally to have you fashion forward at all times. With an eye on the fashion horizon, Coulter and Bosworth keep the designs relevant to not only current but upcoming trends as well Read: the bracelet you get in November will be the same one your friends will be coveting in December magazines. Members also get access to an online style guide, weekly trend report, and behind the scenes peeks so you’ll see exactly what Coulter and Bosworth are up to.

“As a stylist, it’s my job to make my clients feel good and look great on and off the red carpet. Our Jewelmint members are no exception” says Coulter.

Ofcourse, we saved the best for last: not only is shipping always free, but readers of The Glamour Wire get an exclusive 50% discount on purchases by using code Seattle104.

To kick things off, The Wire will be giving one lucky winner a FREE Bowtie Bracelet (below) from the Jewelmint Collection! Here’s how to win:

Each week you read about Seattle designers’ signature style, and now is your turn: share with us your signature style. Send us a picture of your best outfit, your homemade jewelry, tell us a story of inspiration or brag about how you’re working to change the world in your style. Get creative! We want to hear from YOU! Email your submissions to TheGlamourWire@gmail.com; winners will be announced on our Facebook.

JewelMint has been featured in every publication from InStyle, Glamour, Lucky, to The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. For more information on JewelMint and to start your own style profile,  visit  http://www.jewelmint.com/.

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Matters of Height Importance
By Rachael Yahne

On a recent episode of The Today Show (can’t get enough of that Bobbie!), Kathie Lee Gifford claimed co-anchor Hota Kotb “rude” for wearing heels that made her taller than her date…

Rude? Really??

With fall upon us and women around the country trading summer sandals for more fall-friendly boots and heels, it begs the question: How tall is too tall?

As a woman of 5’10”, with a weak spot for men my height (Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom) I’m not only offended, frankly I’m getting a little sick of this.

As of 2000 the average height of females in America was a whopping 5’3.8”, while their male counterparts measured at only 5’8”; the obvious grain of salt being that statistics can change drastically in 11 years. Since this statistic feels a bit antiquated, and with the fun assumption that males and females’ average height has increased equally, the results don’t look much brighter. From 1994-2000, average heights in both males and females increased by only .2”, which leads me to believe that by now in 2011, the average female height is around 5’4” and men are still lingering around 5’8”-9”.
Bottom line? The unique group of us pushing 5’10” and up (3.5% of the population) are left to find our male equivalent at the monthly support group, or working in jobs like…say…modeling.

In fact, according to NewModels.com, a site offering advice to the aspiring, the industry’s leading modeling agencies in Los Angeles and New York boasted an editorial fashion model population of 81% measuring 5’9” and above. And though male models usually require a height of at least 6’1”, we tall girls can happily rest assure that our boyfriends will be good looking.

So where does that leave Hota in the heel debate? Well, Tom Cruise doesn’t seem to mind a taller lady (Katie Holmes following Nicole Kidman), and obviously neither does Orlando Bloom, who shacked up with Victoria Secret model Miranda Kerr. I asked a few men: What would you think if your date shows up and she’s taller than you when she’s in heels?

“She’s confident. She’s rocking in.” – Mike, bartender from Spokane.

“I’d say ‘Whoa! She’s tall. Models are tall. Awesome!’”– Martin, musician from Ontario, CA.

“I’m 6’2″. I love tall women. I especially love them in heels.” – William, of Colorado.

“I’ve always thought it was enjoyable to have a slightly taller girlfriend because it feels like I’m strutting around with a model. Ultimately, I think the only time height matters is when the parties in the relationship give it unnecessary importance…I don’t really care and enjoy walking around with [my girlfriend] when she is in heels.” – Chris, lawyer from Seattle.

(Read: model, model, you remind me of a model…)

From personal experience I can say this: there will be men, and women, who are intimidated by a tall woman in heels. The confidence to wear them, and “rock” them does not come from compliments, or getting over all those years of childhood ridicule for being tall. It comes from simply enjoying them, and feeling beautiful gives the immediate effect of making you look sexy. Truth
be told, all the confidence in the world can disappear instantaneously at any moment, and I’ve found myself in the middle of many a’room, towering over everyone, wishing I had chosen flats. But heels will inevitably always be a love/hate relationship on our feet and our hearts…and often bank accounts.

So who’s truly the rude one, the shallow one, the insecure one: the guy turning you down because you’re taller than he is?

Or Kathie.

When  all else fails to humor you, there is still a silver lining:
“Short guys try harder.” – Danielle, of Seattle.

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One dress-3 looks.
By Gianna Caputo

“Sorry for the dramatic title.  I just wanted to make sure you knew exactly what this post was about. My sister gave me this dress a few months ago and I finally got around to hemming the bottom and making it wearable. I am seriously wishing i’d done it sooner because it is my new favorite dress.  Anyway, I styled it 3 ways, all more or less appropriate for EARLY fall.”

{dress: vintage; boots: madden girl; flats: material
girl; heels: vintage (available soon in her Etsy shop); cardigan: f21; black
pullover: f21; scarf: bp}

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It’s Thursday. Do you know where your fashion is tonight?
Rachael Yahne, with the help of Hope Mistrek

Tonight kicks off a very important event in the fashion industry. Fashion’s Night Out, an event held across the country to bring out fashion lovers, consumers, and the rest of us just looking for a reason to drink champagne to celebrate the coming season of high design. It is also the start of New York’s Fashion Week, one of the most important and influential fashion week’s held.

And so tonight, you are cordially invited to Bellevue’s Nieman Marcus, among other stores, to celebrate design, toast style, and feast your eyes on everything you’ll be hungering to have in your closet very, very soon.

I sat down with wardrobe and prop stylist Hope Mistrek, who’s been working hard behind the scenes with her fantastic team to get Nieman Marcus ready for us. Nieman Marcus will be holding two shows tonight, each of which will educate us on all the trends we’ll be seeing this season that hopes assures us will be “awesome and inspirational”. Since last year’s event was such a hit (and the Bravern’s first FNO, no less!) this year they are expecting quite the turnout.

Why is Fashion’s Night Out and important event?

FNO was started by Vogue [as well as The Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC and Company and the City of New York] to help generate sales and excitement around the retail fashion industry. It’s come to be a fun night of events not meant to be enjoyed at just one place.

How many people are you expecting for the fashion shows?

Each show has seating for roughly 300 but there is additional room for standing.

(Read: get there early to get a good seat.)

Tips for people planning to go?

Make sure you know everything going on around town and plan to get around to those things you don’t want to miss! I’ve received so many invites that I know I would love to be many places at once.

The shows at Nieman Marcus will begin at 6:30 and 8:30 pm, and more happenings will be hosted by Hermes, Karen Millen, and DNA 2050. Oh, did we mention there will be goodies to take home? For a complete listing of events and giveaways, visit http://bellevue.com/happening.php?id=664.

To find out more about FNO’s around the globe, visit:

http://fashionsnightout.com/fno-worldwide/

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Crimes of Fashion

To start things off, The Glamour Wire stirs up a little controversy:

It is estimated that men (oh come on, a lot of women too) think about sex every seven seconds. Sex has always made an impact on our day-to-day lives, increasingly as culture and society evolve. Shows like Sex and the City marketed the idea of women’s fascination with talking about, obsessing about, and fantasizing about sex and fashion, making the subject even less taboo. So it begs the question, how are the two intertwined?

More specifically: how does our satisfaction in our sex lives affect our fashion?

An obvious beginning to would be to look at fashion trends in decades and generations previous. However, cultural norms such as women’s place in society often get in the way. Taking a more practical approach, today’s icons ironically only lead to the intrigue.

Virginity has often taken an important precedence in the fact sheets of young starlets, especially as a star rises to fame. Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson and even Miley Cyrus all vowed their virginity till marriage. Shortly after these confessions, we watch Spears in S&M inspired stage wear, Simpson divorced (working to revive the glory of Daisy Dukes), and Cyrus scrutinized for a pole dance during a performance. This isn’t to say virginity equates to sexual dissatisfaction. In fact, in the case of Heidi Montag, we see that virginity may not be even a fraction of the problem. Since her marriage, she has undergone an incredible ten plastic surgery procedures, and seems to pledge allegiance to her omni-present bikini any time a camera is near. (…although if we were married to the likes of Spencer Pratt, we’d hide our true identity too.)

Sadly, Victoria’s Secret doesn’t keep statistics of it’s customer’s marriage status or sexual satisfaction. So let’s take another approach: porn industry workers often don their “work-wear” off screen, and if Holly Madison (left) is any kind of example, we see that even those most sexualized figures in pop culture still over-sexualize their attire. Yet Hollywood has watched Kendra Wilkinson’s style take a turn for the conservative since her marriage to Hank Baskett and the birth of her first son. So then does the adage ring true of women becoming “frumpy” after a certain point in a long term relationship?

For instance, John Cusack’s character in High Fidelty explains (speaking of the long-term partner) “The other girl, or other women, whatever. I mean, I was thinking that, they are just fantasies, you know? And they always seem really great, because there’s never any problems….Then I come home, and you and I have real problems…There’s no lingerie. You have great lingerie! But you also have cotton underwear that’s been washed a thousand times, and it’s hanging on the thing, and… And they have it too, it’s just that I don’t have to see it, because it’s not in the fantasy.”

We may, even obviously, derive that a person’s style of sexuality affects their fashion choices. Stars like Kate Winslet and Charlize Theron (at left, with ex Stuart Townsend) are often praised for their timeless, tasteful style. Despite both currently being single, and out of long term relationships, they have not let on any dissatisfaction in any area of life, sex included. Both have also kept their private lives coveted and under wraps, much like their sexual prowess. It’s the “less is more” principal that, when left to the devices of their own imagination, a person is more interested in what is not shown than what is. Though that question may be left to the horror-film-makers of the day, arguing for Hitchcock and other director’s preference to leave demon’s unseen over Saw 1-5’s bloody exhibitions.

Notably, it’d be impossible to label one style of sexuality preferable universally over another. Icons like Audrey Heburn’s Holly Golightly had a markedly different sex appeal than Marilyn Monroe or Farrah Fawcett. Distinguishing which is best is simply a matter of personal preference.

We find ourselves with more questions than answers, about fashion choices, sexuality, and the ties between the two. Maybe the answer lies within ourselves. Looking back at your own fashion phases, when you were most happy and confident in yourself (in or out of the bedroom) how did you dress? Do you find that in “going out” to hunt down your sexual prey, how do you dress? What do you show off? Is it out of unhappiness and need, or out of confidence? Are you proud of the fads you chose?

And, taking into consideration the happiness you have in your current sex life, are you proud of the fashion choices (or crimes) you are committing…er…I mean choosing??

Written by Rachael Yahne

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A Lesson in Lingo

The Wire has decided that you’re next cocktail party will officially be your best. And with fall fashion ust around the corner, it’s about time we all add a few key words to our vocabulary. Work this cheat sheet like it’s second nature. Just be sure to pronounce it “plis-say”.

Fashion: style of dress or ornamentation, socializing, or manner of behaving.

Haute Couture: (pronounced ‘ot kotur’) French for ‘high dress-making’ is a title protected by French Law, and is reserved exclusively for companies judged by the Chambre de Commerce d’industrie de Paris (Paris Ministry for Industry) to meet specific criteria. These include:

• Made-to-order designs for private clients with
  one+ fittings
• Have a workshop based in Paris with atleast 15
  people on staff full time
• Twice a year, present a collection to the Paris
  press of atleast 35 looks with both day and evening wear.

Haute Couture designers include Christian Dior, Chanel, Givenchy, Giorgio Armani and Valentino….notice brand Juicy Couture not included.

Outré: Excessive or overdone. Sometimes on purpose….sometimes not.

Bias- a garment cut at an angle to the warp (horizontal yarns) and weft (vertical yarns) of a fabric. The effect is a garment that closely hugs curves of the body.

Deconstruction- clothing that has been taken apart and put back together to create an unexpected look; often deconstructed garments will look purposefully worn or unfinished.

Faux: French word meaning fake.

Finish- level of quality a garment is completed to.

Minimalism: trend in which designs are centered around being basic. Think basic colors in simple, traditional cuts.

Plisse: puckering, or gathering on a fabric.

Pret-a-porter: ready-to-wear collections. In other words, the opposite of Haute Couture.

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