Don’a-tell-a Donatella: How I Defied the Versace Brand by Wearing their Clothes while also Being a Regular Person

Versace was always a little too much for me—too bright, too tight, too sex-bomb. But when a girl I know pulled this dress out of her filing cabinet (a fashion magic trick) and offered it to me, how could I refuse?

Let me introduce you to the newest Awesome Thing in my Closet: quintessential ’90s Versace in the form of a printed zip-front minidress. It’s made of weirdly thick fabric, and is quite warm, which I did not expect. It also rides up—but just enough to scandalize, never to humiliate. (From what I have seen of this brand, this may be part of the design.) The yellow-gold bauble that hangs off the zipper could, if I turned my head fast enough, give me a concussion.

It also looks awesome with combat boots and makes an excellent outfit for my part-time video store job.

Which is just as Gianni intended, I’m sure.

text by g.
photography by Jessica Da Silva

WTFashion: The Lashologist Council of America

Yes, this organization exists. According to their website mission statement, it is a “nonprofit organization committed to a prosperous future for our nation through the efficient and professional support to the lashology industry,” and promises “robust educational offerings” for its members. There is also mention of empowerment and an annual Lashology Summit.

This is simply more proof that the world of fashion is a magical place.

text by g.
photography: Model Veruschka by Franco Rubartelli, c. 1960s

Book Review: Kate Moss by Mario Testino


Kate Moss. Kate Moss. KATE. MOSS.

When I first considered how to review this book, I toyed with the idea of just repeating her name. She is, after all, its recurring motif — and really, when it comes to Kate, what else is there to say?

Kate Moss by Mario Testino (iconic supermodel and renowned fashion photographer respectively) in all its shiny, plastic enormousness is a very basic volume. Its only text appears in two brief interview-based essays where each describes their relationship with the other. While there is clearly a great deal of respect between them and they are complimentary and kind, neither one is terribly fascinating — nor need they be, since this publication is all about the pictures.

Printed on extra-heavy stock and devoid as it is of both text and pagination, the book feels extraordinarily like an oversized children’s volume. Being a die-hard Kate Moss devotee, I was as delighted as any oversized child could be. It was nice to see familiar images in print and up close. But there were many I’d never seen before, too (which, if you know me, is saying something). I was especially pleased to see candid shots of Moss, including a few with her daughter Lila, of whom she is understandably protective.


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Coast to Coast Coiffure

Though it hasn’t been updated in ages, 123 Vintage is jam-packed with great (and decently sized) scans of old magazine ads and articles. I was especially tickled to find one piece on “Coast to Coast Hairdos” (Family Circle Magazine, November 1968) which included a picture of “an active Torontonian” in front of our very own (and relatively new) city hall.

Stylish girl, stylish town.

- g.

P.S. The Fort Lauderdale style is suspiciously familiar. Does Justin Bieber read 123 Vintage?