Designer & Fashion Insiders Behavior (PLEASE READ POST #1 BEFORE POSTING)

[THD96]

This is why I'm not too enthusiastic with any designer (especially the one that is more tech-savvy) nowadays because imagine praising their work and then the next day they pull s*** like this. Some people just need to have their phones taken away.

The most embarrassing thing is he used his official BRAND account to replied a criticism that can be easily ignored. And then he was petty enough to retweet his supporters, like who runs this account? A 13-year-old child?

This is why I will always respect designers like Tom Ford or Phoebe in how they handle criticism and social media. A lot of people in the industry can learn from them.

 

[LadyJunon]

This is why I'm not too enthusiastic with any designer (especially the one that is more tech-savvy) nowadays because imagine praising their work and then the next day they pull s*** like this. Some people just need to have their phones taken away.

The most embarrassing thing is he used his official BRAND account to replied a criticism that can be easily ignored. And then he was petty enough to retweet his supporters, like who runs this account? A 13-year-old child?

This.

This is why I will always respect designers like Tom Ford or Phoebe in how they handle criticism and social media. A lot of people in the industry can learn from them.

Just a question. How would that be? They're not very active on their personal accounts.

 

[FiveEasyPieces]

It was a very peculiar exchange. Vanessa could have been more tactful when expressing her opinion: she could have commented on the lack of body-inclusivity but instead chose to make unflattering comments about the actual models. On the other hand, it’s bizarre that the comment elicited such histrionics from Wu when she didn’t make any reference to the clothes.

 

[Drusilla_]

would have been far more dignified of VF to word that differently, and for him not to respond at all. Being chronically online/on twitter is poison.

 

[cestmagique]

Vanessa could have been more tactful when expressing her opinion: she could have commented on the lack of body-inclusivity but instead chose to make unflattering comments about the actual models.

Exactly this. Nothing she said about the models comes across as particularly empathetic, it's about their utility for fashion and whatever she personally finds visually appealing. Dr. Vanessa is here diagnosing a bunch of women with eating disorders, but on second thought, it's actually NBD as long as they stay as covered up as they were in other shows? Okay then.

 

[VogueDisciple93]

This is so performative. Has she been blind for the last few seasons? Why did she have to single out Jason Wu's show out of all the shows she's reviewed the last few weeks. She could've just made a general point without making it seem like she has a personal vendetta.

 

[Drusilla_]

Exactly this. Nothing she said about the models comes across as particularly empathetic, it's about their utility for fashion and whatever she personally finds visually appealing. Dr. Vanessa is here diagnosing a bunch of women with eating disorders, but on second thought, it's actually NBD as long as they stay as covered up as they were in other shows? Okay then.

my thoughts exactly. Would she have dared to express this same opinion had the same model/s been in an outfit that showed their bodies in a similar way at a more "buzzy" or bigger designer brand (take your pick - Khaite, Luar, Area)? Jason Wu shouldn't have snapped, but I understand why he felt his brand was unfairly targeted.

 

[Steddycam91]

Also, prefacing the tweet with "Even I..." So, basically implying that she normally has a high tolerance/acceptance of ultra-thin bodies? Very weird, very embarassing behavior all around.

 

[PierreGotha]

Twitter is such a gaping wound of a platform. I don't mind it's inevitable ruination (thanks to Elon's new policies).

This is such a random outburst from VF, of all the shows she picked it's jason wu's?

 

[Benn98]

Also, prefacing the tweet with "Even I..." So, basically implying that she normally has a high tolerance/acceptance of ultra-thin bodies? Very weird, very embarassing behavior all around.

Hmmm, I missed that and you're right!
I respected Vanessa for a while because she always put herself forward as 'the voice of reason' or anti-fashion, but she showed her true colours during Covid. She's very much part of fashion as an institution. So is Cathy Horyn. Don't be fooled by their 'objective' takes.

 

[fenty]

She is a journalist

that got clocked. im glad Vanessa got a taste of her own medicine

 

[LadyJunon]

And Wu isn't an advertiser, like LVMH and Kering, so she fears no repercussions. And imho, Saint-Laurent is the worst offender about the extreme skinniness.

And Celine.

 

[Jacque Marcel]

Unless something has changed with Vanessa Friedman, her criticism of Wu is next level irony.

 

[LadyJunon]

Unless something has changed with Vanessa Friedman, her criticism of Wu is next level irony.

Why so?

 

[Marc10]

 

[LadyJunon]

Vanessa really decided to be the antagonist this season. Who do you think you are, Diet Prada?

 

[MulletProof]

'As communicators, we are here to cheerlead the industry'.

He answered his own question [point and purpose of the 'vitriol'].

The problem with these influencers/youtubers/'digital creators' is that they see themselves as serious 'communicators' and they think communicator equals journalist. Yes, journalists can be just as awful and biased but besides having received an education on journalism, you're fundamentally required to be critical [whether that critique is accomplished or easily bribed towards one end is beside the point], you're not invited to 'cheerlead', so it does say a lot about the industry to build an entire section for cheerleading, because he is right and that IS their contribution, it is certainly not in looks, style, or even brand image lol.

Yet another reason to detest these show formats. It really is so stupid and a big charade, why even present..

 

[Salvatore]

Sounds like some of the journalists have had enough and are fighting back to « reclaim » their place in the hierarchy/assert themselves. I don’t pay too much attention to the journalists vs bloggers/influencers anymore since it first started over a decade ago, but I get both sides.

 

[Lola701]

Considering that I’m sure Lisa Amstrong supported the entire mess that was LFW, I’m siding with Bryan Boy this time.

Shows aren’t what they used to be anyway. They are all part of a circus and fashion journalists are mostly there to report or to be that kind of relic of the past to add some sort of critical pov to a well oiled corporate machine.
And yes, it’s a little bit hypocritical to attack the influencers. I have more problems with celebrities chasing contracts all aligned on the Front Row.

 

[MulletProof]

Sounds like some of the journalists have had enough and are fighting back to « reclaim » their place in the hierarchy/assert themselves. I don’t pay too much attention to the journalists vs bloggers/influencers anymore since it first started over a decade ago, but I get both sides.

There's a thread on FID [thoughts on bloggers might be the one] where you can see journalists have always been resentful of this. The reason is valid: when you're interested in fashion, journalism can be highly educational because research, which not everyone can succeed at without academic tools, just adds more layers and dimensions to the subject. It also works to understand the context of what designers are showing, the relevancy and raises questions that sometimes, due to the aggressive marketing from conglomerates, people can't seem to do on their own ['if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all' is fashion's favorite indoctrination]. When critical thinking has a place, the bar also tends to be high and creators become more competitive in the best possible way.

We don't have much of that left and yes, these social media celebrities, the influencers trying to pass off as virtually ANYTHING you can think of ['founder' 'ceo' 'journalist' 'poet' lmao] have contributed to the decay triggered by conglomerates but the journalism we have now is responsible as well, it's all one walking ad.. from the godawful, meaningless 'reviews' at vogue.com, to the way Vanessa herself chooses to single out industry 'issues' on a relatively independent designer but refrains from pointing out the exact same issues happening within the two big companies to avoid jeopardizing her own place.. that is pretty much fashion's current journalism in a nutshell: biased, not interested in educating any consumer and serving brands and their own access to shows, because that's how the fashion magia [vogue, kering, LVMH] operates: be nice or be gone.