Photo: Incase Designs, Feature Photo: Avoir Chaud

Photo: gloomfairie52

Gearing up for the event, the Canadian born, 28-year-old designer decided to add plus sized models to his showcase and two of his employees were apparently so upset by this that they quit.

I am so curious about the rationale behind these walk-outs that I must speculate as to the frame of mind of these people.

Were the following sentences uttered or thought?

“I must stand on my principles, and so even if it means I’m out of a job, I must stick to my low-IQ-stoner-surfer guns and say, ‘No fat chicks.’”

“I won’t have my name associated with a designer who would stoop to such a level as to let women who don’t spend a quarter of their lives vomiting walk the runway. It shows a lack of commitment to true fashion.”

“Models that take modeling seriously commit to torturous regimens of drug use and starvation. To allow women who don’t ascribe to these basic principles shows a lack of regard for professionalism and reflects poorly on me.”

I would really like to have a look at these quitters to better speculate on whether or not they have eating disorders themselves. Maybe they’re size 12-14s and are blind with jealousy thinking of the modeling careers they missed out on.

In any case, a quick look at the original Daily Mail article reveals photos of models who are considered plus sized, but are not fat by any stretch of the imagination.

This move on the part of Mark Fast has likely brought publicity and new clientele to his fashion label, and I wonder what it’s brought to the two crew members who are running scared.

Community Connection

Interested in fashion? Check out this article from Julie Schwietert on Mizrahi’s salmon skin dress from Matador Change.

Think there;s a place for plus sized models in the world of high fashion? Share your opinions in the comments field below!

Photo: ranoush

It’s not ordinarily associated with fashion or with freedom, but consider the recent case in France in which Sarkozy intimated that they ought to be banned, and you simply must consider that they are a form of self expression that Muslim women are entitled to.

Enter HijabsHigh.com, a site that celebrates hijabs worn fashionably, colorfully, and worldwide.

I’d quote the author of the site, but it’s better if you see for yourself the way HijabsHigh celebrates the garment as worn in public all over the world.

Feature Photo by khashi. Title here is the subtitle of the site.

Community Connection

Interested in reading more about hijabs? What about travel to the Middle East? Check out French Canadian Matador Member Sirithturwen’s blog “A Diary Five Years in the Making” about her trip to Iran and the sequel in which she details wardrobe musts for the female traveler.

There were plenty of amazing things and people to see at Tattoo Show Buenos Aires 2009. Many of the country’s most modified people mingled with the estimated 12,000 convention-goers.

I spotted no less than four camera crews with their noteworthy television personalities in tow excitedly explaining to the un-tattooed masses watching from home just what these strange looking people were doing in the Bauen Hotel.

Sponsored by Mandinga Tattoo, this was the fifth year of this convention that in past years was called Convención Nacional de Tatuajes, but now goes by the simple name Tattoo Show.

300 tattoo artists, supply vendors, body modifiers of all sorts including piercers, branders and scarifiers from as far away as Europe and the U.S. and all over South and Central America gathered for three days. The modified came to see and be seen and maybe get some work done.

A tattoo convention is a unique opportunity to compare many artists in one place. Each tattooist has an album of their work on the table at the front of the booth and you get the chance to watch them in action, flip through their books and to ask questions if you’re so inclined.

Tattoo Show 2009 offered three floors of action including an auditorium in which 20 bands played throughout the afternoons and evenings.

The pageantry of Miss Tattoo and a contest for the best tattoos were commented on and judged by a panel of tipsy guys.

One of them inexpertly operated a video camera that fed two live monitors on either side of the stage while various punk rock hits played throughout at medium volume.

What I learned

I learned several things during Tattoo Show 2009. There is an Argentine branch of the Hell’s Angels, for instance. Here are some on the right escaping my camera:

I also met the Alberto Fornes, known as “El Mago,” renowned as the most tattooed man in Argentina (above, left). Highly personable, he shook my hand and asked about my plastic wrapped arm that had just been tattooed.

Here you can see that he will be 52 next month, though he seems much younger. Easy as it is to assume someone with so many tattoos would be exhibiting a cooler-than-thou attitude, I was happy to be recognized by him in passing and greeted warmly the following day. He was alive with excitement in an atmosphere so wholly dedicated to tattoos.

Beer was everywhere. Tattooists were drinking and tattooing at the same time.

I even saw a brimming plastic cupful in the drink caddy of a stroller. Here you can see crates of empties on their way to be recycled mid-day.

Of all the artists at work during the convention, I saw only one woman. Salome Sajnin’s shop is called Calavera No Chilla. Here she is, gloved and ready to go under a poster of one of her paintings.

The most impressive thing I saw by far was this tattoo of a dragon fish being done.

Diego Ortiz spent about three hours filling in the very simple outline he’d laid out using a photograph for reference. The guy getting tattooed endured Diego adding layer upon layer of ink for this full color, photorealistic piece without so much as a sigh.

Ortiz looked back and forth between the ankle and the picture in between interruptions from many friends who stopped by to shoot the breeze.

There’s a little something for everyone at a convention like this. The curious can get an eyeful and do a little shopping for some clothes that make them feel just a little weirder while those looking for an artist get the opportunity to find someone who melds with their style.

People in various states of undress show off piercings, tattoos and brands with nary a fear of the stink eye.

Next March, if you happen to be in Buenos Aires, you’re sure to see something to remember if you swing by Tattoo Show 2010.

All Photos by Kate Sedgwick

Photo above by mckaysavage

The sari is a piece of unstitched cloth that is draped over the body in various styles. But in India, the sari is so much more: a reflection of culture and an expression of heritage and pride.

People all over the world fawn over the style, simplicity, and elegance of saris. They love the different colors, the fabrics, sequins, and designs. The fascination of this garment and its endless subtle beauty ensure the sari will never go out of fashion.

In India, the sari is worn everyday, as appropriate for chores in the house and field as it is for special occasions or celebrations. It’s worn while cooking, cleaning, and even sleeping. It is not a garment meant to cover or conceal, but one that defines the beautiful, curvaceous bodies of women.

More women outside India are trying on saris for style. If you’re one of them, here are some tips for rocking a sari:

Photo above by Utnapishtim

1. Find the perfect match.

If you are short, you should wear a sari with a border (design at bottom), which creates the illusion of height. In India, women say the border makes you look “vertical to the earth.”

If you are tall, you can wear a broad bordered sari as this makes you look “parallel to the earth.”

Dark skinned women should wear light colors as this enhances their skin tone, whereas fair skinned should wear dark colors to make a beautiful contrast.

2. Find the right blouse.

The blouse is important, as it accentuates the entire look. Ensure your blouse is well-fitted and comfortable; else you’ll be fidgeting with it. Plus, if your blouse slips and your bra strap peeks, you’ll get some nasty looks if you’re trying to rock the sari in India.

3. Understand the skirt.

Below the sari lies the skirt. It might seem completely irrelevant, but it’s one of the most important parts of rocking the sari. Remember: the whole sari sits on the skirt. It shouldn’t flare too much because this will cause the entire sari to flare.

The goal is for your sari to produce a slimming look. The skirt should be the same or similar shade as the whole sari. It shouldn’t be too long nor should it be too short. Ankle length is perfect.

4. Check yourself.

Once you have draped the sari, ensure that it is tight enough so as not to crumple awkwardly, but loose enough that you can move around comfortably. Ensure the pleats are tight and crisp. Be 100% sure that your sari and skirt are above your toes.

If you trip and fall on the fabric, not only will it be embarrassing, but there’s also a chance your whole sari might come off!

5. Accessorize!

When choosing jewelery to go with the sari, go for funky or ethnic. There’s a lot of stuff to work with out there, so go crazy!

Photo above by Jonathan Camuzo

6. Choose good shoes.

The shoes you choose should have some heel and ideally should be open-toed so you can show your pedicure off! Comfortable, strappy sandals are ideal.

7. Mind your etiquette.

If you are wearing the sari to an office or an official event, it’s best to pin the pallu ( the flowing piece of material) up on your shoulder, as this makes it easier to write, type, or shake hands. For weddings and celebrations, you can drape the pallu down the entire length of your hand. Floating gracefully through the evening, you can forget about running around and hustle or bustle.

8.Bring backup.

If you are nervous about sari slippage, put pins at required places to secure the sari. After rocking the sari a few times, you won’t need backup– you’ll be just like the masses of women in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal, who drape the sari in a matter of minutes.

9. Project confidence.

Be confident in your look, walk, and conduct. “You are the most beautiful woman around, wearing the most beautiful outfit around, with the most beautiful accessories and shoes. Everything about you is just beautiful.” Keep this in mind and you’ll be rocking the sari in no time!

Photo above by jaroslavd

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:

For more on travel and fashion, check out 10 Items Women Should Pack to Stay Fashionable on the Road. Or give this community blog post, about Vietnam’s most famous garment, a read: Ao dai” Vietnam – The Charming Beauty.

The show lasted for three days and started with the fresh new look of Edwing D’Angelo.

Born in Colombia, Edwing got his inspiration to design beautiful, intricate women’s cocktail and special occasion dresses as well as a full men’s line.

Other designers included Sararose Krenger, Cecilia Perez, Nedret Taciroglu (Turkey), Soucha Couture (Egypt), Katerina Bocci (Albania) and Romanitza (Romania).

Most of these designers are just now being recognized in the States for their amazing talent and ability to create beautiful couture clothing.

A model herself, Ms. Iovan initiated her Romanitza fashion label and she has become one of the most successful designers in Romania.

The exquisite detail of her designs is why she is being named one of the most innovative designers of the season.

Another fabulous designer was Sushma Patel from the Middle East. After graduating from the Academia Della Moda in Florence, Italy, Sushma eventually settled in Cairo, Egypt.

He continues to base his inspiration on the beautiful shape of a woman and never stops exploring new ideas and design techniques.

For more information on the show schedule, designers present and other information please visit:

www.couturefashionweek.com

www.edwingdangelo.com

www.romanitza.ro

www.soucha-hc.com

www.annspoyer.com