Formspring.me Question: What’s In?

May 11, 2010 | Fashion, From You

I was asked the below questions on formspring.me and I thought I should consolidate them to answer:

do you think the style of zipper embelished accesories and clothing is still in?

is denim still in?

First of all, I think it’s hard to say “what’s in” in general since fashion is so diversified even within a single season, and even designers known for a certain “look” will send different pieces down the runway to appeal to a larger market.  Plus, regionally, trends vary – and no matter where you are, there’s always going to be a girl who goes against the generalities and has her own signature unique style.

Ann Demuelemeester runway img from Style.com; zipper img from Bestfreevectors.com

That being said, I believe both are “in”!  (Any style, any way is my motto.)  There was a lot less zipper-embellished clothing/accessories on the Spring/Sumer 2010 runways (with the notable exception of Ann Demuelemeester, whose zipper headpieces and scarves sent even the most zippered-out fashion editor into paroxysms).  Zipper-edging?  Sculptural zipper elements? Not so much anymore per se.  But just because it wasn’t on the runways and has begun to desaturate the retail shelves doesn’t mean you should put all your zippered pieces away for good.  The 80’s are still back with a vengeance, and a little zippery lends a hard edge to tiny-flowered dresses and short shorts.  Maybe try a small accessory if you’re unsure?  (I just spotted some rolled zipper rings at Target which might work well if you just want to dip your toes – er, fingers, into the trend.)

my own Zara display photo; D&G runway img from Style.com; 

As for denim, according to the runways, retail, and catalogs – denim is HUGE for this summer.  (Especially blue denim on blue denim – eeek!)  Just look at Gap’s last ad campaign – the shelves of Zara – and the last D&G collection if you’re unsure.  Now, whether it’s actually happening on the streets and on fashionable girls in the know….well, that’s another thing.  I think if you wear denim-on-denim you’ll look exceptionally trendy and straight out of an editorial, though depending on the crowd you hang with you may get a few raised eyebrows.  Want to look on-trend but not like an 80’s victim?  Maybe stick with one piece of light blue denim (and not necessarily your jeans!) as a counterpoint to busy prints, bustiers, a loose tee, a chain cross-body bag, sorbet-colored pumps, or strappy flat sandals.

Hope that answers your questions!
xoxox
Carly

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Modeling in Japan Q&A

May 10, 2010 | From You

I received this question awhile ago on Formspring.me when I had an Ask Me Anything account there:
I have a question about modeling in Japan. Are the height requirements similar to the ones here? I’m relatively short (5’2-ish) and curvy, but not fat in the least!
Hi! Models in Japan need to be a minimum of 5’6″ (166 cm). Since the average Japanese person is shorter, there tends to be no market for models under that height. You also need to be able to fit into Japanese clothes, with the standard size being: B (80-86 cm; 31-34″) W (54-60 cm; 21-24″) H (80-86 cm 31-34″). (There is a little bit of variance here and there, and if you want to work on late-night TV shows or raunchy catalogs etc you can be more curvy.)  There is almost no market for foreign Asian models there – the more blond and Caucasian you are, the more work you are likely to get.  (Though as of the last ten years or so half-Japanese models are getting more work for more mainstream outlets, but they are usually from Japan and speak Japanese to begin with.)
Hope that answers your question!
xo
Carly
My modeling in Japan story:
I moved to Japan when I was 11 in 1990, and ended up living there 6 years total. I speak, read and write Japanese fluently. (I made a silly YouTube video 4 years ago of me speaking in Japanese to my half-Japanese son.) I used to model in Japan in 1998-1999, when I was extremely, unhealthily thin. (5’6″, <89 lbs) I did mostly TV show appearances, commercials, and music videos; not print modeling. Bit parts, nothing spectacular. Probably the most famous thing I did was appearing in Hikaru Utada’s “First Love” music video. (It’s very very quick, but I am there dancing in the crowd wearing a silver velvet crop top and gray skater pants with a white stripe down the leg.) When I first went to an agency (AtsuC Models in Tokyo) in Fall of 1998, I weighed 128 lbs. and was told I was “too fat” for modeling in Japan. My Japanese was fluent, but I was also told that most clients don’t want to hire a foreigner who speaks Japanese well – if you’re Caucasian they WANT you to speak it badly, with an accent, and my Japanese was just too good. But it wasn’t good enough to be a comedienne, a funny タレント, so I fell kind of in-between in terms of demand for my skillz. And looks-wise, I just photographed fat, so they couldn’t use me. I registered with a couple other agencies though, just in case. That year I lost an enormous amount of weight, and once I got down to around 105 lbs I started to get jobs. The lower my weight got the more jobs I got, and the more main the parts in the commercials and TV shows. I made a little bit of money to live on, which was fantastic. In Summer of 1999 I went back to the States.
Though I’ve returned to Japan since my son was born in 2005 for a month every single year to visit my in-laws, I never modeled there again. All I can speak towards is general trends I’ve been seeing over the past decade or so, but I’m no expert!!
Top image from PeachJohn.jp, one of the largest employers of foreign models in the country.
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What do you think of these Paper Eyelashes – fashion forward of faux paux? http://www.paperself.com/ps%20%20all.html

May 9, 2010 | Beauty, From You

 To tell the trutch, my first reaction was ewwwwww…but they’re very editorial-looking. Sure,for a party or photo-op, why not? Def. not for the office! (I feel the paper would be somewhat distracting on the eyelids for the wearer, but who knows?) They may take off unlike Lancome’s tattoo decal eyebrows from way back when…
From the website:

Inspired by the art of Chinese paper-cutting, Eyelashes blend an element of traditional culture with contemporary design.
Intricately cut and delicately pretty, Eyelashes are available in three styles, each infused with symbolic meaning rooted in Chinese culture:
Horses: symbolic of success
Peony: for happiness and good fortune
Peach blossom: a symbol of love and romance
Unique and expressive, Eyelashes come in two sizes: accentuate the corners of your eyes with the smaller lashes for a subtle daytime look, or make a statement with the full lashes for a special occasion.

 The company that makes them is currently building an online store – where perhaps they will be available for purchase in the future.  (They also note on their website that Lost in Beauty is a stockist for these eyelashes – but they don’t have an online store; you have to contact the company directly for purchasing.)  Or you could always try DIY’ing them!

Thanks for your question!
xoxox
Carly

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