- Is this old news for everyone or just me? Model Coco Rocha was discovered jigging about in an Irish dance competition. Now she’s showing her pride for the activity by hosting an online screening of Irish dancing documentary Jig. Weird, yet mildly touching? [Fashionista]

- London was just named the #1 Fashion Capital of 2011, beating out top dogs Paris, Milan and New York for the title. We’re glad (not) rainy old London has a chance in the spotlight, but we’ll scream if we don’t get our title back in 2012. [The Cut]

- Would you carry a red leather 9/11 handbag around town? Designers Jen and Chris Mascali created the “Remember” bag to commemorate their father and others who were lost in the attacks. All wholesale proceeds go to the 9/11 Memorial Fund. Are you sold? [Refinery 29]

- And speaking of 9/11, did you know Gwyneth Paltrow saved someone’s life that day by almost running her over with a silver Mercedes? Lara Lundstrom Clarke said the encounter made her miss the train, subsequently late for work and she completely missed the attacks. Damn Gwyneth, you be cashing in big time these days. [E!]

- OOPS. Abercrombie & Fitch stock plummeted after the company offered Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino compensation to stop wearing the brand. Surely, we in the Indie Newsroom won’t be the only ones laughing about A&F’s douchebaggery. [Just Jared]

Botkier knows better than to let this slide. The brand wrote on its blog: “We just discovered how our Botkier ‘Clyde’ was simply copied by Kardashian Kollection for Sears. They say imitation is the highest form of flattery but we don’t think so…”

They are also seeking help from the CFDA, who recently launched the You Can’t Fake Fashion campaign. It’s true, the only real difference between these bags is the Botkier (left) is chic and the Kardashian Kollection knockoff (right) is ugly as shi*t. Do you think imitation is the highest form of flattery or is this similarity just plain wrong?

LINK LOVE: Fashionista

Photo: Style.com

From Fashionista:

“Now we’re hearing rumors that the video was from October and released this week because Dior has wanted Galliano out for some time. It’s true, the timing of all this does seem suspect–the quickness with which Dior put Galliano on suspension, and the subsequent allegation that followed, capped by the release of the video, the final nail in Galliano’s coffin. Word is Galliano’s alcoholism (he was often reported to be seen drunk at La Perle) and bigotry had been problems for some time.”

Meanwhile, I’ve been claiming conspiracy since day 1, but my sources were my imagination, a bottle of Riesling and a penchant for exaggeration. Call me an idealist, or anything but an anti-Semite, but I still don’t want to believe that all this is happening. Galliano has long been one of my heroes and it’s always awful seeing your heroes fall so far — and so goddamn fast — from grace.

Luckily we have Suzy Menkes who offers a fitting eulogy for Dior-under-Galliano, reminding us that in spite of everything, John Galliano has made an unforgettable impression on fashion and his influence cannot be denied…and neither can his blatant (?) racism.

Link Love: Fashionista

We are asking for you to send in your best budget conscious outfit to match the fabulous Marais handbags being offered.

All entries must be submitted to mac@fashionindie.com by Friday January 14th and the winners will be announced  the following Monday.  Winners will be judged by their style and personality they exude through their photos.  Winners will be featured on the website and via our newsletter!

Here is some background on these great prizes:

Marais, named after the most fashionable district in Paris, exudes the look of the bourgeoisie Boho girl.  The Marais brand is geared to the more contemporary girl.  The Marais customer has instant and perpetual access to the internet and media.  This has made her more fashion savvy and fickle than ever.  Therefore Marais offers relentlessly fresh and unique options for the girl who wants to be a rock n roll video star one day to a bohemian princess the next.  In order to meet the demands of this capricious customer all of the companies designs are done in house and marketed in several ways; As a brand, either T Shirt & Jeans or Marais, or Marais will work directly with department stores and specialty stores to custom design exclusive private label product.  In one way or another Marais’ designs are carried on the arms of fashionistas everywhere.

Just this past holiday, Marais Designs also donated 14,000 handbags retailing over $150,000 to NBC’s 2010 Toys for Tots, making them one of the most generous handbag brands of the season. Tweens and teens are still children too and Marais Designs couldn’t forget about them with these wonderful gifts.  The company truly has a heart of gold and would love to spread the giving to you!

For more info about the brand check out  the Marias website at shopmarais.com and their blog maraisdesigns.blogspot.com.

Couture – “Calling something ‘couture’ doesn’t make it hand-sewn or high class.” No, it certainly doesn’t, that’s why you should just call it Trash, then call it a day.

Statement outfits - “Does your clothing speak louder than words?” My clothing is usually screaming; if not for attention, at least for spare change. And though these creations make a statement, they also raise numerous questions, hence a Dubious outfit.

Smoldering – “O.K., your makeup is hot. Your outfit is hotter. You are about to combust. We get it.” I’ve actually never heard/seen anyone use this term when not referring to coals or an STD, but I’ll trust the Times (this once) and suggest we toss a match on that smoldering outfit and make it Flaming (which is usually reserved for the gays).

Fashionista – “The word has gone from describing a class of urban style-conscientious sophisticates to becoming a lazy and cheap byword for anyone with a modicum of taste.” Let’s not forget the further cheapening of the word after it was co-opted by a certain bargain-priced chain of department stores. Let’s just do away with the term all together since it’s lost all reverence and use it ironically to describe…oh, I don’t know…Maxxinistas.

Geek-chic -” In 2010, anyone who sported thick-framed glasses, cardigans and T-shirts with nerdy references was instantly labeled ‘geek-chic.’” I love geeks as much as the next gal, but their purported style is basically that of an old man. So let’s call a spade a spade and rename this trend Geriatric-chic, Geriatrique for short.

D.I.Y. fashion – “It’s not always necessary to knit your own mittens.” Unless you actually have a talent for sewing or construction, you’re not fooling anyone and this is just plain old Laziness.

Well-edited - “This replaced ‘curated’ to describe any collection chosen with a sharp eye.” Why not go a step further and use specific editors; whose sharp eye best described this collection? Well-Wintoured? Well-Coddingtoned? Well-Leon Tallied? Well-Sozzanied? Well-Roitfeld’d? Okay, maybe not the last one…

Mash-up: “Used to describe looks that blend multiple influences…” though not all looks blend their influences well. Those particular mash-ups are just a Hot Tranny Mess.

Hopefully these and other terms will catch on and peter out so quickly that words will no longer be used to describe fashion and we’ll reserve a series of grunts, facial expressions and elaborate movements to replace them.

Oh my god, your outfit is so *wild flailing arms followed by feigned dry heaving*!

Photo/Link Love: NY Times

Ranging from the trend setting fashionista, to the romantic girlie girl, to the sexy bombshell, here are our favorites (23 of them!) for the season:

For the Fashionista:

Take the trends to the next level with these killer sequin styles from luxe designers and their affordable counterparts. Shop: 3/4 sleeve sequin dress 3.1 Philip Lim, $850; Embellished silk dress Adam $748; One shoulder dress, Tibi $935; Sequin dress Balmain $11,500; One shoulder sequin dress, Halston Heritage $500; Paprika Sequin Sweetheart Dress, Rare Fashion $35; Red frill sleeve backless dress $50; Backless sequin gold dress, Rare $70; Velvet sequin dress, Rare Opulence $100.

For the Girlie Girl:

Play on your feminine side with these romantic, whimsical styles. Shop: Gold sequin cap sleeve, Dorothy Perkins $80; Maggie strapless dress Alice & Olivia $484; Sequin tank dress Alberta Feretti $1,480; Sequin evening gown, Rachel Gilbert $1,480; Pink sequin mini 3.1 Phillip Lim, $750; Silk tulle sequin dress, Anna Sui $697; Graingers glitter dress, French Connection $250.

For the Bombshell:

Vamp it up in a sexy number to ring in the New Year. Shop: black maxi dress, TopShop $200; sequin tube, Arden B. $79; black rose dress, French Connection $250; 3/4 sleeve gold dress Malene Birger, $450; Nicolette strapless Alice & Olivia, $396; Ro sequin dress Alice & Olivia $368; strapless Paul & Joe $700.

Vogue. Seriously, who else.

Lauren Sherman

Since we started FashionIndie.com back in 2006 we’ve been addicted to the rants and reviews on Fashionista.com, an online source of all things girlie in the world of fashion, and we’re not alone. With tens of thousands of daily visitors, the site has become a daily go-to for the best in fashion. 

Fashion Editor, Lauren Sherman talks to Fashion Indie about her typical day, tells us which model she’d do the nasty with, why she loves 13-year old blogger Tavi, and her thoughts on the future of Alexander McQueen.

What’s the day in the life of a Fashionista like?

Everyday is different, but generally, I get up in the morning, go to a breakfast meeting and make it into the office by 9.30 or 10. We (my co-editor Britt Aboutaleb and I) try to have a story up around 10am, post every half-hour until 6 or 7pm, unless there’s breaking news. It’s always a mix of breaking news, analysis on news and bigger features, like Q&As with designers or look book previews.

Would you consider yourself a blogger or an editor?

I’m a writer and an editor who happens to use a blogging tool to get my information out into the world. I don’t think there’s a difference anymore. At least with news sites.

What is the best advice you can give someone who wants to start a fashion blog?

Write about what you love–not about what you think other people want to hear about. If you don’t have a unique, fresh, sincere point of view, nobody’s going to care.

What are your thoughts on the new batch of “celebrity” fashion bloggers like Bryanboy and Tavi?

I think that they’re fantastic. They write essays on personal style–Bryan writes more in a memoir format–which is completely different from what we do, but just as relevant.

Cohl Mohr

Bang, Kill or Marry; Cole Mohr, Jesus Luz, Baptiste Giabiconi…

- Jesus Luz Bang

- Baptiste Giabiconi Kill

- Cole Mohr Marry

What’s been the greatest thing to happen to you since becoming editors on the blog?

Just the fact that I love my job–that I feel fulfilled in my work–is the greatest thing. Not many people can say that.

Bang, Kill or Marry; Uggs, Snuggie, Crocs…

- Uggs Bang

- Crocs Kill

- Snuggie Marry

We really loved your comments on McQueen and the progression of his line. If you had to pick a designer or team of designers to replace him who would you choose?

I really believe his design team should lead for a good while. It makes the most sense branding-wise and financially. However, in the future, someone like Pugh could be great. Or a total unknown from Central Saint Martin’s. It has to be someone with a unique vision that also understands McQueen’s vision.

If you had to blog on any other subject besides fashion what would you choose?

Hmm, my life has been all about fashion and writing about fashion since I was 11-years-old, so that’s hard. But I am really into product design.

Cohl Mohr

Lauren Sherman

Britt Aboutaleb

–PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEREMY KOST

SOURCE: Fashionista

And if swimming in excess fabric weren’t bad enough, swimming in excess designer fabric is worse! Ok, cool, you’ve got a $800 Zac Posen blazer, but who in their right mind would make such an investment on a size 10 if you wear a size 2! The Olsen twins may have the money to throw around for their XL attire, but at the end of the day, fitted is more professional, more elegant and more chic! So, go give that 3XL tee of yours to that homeless family to sleep in. 

Thanks Fashionista!

This past year, ombre has been prevalent in women’s clothing, specifically dresses. Lately, a new trend has come to the forefront: male ombre. The trend has transitioned into a unisex style. While, I didn’t think I would like male ombre, the Alexander McQueen blazer is gorgeous. Yet, I also think this trend can go terribly wrong. What do you think Indies? Pretty boy or pansy?

Thanks to Fashionista for the pic!

The new Guess? ads are out, and causing a case of Deja Vu. The ubiquitous blond Guess girl has gone “Back to Black”, by channeling their inner Amy Winehouse. The hair and eyes definitely resemble Ms. Winehouse. While, the look is epitomizes the soul singer, this could never be the infamous Amy Winehouse because the model is healthy, she is not calling for her Blake Blake or her three trusty backup singers.  

Thanks to Fashionista for the pics! 

Arlenis Pena is taking the fashion industry by storm. A newcomer, Pena has already booked Vogue, Italian Vogue, Banana Republic, Christian Dior and now a lucrative Lancome contract. Did we mention she has only been working as model, for four months? The 5’11 beauty is simply wonderful.

The Dominican Republic native has made history by being the second women of color to be featured in a Lancome campaign, with supermodel Liya Kebede preceding her. While we couldn’t be happier with Lancome’s choice, we are disturbed with Lancome’s track record. Lancome has been around, since 1935. Given the longevity of the Lancome line, they have had ample time to represent all of their consumers, but chose not to. Despite their previous void of diversity, we applaud Lancome for choosing a true star in the making. 

Not that Alexander Wang is a bad designer or anything, but it seems as though he is getting more press than needed over at Fashionista. Since his line has come out for the Spring/Summer, Fashionista has written about them on a daily basis. I mean yeah he makes really cool cut off jean shorts, but they aren’t worth being reminded about on a weekly basis.

I think the Fashionistas might be following our anti-Hills lead.  For one single day they decided not to talk about the show or any of it’s characters. Could we be starting a trend on the fashion blogosphere?

Okay, maybe not cause everyone with at least half a brain cell knows this show is fucking idiotic. What I do appreciate are the comments left by their readers. Choice ones below…

I’m so glad you’re detoxing from the Hills. When i watch that show i feel my braincells melting with every utterly inept remark.

Those girls would be boring to listen to in person. I can’t believe people watch them on tv.

i can’t blame him, the hills is so whatever now, i mean the camera focused on about ten seconds of them (Lo, LC, Audrina) just chewing because there’s nothing interesting on anymore

The Hills is only revelant when the show have something about fashion ie Teen Vogue, People Revolution, Kelly Cutrone and fashion shows. I could care less about the sex tape-heidi-spencer drama.

I miss the brain cells I lose when I watch The Hills. But I’m addicted. I think my mind goes numb whenever I watch it. But I know it feels so good.