Lady In Red

The delightful Scarlett Johansson graces the cover of Harper's Bazaar's February issue and discusses some rather interesting topics from her recent engagement to Ryan Reynolds to the crazy rumors about her being pregnant.

"I got these calls that I was engaged way before it happened. I've also been pregnant several times. With, like, sextuplets. That must mean I've been eating way too many bagels or something. I'm not pregnant and I'm not going to be anytime soon."

There's something about Scarlett Johansson that is very special - maybe it's her smile or that little twinkle in her eye. She has this unique beauty and it's hard to forget. Although I wasn't too impressed with her modeling skills for the Louis Vuitton ads, I still respect her for her talent and beauty.

I love the bright red that is splashed all over the cover and the beautiful red gowns that she wears. The red designs made by Roberto Cavalli, Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan, and Carolina Herrera, definitely complements her body. The bold color sort of reminds me that the exciting yet usually dreadful holiday is coming up. Valentine's Day. I am still very single, but who knows maybe there's a chance to find that special someone soon... (we'll talk about that later).

Anyway, the February issue of Harper's Bazaar comes out next week on the 15th, so go pick up a copy!



Photo credit: Alexi Lubomirski

It's a guy thing too...

Looks like guys such as my brother
can get obsessed over Gossip Girl
which returns to the screen tonight.

"I would be so embarrassed to be dressed in the clothes Chuck wears!" exclaimed my brother while he was spying me watching an old episode of Gossip Girl. "He wears pink sweaters, bow ties, and bright red pants. And I'm really not digging those colored tights that the girls are wearing... and Jenny's getting pretty annoying."

"Since when did you become a Gossip Girl lover?" I asked him with a huge grin on my face. Looks like I've even made my older - 22 years old to be exact - brother obsessed over one of the hottest shows on TV.

"And by the way, I didn't get to see episode 7, 8, or 9, because you didn't have it in your iTunes library." he added.

My brother's the type to defend himself, but this time around there were no "I watch it because the girls are hot." or "So and so made my watch it." excuses. He genuinely likes the show. Although I was utterly surprised at first, what amazed me even more was the number of men that love the show. Did you know that there's a website run by two men called I Am Chuck Bass which is dedicated to Gossip Girl?

Now that I think about it, Gossip Girl isn't just a show for girls, but it's a show that guys can watch and relate to at the same time. I'm sure many guys have experienced the difficulties with girls that both Nate and Dan have. And even Chuck, the playboy who discovers that he does have a soft-hearted side to him.

Who knows? Maybe your guy friends or even your boyfriend are secretly watching Gossip Girl too and if so they probably can't wait for tonight's much anticipated show! I have been waiting for this episode and nothing's going to stop me from watching it. Not even the season premiere of The Bachelor or The Secret Life of the American Teenager which are both airing at the same time as Gossip Girl tonight. So what are you tuning into?

Over Too Soon for Kira Plastinina

Kira Plastinina, the very young
and distinguished designer, filed for
chapter 7 bankruptcy on Jan 2, 2009.

With so many fans, celebrity supporters, and the media backing her up, the bankruptcy that KP Fashion Co. filed yesterday definitely hit like a bombshell. Not such a happy new year for our dear Kira, but after last month's decision to close most of her stores in the US, I had a feeling that her company was in trouble, but not this deep.

Reports have concluded that her label is $54 million in debt to over 100 creditors. And it's not just that - the company's in a court battle over trademark infringement with Pacific Sunwear.

As a deep fan of her label, it's very saddening to me that a vibrant young designer like her had to be pulled down during this economic crisis. It shows that having an impressive skill in designing and a millionaire father to help out isn't enough to have a successful company in the industry these days. Just 7 months ago she took America by storm and unfortunately it ended rather too soon for Kira Plastinina. Hopefully this isn't the last that we will see from her - I'm sure she'll come back.

Happy 2009!

It's that time again when we can start all over and begin a new year! I'm assuming that many people are making their New Year's Resolutions and well, I kind of, sort of made some resolutions too. Although I really don't do New Year Resolutions, I also don't believe in having no resolutions at all. So what's the harm in having a few?

To start off I will:

♦ Try to write more blog posts this year!
♦ And comment back to all the lovely people that come by
♦ In addition to that, read more of anything I can lay my eyes on
♦ Be an even more supportive friend and family member
♦ Try not to lose my temper over the silliest things and boys :)
♦ This year I will not accept a B in my classes
♦ And I promise myself to take advantage of the free gym membership at school

Gosh! There's even more resolutions I could list, but I don't want to bore you with all that, do I? Most importantly, I would like to live each day of 2009 to its fullest! And did I forget to mention being a way more fashionable person this year?

What are your resolutions and/or plans for the new year? Have anything in common with me?

Longchamp Look-Alikes

Kate Moss has been rocking the ads for Longchamp for many seasons, but the advertisements have gotten even more alluring with a "twin" on the set. At a quick first glance, I truly thought it was two figures of Kate Moss in the same photo. But the next instant I knew it was another model, but who?

Ah, the one and only - Sasha Pivovarova. I've never seen a huge resemblance between the two models, but with these ads I could easily see them as sisters even! Not only do these top models look great, the clothes that Longchamp have recently launched for the Spring 2009 season are awfully chic. Who'd ever think Longchamp, a luxury leather goods brand, would come up with such a sophisticated, yet remarkably stylish, clothes line? I'm quite the stunned one.

Speaking of Longchamp, I never told you that I wrote a small article for Longchamp about their new line of bags, did I? My commentary was on my view of the St. Germain trend, which was the inspiration behind their new line. Feel free to take a look at the article at their website.

Love for Labels

A lot of times I wonder why I buy clothes and bags that are covered with labels. Everyone does it whether they do it on purpose or not. My friends and I went through the whole American Eagle and Abercrombie and Fitch phase. And the number of people wearing North Face has seem to grow even bigger these days. But what's so great about these labels anyway?

In my opinion a North Face jacket was nothing more than an expensive outdoor coat. And the outdoor type of look never appealed to me, but I wanted it just as much as everyone else and probably for the same reason. The North Face label. The little text on the left shoulder. What an embarrassing reason!

Now, a few years after that whole obsession, I find myself with the same kind of fetish, except with higher-end brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Although I'm not as tense about labels, in the back of my mind I know that I want that certain Gucci logo bag or the pair of Chanel sunglasses not exactly because I want or need them, but so I can feel "in style." It got me thinking, as we grow older do we act the same with different commodities? Are labels constantly going to give us that certain satisfaction that we've always felt after buying them?

It may seem that I'm against brands, which is simply untrue, but everyone wearing the same thing gets really boring, no? As much as I love some of the most popular labels it almost seems like buying the same thing equals getting a nod of approval from friends and the community. I know that's how I felt used to and sometimes even now.

What's your take on labels? Do you love it for the label or for the actual product?

Top Designers Cancel Spring Fashion Shows?!

Vera Wang and others have decided
to opt out of next years NY Fashion
Week in February.

Everyone from ordinary families to corporate executives have gotten the hit due to the harsh economic times. Even the top fashion designers have. At first it wasn't such a big surprise to me, but has the economy gotten so bad that some of the world's biggest designers have decided to bow out of next years New York Fashion Week?

Apparently Vera Wang, Betsy Johnson, and Marc Valvo have decided not to have their designs go down the runway next spring in New York. I was shocked at first, and then quite heartbroken when I learned that I won't even have the joy of watching Betsy Johnson's incredible fashion show.

Although some designers aren't going to show at New York this coming February, Fashion Week's schedule and the tents will still be full. Reports have said that many other designers have requested for a spot in the tents who want to be part of one of the world's biggest fashion shows.

As for the designers that have opted out, they have decided to still do a presentation of their collections at their showrooms and boutiques.

The Worst Part of Censorship is...

During a discussion in my English seminar at school we debated over censorship. From The Chronicles of Narnia and Of Mice and Men, many novels treasured by people all over the world get censored all the time. However, books aren't the only things censored in our society; all sorts of things are censored including music, television, movies, maps, and even education.

Notice the difference between the two ads?
Demi Moore's cleavage and knees are
covered with black ink under the Iranian
regulations.

It took me a while to finally realize that fashion has been censored in so many ways. There have been many advertisements that have been banned because they were vulgar or sexually implicit. And think of the people outside of the fashion industry that don't fully understand the "ugly" side of the industry. It's incredible how much we don't know because it's been hidden from our eyes.

Other countries seem to have it even worse. An interesting article on Iranian fashion by Chris Mohney surprised me. Many Western magazines are "heavily censored by the government who cover forbidden ladyparts with white stickers or black ink." Can you believe that these forbidden ladyparts include bare arms, knees, or cleavage?

A while back I wrote about one controversial advertisement created by Lucie Boshier. I sort of regret my comment on the whole advertisement:

"I find the cartoon a little offensive and I'm not sure if I would feel comfortable with kids looking at the this when they are walking through the streets. Maybe it's because I don't want to acknowledge the fact that the fashion industry isn't so glamorous and that there are many dangerous aspects of the industry."

Although it's still offensive to me, I now disagree with my reasoning that children should not see the ad. By hiding facts from society, I feel that everyone is losing rather than gaining. I think it's better in the long run for people to be able to express their thoughts and for the viewers to actually be able to see that without intervention.

So does that mean I'm totally against censorship? No, but I feel that there is a very fine line in determining whether something should be censored or not. I agree with the words of Charles Bukowski:

Censorship is the tool of those who have the need to hide actualities from themselves and others. Their fear is only their inability to face what is real. Somewhere in their upbringing they were shielded against the total facts of our experience. They were only taught to look one way when many ways exist.

She's Back - & Looking Better Than Ever!

Britney Spears receiving an award for Best
International Pop Star from Karl Lagerfeld
at the Bambi Awards.

Britney's finally back! And I'm am so thrilled! I just finished watching her last 3 performances on X Factor, Star Academy, and the Bambi Awards where she won the Best International Pop Star. Although I miss her mind-blowing performances like the one she presented at the 2000 MTV VMA's, I am still overjoyed with her comeback. Last year's VMA's didn't go too well, but with her new album coming out tomorrow (Yes! tomorrow!), I think she will be on her way back to the top. Well, actually she's never left the top, but she's here to stay. For sure.

Britney also landed on the cover of Glamour magazine. Her photo shoot is wonderful and it shows the healthiest and most radiant Britney I have seen in a while! Click here to read the whole article on her.

Passion for Fashion Buried Under Textbooks

It's time for Fashion Addict to
start being a little more fashionable!

The one thing the college students at my school look forward to is how they don't have to carry backpacks anymore. Yet, I'm still the nerdy Asian girl that wears a backpack everywhere I go, because driving to my next class is a waste of time, gas, and parking tickets that I might get when the parking lot is full. (And the chance of possibly getting into another fender bender!)

I know, I know. How could I possibly wear a backpack? You're probably thinking, "That's so high school!" Well, to me my backpack is a walking locker, it has everything I possibly need.

Because a backpack totally ruins a perfectly chic outfit and turns it into a wreck, I've ended up wearing more casual clothes. Then when I thought about it the other day, I figured that by changing bags I wouldn't have to worry about ruined outfits or looking like I'm in grade school.

So now you're wondering, "Where have you been?! Duh, that's something everyone knows by now." Yeah, I think I've taken college and midterms a little too much these days. Worrying about grades and papers to write has distracted my whole love towards fashion. So I guess it's time for Fashion Addict to take a few more tips from her fellow fashion bloggers!