subscribe to style file blog via RSSThe Cast-Off, Round Two
September 15, 2009 2:49 pm
No one likes to lose. Readers may recall that, a few weeks ago, stylist Lauren Goodman (above right) and I joined in a friendly battle of casts: Having each broken our wrists, we decided to compete to see who could turn her injury into the better fashion accessory. Votes were tallied; I had the lead at the start, but Lauren got some momentum later in the game that she rode all the way to victory. Honestly, I felt ashamed. I had the home-court advantage and everything. But rather than indulge in any Serena Williams-like tantrums, I determined to learn from Lauren’s success as we prepared to face off in Round Two of the Cast-Off: THE BRACE-OFF.
Lesson 1: Buzz counts. Lauren finished her cast early and people got interested, seeing her wear the flash plaster around. So, as soon as I got my brace from the hospital—a kind of Rick Owens-y brace, black with long straps—I delivered it to designer Camilla Stærk. She wrapped up work on it right before fashion week, and over the past few days, I’ve had two name stylists ask me if they can call it in for shoots, and several front-row regulars remark that they’d consider throwing themselves down staircases in order to wear a medical accessory that cool. (I am now thinking about launching a line of fashion medical accessories, called HEAL—Colette? Opening Ceremony? Barneys? Are you listening?) Lauren, meanwhile, had the element of surprise in her favor: Working with designer Peter Som, she only debuted her brace today…
Lesson 2: Bling that sh*t. Last time, designer Dana Lorenz covered Lauren’s cast in multicolored gemstones. Von Kottwitz designer Nina Stotler and I opted for something more industrial. Not this time! Thinking bling-y, I arranged to have my brace sponsored by Crystallized™ Swarovski Elements. I was imagining something totally disco, but Camilla, who has better taste than me, opted to cover my brace in pewter crystal pearls of various sizes. This wound up covering…
Lesson 3: Remind people of Michael Jackson. Lauren’s cast was inspired by the Christian Lacroix top seen on the first Anna Wintour-edited cover of Vogue, but lots of commenters mentioned that it seemed very Michael Jackson. And they appreciated that. Camilla, hand-sewing pewter crystal pearls until her fingers were literally bleeding, really came through on the MJ. I have to say, though, Lauren and Peter Som have maybe, possibly, trumped me on this—Peter’s angle on the people-like-dead-celebs-beacuse-they-are-reminded-of-their-childhood thing was to make Lauren’s brace “a tribute to John Hughes.” Pretty in Pain! Dammit.
Lesson 4: Art-direct. This really should have been obvious—I do work in fashion, after all. Lauren got off a cute little shot of herself posing with her cast. I went for the camera phone. And I wasn’t even in the photo! People vote on personal connection, I see now. And images that pop. Camilla’s husband, the photographer Barnaby Roper, obliged my concept “sci-fi Birth of Venus, with wrist brace,” as you can see (and judge) for yourself. Again, I was positive I had Lauren on this one—I knew she was racing around to shows and that Peter was prepping his collection and that there was no way they’d be able to work a seriously pro photo into their schedules. Laughs on me, folks. Lauren managed to corner Poppy de Villeneuve, mere hours before the photog hopped a flight to London to set up her show STILL, which opens on Thursday, and got a pretty amazing portrait out of her.
Lesson 5: Flatter the audience. Vote for me, and I will love you forever. Lauren and I await your comments…
tags: Barneys, Christian Lacroix, Colette, Dana Lorenz, Lauren Goodman, Michael Jackson, Opening Ceremony, Peter Som, Poppy de Villeneuve
My, oh, Maya! This vote’s for you.
By newyorksilly on 09/15/09 at 3:23 pmI love this competition. I preferred Lauren’s cast but I am going with Maya on the brace! Heal well, ladies!
By werewolf on 09/15/09 at 3:45 pmMaya, all the way!
You neglected to make a conceptual short a la Tarkovsky with soundtrack by the Citizen’s Band to hype your brace but that can be forgiven… barely.
By AllerFarfalle on 09/15/09 at 3:54 pmI vote for Maya’s hard rock, death metal chic brace
By maguiresteele on 09/15/09 at 3:58 pmI vote for Maya’s hard rock, death metal chic brace.
By maguiresteele on 09/15/09 at 3:59 pmThat’s easy; Lauren’s! And everyone w/in eyeshot of my 24″ monitor agrees. Nice arms, btw.
By CheveuxFabuleux on 09/15/09 at 6:20 pmLauren’s is rather glamourous, while Maya’s looks like a piece of video game equiptment.
By babyd1 on 09/15/09 at 6:21 pmMaya gets my vote. I think there’s some real potential there!
By johnnymmm on 09/15/09 at 6:47 pmI love a little unhealthy competition!!! great post gals!!
By kymcanter on 09/15/09 at 7:47 pmObs LG. The chicness is extreme.
By codybanks on 09/15/09 at 8:01 pmvote lauren
By sabestarr on 09/15/09 at 8:33 pmTough call ladies, but I vote for Lauren!!!!
By Bethbrenner on 09/15/09 at 8:44 pmBoth are great but Lauren’s wins my vote!
By Charlotte5 on 09/15/09 at 8:55 pmLauren is the natural! I think when the cast comes off, it is almost a loss. Vote Lauren.
By sgc7 on 09/15/09 at 9:21 pmFun! Not the broken wrist part, but everything else involved. Maya, I’m sorry, but what makes Lauren’s so great is that it doesn’t look like a brace, not a cast, it just looks good! That said, great photo.
By yasamin on 09/15/09 at 9:40 pmLauren. She’s great. So’s Peter. Sorry.
By littlemascara on 09/15/09 at 9:53 pmThis writing is really too biased for an equal competition. I don’t care about Maya’s mistakes, that’s a little boring. I vote for Lauren because of this.
By k8hardy on 09/15/09 at 11:05 pmMaya’s brace/photo combo is like if the Polyphonic Spree had a motorcycle gang. I vote for Maya’s.
By kateodd on 09/15/09 at 11:40 pmthe pewter pearls rock!
By marvoi on 09/16/09 at 12:20 ami prefer lauren’s brace better!
theres more going on with a combination of different moods, different kinds of masculinity and personalities.
Maya’s brace seems like it only speak one language. but it becomes interesting with the acid like background…
brace wise i prefer lauren’s though!
By kjig667 on 09/16/09 at 2:37 amI’m all for Lauren’s. That blue light comming out of her broken wrists cleanses my brain. Yours is too much the IT trend now, the 80’s.
By Shonali on 09/16/09 at 6:07 amMy vote’s for LG - life’s good!
By AndrewMueller on 09/16/09 at 9:40 amTeam LAuren!
By Nick_Nelson on 09/16/09 at 9:48 amj’adore Lauren’s!!! i love the haute cast!!
By BeInthavong on 09/16/09 at 10:39 amand i hope maya’s is not too heavy. i wish for both fast recovery.
maya
By luomo on 09/16/09 at 10:40 amLauren is number one forever!
By devon247 on 09/16/09 at 10:43 amPretty in Pain—Genuis!!! My vote goes to Lauren.
By babyboo on 09/16/09 at 11:07 amHands down - Lauren Goodman! Two thumbs up (or maybe just one?)
By nyclook on 09/16/09 at 11:55 amLauren. Great picture, great haircut, killer cast, not to become a castaway.
By philae on 09/16/09 at 12:22 pmDefinitely Maya. Lauren phoned it in.
By theMinimalista on 09/16/09 at 1:15 pmlauren. obviously.
By rcoxusa on 09/16/09 at 1:18 pmVote for Lauren - fantastic
By rms42 on 09/16/09 at 1:25 pmMAYA!!! SHE IS A RAY OF LIGHT!!!
By SIMON701E on 09/16/09 at 1:42 pmCraftsmanship + Style goes to Lauren
By ettadynamite on 09/16/09 at 2:26 pmIf I could vote, I would vote for you Maya. I love both casts, but you were sooo balanced in your competing. Competion is usually so negative - you are a real fashion sport.
By Fashiondelly on 09/16/09 at 5:40 pmLauren with out a doubt. Wicked mixed media on that brace.
By kaybklyn on 09/17/09 at 12:25 pmkaybklyn
I VOTE MAYA ALL THE WAY!!!!! xx
By mandajanecarter on 09/17/09 at 1:51 pmI think it’s a tie.
By frontbucket on 09/17/09 at 2:42 pmOTB Maya Singer. Ready to scrap, gets my vote
By Jasonfarrer on 09/18/09 at 7:27 amhttp://pinacoladakisses.blogspot.com/
By kellystyle29 on 09/19/09 at 4:00 pmI vote for lauren goodman
By jcharris on 09/21/09 at 2:37 pm