The Haute Topic

"I could do without The New York Times"

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:35:39 -0500

Gaby Darbyshire, C.O.O of Gawker Media, a brash Brit who runs the Gawker empire alongside “old friend” Nick Denton, appeared at Fordham Law today, demonstrating the arrogance that so-rankles many in print media, and surprisingly, a lot of naivety about how those under 30 approach media. From the word “go” Darbyshire attempted to dominate the panel discussing the struggles of print media in a digital world. Thankfully, she had a brilliant sparring partner in Richard Perez-Pena of the The New York Times. Throughout, he passionately defended his medium, while remaining realistic about the death of the old newspaper business model.

“You all pay for Flickr accounts, right?” Zero hands raised in the packed room. The same when asked about paid email accounts (zero hands, but many snickers). It was not the old-school print journalist that assumed we were ready to fork over money for online features and services, but Darbyshire, whose site thrives off free content. Perez-Pena, on the other hand, laughed off such a suggestion and predicted his kids would never pay for anything online. Gawker’s C.O.O. was convinced a classroom full of law students were so indoctrinated into paying for things like cell phone service that were would be quite receptive to paying for access to websites. Makes you wonder about the future of Gawker sites, doesn’t it?

Darbyshire and Perez-Pena were joined by David Lat of AbovetheLaw.com; Brandon Holley, former editor of Jane Magazine, now editor of Yahoo! Shine; and Iliya Fridman, Fordham alum and owner of a media law firm. While most of the fireworks flew between the Times and Gawker, Holley attempted the bridge the gap as a veteran of both old and new media. Lat stayed silent for much of the talk, simply confident in his site’s model of relying of reader tips to generate most of their news, keeping overhead low.

In the end, though Perez-Pena seemed to have the most realistic outlook on the future of media, they all seemed to slightly miss the point. As my friend Matt pointed out, “they failed to recognize that people our age see them as two separate products.” Blogs are excellent for up-to-the-second bites of news, but at least as long as Gawker treats its editors and staff as disposable, they will never have the next George Will or Nicholas Kristof. Though I’d love to one day make a living thriving off new media, listening to the passionate pleas of a real, dyed in the wool journalist makes me think it might not be so bad to fork over a few dollars a month to support the continued existence of traditional papers, but as Perez-Pena himself pointed out, I too may be a dying breed.

Women’s Wear Daily has shots of Alexander McQueen’s...

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:54:05 -0500

Women’s Wear Daily has shots of Alexander McQueen’s final collection. As always, the clothes are stunning. But unlike so many of his previous collections, the dark edge was gone, replaced by a lightness and sense of calm. References to religious art work and angels appear throughout, giving credence to belief that Lee knew full and well that this was his final work - his farewell to the world before leaving it, perhaps to join a peaceful beyond he so strongly channeled here.

A “congratulations to myself for getting a job”...

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:32:24 -0500

A “congratulations to myself for getting a job” present. Christian Siriano for Payless, $79.

Worst hair and makeup Too orange, too messy, too big, too much...

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:10:46 -0500

Worst hair and makeup

Too orange, too messy, too big, too much botox, too much black eyeliner. Not a thing works.

Best Dressed My far and away favorite of the night was Diane...

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:50:03 -0500

Best Dressed

My far and away favorite of the night was Diane Kruger in Chanel. Unlike Sarah Jessica Parker, Kruger was able to take a couture dress and pair it with the proper hair, makeup and accessories to make it work off the runway. Aside from a few photos that highlighted her ultra thin frame and ribs, I think she killed it.

My runner-up is Maggie Gyllenhaal in Dries Van Noten. She strayed from the Oscar standby of a solid ballgown in her printed, Starry Night inspired column dress. Her bright pink lips might be my favorite beauty statement of the night, accenting her eye-popping blue dress without overpowering it.

Queen Latifah in Badgley Mischka proved that choosing the correct silhouette and color is far more important than simply going with the latest trend. It was classic, perfectly fitted and infinitely flattering. I think she’s never looked better.

And finally, Meryl. Mrs. Streep has long cemented her position as the grand dame of the acting world and continued to hold it down on the red carpet in a Chris March draped gown. It was age appropriate, yet the dipped neckline provided just the right hint of sex appeal. Also, kuddos to Meryl for straying from the traditional pack of designers and providing the Project Runway alum with another fantastic publicity bump.

Am I correct - no major actress wore McQueen tonight?

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:54:42 -0500

Tragic.

The second person Mo'nique thanks is... the attorney? Guh.

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:03:08 -0500

(via inothernews)

YES. We’re relevant at the Oscars!

I got a summer job!!

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:31:32 -0500

Normally I leave this tumblr free of most personal details, but to say I’m thrilled is an understatement. Fellow law students will definitely understand - the legal job market is scarily bad. I’ll be working at a boutique firm that helps children with autism and other disabilities. Being able to do interesting, important work and get paid for it? Couldn’t be happier.

Lady Gaga’s appearances in London this week have convinced...

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:52:00 -0500

Lady Gaga’s appearances in London this week have convinced me she and her sense of style are in dire need of an overhaul. Things cease to be become shocking when you have nothing but a series of ridiculous costumes to compare them with. You know what would shock me? Pants. Garments that don’t inhibit normal actions like seeing and walking through doors.

One hundred Nazi scallops

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:00:00 -0500

Oscar party planning is the best. I’ll be pulling for my pick, Inglourious Basterds, and cooking up lots of delicious shellfish.

Shame on you Fashionista Fashionista.com just posted a photoset...

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:48:07 -0500

Shame on you Fashionista

Fashionista.com just posted a photoset of model Jamie Bochert, extolling “those legs.” Legs that, in my opinion, are frighteningly thin. I appreciate that Jamie is not the typical model in terms of age or facial features, but her ematicated frame is something I’d expect to see in a Photoshopped “thinspiration” set, not something to be lauded in magazines and mainstream blogs.

sooshi: via style, Mark Fast, Fall 2010. I’m all about plus...

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:50:30 -0500

sooshi:

via style, Mark Fast, Fall 2010.

I’m all about plus size models but can we please put them in their ACTUAL sizes? She looks like she’s about to burst out of those seams.

Thank you! The girls who walked in Fast’s show would have looked spectacular if they’d been able to wear clothes in proper sizes. The ill-fitting dresses actually undermined his whole point by making it seem as though plus-sized models really can’t pull off high fashion on the runway.

Freja Beha Erichson, strangling a peacock! For Vogue Nippon. ...

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:06:00 -0500

Freja Beha Erichson, strangling a peacock! For Vogue Nippon. Well, despite the hem of skirt/shirt, it is nice to see a Terry Richardson shot that doesn’t look like creepy soft-core pornography. Besides, I think American Apparel has that covered.

Bob Costas climbs atop Stephen Colbert’s moose...

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:00:00 -0500

Bob Costas climbs atop Stephen Colbert’s moose “Ebersol.” So amazing I don’t care that this has absolutely nothing to do with fashion. Costas is sporting a great scarf though.

While I wasn’t completely sold on Rodarte’s latest collection,...

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:11:38 -0500

While I wasn’t completely sold on Rodarte’s latest collection, their shoe collaboration with Nicholas Kirkwood did not disappoint. Style Bubble has a collection of close-up shots of this season’s melting heels.

and I just realized my sweater is on backwards

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:50:39 -0500

Today is awesome.

"And Lady Gaga has asked that we now take a look at the medal count presented by McDonalds, so here..."

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:16:13 -0500

““And Lady Gaga has asked that we now take a look at the medal count presented by McDonalds, so here it is.””

- Bob Costas

meredithbklyn: On last night’s Project Runway, guest judge Tory...

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:45:00 -0500

meredithbklyn:

On last night’s Project Runway, guest judge Tory Burch said she didn’t like orange and blue together, or something of that sort.

Here is her logo.

The exact quote “I’m not sure blue and orange are that complimentary.” Good to know Tory is super hands on with her brand! On the upside, it is great to once again see designers gracing the judging panel, as opposed to the slew of C-list starlets Lifetime booked last season.

See people? Tiny heels and flats are dangerous. Not one, not...

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:24:44 -0500

See people? Tiny heels and flats are dangerous. Not one, not two, but five models fell at the Marc by Marc Jacobs show, all wearing shoes with heels that barely register.

Now this is the kind of sales pitch I can get behind

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:13:31 -0500

“(W)hen we showed interest in the racks of slim-cut denim, some of which were accented with zippers and studs, she popped up at our elbow. “Hello, I’m Victoria!” she chirped, extending a tiny hand.”

Victoria Beckham stopped by New York’s Bergdorf Goodman yesterday to help shoppers pick the perfect pair of jeans. This is quite the marketing strategy - If I felt confident in a pair of jeans while in the presence of Posh, you better be sure I’d lay down the plastic.