Mischa Barton to replace 14-year-old model Monika Jagaciak as the face of Australian Fashion Week
Mischa Barton has replaced 14-year-old Polish model Monika Jagaciak as the new face of Australian Fashion Week. The teenage model, a cover girl of Harper’s Bazaar, was dropped as a response to the fashion industry’s decision do adopt a minimum age for models.
Officials initially rejected pressure from critics such as the editor of Vogue Australia, who voiced concern about the sexualisation of children.
Simon Lock, the founder of the event, insisted that Jagaciak had the support of her parents and would be chaperoned as she flew to Australia as part of an entourage of European models. “There’s been criticism of the industry in the past for promoting the Lolita syndrome, but that’s something we will not stand for,” he said. “The designers love these models as coat hangers for their clothes. They don’t want to exploit their sexuality in any way whatsoever.”
The uproar forced the organisers into an awkward retreat. They announced a minimum age to be set at 16 “in light of industry and community concern regarding the acceptable age for models”. [Source]
Fashion Essentials
It is easy to spice up a basic outfit. You can look amazing in jeans and shirt provided that you know how to add spice and flavor to your basic look. Remember, an amazing outfit should have a good foundation and then you can work from there to get the whole thing together.
You can create a wonderful look anytime as long as you have some basic fashion essentials. From these few pieces of wardrobe, you can create multiple looks just by adding up some accessories that can blend well with your outfit.
Nice fitting jeans are great essentials. Jeans go well with platform shoes or flats for a girly look, sneakers for a sporty look and even high-heels for a night-out, glam mode. Having a pair of jeans that fits perfectly is definitely a fashion investment.
An immaculate white tank top is also an essential. White can go with about anything, and it never goes out of fashion. Pair it up with just about anything – jeans, skirts and jackets. Wear it with sandals, wedge slip-ons, flip flops or even flirty espadrilles.
Leggings are great investments, too. Wearing black leggings underneath an ultra-mini skirt, mini dress or a top with a hemline that falls around mid-thigh is enough to make you both hip and chic. Leggings worn under super-short denim skirts with a tank top can make you look funky. Get flirty by wearing sexy long tops with a pair of leggings. Or, for a romantic look, pair it up with vintage pieces of clothing. A pair of leggings can definitely go a long way.
A black mini dress is a classic. Black sleeveless, haltered or spaghetti-strapped mini dress is absolutely timeless. It can definitely blend in with any formal occasion – dinner-for-two kinds of dates, cocktails and evening parties. You can never go wrong with a sexy, elegant mini black dress. Spice it up with pearls, basic jewelries or elegant studs.
Liven up your wardrobe with other basic pieces such as a cute mini-skirt, a girly sweater and a pair of black slacks. You can work from these few pieces because they go with about anything for an everyday outfit. And finally, add spice and flavor with just the right amount of accessories – belts, beaded necklaces, bangles and even chandelier earrings for that glam, chic look.
Spring/Summer 2008 fashion trends – the pyjama look
One of the weirdest trends this season is the pyjama look. A lot of fashion designers have created loose, printed outfits that resemble pyjamas. It seems now you can go out wearing your favorite PJ’s!
That Ann Demeulemeester outfit looks just like my grandfather’s pyjamas! 
[Ann Demeulemeester, Anne Klein]
More catwalk pictures of pyjama-inspired outfits…
The Basics of Fashion
Looking your best does not need that much effort. Being beautiful does not require expensive and heavy make-up or a wardrobe that consists of Balenciaga, Prada and Ferragamo. You can look your best by simply following basic rules of fashion. After all, natural beauty is effortless.
First step is to recognize your body type. Are you small and chubby? Or, are you tall and skinny? Do you have wide hips, wide waist, big boobs, big-boned figure or slender? Get to know your body type and you can work from there.
For girls with big butts, it is better to opt for low waist or low rise jeans. Low waist jeans tend to cut your butt in half. So that means less emphasis on your butt. For girls with petit figures, it is best to avoid wearing oversized tops that cover half of the body. It is best to wear tank tops, well-fitted jeans, jackets that fit just right or dresses that fall above the knees. Long dresses tend to make petit girls look smaller.
For those on the heavy side, there are definitely a lot of choices for plus-size clothes that have a flattering effect. Such styles include overlapping blouses, prints that create a slimming effect, V-necks and cuts that give shape to the body. Avoid body hugging blouses and oversized sweatshirts that add volume to the body making you look bulkier. Avoid off-shouldered tops; they will make you look wider. Do not wear big or chunky accessories that add up to your weight. Instead, accessorize simply and take it easy on the clunky chokers.
Girls who are small and chubby should avoid flared jeans that will make them look smaller and stubbier. For those with wide hips, they should avoid pencil cuts that make them look like a cocoon. A-lined skirts with thin waist bands that fall below the waist are a great choice – sexy and flattering.
Following these simple and basic rules can make anyone look good. Who needs a complete Dior outfit when you can look good on affordable brands? Looking good does not have to cost a fortune. It is about having the right choice. You can wear the most expensive designer outfit but a wrong choice can never make you look any better.