As my eyes are barely adjusting to better digest the runway sizes, I came across this picture of a model trying to sell us a certain black dress. Now, before we get all excited and start pointing the finger at whoever may be to blame in the industry, in the world, let’s all take a deep breath and try to figure out what’s really going on here:

It’s a black dress. It’s a black dress with short, puffed up sleeves. It’s a black dress with short, puffed up sleeves and knee length pencil skirt with high waist band. These are heavily contributing factors to the visual slimming of the model (which may or may not have been photoshop – enhanced). Which is, rather dramatic, wouldn’t you say? (as it may be removed from the retailer’s inventory or simply from its online static location, all you need to do is go here and look for ASOS Midi Dress with Pussybow in black)

Model Photoshop Malfunction? Slimming Black Dress?

Freja can be seen by herself, smiling, looking amazing, proud of some high heeled shoes. However, there’s a particular picture where Sean O’Pry appears too. Freja keeps her above – described cool and approaches the individual. To my complete delight (read perplexity), Freja gets rejected (see the picture right after the jump)! Sean O’Pry, fashion ladies and gents is too cool in his Hugo Boss script to get lovey dovey with charming Freja! What’s going on, people? (with ads like this, there’s no need to be surprised when hearing about more and more people getting divorced)

Freja Beha Erichsen Smiles In Hugo Boss Spring 2012 Campaign. Gets Rejected

Three children and seven years, that’s how long it took them to figure out that they weren’t made for each other after all! I’m really sorry this happened, I always though Heidi and Seal were a match made and heaven and that their four children (Leni, Henry, Johan and Lou) were simply adorable! So, 2012 is not only the pregnant model year, it’s also the shocking separations year!

Heidi Klum And Seal Are Divorcing!

Brad Pitt? Well… Needless to say nobody cares about him anymore since he’s with Angelina Jolie. He’s clearly a very presentable male still, only the female population has rejected him because of his partnership with world’s most beautiful woman (of 2000 and something, according to some magazines). So – charming pictures for both of them, well done W Magazine! The February 2012 issue is more interesting than a regular Vanity Fair. Ooops! (the story continues right after the jump, click here for the gallery!)

The pictures were taken by Mario Sorrenti and as careless and cool Brad is trying to be, he’ll fall into that 40-something years old men in magazines clichés. (I realize it’s a long title for a cliché, but stay with me and you’ll see what I mean). Think Johnny Depp? His kind of laid back cool? Think Clooney – his way of being funny in a seductive way? All middle age men featured in magazines are portrayed as being totally relaxed, fully aware of their worth in every way and.. well, not trying to prove anything.

With women, on the other hand, it’s an entirely different story – women can’t be laid back and not giving any damn except in their 20s. When they reach the age men are portrayed as laid back, women wear more and more makeup in various magazines. Light is dimmer and dimmer on their bodies. Shadows and merely suggested sheer clothes, hotel rooms and loneliness (if not a very young male in the immediate proximity, usually with his back at the camera, or at the very woman in question, in a complete lack of interest towards her). I’ll stop here, asking you if you too have noticed the above and asking you if there’s any chance to stop objectifying women in fashion magazines. However, this is not W’s best pictorial this month! The best is yet to come!

Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron’s W February 2012

Now let me tell you a bit about the story here, before I shamelessly go on and on about myself again (will do that after the jump, though – consider yourselves warned!). I was really happy because the Awards Season has rolled out its Red Carpet! I just couldn’t bear the thought of reading yet another diet, exercise, or losing weight tips! Busting some myths about all that not only brings me peace of mind, but also cleans the mess in this matter! Did you know that 80% of what you look like is based on your diet? So no use in exercising if you’re not changing a thing on your daily menu!

Toning your muscles = losing the body fat in order to make muscles visible! Men and women don’t need different workout programs, on the contrary – our bodies work in the very same manner and a 3lb weight is too light to work out with – it simply won’t challenge your muscles.

Don’t do exercise on an empty stomach – not only reduces your body fat, but also your muscle mass. What was the point of working out in the first place? Also – stretch after your workout, not before. That will reduce the risk of injury – do, however, warm up before starting the exercise routine.

You can’t spot reduce fat. Unless you’re losing the overall body fat too! Alternate your training to burn more fat – high and low intensity will burn more fat (although you only burn fats exclusively in your sleep)! Shakes will not keep you full as they lack fiber and they’re full of cheap protein – replace shakes with whole foods and also don’t stay away from egg yolks, they’re good for your health!

Why do I consider these more truthful than others? Because that’s what my heart tells me – plus, our bodies, although miraculous, should be treated with respect and care to return the favor. Depriving our organisms from this and that is something we might get away with (apparently) on a short term. On the long run, however – you take away something the body needs, the body will slow down one of the processes you need. I for one fully know that if I’m not giving the amount of sleep necessary to my body, I’ll get away with it for a day. If I continue, the day after that, I won’t be able to pull myself together to connect my synapses. I slowndown, I’m on “auto pilot”, mechanically doing the daily chores and nothing more. I don’t even have enough energy to be present and funny. I’m like a ghost. So that’s the most basic comparison I have to help you guys understand that the above really is an insightful and respectful approach of dieting and exercising. Thank you, Maik Wiedenbach, personal trainer and author of 101 Fitness Myths! (if you’re interested, the book is available here)

The Truth About Exercising And Body Fat

And here’s why: Jane Binghham and Rebecca Sypin have submitted an online petition to Mattel trying to get them to create the Beautiful and Bald Barbie. Bingham and Sypin’s 12yo daughter have lost their hair from undergoing chemotherapy as part of their cancer treatment program. Facebook helped in spreading the word and soon it has reached the media – CNN and those alike haven’t heard any word from Mattel other than a letter to Sypin and Bingham, in response to their submission: “Mattel doesn’t accept ideas from outside sources”.

I think the phrase above speaks for itself, sadly. There’s no need for further comment, although, if you’re interested in facts, you’ll find plenty to read here. From now on, I will only look at Barbie with sad eyes, knowing that she’s not free. As such, she has no place in our Free Adored House! Barbie, be gone! (sad face)

Mattel’s Barbie Is Not A Free Doll

Too bad the “on the road” campaign features two models on the backseat of a flamboyant teal car while the front seats are visibly folded and the car is surely parked. The static ad speaks for itself about the situation of the Galliano maison. Oh John, where art thou?

John Galliano’s Spring Summer 2012 Ad Campaign

At Priscilla of Boston. Why was that a trigger for me and in what way it interested me? Well, in case you weren’t aware, Priscilla Of Boston recently shut their doors. And doing this with boutiques full of bridal wear (designer bridal wear, mind you!) wasn’t something that “corporate” wanted to do. So they emptied out their stock. No – no – no! This was not a flash sale, closed doors warehouse sale! Nooo! They took the entire merchandise out in the back alley of the store and they spray painted the immaculate white wedding dresses (some of them in the vicinity of 5 figures price tags)!

Apologies and explanations followed from the officials of David’s Bridal (the parent company of Priscilla of Boston) saying that this was an isolated event and the graffiti treatment was only applied to already deteriorated dresses that couldn’t be taken to charity. But that they’re doing the right thing with the remaining stock. Frustrating much?

How Do You Feel About Priscilla Of Boston’s Wedding Dresses Graffiti?

Moving on: have you seen the Spring Summer 2012 ad campaign from DSquared2? It’s Natasha Poly surrounded by four young men, all lying around in a summer – festival – mood. It may not have been the original intention, but the Mert and Marcus photo is surely less about fashion and more about frolic. I often find myself daydreaming about DSquared2 designs, but this campaign does nothing (good) for me. Am I crying wolf too soon? (that’s so you won’t forget how we Frizz things around here – wink)

DSquared2 Spring Summer 2012 Ad Campaign Looks Picnic – Weird

You know I love fireworks and I love a good cake. Put the two together and this is what we get! My daahlings! As I said before, I hope 2012 (wink) will be our best year yet! That we always stay hungry, stay foolish and always stylish! It’s great to enter this new year with you! Haaaaappy New Yeaaaaar! (tons of confetti flying around, a gazillion wonderful fireworks cracking the sky, everyone hugging and dancing)

Happy New Year 2012!