Abercrombie & Fitch Vs Taylor Swift: Swift 1, Abercrombie 0
If you called Abercrombie & Fitch, the famous and controversial preppy American retailer, this week, you would have received a rather strange call waiting message.
“Thank you for calling Abercrombie & Fitch public relations. If you are calling regarding the Taylor Swift T-shirt, please note that this is no longer available.”
The story behind the message says something about the power of celeb fans in fashion – particularly teen girls.
Abercrombie, which has been in the news lately after its CEO infamously said it didn’t design for unpopular or unattractive people, started selling a T-shirt with the slogan “# more boyfriends than t.s.”.
The problem? Taylor Swift’s legion of fans caught wind of it, and proceeded to bombard Abercrombie’s lines with complaints, accusations of defamation and slut-shaming, and demands that they take it down.
They bowed to pressure, and recorded the unusual telephone message so that the flood of calls would stop. Nobody has released the numbers of complaints, but it’s estimated to be in the tens of thousands.
Imagine working that phone line.
Taylor Swift herself had no comment, though we’re waiting for her to launch her own tongue-in-cheek T-shirt line, just to see what happens.
Image: The offending T-shirt.
Inside Narcisco Rodriguez’s Star-Studded Nuptials
He’s one of the world’s most famous designers, but the nuptials of Narcisco Rodriguez were decidedly low-key.
In fact, we only know about the inside details because of Jessica Alba’s compulsion to Instagram everything.
Rodriguez shot to fame when he designed the wedding dress for Carolyn Bessete when she married JFK Jnr, and designed Michelle Obama’s victory dress for the 2008 election results, so he’s well-used to high-profile celebrations – but for his own wedding, he went low-key.
He and his partner wore simple tuxes – he black, his husband Thomas Tolan white – with sleek black ties and fresh lily boutonnieres.
And the guests, obviously, overwhelmingly turned out in Narcisco’s own sleek-line designs, mostly in black and red.
The guest list is being kept a tightly guarded secret, but suggested names were Claire Danes, whose own wedding gown Rodriguez designed, Sarah Jessica Parker and Sandra Bullock, all of whom he’s dressed multiple times.
So what did Alba wear? A simple, classic Narcisco shift dress with thin straps, and this season’s on-trend ear cuffs with black gems.
Image: Narcisco, Thomas Tolan and Alba.
What To Wear: Winter Weddings
If you’ve got an invite to a wedding in the decidedly chillier season of the year, fear not. It’s still possible to look chic even when silk and strappy sandals are decidedly off the menu.
Be thankful: long sleeves are massively in for dresses this year. We’re loving ASOS‘s blouson sleeved dress in crepe, which comes in navy and raspberry – both perfect colours for a muted winter celebration.
And longer silhouettes are a fun time to play with prints, particularly this season’s kaleidoscopic computerised ones. Check out the Nicholas melted long sleeve minidress – perfect for tights and also sweetly floral without being too cutesy.
If you want to be more traditionally floral, we’re loving Portman‘s sateen winter dress – with a fitted bodice and flared skirt, it also has the futuristic open zip at the front that’s been taken directly from the catwalks of Victoria Beckham. Very high-fashion for a winter party, paired with lovely lined or dotted stockings by Wolford.
A suit is also on the menu for chillier celebrations – and luckily the 70s influence in fashion has brought it back stronger than ever. Make your wedding outfit a tailored set like Stella McCartney‘s wool-twill wide leg ones in navy. Or, if it’s a bit warmer (or you’re still really proud of your legs, tights or not), wear a short suit like Elizabeth & James‘ orange jacquard embroidery one.
And inject a little bit of gorgeous summery feel into the proceedings by pairing an intricate floral pant with a plain blazer. Zara‘s pretty floral trousers are a great match for a block-colour top and jacket.
You’re going to need a coat that makes an entrance. Rescu. is in love with Saba‘s Amelia zip coat in classic burgundy, a Burberry-style look for a fraction of the price. Or if you’d rather a label, go for the peacoat by Michael at Michael Kors – still beautifully made, and will sit atop any dress with pride, but won’t break the bank.
And as for shoes, enclosed toes are the order of the day – unless you want to be REALLY high-fashion and pair strappy neon sandals with grey socks, like some daring girls at the fashion shows this year. However, that might take attention away from the bride, so opt for ones that won’t suffer in wet weather – patent over suede every time.
Our favourite wedding shoes have to be Miu Miu’s pink patent-leather pumps with their neat little bow, but some Louboutins in bright red leather with ankle straps – the so-called V Neck – don’t go astray either. And if the wedding is (gasp) outdoors, you’ll need some booties: try Chloe‘s knee-high python boots, or Rag & Bone‘s shimmery leather ankle boots.
Pack an excellent jewelled head accessory from Alannah Hill and you’re good to go…
Image: Winter wedding fashion. Top row: Stella McCartney blazer, Rag & Bone boots, Zara trousers, Nicholas dress. Bottom row: Elizabeth & James jacket, Stella McCartney trousers, Louboutin V-Neck shoes, Alannah Hill fascinator, Saba Amelia coat.
