The design is in the details, baby.
Fashion isn’t just about the web-knitted Rodarte sweater made from bright blues that add such a deep dramatic touch it looks like it came out of a haute horror film (Yes, this is the look the designer duo was going for.)
Fashion is not about the Tory Burch signature ballet flats with the golden medallion symbol on the front that just screams designer. (Style side note: They sell knockoffs at Payless -- I have to admit, I did once own a pair just as glam. It’s like “Sex and the City” style and a Gossip Girl’s budget.)
Fashion isn’t just about J.Lo’s Armani Prive light pink glam gown worn at the Oscar’s that was so breathtaking the only thing that could accompany it was gobs of hand-cut Cartier diamonds.
All of this is a part of the ferocious fashion world -- but only a façade to what lies beneath.
Fashion goes deeper than J.Lo’s plunging neckline of the jade Versace dress she wore to the 2000 Grammys (because we’re on the topic of J.Lo, I couldn’t resist).
It’s the black and white inspiration board that Teen Vogue uses to design their eight-page fashion spread that looks like it was inspired by the bobby socks and poodle skirts featured in the movie “Grease.”
It’s the accessories Elissa Santisi picks out for a shoot to show off any chic clothing. It’s the dramatic runway show makeup that makes any model look fiercer than before the show started.
In fashion, what’s on the surface isn’t the whole story. The entire industry depends on the people behind the runway curtain to inspire millions of fashionistas all over the globe. Like RuPaul said: “Girl, you better work.”
Accessories designer Santisi knows how to make any drab design look like a masterpiece with silver and gold chains, huge vintage gemstone pins and crazy costume jewelry.
“A good stylist thinks of the big picture, it’s almost like producing a movie. Casting, hair, makeup, location-all these ingredients are essential to bring the clothes and accessories to life,” said Santisi in “The Teen Vogue Handbook.” I love the way she adds vintage jewels to justify the drab looks Chanel can’t even complete. So stylish, so fashionable.
Teen Vogue editors have a fierce fashion inspiration board for every issue of the styled out magazine. The board holds all the inspirations for the following issue of the glam guides. Their style section gives a story line to every picture that hits the pages, while the photos bring out the genius in high-end merchandise.
Makeup artists like Jemma Kidd complete the runway looks with hot pink lined eye shadow and bright colors such as lilac and blues brighter than the sky. Kidd puts the last minute mark on the final product to make the perfect finished look. Kidd’s credit is legit -- she designs the makeup for many fashion runway walks of art. She even sells her glam makeup at Target for a fashionista’s glam slashed budget.
All of this goes into the finished fashion final result. Santisi loves using one accessory to fill the pages of the priceless fashions of Teen Vogue -- slapback hats. I’ll tell you the inside dirt of the slapback -- next time.
