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Oct 26, 2007 @ 9:39am

Edit This!

acne editor.png

One of our favorite emerging trends is the “90s fashion editor” look.

It’s based more on the stereotype of a fashion editor than on any one specific person. It’s like what non-fashion people would think a fashion editor would wear.

This picture is from Acne Jeans’ fall collection, but you can click through to see some of the other fashion editor images we’ve gathered to help you get inspired.

Here’s a couple ways to do the look:

You take a really big, sculptural black dress, coat, or likeminded garment. Add opaque black tights and black heels. Slick your hair back. No make up.

Another 90s fashion editor option is the black tights, sculptural black jacket, and pencil skirt look.

Potential accesories include oversized pearls, a black Chanel bag, dark sunglasses, and a standoffish attitude.

You could wear this look for your everyday glamarous out-and-about press previews and luncheons, but we also think it could be a great Halloween costume idea. Any takers?

—ALISON COOL

Fashion Editor Inspiration:

Fashion Editor Barbie

street.600.jpg

Carine Roitfeld

Anna Wintour

Diana Vreeland

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posted by barbara

Oct 26, 2007 9:52AM

Oh oh oh! Is this possibly a use for that pumpkin-shaped Dries Van Noten blouse I got? It is "sculptural". Hallowe'en party here I come.

posted by I'm Sorry...

Oct 26, 2007 10:44AM

This doesn't really need to be posted, I just wanted to comment on this: it is NEVER ok to paraphrase another writer without attributing the words/idea to that writer. Your line, "It's like what non-fashion people would think a fashion editor would wear," is a little too close to, "Those costumes are 'a caricature of what people who don't work in fashion think fashion people look like,' said Anne Slowey, the fashion news director of Elle," which first appeared in the New York Times in a review of the clothes in The Devil Wears Prada. Here's the link to the story if you want to check it yourself:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/29/fashion/thursdaystyles/29PRADA.html
I realize that this could be a coincidence, but I doubt it since it doesn't sound like Alison's other posts. Also, that idea was batted around a lot after that review came out, so I'm sure you're all aware of it already. I just wanted to let you know that I noticed this, and I'm sure other people did, too.

posted by Faran

Oct 26, 2007 11:10AM

Hey Sorry,

1. If you're going to make an accusation like that, you need to not be anonymous. Poor form on your part.

2. I'd hope if Alison was stealing material, her posts would be substantially better! ;)

I'm also not seeing any signs that Alison's writing is anything but her own. It's true that many in the industry laugh at outside perceptions of our world. That's not a new idea, but Anne Slowey didn't invent it - it's something we all know and explore.

If you want to continue this discussion, you're welcome to send me a real email, but as far as I'm concerned, we're done here.

posted by Sarah

Oct 26, 2007 11:17AM

...I think that accusation is outragous...the concept that people outside of the industry don't really understand it is NOT a new idea, AND Alison didn't even directly say what the lady in Elle did, it was completely her own wording.

I totally applaud Fashionista though for allowing the comment to be posted and for responding maturely.

posted by Alison

Oct 26, 2007 11:25AM

I'm flattered that my writing seems so New York Times-y, but sadly I think Anne Slowey actually described the same, somewhat obvious idea much more eloquently.

Guess that's why I'm a blogger!

posted by GG

Oct 26, 2007 11:40AM

Ridiculous. A sentence that you think seems similar you would deem plaigarism? The whole "how outsiders think this business works" concept is very popular. Whenever there is an article about book publishing in newspapers, everyone invariably complains "I can't believe this is how the outside world thinks book publishing works" etc, and I'm sure it's the same in every industry.

posted by pissed

Oct 26, 2007 11:47AM

This would seem to be an exemplar of where two often horrible and anonymous worlds collide--fashion and blogging. First, some self-righteous fool casts a laughable plagiarism charge as if she were a credible ombudsman, and then the editor of the site, under the guise of defending Alison, actually slags her! You know, Faran, if you want people to respect you and Fashionista, you'd be well served not to say things about your own writers such as, "I'd hope if Alison was stealing material, her posts would be substantially better!" And no, that ridiculous emoticon doesn't make it seem as if you're "just kidding." Why are you such an incredible bitch?

posted by Leslie

Oct 26, 2007 12:12PM

I agree that the black pencil skirt, black opaque tights, and black sculptural jacket are a cliche of what fashion editors wear, but at the same time, I feel guilty that I really like that look! Yesterday, I wore a black suit skirt, black tights, black patent leather pumps, a black cashmere sweater, and a great big ring and bracelet. I loved my outfit, and it was so comfortable for what I had to do! But I do have to admit, wearing all black has seemed a little macabre lately, with all the other great neutrals and brilliant colors out there.

posted by rachel

Oct 26, 2007 2:12PM

leslie, wear what you want to wear, especially all black as all back, in my opinion, will never truly go out of style as it is timeless and chic! don't feel guilty for liking that look!

posted by rachel

Oct 26, 2007 2:17PM

oh, and daaannnng, pissed......that was harsh. pissed, what was your name? you should share it here........

posted by mackenzie

Oct 26, 2007 5:04PM

haha. love it. i actual though about being Andre Leon Talley for halloween. that'd be fun

posted by Jac

Oct 26, 2007 5:21PM

why do people post anonymously? I do on accident sometimes, but not when I am being inflammatory. It's a blog! No one can see you anyway! Anyway, I wouldn't want to work here anymore if I were Alison...

posted by WendyB

Oct 26, 2007 6:40PM

Pissed should definitely introduce his/herself because that was a delightful comment and I definitely need more friends like that. As for the original post, the idea is the same and it existed long before the NYT story. There's nothing new under the sun, as the Bible says (and why doesn't everyone attribute that expression when they use it, damn it?). I don't see any plagiarism in the actual phrasing of the sentence in the post. If the NYT quote had used the word "editor" it would be more suspicious, but that was original.

posted by fashionursta

Oct 26, 2007 7:35PM

Back to the original premise in the post- I've been doing that "trend" forever, because black is timeless, always looks good in any setting, makes me feel incredibly chic, and i love scuptural clothing that looks like art. I also noticed many years ago that the editors never bother with makeup (maybe with the exception of Anna), maybe because makeup gives the impression that you are trying too hard, which is something a fashion editor cannot EVER do. It is very practical though, because it really saves a lot of time in the morning getting ready for work . FYI, to make the 90s fashion editor look modern, you must never match anything deliberately- it must look as if you just threw it together.

posted by FWD

Oct 26, 2007 11:45PM

To be supportive of my fashion obsession, my husband hunted down and bought Fashion Editor Barbie for me on ebay. I love her and her bent arms that make her pose all chic. I made tiny little outfits for her.

... now i feel really uncool. : (

posted by La Van

Oct 27, 2007 1:35AM

FWD, I think you sound way cool (and your husband sounds pretty awesome too).

Fashionista, tsk tsk for placing Mrs. Vreeland last on your list! DV!!!

If you won't place her first, at least please be alphabetical.