Over the weekend, Natalie Portman attended the 9th Annual New York Times Arts and Leisure Weekend at the Times Center here in New York. Like always, she looked lovely in a canary yellow version of the much sought after tulle Rodarte for Target dress. But of all the dresses in all the land, why did she choose this one?
We are huge advocates of mixing and matching high-end and low-end, since we don’t have the paycheck to buy designer duds all the time. And we’re guessing that unless you’re an Olsen or a Guinness, you don’t exactly have the budget to wear all designer all the time either.
But celebrities are a whole other story. With their pick of the newest collections from the latest runways, it’s unusual to see one wearing a low-end line (unless of course it’s their line). We think Natalie looks good, but still want to know why this dress?
Are Target-clad celebrities more accessible? Or are you left wondering why someone who’s worn, and who can wear, actual Rodarte chooses something less?
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Umm , because she wants to “unless your an olsen or a guinness”, Why TARGET WHY!? you haven’t been around for long Kate but this post isn’t making you any more welcome
My Rodarte for Target dress is the first of it’s kind that I’ve ever purchased, and I did so because I think it’s actually a good design, albeit made from cheaper materials. I’m guessing Natalie Portman feels the same way? Celebrities often mix in things from the Gap or other such mallish brands, so why not Rodarte for Target? I think the choice of the words “Real” and “actual” are a bit odd here; they are still Rodarte designs, not knock-offs.
I’m not sure how I feel about the tone of this piece. If it’s a great dress, then it’s a great dress. She looks amazing in it. I also think there is nothing more exciting that spotting a celeb in high street gear. It’s kinda like spotting a celeb flying economy,
http://layersandswathes.wordpress.com/
Maybe she just likes the dress? That’s reason enough to wear whatever you want.
similar story, same outcome:
http://fashionista.com/2008/05/who_are_you_wearing_target.php
I obviously think kate has a valid point.
why not wear the rodarte for target to lunch, and call kate and laura for a less publicized dress from their ready to wear line?
Publicity+ Natalie Portman= sales at Barneys.
Helpful for keeping a brand that probably works on consignment afloat.
Oh no!
This is the silliest thing I have ever read. She obviously just likes the dress. Its so tasteless & sad to feel that if you can afford high-end designer you must ONLY wear high-end designer. My apologies you are so misguided. I have never read your work before & hope I don’t again.
Fashion is about art – not snobbery.
At least in my World.
what an ignorant and absurd post/question. why does the price tag and/or label matter? she probably just liked the dress. come to think of it, the whole “pairing high end with low end” philosophy is sickening. how about you pair one thing that looks nice with another thing that looks nice without regard for the pricetags. its neither clever nor charming.
I stopped paying attention to the authors on each post a while back but maybe I should start again.
label + price does not equal style, or even fashion. maybe she wanted to wear rodarte, but didn’t like anythign from their s/s collection? or maybe she just liked the dress? the fact that this is even a concern is ridiculous. i hope someday, fashion people can move on from the whole price and label makes the clothes, but i (sadly) don’t see it happening anytime soon.
I think its a totally legitimate question. But the bigger question/problem here is why did she wear this dress? Not because its from target, but because it doesn’t look good. The fabric and the bottom seems to be have some static cling issues and it doesn’t look to flattering on the top either, which is probably why she has a cardigan and a belt on as well. And there are many better belts out there (both expensive and non-expensive). Basically, she did not hire a stylist to dress her this evening… and she should have.
Since Natalie Portman wears a lot of Rodarte at big red carpet events, my guess is that either she just wants to help them promote the lower line, or that she gets something out of it (say, first dibs on the collection during awards season)
if a designer relies on consignment to stay afloat maybe it’s time for them to re-consider their economic model.
plus the fundamental equation stays the same. she’s still wearing rodarte (even if it’s an offshoot of the brand), she’s still generating publicity, and that publicity will still result in sales at target. and it’s not like designers do these one-off collabs out of pure generosity. they’re are probably well compensated, and if they’re smart, are probably asking for a percentage of overall sales in their compensation packages.
Maybe she just likes it. It’s a kinda stupid question. When you dress don’t you just put on what feels good or do you arrange your life around what is most expensive ?
who gives a shit. she’s wearing what she wants to wear.
brett_kane, you only think kate has a valid point because you both are brainless people who think that just because you’re wealthy you have to wear expensive clothes to an event.
btw, nice shameless promotion of your own article.
i would understand if it looked cheap but this dress looks fabulous! so why not?
It wasn’t even a big event, it’s probably a regular part of her wardrobe. Maybe she was just excited about a Rodarte dress she can wear in her daily life, like everyone else who bought something from that line.
Sure, she can wear what she wants, but the tangible benefit for the designer when a celebrity wears their work is that the work is for sale.
And seeing something on Natalie Portman makes other people want to purchase the garment. That is why designers lend current work; to raise the profile and saleability of a particular garment. Natalie ISN’T doing Rodarte (or Target) any favors with her patronage in this case, unless she’s trying to boost ebay sales. The Target collection sold out immediately, and is no longer available for sale, no matter who is wearing it.
Being a ‘celebrity’ is a job like any other, and in this case, Natalie is not really performing her job to the best of her abilities.
..Natalie is a human being, too. She likes things.
But isn’t the “job” of a “celebrity” to promote oneself? In this case, Portman’s not being paid to promote Rodarte in any way, except for with free goods, probably. So in this case, she is doing a great job of promoting a self-image that is elegant but not extravagant, tasteful but not snobby, both cultured and down-to-earth. And it doesn’t look like it was a particularly formal event.
Kate,
I haven’t really disliked your pieces before. And at times, you’ve shown your tact with the ever-loathsome AIC posts.
But this. I feel like maybe this shows your true colors. And if I’m wrong, let me know. But I hate when Fashionista comes across as snobby…Even though you were raving about Rodarte for Target a few weeks ago.
Fashion should be accessible to anyone. It shouldn’t be exclusive to anyone.
I think many people share the opinions above. So I’m not going to say anymore.
Who fucking cares, she’s Harvard educated and insanely hot.
So are you going to question what she wears on her head too?!
http://images.themoviedb.org/backdrops/75959/gardenstate.jpg
Seriously Kate, are you a fucking idiot?
She wore the dress because she liked it. Case closed.
god #1 here…
Thought I was gonna get hated after writing -like when I complain about Britt’s snobbery, guess I had nothing to worry about.
Obviously with everyone else but particularly those that mention snobbery coming across, its just really infuriating to read. When you buy Vogue snobbery is expected, hell its even hilarious (particularly when they’ve got Plum Sykes talking about testing out the latest nail polish advancement in St Barts) but who wants snobbery in a blog? Clearly, about 30 of us don’t – and I bet there’s much more…
I hate this post. High end is not synonymous with taste, and just because something is expensive doesn’t make it stylish. Regular middle market brands make many great, accessible, and on-trend pieces that stylish women want to wear. Because some can drop a few thousand on a dress to wear once doesn’t mean that doing so makes them fashionable, nor does refusal to do so make them any less stylish or relevant. Big F for this post and what Kate suggests.
And kate don’t you dare pat yourself on the back or let Britt do it because at least you’ve got them talking… Realize that 25 people have actually taken the time to write a comment complaining (thats about 23 more than on any other post on the homepage right now) because it is actually ANNOYING to read a piece like this. Controversy doesn’t equal good journalism.
The wording of the post makes it sound like fashion is all about snobbery and that Rodarte for Target is not real Rodarte? This is such an ignorant post!
“real vs. target”? are you serious right now? who the heck cares if its over priced rodarte or cheaper rodarte? actually, who cares if its rodarte or not? having a true love of fashion means you does not care about high, low, or any of the other ridiculous labels put on aricles of clothing to make people feel better about themselves(and to make othere people feel less).
i really hope this article was written just to get more traffic and comments, but judging by other articles i’ve seen posted on here, i’m doubtful.
Natalie Portman looks great wearing Target because she looks great full stop.
It’s only fat sluts like the dumb cunts who wrote this piece who have to pay top dollar for a designer to make them look good.
Go back to giving blowjobs in the backrooms of the meatpacker district.
so, i pretty much agree with all the criticisms about this post…. except for the horrible language!
how are name-calling and insults going to help?! how is it that fashionista’s snobbery and ignorance offend you on such a level?! yes, they have “snobbish” tendencies that they then fail to recognize, and attempt to justify, however you guys are totally out of line.
it’s FASHION, guys!!!! it’s supposed to be fun.
i think the question needs to be why on earth did she styled it like that
She looks cute and she obviously likes the dress. What does upmarket pricing matter in how a dress makes you feel?
Clothes are about fun, expression and creativity. It cheapens pretty much everything to view clothes as only status symbols.
I’m starting to like this blog less and less…
You guys are being too harsh! It’s a legitimate question. Celebrities very rarely wear low-end clothes, because they have lots of money and access to gorgeous designer. So for Natalie Portman to wear Rodarte for Target is slightly surprising and it’s perfectly logical for Kate to wonder about her motivation. However, that doesn’t mean she’s being snobby.
You guys are being too harsh! It’s a legitimate question. Celebrities very rarely wear low-end clothes, because they have lots of money and access to gorgeous designer. So for Natalie Portman to wear Rodarte for Target is slightly surprising and it’s perfectly logical for Kate to wonder about her motivation. However, that doesn’t mean she’s being snobby.
I think first and foremost a woman (any woman) should be allowed to wear whatever she wants. Natalie Portman has always been known to be “down-to-earth”. Her choice of the Rodarte Target dress is a great example of how a celebrity can champion that good design does not have to expensive and removes another elitist barrier to the enjoyment of fashion for all. And she looks lovely, proving that good taste and beauty can come at any price tag.
um i’m pretty sure natalie didnt weigh the pros and cons of if she should wear high-end rodarte to get them better sales or not before this event.
she just got dressed in a dress she likes. why is this even on here?
god this website gets dumber by the day.