The Codie Young photo that prompted criticism of Topshop

Our first problem is that this photo is generally unflattering, and looks Photoshopped into oblivion. While they don’t specifically call out heavy-handed retouching, a Topshop spokesperson alluded to it when defending Young to the Daily Mail.

“We do recognise regretfully that the angle this image has been shot at may accentuate Codieâ€s proportions making her head look bigger and neck longer in proportion to her body,” said spokesman Andrew Leahy. “While we recognise that Codie is a slim young woman, she is a size eight, not a size zero. The clothes she is wearing are a sample size ten so in some instances they may look a little looser than normal.”

The replacement image of Codie Young, where clothes appear to be styled to actually fit her

Angles, Photoshop bobblehead brush – at least there’s some acceptance of responsibility for a photo that’s bad, no matter what the size of the model. The fact that a photographer, and a stylist, and a creative director couldn’t be bothered to shoot, style or retouch the clothes so they appeared to fit properly and not make Young look like a lollipop is ridiculous.

Moving on to the second problem; when much of the outrage erupted, groups chastised Topshop for using a “size zero” model. That would be a US size 0, which is equivalent to a British size 4 or 6 (US vanity sizes can vary that wildly). So a UK size 8 would be a US size 2 or 4. And Young could very well be perfectly healthy at a US size 2 or 4, but trying to make it seem as if she’s so much bigger than critics were complaining about is disingenuous.

Then there’s the problem of the Scarlet A (anorexia) being brought out for every girl or woman who’s thin.

We’ve stated before that faux health concerns over “plus size” models (who are often not overweight for their height to start with) being some paragon of poor health, or encouragements of obesity are bunk. So are statements that thin models aren’t real, or are all sick. It is possible to be overweight and still be healthy, and it’s equally possible to be underweight and healthy. Are there anorexic models? Definitely, but thinness is usually accompanied by sunken eyes, poor skin and a number of other symptoms that are a better indication of health problems than body type alone.

On her blog, Young writes:

“Firstly this is very hurtful to me as I am naturally skinny; and anyone who knows me would know that I have been naturally skinny my entire life as my dad is 6’5 tall and skinny an my mum is also skinny, not to mention that my entire family on my dads side are all tall and skinny like me!…

You know what some people are just naturally skinny and even if I tried to put on weight it wouldn’t matter, because it doesn’t matter what I eat, I dont put it on. sorry to dissapoint you but why should I be accused of something so awful as being anorexic when I’m most definitally not. I love food as anyone who actually knows me would know!!!”

Fair enough. There are plenty of people out there who, for various reasons, don’t put on weight even when eating normally. There are some people out there who, for various reasons, carry more weight than average even when eating normally. Throw in the fact that the model is 18, an age when many people just don’t gain weight like they do at 30 or 40 and it’s certainly not impossible for her to be thin and healthy.

Then we got to this:

“And finally yes okay I maybe an American size 0-2 and a UK size 8 so what. There are overweight/obese people who are a size 34 or 18 but know one says anything to them because you don’t want to affend them! Just because someone eats a lot doesn’t make them healthy. Just like not eating anything doesnt make you healthy. And funny enough saying I’m anorexic affends me just as being called obese affends overweight people, but the differences is that im not anorexic!” {Codie Young blog}

Before we lay into our last problem, can we revisit this whole size conversion thing again? Because while vanity sizing in the US can trend towards the seriously vain, a US 0 being the same as a UK 8 just doesn’t happen that often. Young admits that for whatever Topshop calls an 8, she is indeed a US size 0, which is what led to the initial criticism. No, it’s not right that people accuse her of being anorexic because she’s a size 0, but let’s not play size games and try to make it seem like “oh no! you’re crazy, she’s much bigger than a size 0.”

We digress though: Codie, dear, have you been on the internet? No one says anything to overweight people? Really? Here’s one example.

And after 8 paragraphs trying to hammer home that skinny =/= anorexic, you’re ready to offer the expert opinion that overweight = obese? Because being skinny without being anorexic is possible, but being overweight without being obese or having weight related health problems isn’t?

Frankly, the multiple spelling and grammar errors throughout her blog post concern us far more than her weight. Eating disorder, no, but have we ruled out a learning disorder?

At last weekend’s other big matrimonial celebration – that would be Kate Moss and Jamie Hince’s wedding, if your media browsing habits made Prince Albert and Princess Charlene’s Monaco to-do second somehow – the bride wore Galliano and it got all of the fashion types talking about a possible comeback for the disgraced designer. Among that talk were rumors that John Galliano hit it off with Topshop CEO Philip Green at Moss’ wedding, and talks were underway for a Topshop collection.

It’s not impossible to think that the two may have greeted each other over wedding cake, but both Green and Galliano say that’s as far as any discussions between the two went.

“I saw John Galliano at Kate’s wedding last Friday. I did not discuss any business with him then, nor have I since,” Green told Vogue UK.

And Galliano is said to be focusing on treating his problems with alcohol.

“His only focus for the foreseeable future is concentrating on his rehab,” a spokesperson for the designer said tonight. “There is no truth in this rumour.” {Vogue UK}

Interestingly, it seems Galliano’s refutation of the rumor is stronger than Green’s. Not discussing business isn’t exactly the same as not happening, which could leave the possibility of a future collaboration open. Galliano’s reponse about the “foreseeable future” is also near term, and wisely deflects professional questions until legal ones are settled. Still, the near term nature of both denials wouldn’t leave us completely shocked to learn of some announcement after Galliano checks out of rehab and any judgments are handed down.

Staring at Stars makes a cute little t-back dress in a faded black that is perfect for the beach. The fact that the color is bit faded means it won’t look to harsh in the bright sun of the beach, and the loose cut makes it casual and breezy. The subtle embroidery at the neckline sets it apart from your basic cover-ups. Paired with the Loop de Loop sandals by Reef in gold, this dress becomes casual enough for the beach but pulled together enough to wear elsewhere. To bring the look to evening, add a mixed media bracelet and bangles; the leather, sparkles and gold combine in an interesting manner to fancy up the dress while adding a bit of festival style. Top off the whole look with a skinny belt with rose buckle to add definition to the waist without detracting from the easy-going nature of the outfit.

Staring at Stars Embellish T-Back Dress in Black, Sizes XS-L, $68 {Urban Outfitters}

Reef Loop de Loop Sandal in Gold,  Whole Sizes 5-11, $33.17 {Endless}

Trio Twist Bracelet, $35 {Banana Republic}

Rachel Roy Goldtone Bangles, $38 {Macy’s}

Rose Buckle Skinny Belt in Apricot, Sizes S-L, $30 {Topshop}

A British survey recently found that 48 percent of the women surveyed prefer to keep their clothes on during sex, primarily to increase body confidence. {Telegraph} Lady Gaga explained a while back that her song “is about a girl who likes to have sex with the lights off, because she’s embarrassed about her body. She doesn’t want her man to see her naked. She will be free, and she will let her inner animal out, but only when the lights are out.” {MTV} We’re assuming this took place at a time before she decided to go without pants – a look that requires quite a bit of confidence. Lest you think it’s only the ladies, comedian Louis CK recently got Terri Gross’ Fresh Air radio show banned in Mississippi after an exchange where he confessed to keeping his t-shirt on during sex. “I definitely have sex with my T-shirt on, always. I haven’t had sex without a shirt on, God, since I was about 23…I don’t think anyone wants to see me looming over her. I think that’s an upsetting image. And then also, the mother-dog stomach that I get when I’m … you get the point,” he said. {Gawker}

Fashionista had a bit of fun with the findings and suggested everything from shoes and socks to necklaces, but the survey revealed that chemises and bras were actually among the more popular clothing choices. Yes, they’re technically clothing, but not the sweater or winter coat you may have been thinking of. If you prefer to keep a layer or two on for confidence? No judgments here, but we do have a few suggestions for next weekend, or whenever you decide to dance.

Diane Von Furstenberg is the queen of the wrap dress, and this Steele Cotton-Linen one is for a girl with job confidence. Available at Bloomingdales.com for $375, the classic look is one you can wear for years to come.

Pixel perfect: Topshop pushes their new beauty offerings via virtual testing

Topshop has teamed up with TAAZ.com for an online makeover tool that will allow visitors to virtually try on Topshopâ€s makeup products using preloaded photos that match their skin tone and facial features or by uploading a photo of themselves. {TAAZ}

The trendy fashion retailer is right on, well, trend.

If you remember a time before everything moved online, you might have flashbacks of makeover software that offered similar tools (directly on your desktop, of course). Lately it seems fashion magazines and websites have rediscovered virtual makeover tools to keep readers more engaged. And fortunately, most tools have come a long way since Cosmo’s CDs that turned any photo into a weird, doll-like version of yourself.

Web surfers can try on celebrity hairstyles at InStyle or enjoy a free hair and make up makeover from Harpers Bazaarâ€s Web site. iVillageâ€s Makeover-O-Matic is a virtual makeover game that allows users to save looks they like in their own look book or send saved images to friends for an opinion. In our opinion, there are a few hairstyles swiped from one of those 90s CD-roms, but few programs have an end result that’s picture perfect. Glamour, Mary Kay and countless other websites give you an opportunity to test drive new hair and makeup choices. And then there are sites like Looklet and Coutourious whose entire website is dedicated to virtual fittings.

For those wondering if these online tools are worth the time, check out our break down of the pros and cons of using virtual beauty stations:

The appeal: No risk or purchase necessary.

Putting a beauty product on an uploaded photo to find it doesn’t work well with your face means no wasted money on something you’ll never wear. If you try a hairstyle and hate it, there’s no counting the months before it grows out or, in the case of time consuming evening styles, scrambling to get hair back to normal before going out. One click and those bangs that weren’t as cute as you thought, or lipstick that washes you out are cleared away. In addition, all of the tools are free to use.

The limitations: Talking to a stylist or beautician in person about what works best may yield better results. For starters, think about all of the pictures you’ve taken. Inevitably you have favorites where the light made your skin glow, or you looked at the camera in just the right way. Then there are the ones that leave you insisting an evil, strange looking photo double shows up in your pictures from time to time. That’s to say, you look completely different than your normal, gorgeous self. Assuming you’re basing your makeup choices and hairstyle on that super flattering shot, will the options still look the same when you don’t get the right angle or lighting? For makeup, web makeover users may not think to even try certain products that would look great, and creating hairstyles online has its own downsides.

Canadian stylist Arran Elliot said she prefers consultations the old fashioned way – in person – so she can feel a clientâ€s hair texture and see their face up close. “Doing colour is like painting the hair, and sculpting is like framing the face,” she says. {Ottawa Citizen}

Online hairstyling tools don’t always take into account hair type and texture, so a customer may show a stylist a printed photo of themselves from a virtual hair makeover site and end up with a cut that falls flat. Add to that the many variations in photos, even among the same person, and there’s a good chance that reality doesn’t match what you’ve pictured.

The verdict: Online makeover tools are great, especially to avoid wasting money on unused beauty products, but makeup counters and live hairstylists don’t have anything to fear just yet.

After a preview of Kate Moss’s new Christams collection for Topshop.com that launches tomorrow, we are wondering if we will be the only ones anxiously sitting at our computers tomorrow morning… if for nothing else to check out how much it will cost us anyway.  The collection has received mixed reviews, especially after the less than ravishing Christmas collections created by the model in the past, but we have to say this one does have some promising pieces. The previous collections have been a bit pricey, and unless Santa is chipping in, we have to wonder how successful the line will be as the industry already struggles to pull itself up from last season’s massive markdowns and all time lows.

Read the full story {MyFashionLife}