31 July 2007

Who the flip is in charge of this? (vol. II)


My take on these superlative lists - "best dressed," "hottest," "sexiest woman alive" - editors-in-chief oh-so-love to cobble together for their big, fat Fall issues are nothing more than a subjectively chosen "who's who" of the individuals with whom that particular periodical wanted to be associated even before the initial red team of "fashion-conscious judges from around the world" had been assembled. But despite my frustration at seeing some of the names in Vanity Fair's 68th annual "Best Dressed" list released earlier today, I can't get myself in too much of a huff, because frankly, there is no other way to do it; unlike home runs, Nielsen ratings and units sold, style and beauty cannot so easily be categorized, analyzed and ranked in the objective fashion the way most commodities can.

But as unscientific and incestuously biased as many of these lists' selection processes are, Vanity Fair took this idea of promoting certain women - as opposed to the clothes themselves - to an entirely new stratosphere of absurd.

Ivanka Trump is no doubt striking in the face and has achieved an in-her-own-rite kind of professional success, but better dressed than Penelope Cruz, Cate Blanchett, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss and Rachel Bilson? Come now.

And don't even get me started on Lady Obama's inclusion...








7. Bee Shaffer (daughter of Vogue's editrix, Anna Wintour)*




*ASJINE approved (not endorsed, mind you, but approved)

**Because it's a nice round number, I thought I'd share with you all that this post marks my 1,000th in 212 days of active blogging. I think that earns me another half-cupcake, yes?

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know you think Ivanka is "striking" and I usually agree with your girl crushes, but on this one I'm gonna have to decline. How Cate isn't on that list is beyond me. WTF?

Anonymous said...

Am I the only one that is completely offended by Tilda Swinton's inclusion on the list???

I can live with Ivanka.

I would have chosen my fave fashionista politician Doris Matsui over Michelle Obama. Doris is always clad in Chanel.

Anonymous said...

Holy sh*t! 1000 posts already? Eat the whole cupcake, babe. Please?

Congrats. This is huge.

Anonymous said...

Impressive. Good job!

And I'm surprised you "approved" of Renee. Have you ever put her on here other than to slam her sense of style?

Anonymous said...

I LOVE Tilda Swinton. She is the only good choice on this list. I don't know all the others, but based on their photos you've linked to..blah. And Fran looks horrible. RZ...yuck. I hate her squinty face.

-rdhd

Anonymous said...

1000th post definitely warrants a party. I'll bring the noisemakers, and by that I clearly mean my friends and my low tolerances for alkeehawl.

Kiss on the forehead for keeping us entertained so frequently and so consistently. Yours is my fave blog out there!

Anonymous said...

If you don't agree with Charlotte Gainsbourg, who is absolutely fabulous, a personal style icon of mine and a major inspiration, then I have lost a ton of respect. Despite her famous parents, she has such a fantastic individual classic style. Bee is cute, but considering who her mother is it would be a scandal if she wasn't fashionable, however I don't think she should be on the list. Renee? She has people who dress her, usually Carolina, but at least she has good taste.

Where is Ceclia Sarkozy (her husband made the list), Alex Kapranos, the list is too Hollywood. Yuck.

Johanna said...

rdhd-

I love Tilda as an actress, but as for her style, I'm almost never on-board. Just a tad too avant garde for my taste. Fun to look at sometimes but in no way an influence on me.

dara-

I'm toying with the idea...

ILJH-

I honestly don't know much about Ms. Gainsbourg other than that she was in Jane Eyre a million years ago. The few pics I've seen of her (one of which I linked you to) are puzzling to say the least, but I haven't come close to dismissing her. My not placing an "*" by her name is hardly worthy of you "losing a ton of respect" for me, I hope!

best,
J

Scott said...

One line: 5. Fran Lebowitz

The woman is stuck in the Nirvana nineties, so why would you take anything else from the list seriously?

Anonymous said...

Jo - Congratulations! And in honor of your great accomplishment, I bleev I shall make you a mixtape, which shall most certainly include some Charlotte Gainsbourg, and perhaps even some Keren Ann just because.

Anonymous said...

Congrats Jo you know I love your blog so keep up the great work....but we(I) need more pics of you.....

Anonymous said...

1000? True devotion. Congrats.

Anonymous said...

Johanna, I'm humbled by all that you do. I honestly don't know when you sleep. Kudos on your milestone.

love,
me

Anonymous said...

Even though there's no way I'll be able to attend, if I don't get an invite to this party, I'm going to be peeved.

Congrats, you crazy hot girl! Can't wait to see the next 1000!

Anonymous said...

Hard to believe it's been a thousand already. I remember when this all started.

Outstanding execution of an extraordinary idea. I'm proud of you.

Well done.

N-Y-i-E

georgia said...

Congratulations! THANK YOU for all of your hard work. :)

Melanie said...

So...I started reading these newfangled fashion blogs because I am basically style deficient, and I need help. Even with that in mind, I'd like to ask...is there any kind of pill I can take or cocktail I can drink to make me forget what Charlotte Gainsbourg is wearing in that IMDB photo?