Fundoshi - sounds like fun!

While on my Japanese tangent, I stumbled across this: the FUNDOSHI

What is it you ask? Me too.

It's a loin-cloth!

Traditionally worn by Japanese men before they were phased out by western-style underwear, the loincloth - or female ‘fundoshi’ is making a resurgence. Apparently this is what Japanese women wore beneath their kimonos back in the days before underwire bras and synthetic fabrics.

A Japanese lingerie maker calls female loincloth underwear the "ultimate liberation item" for women allowing them to ditch tight-fit underwear and Kyoto-based lingerie manufacturer Wacoal is leading the resurgence, having released the product three years. In recent months there has been a surge in consumer interest in its all-natural Nanafun line, more than 5,000 loin cloth in multiple colors and designs have been sold in Japan since December priced from $13. Available in a number of color combinations, the line includes both bras and briefs made of 100% cotton.

The bras do not use wire to provide support, just time-tested human engineering that stresses comfort and durability.

Well, it certainly looks interesting and I am all about comfortable underwear but I can't see myself taking on this trend. That saggy bottom just is not a good look especially under clothes. But each to their own.

Although, I do find them cute overall. I'd almost prefer it as a bikini.

Don't forget to vote in my contest for the best and worst dressed from the 2009 Met Gala:

Best Dressed at the Costume Institute Gala in New York City

Worst Dressed at the Costume Institute Gala in New York City

Japanese Street Fashion - GothLoli

I love that the Japanese are so brave when it comes to street fashion.

Just for fun here are some recent pics of GothLoli's.

Gothic Lolita - usually a combination of black and white, often with white lace and typically decorated with ribbons and lace trims. Skirts are knee length and may have a crinoline or petticoat to add volume. Over-knee socks or stockings are extremely popular as are black fishnet stockings and white or black tights. Usually high-heel boots or Mary Janes complete the look.

"Lolita" - followers usually present themselves as Victorian children or baby dolls and prefer to look "cute" rather than "sexy".

“Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion” Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City

The red carpet was chock-a-block on Monday night with celebs donning their best outfits for the annual “Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion” Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The exhibition explores 50 years of iconic designs through the women whose faces, figures and attitudes shaped and personified them, and the evening was hosted by Marc Jacobs, Kate Moss and Justin Timberlake.


The trends of the night were blues, metallics, silver, short hems, and the must have look of the night see-through textures.






I have compiled a list of best and worst dressed from the night. Surprisingly, I found some of the worst offenders to be the most unexpected. It was very hard to put the list together because opinions varied so much and what one person hated another found to be edgy and inspired.


Anyway, I did my best and of course you don't have to agree with me. So follow the links below and vote for who you think was the best and worst dressed!


Best Dressed at the Costume Institute Gala in New York City:


Worst Dressed at the Costume Institute Gala in New York City





Does Madonna win Worst Dressed hands-down with this get up?

Who Magazine Chooses Top 100 Most Beautiful Celebrities

I know there are lots of these Top 10, 20, 100 lists going about and I must admit I am a sucker for them. I do like the ones from Who Magazine though - typically they represent the current tastes of the masses.

I came across this interesting comparison of the Who Magazine Top 5 Most Beautiful Celebrities from the US and Australia:

http://www.gotspot.com/competition.do?methodname=viewCompetition&compId=215

Obviously, Who compiled the Top 100 list for each country but at this link you can decide the Top 5 yourself from the Top 5 candidates from Australia and the US.

US beauty Angelina Jolie vs Aussie beauty Jennifer Hawkins - who will win?

The thing I notice most about the Aussie list is the women are more natural beauties and I am ecstatic that Cate Blanchett was in the Top 5. While not an obvious beauty to "US Celebrity" standards she just has a classic inner (and outer) beauty that makes her a stand-out.

Personally I think Jennifer Hawkins will beat out Angelina but you need to vote for her! Hint hint! When you look at her, Jennifer Hawkins really just is a simple beauty but somehow it all comes together into this magical blend of gorgeousness and perfection!!

Speaking to the other candidates, the US ones are pretty much who you'd expect to be there - Halle Berry, Jennifer Aniston, etc, ho-hum...

On the Aussie side, Jennifer Hawkins and Miranda Kerr were obvious choices but it was interesting to see Megan Gale and Delta Goodrem. Although I am not a fan of Delta Goodrem as a singer I still think she is very beautiful and deserves to be in the Top 5.

Anyway, check it out yourself. I have cast my vote (no prizes for guessing who for - go Jennifer and Cate!).

And while you're there, check out the Top 5 Most Beautiful Men! You know you want to....

http://www.gotspot.com/competition.do?methodname=viewCompetition&compId=216

Miss Australia beauty contestant too skinny!

Miss Australia beauty contestant, Stephanie Naumoska, has generated a lot of controversy after being criticised for being too skinny.

The Sydney teenager, who is 180cm tall and weighs 52 kilograms, was one of 32 contestants.

Her body mass index of just 15.1 is well under the official 18 benchmark for malnutrition. Dieticians and nutritionists are convinced she is underweight and malnourished citing examples of malnutrition on Stephanie's body eg. "... some muscle wasting particularly in the upper body" though Naumoska disputes this.

I've seen Naumoska on the US talk show circuit today maintaining that she's healthy and instead is being victimised. "I'm very hurt and upset by what they've been saying, and I think that it's very unfair, and I also think that it's very unfair& just to all the other girls out there who have the same body as myself."

I do agree that she has been victimised because I saw a lot of skinny contestants.

I can't stand these 'beauty' contests that objectify women at the best of times but ignoring my bias, at the end of the day, whether she's naturally thin or not, they should never have let her into the contest because it is not sending the right message to young girls and teens who are most influenced by these images. I believe that the criticism lies firmly with the organizers! They ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Riotville

Howdy Peeps!

Thought I would share a Melbourne label I came across today... RIOTVILLE. I really like their take on fashion and the fusion of some of my fave styles. Funny that I haven't come across them before but better late than never...

Celebrity Boobs

Celebrity Boobs in the physical sense, that is, not their personality! But oh, those celebs and starlets just put on this earth to make us mere mortals (read, real women) even more insecure about our body image. What would we do without them?

Well, here's an interesting review of celebrity boobs - a sort of "before" and "after". I personally have nothing against cosmetic surgery but I do get irritated about models/celebrities and this very false "image" of perfection we're measured against.

Anyway, take a look at some of these pics at the link below and make your own decision about who had a helping hand or not. I was surprised about a few of them, particularly Cindy Crawford (never guessed), and even Britney considering all the denials that she had nothing done yet to me the pics tell another story. I'm really torn about how I feel about the celebrity denials about cosmetic surgery - on the one hand it is imperative to respect a person's right to privacy yet what message are we sending out to young women if these celebs don't come clean about the work they've had done? I don't know but I'll get off my soapbox.

What do you think?

http://www.gotspot.com/competition.do?methodname=viewCompetition&compId=211