My friend Shruti took me to three fashion parties this week. I'm such a terrible dag that normally an invite like this would terrify me but I feel so anonymous here and honestly what's not to like? Free booze, great music and a carnival atmosphere - count me in!
The shows we went to were presentations, that means that rather than doing a runway show designers have models lined up on a stage wearing their clothes. They sit there for a couple of hours and guests go and stare at them. It's a spooky experience, especially when the models stare back at you!
I know this sounds like a cliche but models up close really do look awful! The girls at one show looked like they had been ravaged by a long, brutal war. They could have appeared on a 60 minutes special about anorexia. It's also odd to notice how young they are. In photos models look like perfect images of beauty but up close they look like awkward teens. I wanted to give them hot cocoa and tell them about boys.
I met a writer for Indian Vogue who made a funny observation that stuck with me. She said that her country was commonly criticized for child labor, 'but' she said, pointing to the teenage models who were looking listless and bored in their extreme makeup and uber high heels, 'what about this?'
This is Shruti's friend from Nylon reporting on one of the events we went to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahk05WuKYXk&feature=player_embedded
