Photo: James Perse
Commentary
This evening, BRAVO's "NYC Prep" airs. When I first heard about the show's debut, I felt a bit sick. After all, how many more docu-dramas and hyped "reality" series do we need about privileged kids' debauched, decadent behavior? "Gossip Girl" satiated that quota, through von Ziegesar's frolicking literature-turned-television tales of scandal in the most fabulous city in the world. For me, much of it feels familiar.
I attended private school for thirteen years. Thirteen years of plaid "jumpers", kilts, black stockings, knee-hi's, apprendre à parler français (rest in peace, Ms. Cam) and singing in the choir. This isn't to say I regret my prep school days. I cherish and treasure them for what they were - pretentious, yes, but a solid learning experience.
I suppose that sense of "prep school" style sneaks into my wardrobe from time to time - with an edge. I have a slight obsession with button-ups, and not the prim and proper ones, either. I wear men's dress shirts, ties, black stockings and ballerina flats almost religiously. Blazers are another potent part of my look. I recently purchased a beautiful jersey number from James Perse, but this Alexander Wang oversized wool-blend is so implausibly perfect, I could scream. Oversized, slightly masculine and downright sexy on the right girl (comme moi), it's perfect for straying from femininity and infusing a sense of androgyny in a look. I want it. I need it. And, despite our current economic climate, I'm keeping my Juicy Couture-clad fingers crossed and hoping it lands in my closet.
Photo: NET-A-PORTER.COM
Patricia Fortunato is the creator and editor of FASHION FROLIC, an interactive online editorial concerning style, trends and culture. A reflection of her personality and stance on fashion and style, the site is swathed in innovative and often unusual musings, covers avant-garde trends and features provocative imagery. FASHION FROLIC is intelligent, insightful, inventive and always a bit vampy (and campy). Patricia is creative, crafty, cultured and fascinated by bizarre design concepts and fashion and lifestyle editorial. Possessing avid interest and experience in print, web, production and digital media, she admires both forms of high-end magazines.
"I'm obviously hugely inspired by how my mum wore clothes, and my dad…. But for me, it was more their attitudes. The way he would wear a bespoke suit and beard. The way she would wear a little YSL jacket with a straw vintage dress underneath. It was the attitude behind it, that I'm-going-to-do-it-my-way, I'm-allowed-to-do-this, f___-it mentality." - Stella McCartney in Time Magazine
I love Stella. Her clothes are sweet and chic with just a touch of edginess. Her shoes are beautiful - just look at the wedges on Mary-Kate Olsen's feet on this ELLE UK cover from September 2008.
Photo: The Insider
