Saturday, October 11, 2008

Allure

When Allure magazine was first published, it felt like a breath of fresh air for the thinking fashionista. For a couple of years its articles were wry, suspicious of trends, and very, very smart.

But somewhere along the way, the powers that be decided that Allure should be reimagined as a celebrity fashion mag. That original fresh air became more and more recycled gossip about uninteresting starlets and I stepped away.

But lately I’ve been giving Allure a second look. Although it still puts celebrities on the cover and is jam-packed with product samples (I had wondered where all the perfumes inserts had landed. Answer: in Allure), it does contain some editorial styling that I quite like.

Here, for instance, are two images from September. In winter I do like a handsome, fitted turtleneck, and I’d love to wear this one (above) with that extraordinary necklace. (And this from a non-jewelry person.)

I’ve blogged twice before about this silk “feather” texture from Burberry Prorsum (below) in a dress, and see here that it’s rather, well, alluring in a jacket too.



I’d hold back on that slash of blush, though, which reminds me too much of Diana Vreeland’s famous red cheeks that extended to and powdered her ears.



By the way, when I worked in NYC, the first play I saw was Mark Hampton and Mary Louise Wilson’s Full Gallop, in a little Off Broadway theatre, starring La Wilson as the ever theatrical DV.

It was a treat to see her reimagined, as a celebrity of the theatre. She continues to have real allure.

10 comments:

Songy said...

I haven't been reading English fashion mags long enough to know all this but I can tell that magazines evolve quite a bit.
I guess it depends who is driving it. I hear lots of people moaning about Vogue and rave about I.d. or Numero etc.. I'm sure these new breed of mags will soon become run of the mills. Then hopefully the established ones will get some fresh air?

Those necklaces are truly theatrical. Wonder how heavy they will be tho.

Elizabeth said...

I was in the store yesterday, looking at the cover of "Allure" in the checkout line. I was thinking that it was nothing but "how to put on makeup" features the last time I bought it (last year). I felt so bored and inundated by the makeup items that I never noticed the celebrity bits you talk about here.

At any rate, with either emphasis, "Allure" was destined to lose me, as neither emphasis appeals to me.

After reading your comments, however, I'm encouraged, and I'm interested in giving it another look.

Miss Cavendish said...

I can't say that I recommend *buying* Allure, as the tiresome make-up angle is definitely there (and which may have become its new focus apres celebrity-chic wore off), but it's worth taking a peek inside--at the library, at the grocery store--at the fashion editorials.

Fifi Flowers said...

That is some kind of BIG jewelry!

WendyB said...

I regret never seeing Full Gallop.

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

quite alluring indeed... I admire That interesting pic of the late Vreeland's room... I'm amazed that one could stay in such a colourful room... I think I'll get migrane attack! Feel free to drop by & hope to hear from you too professor. Have a lovely weekend!

Anonymous said...

Never been an Allure reader, but I have to agree with you about both of these looks. That chunky necklace, in particular, is making me swoon.

heidi said...

I'm loving DV's livingroom! Faboo!

Mary-Laure said...

What I really like about Allure s their fun "HOW TO" guides...

Anonymous said...

You know, I was pleasantly surprised by the issue I read at the gym. It had la Lohan on the cover but some great stuff inside.