In 2009, a light bulb turned on. (I sure hope it was a CFL.) Someone in mainstream media — new or old, internationally or nationally — an editor, an assistant, maybe it was a PR rep, realized that “Oh hey! Not everyone is a size 2, huh? All the other ‘beautiful’ people in this industry deserve a chance.” Dove was, however, already way ahead of the game. Their Campaign for Real Beauty launched in 2004 and continues to empower girls and women of all ages and shapes. But last I heard, Dove doesn’t drive home magazine sales. Sexy things do. And naked sexy things...

One of my favorite non-profits in San Francisco, About-Face, is on a mission to make a difference in how women see themselves. It’s no secret that pages of glossies, gossip mags, blogs and tabloids are overridden with airbrushed photos and images of women who were already too thin to begin with. And yet what are we doing about it? Nothing. Or, well, barely anything. (The April issue of French Elle is an astonishing exception.) Even the efforts to impose minimum weight requirements on (runway) models seems to be going nowhere, and we continue to see the same manipulated images — the most...

So instead of attending San Francisco’s Twestival, on Thursday night I spent about $90 and came out ahead with one pair of leather boots, patent peep toes and a delicious meal of Mexican food with close friends. It may not have been exactly what Twestival promised—a $20 charitable donation for a night of networking, social schmoozing and an opportunity to match actual faces with people’s Twitter avatars—but my shopping excursion was well worth it and gave my morale a hefty boost. Sadly, this San Francisco-based handbag & shoe company known for its delicious leathers,...

Also published on BitchBuzz.com Today was a momentous day in history for many reasons, but after watching the Obamas dazzle everyone at their inaugural ball, it made me think: Today marks a victory for America. For Democrats. For the world, even. But with Michelle Obama officially the First Lady, today is also a huge day for tall women everywhere! Finally, we have a tall, elegant, fashion-forward woman to look up to who’s not a supermodel, but rather, a role model. What I love about Michelle Obama is the fact that she doesn’t shy away from fashion risk — from clothes or from heels,...

Originally published on BitchBuzz.com Let me just say, first of all, THANK GOODNESS Obama won. We. Finally. Did. It. Bring on the change! Admittedly, I was surprised, at first, to see the Obamas walk out on that Grant Park stage donning the color of the losing party. But then again, red is classy and classic — not to mention powerful — and perfect for the transition into the chillier months ahead. And the family looked so united, overjoyed and filled with emotion (and love!) despite their recent loss. As he gratefully accepted his victory in front of an international audience, Obama...

Originally published on BitchBuzz.com No. Shorts do not crack the code. They break them. The dress code, that is. The New York Times Style section – a place I usually consider a trustworthy Style Bible of sorts – recently revealed a shocking menswear solution to uncomfortable heat, a climate that San Francisco is experiencing now – the Indian Summer, our brief relief from the fog. This latest trend? Wearing shorts, and short suits, to work. My first inclination? If women are not allowed, not encouraged, or get scorned for wearing shorts or anything too-above-the-knee to work, why should men...

All this hype about Sean Avery and his “internship” at Vogue has seriously made me wonder what a real intern does. You know, the fresh-out-of-college (or perhaps still in college) twenty-somethings dying to become the next Anna Wintour, or the Devil Wears Prada gal, who would do anything just to have a taste of the high-fashion magazine world. Even if that taste means running around New York City (or in my case London) dropping off clothes, running silly errands, and getting coffee. I’ve been a fashion intern. In PR. It’s not all glamorous like shows such as The Hills make...

I heart the New York Times. Their news, their magazine, and well, their fashion coverage. And while yes, coverage from runway shows is all fabulous and glamorous, truly it’s their behind-the-scenes looks into the industry that totally get me. Especially during a time like now, when the economy, well, sucks, and things like fashion seem frivolous and unaffordable. Even more especially when movies like Sex and the City come out – movies that make us (or is it just me?) want to buy, buy, buy. But a closer look at my wallet and bank account make me realize that all I should be doing is...

The founders of cheaper-than-Old-Navy department store, Steve & Barry’s, recently described in a NY Times article their retail phenomenon as the “Google of fashion.” Relating a department store to the scope of a company like Google implies that it’s the go-to place. That it’s the go-to brand for anything & everything fashion, in the sense that one might describe Google as such for tech-savvy and web applications. All right. I’ll play along. There can be a “Google of fashion” … but is it really Steve & Barry’s? Aren’t...