In regards to this whole skinny model B.S., this is what my favorite awkwardly scary, yet talented designer had to say:

“The idea of ‘regulation’ is revolting, but so much today. Models are about looks, not about weight. For me, it’s not even an issue; it’s part of this new politically correct fascism.”

I would post the whole article, but unfortunately, I am not a WWD.com subscriber. Nonetheless, isn’t Karl fantastic? He sounds so sophisticated using words like “revolting” and “facism.” Oh Karl! You are just TOO much!

BUT! As a consolation prize, I am going to purchase myself a Karl Lagerfeld t-shirt in the near future!

There were many fine fashions on the red carpet at the 13th Annual SAG Awards, but I am just going to focus one particular dress that caught my attention:

Rachel McAdams. I absolutely adore her ever since she played that cutthroat wench on Mean Girls.

But that doesn’t matter. What matters is the dress. At first glance I loved it. It was youthful, fresh and fashionably 60’s mod (which is a big trend right now).

Then, like a painting, I started to examine it and I started weighing out the pros and cons.

Here’s an excerpt of what The Superficial said:

It takes a talented person to make Rachel McAdams look like crap, so congratulations to Mr. Person who did her up for the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Awards. She looks like Jared Leto playing the role of Rachel McAdams in some futuristic Japanese kid’s show.

Oh come on, it’s not THAT bad. Although, I do see the Harajuku flair here, and as a Japan-o-phile, I thoroughly enjoy that.

The folks at Go Fug Yourself (love that name) pretty much had the same opinion, but went into further detail about everything wrong about the dress:

It is too short and too boxy to do your figure any favors and while no one loves the short, kicky Mod look more than I do, this looks like a very posh bath towel. Don’t wear a bath towel to an event. Unless it’s a pool party, and the 1st Annual Hollywood Pool Party Awards aren’t until March.

I am so glad they caught sight of the mod look. And I had to LOL in regards to that whole posh bath towel comment. I love going to this site to fug myself. I can fug myself all day!

Then there are the fabulous bloggers at Fabsugar:

I cannot begin to explain how many things are wrong here. Rachel McAdams what are you doing?! Are you so blinded by love you have thrown any personal style by the wayside? Here is my tisk tisk list: feathered hair with controversial highlights, white dress with pale ass skin, white pumps with white dress, and lame red carpet poses. And the dress? Was simply too big on her, and aren’t we all over white after the Golden Globes? Sorry cutie pie.

Thank you very much for pointing out the pink highlights. I pray to God that this is for a movie role. If not, I don’t know what to say. And yes, I agree with the white overkill against her pale skin. Come to think of it. I would like this dress a lot more if it were a darker shade and didn’t have the craft project detailing.

Still, I do enjoy this dress as a “look” - but if I look at it more than a minute, that’s when the problems arise.

…so where was I?

Oh yeah. Naomi Campbell. (don’t remember? click here or read my new “Dressed” column which started today)

As Naomi and I were chattin’ like old girlfriends, I REALLY wanted to bring up my own thoughts on modeling today, but I held back because…well, you know. But she had an interesting point of view:

“It’s become more corporate, more of a business,” it seemed like when I mentioned this, she shifted gears from Glamazon to professional woman. “When I first started modeling, there wasn’t an agency like IMG where they plan your career – we would go job by job. Now, you have to have a strategy, you don’t want to be going job by job.”

Well put Miss Campbell. Now if I could just figure out what happened to that herd America’s Next Top Model winners, all my modeling questions will be answered.

There will never be another Naomi, but I wanted to know from an insider’s perspective who the next “big thing” was in modeling.

Kevin Krier chimed in on this one, “I think everyone is looking at Freja [Beha] right now. She’s gorgeous.”

I admit, I had no idea who this was. As a fashion writer, I felt humilated, but I didn’t admit this out loud. But now I know…

Freja the Fierce!

And I know I already said this, but I’m just going to say it again. Naomi complimented my hat. When I got up, she caught sight of the Fred Perry trade mark laurels on my hat and she asked in her utmost regal accent, “Is that Fred Perry?”

I said with a smile, “Why yes, it is.”

With nostalgic glee, she answered “I used to wear Fred Perry all the time when I was younger!”

“I got it at a boutique called Jeremy’s off second street,” I smiled again.

“I know Jeremy’s!” she exclaimed. “So the hat’s vintage, yeah?”

I know she didn’t directly say she shopped there, but I assumed, so now I can say I shopped at a store that a supermodel icon has shopped at. I feel so chic. I wonder if she shops at Target as well.

After our enlightening conversation, doing each other’s nails and making some Rice Krispy treats, I went downstairs into a press conference where kids from San Francisco City College would have the opportunity to ask Naomi and Kevin some questions.

It was a joy to see these young aspiring designers so enthusiastic and passionate about the industry. One of them was so enthusiastic about Naomi being there that he bought her a scratch and sniff book. Damn. I wish he hadn’t stole my idea.

Questions were asked, laughs were shared and there were no signs of aerial communicative hardware. Everyone was having a grand ol’ time…but before she left, someone requested that she do her runway walk:

Yeah, I know. The picture is terrible. I should’ve taken video of it. It was absolutely fabulous. But most of all, it was for the children:

I’ve said it before, but I will say it yet again: I am not a big “online shopper.”

That said, here’s a little story for you…

I have been in search of a brown hat. Something youthful, but not trendy. Something sophisticated, but not aging. Stores all over the nation have been having sales left and right, trying to rid themselves of their fall and winter items to make room for their spring lines.

Fortunately, I have taken advantage of so many sales: I’ve gotten slacks from Zara for $25, some Calvin Klein shoes for $65 (originally $175 mind you) and the ultimate deal I scored: silk handkerchiefs from Martin and Osa for $9.90 each (originally $48 each).

When I was in San Francisco, every single store I passed had a sale sign. I, like the fashion slave I am, walked into nearly every store with the mentality, “Everything is on sale, so I HAVE to buy something.”

When I was in the fine gentleman’s store, Thomas Pink, I was about to splurge on shirts and ties, but then my mother called. It was like she was watching me and telling me “YOU DON’T NEED THESE FANCY TIES AND SHIRTS! SAVE YOUR MONEY!”

Busted me. Some things never change…

But still, I never found a brown hat to my liking amongst all the stores with red “come buy me” signs. So I went to my last resort: online shopping.

I am not a fan of this internet shopping deal because 1.) I like to try stuff on. 2.) I like to feel the material and inspect the quality 3.) It just isn’t as fun to stare at a screen and shop and 4.) Physically shopping burns a lot of calories.

I am not the biggest Urban Outfitters fan, but then I saw this in their sales bin on their online store:

Originally $25 now $6.99 - with a reduction like that, I had no other choice BUT to buy it. So I went out on a limb and busted out the credit card.

Fast forward 5 to 7 business days later and I was surprised to see a small package on my door step. I ripped it open and immediately put the new hat on to see how it looked.

There was a problem.

Either my head was too big, or the hat was too small. I thought it would be fine because it was one size fits all - but that was only the half of it. The hat seemed to be lopsided. It poofed out on one side and was totally flat on the other. I thought it was just becuase it had been jostled during shipment, but this was how it was made. I have many paperboy caps and drivers caps, but this one had to be the most poorly made one I ever tried on. It was like a 7th grade home economics product.

I tried to make it work, but to no avail, it wasn’t fixable.

Sadly, I packed it up and sent it back. I wasn’t thinking it would be the best quality, but I didn’t think it would be that bad.

I learned my lesson: never shop online again…well, I won’t until I find another really good sale.

Ladies and gentleman…the one and only…Naomi Campbell

The legendary fashion icon, along with producer, Kevin Krier stopped in San Francisco to promote Fashion Week Live!, a tour that will feature some of the best collections of New York Fashion Week which starts on Feb. 2 and runs through Feb. 9. The city will be the final stop on March 15 in a four city tour which also includes Chicago, Dallas and Houston. Along with model Gemma Ward, Miss Campbell is the headlining the tour - as if I needed to say that.

I was lucky enough to get an exclusive interview with Naomi and Kevin. Aren’t you jealous? Ok, that was a little snooty of me, but please allow me just this one moment of pretentious journalism.

The dynamic duo of Naomi Campbell and Kevin Krier

I was escorted up to Miss Campbell’s hotel room at San Francisco’s posh W Hotel and there she was - in all her fabulousness.

Sure, we chatted about all the Fashion Week Live! stuff amongst her room full of entourage busy bodies, but the one thing that shocked me the most was that Naomi does not like to shop! Isn’t that crazy? She says she can’t shop for more than 20 minutes because she’s impatient.

GASP!

However, the more I think about it - it just makes sense. She’s around these fabulous clothes all the time, so the shopping is brought to her. But still, not loving shopping? That’s like a chef not loving cooking - but since she’s Naomi, I’ll let this one slide.

It was quite difficult to pay attention during the interview because of the elegance of her voice and the distraction of her distinct beauty, but I managed.

And no…there were no instances of phone-throwing and I did not ask any information about it. For one, that’s just tabloid business, and that’s not me. Everyone jokingly kept on asking if I mentioned it in my interview. So many, mainly my friends, inquired about wieding phones that it just became so uninteresting and unfunny. Plus, throwing phones is so last season.

Contrary to popular belief, she was a delightful, well-mannered lady. There wasn’t even a scant amount of diva in the air. She also complimented my hat, which gives her extra points.

I knew my dapper charm would win her over.

Still to come:

Read more of the interview on Jan. 30 in my new “Dressed” column in the newspaper and a continuation on my Naomi Adventures on the blog - complete with visual stimuli!

I know you’re waiting in anticipation!

I have now become a frequent browser and loitering body at San Francisco’s Westfield Shopping Centre.

This past weekend, after I got pampered at a lovely male spa (you’ll read more about that at a later date), it just so happened that I ran into Chad Jones (our theatre critic). So, we decided to invade the shopping centre like two delinquent shoppers running amok. Well, we didn’t do that, but we did manage to stumble upon numerous sales: Zara, Martin & Osa, J. Crew…and then we stopped at Ruehl.

Remember when I did a post on the store? Actually, it was one of the first posts I did (click here to read). The store doesn’t really adhere to my personal taste, but it’s in the same vein as Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister - preppy boy meets upscale surfer dude.

As we walked in, it was just as I remembered. There were the staple pretty boys who are hired to hang out in the front to greet customers, the space was dark and mysterious and as an added bonus there was one female shopping there who looked like she rolled out of bed and came straight to the store in her underwear and Ugg boots.

But the most distinguishing quality was the smell of the store. There was an odor of really strong cologne that a frat boy with low self esteem would bathe himself in. It was unbelievably strong and Chad said, “What do they do? Do they pump that odor into the store?” I used another analogy to describe the odor, but because of taste boundaries, I prefer not to repeat it.

The store had some good sales, but the smell was so overbearing I was too blinded to browse through the products, let alone figure my way through the labyrinth of dark rooms.

We finally left and I was happy to breathe in the smells of the Food Emporium down below instead of some really strong cologne.

The moral of this story is…nothing really - but here’s a tip to the Ruehl store management. Please lay off of the cologne. It smells nice, but when nice crosses the boundaries of masculine-scented nausea, then it’s time to hold back.

To be honest, I’m still not clear on what fashion week happens where and when. The only one I am 100% clear on is New York Fashion Week - it’s twice a year, and the next one is Feb. 2-9. I can’t wait!

Anyways…

I was browsing through some of the haute couture collections shown at Paris this year and the time honored label, Chanel was one of them. Look at how grand the stage was:

As for the pieces, they were just as grand and truly defined a light air about Chanel. A modernized take on the classic Chanel coat was present and whimsical feathers gave delicate movement to gowns - so light that I thought they would fly off the stage.

Even though there was a light, springy feel to some of the colors, I enjoyed how it was contrasted with the smoky sinister eyes. Feminine and menacing - a perfect combination.

Speaking of menacing, there’s something about Karl Lagerfeld (the man at the Chanel reigns) that just freaks me out. Yes, he’s talented and I am sure he’s a nice guy…but still…

Fashion legend? or Villanous Sinister Stylist from a mob movie? You be the judge.

…love the shirt and gloves though.

Photos: AP Photo/Francois Mori

Oh look! Here’s more news on the whole “skinny model” ordeal. Because we all know that we can’t get enough of it:

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) _ Gisele Bundchen has entered Brazil’s growing debate over anorexia, saying families are to blame _ not the fashion industry.

”I never suffered this problem because I had a very strong family base,” the supermodel told the local Globo newspaper on Friday. ”The parents are responsible, not fashion.”

The 26-year-old model was in Brazil for the annual Fashion Rio, a weeklong showcase for some of the country’s top designers.

Anorexia became a hot issue in Brazil after the deaths of four young women last month, including 21-year-old model Ana Carolina Reston.

Splashed across the front pages of newspapers nationwide, the subject has held morbid fascination for Brazilians, and was even the theme of a popular TV soap opera. It also sparked a debate within Brazil’s fashion industry.

”Everybody knows the standard for models is to be thin,” Bundchen said. ”But you can’t generalize and say that all models are anorexic.”

Other countries, too, have begun to address what they see as the dangerous link between high fashion glamour and an unhealthy image of women. In September, Madrid’s Fashion week banned underweight models. Italy’s designers followed suit in December, requiring models to submit proof that they do no suffer from an eating disorder.

Bundchen, who left home for a three-month modeling job in Japan when she was 14, said family support was key to her.

”You leave home, the protection of your parents, but you still know you have their support,” said the Brazilian, who has five sisters.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press.

I think Gisele Bundchen is very beautiful. She is so beautiful that I don’t even know how to pronounce her last name.

Nonetheless, I think this whole eating disorder/skinny model ordeal has been beaten to the ground like a horse in a pair of out of season Jimmy Choo stilettos. For one, it’s getting old and repetitious. Secondly. it’s getting old and repetitious - but Gisele has a point - family does have a lot to do with it.

If you were raised appropriately, you should know that when you’re hungry, you eat - but you control your intake. It’s as simple as that. This isn’t rocket science. If a model wants to look sickly and gangly, then let her, she’ll figure out that she’s in bad shape when she’s in the emergency room wishing she would’ve gotten that value meal from Carl’s Jr. instead of that ice water and side salad with no dressing.

But whatever…

There are ways to look fit on the runway without looking like an embalmed body on crack. Like I said before, it’s not what you’re wearing it’s how you wear it - and if you’re wearing it like a science laboratory skeleton - it’s time for you to eat a donut…or five.

Gisele: A good family-oriented girl who eats (at least I think she does) and still rocks the runway. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Last Thursday at the M.A.C. Chinese Dress Event, I was desperately trying to find someone who had an interesting style so that I could post them on the blog. After roaming around the shirtless cocktail servers in a sea of sleek, yet monotonous black, I ran into Bay Area designer of Genevieve Primavera, Mary-Elizabeth Genevieve.

She was wearing this event-appropriate top that was captivating (which was one of her own designs). The ensemble utilized an enjoyable Asian-esque floral print and it played a bit with volume (hence the sleeves) but it wasn’t too costumey. The whole outfit flattered her theory of the “hour-glass figure” in a very creative way.

Check out her site for more of her fabulous designs: www.genevieveprimavera.com.

Last night, I attended the M.A.C. Cosmetics Chinese Dress Exhibition at Nordstrom in San Francisco’s Westfield Shopping Centre. It was a live gallery exhibition where women modeled the traditional Chinese Qi Pao (pronounced chi pau) except they weren’t wearing any clothes at all.

But before all of you horndogs come to drool over the pictures, the models were clothed, but they were in body paint. Over 50 M.A.C. artists used these women’s bodies as blank canvasses to create strikingly beautiful and intricate walking pieces of art that made it look like the women were actually wearing garments:

THE WAVE

Design: Nadine Luke; Lead Makeup Artist: Amna Pervez; Makeup Artists: Casey Wallin, Maranda James; Headdress: Stephen Jones

THE FAN

Design: Nadine Luke; Lead Makeup Artist: Bryan Campbell; Makeup Artists: Manuel “Monroe” Casado, Melinda Cazarez, Beck Morgan, Nick Fancolli; Headdress: Stephen Jones

JUICY COUTURE

Design: Juicy Couture; Lead Makeup Artist: Kris Jorgensen; Makeup Artists: Alecia Littledale, Kimmee Park, Miriam Carvalho, Daniel Belena

From the get go, I knew this one had to be related to Juicy Couture in one way or another. It was very…pink. And it made me crave cotton candy.

CHINESE OPERA

Design: Vivienne Tam; Lead Makeup Artist: China-li Nystrom; Makeup Artists: Melissa Kerekes, Sarah Pugh, Jeff Jarwin, Chase Alvarez, Caline Raab; Headdress: Stephen Jones

I love the use of men as props. Besides that, I was intimidated by this piece - in a good way. It epitomized the power of a woman and was beautifully menacing. The detailed design by the renowned Vivienne Tam is absolutely fierce!

BLUE WILLOW

Design:Nadine Luke; Lead Makeup Artist: Louise Zizzo; Makeup Artists: Missy Olson, Kelly McCabe, Stacy Maki; Headdress: Stephen Jones

GOLD LEAF

Design:Nadine Luke; Lead Makeup Artist: John Stapleton; Makeup Artists: Janilea Mora, Selena Curry; Headdress: Stephen Jones

Hands down, this one was my absolutely favorite piece. I marveled at this piece of art and wanted to take a closer look, but that would make me look like a pervert. John Stapleton, the lead makeup artist jokingly said, “This is the most expensive dress out here!” Actually, he really wasn’t joking. The gold in the model’s dress is actual 24 carat gold leaf. The material gave this “dress” texture and an unbelievable amount of realism. Plus, yellow gold is hot right now!

“I like how it gives it some movement,” says Stapleton. “It makes it look like actual fabric - even though it’ll all probably flake off by the end of the evening.”

…and what about that back detailing? That model worked it!

LILY PAD

Design:Nadine Luke; Lead Makeup Artist: Victor Cembellin; Makeup Artists: Thang Dao, Shauna Pierce, Jennifer Ledo; Headdress: Stephen Jones

Bay Area native (Alameda to be exact) and MAC artist extraordinaire, Victor Cembellin created this magical pond inspired wonder. Like many, Cembellin said it took approximately six to eight hours to finish the painting. The model, Kristen Lui, said it was weird when they started painting her body, but she got used to it after a while, but at times, the artists forgot that she was a living being.

“I would move and the artists would freak out and say, `why did the canvas just move?’” says Lui.

She must’ve been a real happy girl because she didn’t have to stand there in heels for the three hour event.

Design:Nadine Luke; Lead Makeup Artist: Christine Salopek; Makeup Artists: Rosana Vares, Jorge Monroy, Noelle Barce; Headdress: Stephen Jones

PEONIES

Design:Nadine Luke; Lead Makeup Artists: Glenn Moala, Jenn Karsten; Makeup Artists: Yvette Soares, Ignacio Maciel, Jack Caton, Rachel Ervin; Headdress: Stephen Jones

From Oakland, Glenn Moala said that even though he worked hard on this piece, he isn’t really disappointed that it has to be washed off at the end of the day.

“Disposable art is good,” says Moala, “it gives you room for more creativity on your next project.”

I wouldn’t be as easy going as he is. If I worked as hard as these people did on a piece of art, I would force the model to wear that body art forever. In fact, I would have it permanently tattooed on her body. Okay…maybe that’s too harsh.

SUE WONG

Design:Sue Wong; Lead Makeup Artist: Demia Keppel; Makeup Artists: Pam Jacobsen, Christine Biggers, MEgan Sutherland, Elisa Nunez, Sylvia Lee, Hallie Jacinto; Headdress: Stephen Jones

All of the dresses were mind-boggling and true works of art. It was one of those “how did they do that?” fashion moments. At times, I didn’t notice that all the models were wearing a layer of body paint, Swarovski crystals, a thong and some pasties. I felt like they were fully clothed.

As for the crowd…

…I guess I didn’t get the memo to wear all black. It was so goth and morbid in there. I felt like we were mourning the death of color. Even so, it was nicely contrasted with the models and these amazing colorful pieces of body art.

And no party would be complete without a gratuitous array of shirtless oily variety bohunks serving the guests cocktails and appetizers in gold jeans and heavy eye makeup: