Touched by a Photo Editor. It’s no secret that magazines, advertising companies and photographers everywhere use Photoshop to “touch up” our favorite stars and starlets. And while I am not entirely against the practice (I photoshop stretch marks, acne, etc. in my Facebook photos. What that’s not normal?), I do think that Elle’s photo editor was a bit too liberal with wand tool in the above photo of actress Gabby Sidibe. And don’t even get me started on the wig.
According to anti-Photoshop website Jezebel, when asked for comment, Elle’s spokesperson had this to say:
We have four separate covers this month and Gabby’s cover was not retouched any more or less than the others.
Feel free to judge for yourself. It does strike me as a bit odd, however, that the magazine heavily retouched a woman who they, and others, celebrate for being “real.”
Fashion Week Edition. While I enjoy looking at Fashion Week photos as much as the next girl, because they occur off season, I don’t really embrace them for their utility. If you’d like to catch up on all the shows, trends and makeup looks, there are an endless parade of websites and blogs at the ready.
The New York Times has both commentary from sartorial luminaries and photos from many of the collections. I find their trend reports to be particularly helpful.
Style.com has the most comprehensive coverage of Fashion Week. They have every photo from every show, and a ton of videos, blogs and street style pieces to keep you busy for hours. And if that’s not enough for you, Elle.com also has critiques and commentary from most shows as well as roundups from The Style Coalition. The full SC coverage can be found here.
If you prefer your coverage a little less corporate, CHS favorites Wit & Whimsy, The Glamazon Diaries and Second City Style have coverage of the shows as well.
The Nail Obsession Continues. Bella Sugar has announced that cool finger nails are this season’s “It” accessory. And while I am not a big fan of nails painted in camouflage colors, Glamour has the hottest nail colors from the runway including the nail polish set designed by Jason Wu.
Street Style Diaries. After this week’s post about NYFW street style, I started receiving requests for more street style suggestions. Personally, I like Who What Wear, The Glamourai, and What I Wore. And, of course, there is always The Sartorialist and his life partner Garance Dore.
R, I like Elle, they have a good product, but the controversy seemed worthy of a post. It's up to you whether you think it's just the lighting or a retouching issue.
Thanks for the shoutout girl! Much more coverage to come. I'm thinking February 2011 we must do together, no?! 🙂
There was a controversy as well regarding L'Oreal using “women of color” like Beyonce and Freida Pinto and making them look a lot lighter than they usually are… bad! But wouldn't they have to get the approval of the star in order to do this? I would think but then again, perhaps not…
Kudos to you, Belle! It takes courage (or maybe just integrity) to offer up a critique of a magazine with which you are affiliated.
R, I like Elle, they have a good product, but the controversy seemed worthy of a post. It's up to you whether you think it's just the lighting or a retouching issue.