The Business of Style: Passing the Baton

So in fashion and in life, there is always the push/pull of old and new. The glorious emergence of an exciting talent. The retrospect of a historic career in the industry.

This year we have seen the exit of the great designer Valentino. We have also seen clothing through the new eyes of people like Rad Hourani or Julian Louie.

But when it comes to fashion and journalism what is the exit protocol?

Rumors have been flying that they want Wintour out. Legendary columnist Lynn Yeager was exited from The Village Voice. Is there really such a thing as passing the baton?

This week I attended a couple of couture specific runway shows. Sitting front and center right up against the runway, I am supposedly one of the “new, hot, ones to watch” I travel the globe looking for new talent, trying to give them their day in the sun, while furthering their careers through business advice etc. People want to hear what I have to say (or at least that is what they tell me).

The place card next to me is an icon of fashion journalism, with career stints at Bazaar and Glamour, over 40 Paris Fashion Weeks and a style TV show to boot. She comes with more credentials than a triple crown thoroughbred. But after a career of greats, what is she most famous for? “Borrowing” young intern’s work/ideas and claiming them as her own.

Let me set the scene… She whizzes in and plops down directly next to me saying “Ready?” to her camera guy… who mid show blasts the entire audience and light with the camera bulb.

“Arghhh, gasps the model who rapidly looses her footing while being promptly blinded”

“Shhhh” hints the thirty people in the row with us.

“I hope I didn’t interrupt your writing,” she notes as I scramble on the floor for my pen which has been knocked to the ground by her humongeous handbag.

“Not a problem,” I croon, and with that, instant recognition. She knows it’s me, she’s worked with me, she’s picked my brain…for I was one of the interns!

“I am sitting here with ingénue, Lynn Furge and she is back” she shouts into the camera. Apparently now we are going to do an interview. Right in the middle of the show.

“Shhh” the crowd shouts again.

Without boring you, just imagine that this volley goes back and forth another 20 times throughout the designer presentation. I write a comment, she glances over at my notepad, I say “smart fabric choice” she writes, smart fabric choice on her press kit.

So I ask you… when is it time to pass the baton? Do we as American’s throw her away as yesterday’s news that couldn’t recognize a Altuzzara if it trotted it’s way right into her closet?

The annoyed young “ingénue” in me wanted to yell… “STOP STEALING MY IDEAS” but the more I really started to watch her I saw the love of garments in her eyes. I saw the goosebumps that appeared as hand-embroidered tulle made its entrance on the runway because I had the same chills.

I started giving her hints. “Amazing use of contrasting colors” “A more feminine version of Alexander Wang” “Valentino during his inception” and away she wrote and smiled.

Because here is the thing about passing the baton. You might need a fast runner for the final leg but the initial start is just as important. The relay is a team sport, and although I might have days of dusty warehouses with “fashion instillations” and video links under my belt, she has the Hotel de Crillion and evenings with Halston at Studio 54.

In fashion, learning is never a one-way street, so just as I teach my mother to “Bcc” I sat, and I hinted and I helped, and she helped too, for at the end of the show she turned to her camera man and said…

“With a flick of her hair and a turn of her heel she was gone, to find the next big star.’

And that heel turner she was referring to was me.