Since they’re so concerned with style and looking one’s best, it would seem natural that fashion designers would have the spiffiest looking Web presences around.
For the most part, the fashionistas online homes do look good. But there’s a definite feeling of style over substance, that’s perhaps intentional.
Pages for Isaac Mizrahi are found on The Style Network’s site, plugging his talk show, “Isaac” (http://www.stylenetwork.com/Shows/Isaac/). The site is pleasurable in a minimalist sort of way. The home page features an ever changing scroll of “Isaacisms,” grouped under the heading ‘have a better day.’
Among the bits of fashion wisdom:
Don’t be afraid of skirts!
It’s about boots. Boots, boots, boots!
No dusty rose lip color. Sorry
I know I feel better, don’t you?
The site doesn’t offer much in content, beyond short bios of Isaac and his bandleader Ben Waltzer. (And if you’ve seen the show, you know the person you really want to know more about is the cute guy who makes the delicious coffees.)
Target.com, of course, also has an Isaac presence (http://target.com/isaac_group/index.jhtml) to highlight the designer’s collection at the store. Video snippets of the Style Network show are available, along with a scrolling fashion show and of course, a link to shop.
Stella McCartney’s site (http://www.stellamccartney.com) opens with a graphic of her logo dissolving dot by dot into a picture of a semi-nude woman, with her nipples barely covered by a graphic of another woman’s face biting something silver. And the picture jiggles a bit when you scroll the mouse over it. It’s pretty pointless, or maybe I’m just definitely not fashion-forward to understand.
The site features looks at current and upcoming collections (for fall, the trend appears to be tall while wearing grey and navy); information about stores; a biography of the designer (I think her dad used to be a band or something); and a list of charities she supports.
There’s also a “members only” section, where you can register for access to a scrapbook and press article area. I’d register, but dressed in my old Levi’s and a wrinkled t-shirt, I just don’t feel posh enough.
Much more fun was Betsey Johnson’s site (http://www.betseyjohnson.com). Like Stella’s site, trends and new designs are featured, as are videos. But unlike Ms. McCartney’s Web home, Betsey’s fashions are for sale online.
An “Ask Betsey” section provides a FAQ on why she became a designer, as well as information on how to become an intern with her design house. And if that isn’t enough emersion in all things Betsey Johnson, visitors can book time at “Betseyville,” a vacation home in Mexico.
Not that any of this matters though. The only clothing mentioned I can afford is Isaac’s collection at Target. While I’m there, I can also buy toilet paper, shampoo and baby food.
And really, isn’t that what fashion is all about?
Network
