Washington Post Says Celebs Should Buy (Not Borrow) Their Clothes

by Lindsay Miller (Subscribe to Lindsay Miller's posts)
Posted Feb 23rd 2009 at 6:01PM

Fashion critic Robin Givhan of the Washington Post called movie stars to action today. She suggested that celebs should (gasp!) actually buy their couture instead of expecting freebies -- if they want their favorite designers to weather the economic crash. In fact, she argues, it's the patriotic thing to do.

Writes Givhans: "[Celebrities] might even find a certain dignity in being able to respond to the ubiquitous red-carpet question -- Whose dress is that? -- with a simple, but profound, answer: Mine."

Fab or Faux Pas Oscars 2009

Faux pas. Normally flawless Reese Witherspoon flops with this limp blue gown that looks like it arrived at the Oscars via a deep puddle. This Rodarte disaster made her look lopsided, bedazzled and 20 years older.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Fab. Natalie Portman deserves her title as the next Audrey Hepburn after this dramatic gown by fashion darling label Rodarte. And she sticks by her animal-loving convictions: Her shoes weren't leather, they were vegan made by designer Stella McCartney. (But a little more jewelry might have done her good.)

Matt Sayles, AP Photo

Fab. Penelope Cruz's vintage Balmain dress from the 1950s looked ethereal and was right on trend (strapless and white). She may be iffy with English, but she sure speaks fashion!

Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

Faux pas. Who let Beyonce choose this wallpaper-inspired, fishtail-ed concoction? Oh, riiiiight: Her mermaid dress is by House of Dereon, her mother's fashion line. She looks like a fish out of water.

Steve Granitz, WireImage

Fab. This was the best the hilarious and gorgeous Tina Fey has looked on the red carpet. Please keep around whomever dressed you in this stunner and created the lovely side chignon. We love the glasses, but without them you are just WOW.

Chris Carlson, AP Photo

Fab. Alicia Keys popped on the carpet and on stage in this divine, figure-flattering Armani Prive gown with a mile-long slit - perfect for flashing a little leg.

Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

Fab. Amy Adams cranked up the sophistication with this flattering deep red Carolina Herrera dress that brought out her delicate features. But the Fred Leighton colored gem bib necklace from the 1950s really made her stand out in a crowd of fabulousness.

Steve Granitz, WireImage

Fab. A tough one. Jennifer Aniston played it safe in a crystal-beaded Valentino dress. It may not have been the look of the night, but it still shows she's looking good at 40. Pity she had a Shih-Tzu groomer do her hair. Too bad we don't have a so-so category.

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Fab. Sure, Angelina Jolie will get some flak for going with another black Elie Saab frock. But she can go basic because she doesn't need anything beyond the Lorraine Schwartz green drop earrings, her ice-princess demeanor, and of course, Brad (sorry Jen!). Really, how much better could she look?

Matt Sayles, AP Photo

Fab. Heidi Klum was the epitome of fashion-forward. Roland Mouret's edgy, body-skimming designs aren't for the faint of heart. Neither was the fire-engine red color or her bold choice of jewelry. It worked for her-she is a supermodel with the shape to prove it-but do not try this at home.

Matt Sayles, AP Photo

We have to agree with Givhan's stance on the matter. Fitting a celebrity for a red-carpet event is a notoriously thankless, unpaid job. And the sheer cost involved discriminates against young and independent designers, who can't exactly afford to whip up a handful of dresses for a star to choose from and fly across the country for fittings.

We doubt up-and-coming stars would relish Givhan's suggestion to simply buy something in their price range -- Viola Davis in J. Crew at the Oscars? -- but we've never understood why the very people who can actually afford high fashion rarely pay for it.

Let's be honest. These days, as Givhan rightfully points out, almost any designer would much rather have a check for $10k versus some press coverage in People.

Should celebs pay for red carpet clothing?
No way! They wear it for one night, and give the designer free advertising.	34 (7.8%)
Of course! Absurdly rich people should pay for their clothing.	401 (92.2%)

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READER COMMENTS

(4)Add A Comment

Wendy, 2-24-2009, 8:29PM

Celebrities don't pay for the outrageously priced outfits they parade in front of the cameras, then the general public, most of whom make less than some of the outfits cost in a year, think that spending tons of money on clothes is what you should do. And don't even let me get started on the jewelry that celebrities 'borrow'. Dumb, dumb...dumb. I'm so glad that I've never bought into that crap because I have enough trouble feeding and clothing my family in today's tough economic times!!

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Zach, 2-24-2009, 8:56PM

If I could play the devil's advocate for a moment, while it may be inappropriate for celebrities to get so much for free when they can easily afford it, remember that they also spend far more than most other people. I'm not saying that this is an excuse, but we also have to remember that our culture worships celebrities. They draw so much attention and make so much money for businesses, designers, etc., of course they're going to get free things in return. We have a notion that we'd all be better off if we would stop paying attention to these people, but sometimes the masses need and opiate. Things are always the way they are for a reason.

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