Kate is getting old

It has been twenty years since Kate Moss started her modeling career, as the grunge blond turns 35 today. Quite an achievement to still be featuring on so many beauty and fashion campaigns at this age for a model.

For a quick history, Kate Moss was scouted at 14, in 1988. She first appeared in the magazine The Face at 15, shot by Corinne Day. She appeared on more than 30 magazine covers and created the waif look.

In my opinion, you either love her or you hate her.

We can only wait and see how her big 3-5 birthday bash will degenerate. She is supposed to be partying all week-end.
I was surprised however to see pictures of her from the 90s, here are a few:

Top Shop is deemed Wagalicious by Cheryl Cole

As it turns out I haven't been completely missing the fashion point by reading about the fascinating lives of Wags (yes, I have read the sequel A WAG Abroad as well and it actually is a really hilariously entertaining read).

Cheryl Cole, who does fit Alison Kervin's description of a superb Wag - tikka massala colour, impressive hair, even larger breasts and tight clothing - could be on her way to launch her own line.

After meeting with Kate Moss, she reportedly said she wanted to get into high fashion and the two girls started making plans.

The model-improvised-designer is rumoured to be in negotiations with Sir Philip Green to include her new Girls Aloud friend to work with Kate on her own Top Shop range.

I doubt there will be much designing, it will probably be an all-day-long window shopping job for the two fashion-fans.

Top Shop is betting on celebrities in an attempt to reach out to the high street customer (and not unsuccessfully it must be said if we take into account the Kate Moss collection still raises furies from fashion buyers).

It is a reasonable marketing plan, however it will probably mean another notch lost in high-fashion credibility for the store.

Hopefully the full stiletto, boob tube and lager Wagalicious-style does not perspire too much into the range; if the project ever sees the light of Oxford Street.

Trend congestion

Celebrity fashion gets more publicity than designer fashion. That is probably the main reason why they are more trends now than ever before.

It is possible to name at least one celebrity per trend. Or one trend per celebrity:

• Agyness Deyn is the DIY Rock' n' Roll wave
• Mischa Barton is the trademark of Boho
• Kate Moss did the follow up with Boho chic and folk
• Alexa Chung publicised the sexy androgynous look ...

I could go on and on.

The puzzling thing in all that is the number of trends each season has to play around with.

A trend used to be a sensation one season and quickly out the next. It's true it meant a lot of wardrobe change. Now it means a lot of wardrobe overcrowding.

The new rule: nothing must be discarded in case it comes back into fashion in a couple of years time. I'm thinking the return of Boho chic or Nautical fashion.

Do we have too many celebrities that want to be different? The risk is overdoing it. It's best to stick to the style that suits you the most.

The good news is that we can pick and chose. No one fears to be stuck with some obscure unflattering shape for a whole season anymore!

Kate Moss or Aphrodite?

It might be the new Mona Lisa. It might be that after 300 magazine covers Kate Moss had to be depicted in a new way. Or it might be the prospect of a 1.5 million British Pound bidding.

Whatever the reason, Marc Quinn has not wasted his gold. Kate Moss is once more on the front covers, but this time in a strange (and rather unattractive) yoga-like pause which she feels "lifts her into a mythic level" Quinn told the press.

I am not sure I see the mythical side of the whole thing. And the various comparisons to Aphrodite are a bit of an overstatement in my opinion.

Celebrities do tend to be adulated like Gods. Whether this adulation overshadows their real talent is debatable...

I do concede Kate Moss promoted a new fashion "waif" look in the 1990s. And she did some very good campaigns for Calvin Klein. She certainly has a knowledge of the industry.

However... Aphrodite? For some reason I cannot assimilate the icon of heroine chic with the Greek Goddess of love, lust, beauty, prostitution and sexual reproduction.

Beauty? Fashion models represent 8% of the population, so chances are they are not chosen for their striking beauty representative of current society. They are spotted because they have the required body type and possibly a striking characteristic. Basically models are scouted if they smell like money. They are meant to last in the industry and sell well.

Love and sexual reproduction? I am not sure Kate Moss is famed for these either. One just needs to think of Pete Doherty...

But who am I to question Marc Quinn's interpretation of our civilization's aesthetic ideal? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.