Fashion

8 Fashion Controversies That Made You Say "What?!" in 2013

What would 2013 be without a little controversy and scandal? Well, for one, it would be a year devoid of twerking, Kanye West outbursts, Justin Bieber's brothel visit, and Paula Deen. Withholding these standout examples, let's take a closer look at how the fashion world played into this year's lineup of controversies. Nothing's off limits or too ridiculous — magazine interns suing for being underpaid (wait, that's a thing?), Vivienne Westwood hating on Michelle Obama's style, and Melissa McCarthy's very own 'Jacket-Gate.' Review it all inside.

by Marisa Tom

Melissa McCarthy Covers ELLE, Incites Jacket-Gate

Many were not happy with Melissa McCarthy’s ELLE cover, claiming that the actress was shrouded in too much oversized-coat mystery. Whereas most cover stars pose in much less clothing, McCarthy’s body was covered up and hidden from view, a fact that could hardly be regaled as a victory for plus-size women. The ‘Jacket-Gate’ controversy even elicited a response from the actress, which is worth watching in full here.

Barneys New York Accused of Racial Profiling

No holiday cheer here. In October, two separate racial discrimination lawsuits were filed against Barneys New York. Simultaneously, attention around Jay-Z’s holiday collaboration with the luxury retailer was ramping up. As a result, the rapper has become the face and voice of this plight — many urged him to publicly denounce the retailer and back out of his collaboration. And when he didn’t, outrage ensued. Barneys’ CEO Mark Lee has already met with Reverend Al Sharpton and Marc Morial, the president of the National Urban League, to discuss racial profiling.

Andrew Burton/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Lululemon Is Not For Every Woman (According to Its Founder)

File this one under: insert foot into mouth. Lululemon’s founder Chip Wilson tried to address (unsuccessfully) why many of the brand’s yoga pants are transparent and pill. “Frankly, some women’s bodies just don’t actually work for it.” Hm, okay. Damage control ensued, starting with the announcement that Wilson would resign from management in mid-December.

Image: lululemon/Instagram

Anne Hathaway Disses Valentino

Anne Hathaway stepped out in Prada at the Oscars, but the Best Supporting Actress winner gave the house of Valentino an entirely different impression going into the whole ordeal. Valentino sent out a press release prior to the red carpet announcing which dress the actress would be wearing, only to have Hathaway pull the ultimate last-minute switcheroo. Fashion feathers were ruffled, and Hathaway’s publicist Stephen Huvane issued this apology days later.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

No Diversity at NYFW

Color was an overarching theme at New York Fashion Week in September… but not just the hues of the clothing. This time, the lack of color represented on the runways took the spotlight. Hispanic, Asian, and black women made up a noticeably small portion of the models used, and not everyone sat by idly. The Diversity Coalition — founded by models Iman, Naomi Campbell, and Bethann Hardison — released a Balance Diversity email to the four “governing bodies” of fashion: the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the British Fashion Council, the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana and the Fédération Française de la Couture du Prête à Porter des Couturiers et Créateurs de Mode underscoring the issue. Point made.

Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Jennifer Lawrence Gets the Photoshop Treatment

Jennifer Lawrence is the face of Miss Dior handbags, but that doesn’t mean she’ll recognize her own face in the latest campaign reveal. When shown the new Fall 2013 images while walking the Oscars red carpet earlier this year, the actress’ reaction said it all. “That doesn’t look like me at all! I love Photoshop more than anything in the world.”

Image: Dior

No More Interns at Condé Nast

Remember the days when being an intern meant paying your dues, pounding the pavement, and going on countless coffee runs for free? Looks like those days are a thing of the past. A former W Magazine intern and a former New Yorker intern sued Condé Nast, claiming they were paid below minimum wage for their summer gigs, and as a result, Condé Nast has scrapped its internship program altogether. So, for all of the aspiring fashion editors out there, you’ve got one less way to kickstart your Devil Wears Prada dreams.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Vivienne Westwood Slams Michelle Obama's Style

What should have been a nice chat with the New York Times’ Eric Wilson about her “Punk: Chaos to Couture” exhibit at the New York Metropolitan Museum turned into quite a tirade on what designer Vivienne Westwood doesn’t like. Among her dislikes? Michelle Obama’s wardrobe. “It’s dreadful what she wears,” the designer said. And after a few more tiny jabs at the FLOTUS’ style, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many readers had some choice things to say in return, calling Westwood a “bitter person,” “irrelevant,” and someone who “walks around looking like a clown.”

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