We live in an era in which Heidi Montag's plastic surgery escapades make the evening news, Gossip Girl characters are revered, and a Twitter-war can turn a nobody into a paparazzi princess. So what's a...
We live in an era in which Heidi Montag's plastic surgery escapades make the evening news, Gossip Girl characters are revered, and a Twitter-war can turn a nobody into a paparazzi princess. So what's a gal to do in this age of tacky pseudo-celebrity?
Enter New York fashionisto Derek Blasberg, whose new book, Classy: Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady (Razorbill), may just be the saving grace. "A lot of young people today are notorious for bad behavior. But there is also a select group who are sophisticated and hardworking, and this celebrates them," says the Style.com editor-at-large of his A-list social circle--which includes Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, our mutual pal Kate Bosworth, and Emma Watson, who says, "Making the transition from girl to woman is a minefield, and there is a new set of problems to navigate for my generation. This is a fun, witty way of addressing these issues. Derek is my go-to man for advice."
During New York Fashion Week, I chat with Derek about the handbook's range of themes. "Everything that I wrote I've actually had to say to someone, whether it's advising them to wear a jacket over a short skirt, send a thank-you card, or stop chain-smoking," explains the St. Louis native as we sit front row at BCBG.
Later, at the Calvin Klein show, our chat turns to the clothes. "After a few seasons of mini-miniskirts, it's nice to see hemlines go down," says Derek. Could this be a sign that we are ready to kiss overly risqué ensembles goodbye and reform the women who wear them? "Our society loves a good train wreck, but we love it more when she turns over a new leaf," adds the gregarious guru. "At the end of the day, even the unclassiest girls can become classy."
