Erica Dasher

Erica Dasher

Due to the success of Ugly Betty, fashion and editorial-themed TV shows are now available on almost every network. This means that if I find myself excited about a needle in the sartorial haystack, it is probably worth a view or two.

The current needle? Jane by Design. Though I’ve yet to (have time to) settle down and watch an episode, the premise and lead actress both drew me in. Curly-haired newcomer Erica Dasher plays Jane – a high school student leading a double life as an assistant to Gray, aka Andie McDowell, a major fashion executive.

With competing lives as a high school student and a faux adult, Dasher said she fell in love with the “really bold character. She’s funny and passionate and clumsy and not popular and creative and girly. I could go on and on about her. She’s a really great character.” Erica also boats a very cute off-screen style that I expect will mark her as an upcoming fashion plate, a la Blair Waldorf‘s influence on Leighton Meester.

As far as any more incentives to watch? Rumour has it that Betsey Johnson will be making a special guest appearance in an upcoming episode!

Erica Dasher Victoria Justice Shay Mitchell

Erica Dasher, Victoria Justice, and Shay Mitchell

Erica Dasher

Michelle Williams Marilyn Monroe
First Marilyn Monroe came back to life to shoot a Dior commercial, and now she’s on the cover of Vogue? That is either some very impressive CGI frame work or actress Michelle Williams dressed up to channel her Marilyn Monroe best on the cover of the fashion bible. (Clue: it’s Michelle Williams). The impactful photo was taken by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz for the October 2011 issue to promote Michelle’s upcoming film, “My Week With Marilyn“.

Jessica Alba Lucky
Jessica Alba to Lucky magazine:

“I have a hard time with portion control, so I have 1,200 calorie meals delivered. But I also work out, so basically I’m starving. It sucks. I drink a lot of water. […] In the gym, I have like five things to distract me: TV, iPod, magazines. Working partners are good, too, so you can chat and not just drown in your own misery. Sorry, does that sound bad? I just hate working out.”

While the beautiful (and pregnant) actress has put this all in a very light-hearted manner, the undertones make me incredibly uncomfortable. What she’s basically sharing is the tremendous heat of the media’s idealization of her to remain one of the many ‘perfect‘ figures in the public eye.

I feel incredibly sorry for her. She’s open about the suck-factor, but then apologizes for the complaint (?!). She’s been in the industry since she was very young, and has never has an ‘unhealthy’ body shape. To feel some sort of misery while she works out, and to have a self-diagnosed ‘problem’ with portion control…

Just when does the pressure end really? It hasn’t ended at pregnancy.

Justin Bieber Kelly Kapowski
KAPOW(-ski)! I really, really tried to not get Bieber Fever. I did. Then along came his outfit from Sunday night’s MuchMusic Video Awards – an outfit that may have nailed me in a Justin-sized coffin.

The Biebs showed up in a $24 homage to my childhood idol, Saved By The Bell’s Kelly Kapowski (otherwise known as actress Tiffani-Amber Thiessen), under a pale pink blazer. Sartorial genius.

I am this excited:

Penelope Cruz Red Dress
This week is Cannes Film Festival (a best dressed list is in the making), a week renowned for being full of the latest and greatest in fashion. They have to be pretty peeved that Penelope Cruz has stolen all the style, eh? Last night, she flew solo at the “Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” premiere in Munich, Germany while wearing this lustful red Armani Privé Spring/Summer 2011 gown. Differing from the runway version, the actress took the dress from off-shoulder straps to long sleeved and I’ve never seen a sexier alteration.