Fashion’s Foot In Mouth Disease

by YM Ousley

We still have a few days before the pre-Fashion Week festivities kick off, and a few more before the official events start. But last week was exciting for the sheer quality of things we’ve heard, that probably should have been kept quiet. Let’s recap, shall we?

Nick Snide, Becca Shumlin and Remy Remy Renzullo, Giancarlo Giammetti and Valentino

Nick Snider (not the mugshot), Becca Shumlin and Remy Renzullo, Giancarlo Giammetti and Valentino

The first case of foot in mouth disease: fashion edition, comes courtesy of 21-year-old male model Nick Snider. Arrested in Arkansas for being drunk and disorderly, Snider twice tried to barter his release in exchange for oral sex. The unsuccessful offer resulted in a 3rd charge of attempting to influence a public servant. At least in this case, he can blame it on alcohol.

Moving away from the alcohol and questionable attempts at bail, but staying with the “blame it on youth” theme, Fashionista brings us the stories of two attempted Fashion Week crashers. The first are a team: Becca Shumlin and Remy Renzullo, two teen Vermont fashion fans, stuck their feet in pretty deep. Most high school and college students who want to experience fashion week will scour for internships that allow them to help a few models, haul a few dresses and take in the activity from backstage. At least 10 years ago. Now? It’s much easier to hire someone to hack into the reservations system and add a name or two to the list. We’re all for the chic plus geek thing (see: this site), but not in this way. Shumlin’s Twitter account and blog have disappeared, so we’re guessing any future guest list attempts will be more low-tech.

Our next fashion crasher would do well to take notes. While Shumlin and Renzullo didn’t pull of the guest list additions, they get an E for Effort. Requesting tickets on behalf of French Vogue with editorial clips from Harper’s Bazaar? Not so much. An anonymous fashion lover from Florida, who should probably know the difference if attempting to fake it, tried – and failed with this technique.

Our final case of fashion foot in mouth, which can’t be attributed to youth or drinking, comes courtesy of Giancarlo Giammetti. Giametti, the longtime business partner of Valentino Garavani, called the latest couture collection under the Valentino name a “ridiculous circus” on his Facebook page. So far, there have been no tweets, status updates or other comments from current Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli. On a positive note, it looks like people in fashion really are embracing social media.

February 8, 2010