Chicagoist: Fashion Rules: Interview with The MidWasteland's Monica Dimperio

martinesyms

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:45:02 -0600

None the less, Chicago IS NOT A PLACE TO FIND EMERGING TRENDS. That is a blanket statement. Emerging designers create trends. The Midwasteland is more concerned with convention than innovation and I wanted to highlight that.

matty

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 13:05:53 -0600

No need to be rude. Also why can't she do crosspostings on here or just also do a once weekly one here? Is that so unpossiblE?

welsey

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:56:46 -0600

Great interview! I'm so glad to hear somebody else big-upping F21, AA and a thrift store...Forever 21 especially has got this reputation for cheap and trashy looking clothes when it doesn't really deserve at least the second part of that assessment. It also helps that they unapologetically rip off other designers, making their looks affordable. I personally don't have an issue with this if only because it's not like I'd be buying real designer stuff anyway - but that's a total digression for another time/blog. I don't know if it's just because I've moved westward (and spent some time in an ass-backwards college town) over the past two years but it seems like fashion has been stagnating in a way. Vogue called skinny jeans "over" two years ago and they are still going strong, not that Vogue is some kind of prophet (hardly) but aside from the Halston-esque and ripped shit it seems like everyone is still dressing the same...maybe I'm just not paying enough attention.

Stealth

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:44:34 -0600

Oh, well, see, we have our answer... matty, thanks for the compliment! I would have LOVED to contribute to their Watcha Wearin section but I wasn't asked. ;) cleared up. thanks.

Stealth

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:42:52 -0600

Yeah, it isn't like she can do stuff like that for TWO venues, even if only one was paying her. Who do you think she is, Roger Ebert and/or Richard Roeper?

jennaNL

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:12:33 -0600

Thanks, after doing a quick google search I found what you are talking about. Somehow in my mind Cut outs equated cut offs, as in short fringing denim pants, a style I'm not too fond of. I liked what you had to say so much that I've subscribed to your blog's feed!

monica

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:42:09 -0600

You sound pretty revved up, martinesyms. I never said I was looking for emerging designers and original fashion at the aforementioned places. If you reread, you'll notice I said I don't have an expendable income so I shop on a budget. None the less, Chicago IS NOT A PLACE TO FIND EMERGING TRENDS. Emerging designers, YES. But that wasn't the question, now was it. I'm really not sure what blanket statements you are speaking of. Please expand and tell me what I should be doing my homework on. I'm curious to know what YOU have to say.

monica

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:15:12 -0600

Thanks for all the great feedback! jennaNL, cut outs are garments with cut out pieces in obscure places like the ribcage, mid section and back. The trend is a nice way to show a little skin without being overt. matty, thanks for the compliment! I would have LOVED to contribute to their Watcha Wearin section but I wasn't asked. ;)

martinesyms

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:58:55 -0600

If you're looking for emerging designers and original fashion at American Apparel, F21, or MBMJ you're NOT GOING TO FIND IT, in any city. Instead of making blanket statements, Monica Dimperio should do her homework.

Navin

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:21:48 -0600

Gotta hand it to those Finns though, they pull it off and actually look like friendly people you'd want to be around.

Navin

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:16:45 -0600

Hey, I can do the vapid self-affected posturing too!

Tankboy

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:07:54 -0600

That'd be a great idea Matty ... if Monica wasn't ALREADY doing something like that for her own site, MidWasteland!

DagwooD

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:06:56 -0600

Monica knows what she's talking about, and has a great eye for fashion. And not "snob" fashion as Ingrid implied, but "fresh and unique" fashion. Nice photo too, I believe it was taken by this guy: http://photo.net/photos/BarthurK

matty

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:05:52 -0600

I think the girl from midwasteland should do the satorialist inspired shoots for this site. i really think she's great.

jennaNL

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:36:15 -0600

expensive? didn't you read that Monica only spends sub 20 bucks on most items? Many "fashion sadists" operate this way as well.

Ingrid

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:50:58 -0600

Yes, I heard the rumor about shoulder pads making a comeback. Didn't wear them the first time around, won't do it this time either. I refuse to be a victim of fashion. I also think that skinny jeans are horrible. They don't look good on ANYONE...not even someone as skinny as Ms. Posh Beckham. But it's always amusing to see all the fish in the sea line up and wear whatever the fashion sadists say to wear, even when it looks stupid, is uncomfortable and expensive.

irishman1

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:18:16 -0600

or anything Mad Men-ish Bourbon at 10am, Martini's for lunch, a wife and two girlfriends....I'm gonna love this Spring!! :-)

jennaNL

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:07:10 -0600

I like to think of myself as someone who follows fashion a bit, but what exactly are cut outs? Monica had a lot of interesting things to say, and she really gave words to what I have been thinking as far as the hipsters and the globalization of fashion goes. I'd really be interested to hear what she has to say about the anger many people exhibit towards hipsters. Just check out all the yelp reviews for the Logan Bar and Grill (one example online that comes to mind).