I Love Sarah Jessica Parker (& I Don't Care What You Say)
[ 23 June 2007 ]
I am aware that I am a little “behind the 8-ball” in talking about this now, but it’s something which has been bothering me for a while. If you didn’t know already, Sarah Jessica Parker of Sex & The City fame recently designed a collection called Bitten, to be sold at Steve & Barry’s. Now, Steve & Barry’s is somewhat of a discount clothing chain, I’ve never been there but I assume it is like Kmart or Target or one of those huge companies where they sell cheap items.
“BITTEN reflects Sarah Jessica Parker’s personal sense of style and taste, with her own wardrobe serving as the inspiration for the majority of the pieces. Between the recently launched summer collection and the Fall collection to hit store shelves in August, BITTEN offers nearly 1,000 apparel and accessories pieces, including jeans, woven and knit shirts, suit separates, wool and cashmere sweaters, dresses, jackets, lingerie, t-shirts, sweatshirts, sleepwear, swimwear, bags, jewelry, belts, footwear, and much more. The BITTEN collection was designed for women of all ages and sizes, with a full size range from XS-XXL in tops, 0-22 in bottoms, and 5-11 in shoes. Every piece in the line is priced at $19.98 and less…”
SJP has received SO much flack from the fashion blogosphere because of this collection. People are crowing about how the collection is ugly & boring, saying SJP has no personal style, claiming she is just ‘cashing in’ on that whole celebrity-designed clothing range thing. Fashion snobs squawk about how it’s not stylish or fashionable, so why did the collection have a big release to the most powerful fashion editors in the world? Why, when she probably didn’t design the items herself, has she slapped her name on it? Isn’t that stuff made in sweatshops? Who would want to buy it in the first place?
Firstly, the sweatshop issue. Everything I can find on Steve & Barry’s using sweatshops is unsubstantiated garbage. (There are, however, hundreds of other huge name companies whose track records are not quite so squeaky clean.) So let’s forget about that. What I’ve read about Steve & Barry’s sounds good to me.
Now, the clothing itself. The range isn’t ugly, it’s just a bit average. It’s primarily made up basic-looking items, but really, it’s nowhere near as bad as everyone seems to be making it out to be. The problem with fashion blogging is that it’s very easy to develop a distorted perception of the way the world is. If you read enough of this stuff, you’ll start to think you’re the only woman in the world without a Chanel item in your closet. This is so far from the truth it’s not funny. A lot of women (& men) scrape by on very, very little.
Here’s another shocking truth: most women wear pretty plain, functional clothing, just like what SJP has designed! Women who shop primarily in discount clothing places probably do so for a reason — either because to them, clothing is just something to cover yourself up with, or it’s something they just can’t afford to spend hundreds of dollars on. Maybe they have 7 children to dress & that’s the most important thing to them. Some women have other priorities than kitting themselves out — & that’s okay. It is, in fact, pretty selfless & amazing!
This stuff is not FOR women reading or writing fashion blogs. Some of it might appeal, but it’s pretty obvious that it was not intended for us. & you know what? That’s okay too. It’s alright for us to be excluded every once & while; we have enough temptations as it is! The Bitten range is for women living in small towns, who don’t have internet access, who can’t afford to buy Vogue every month. These items are for women who admire Sarah Jessica Parker, who watched Sex & The City when it was on television & wished their lives could be as stylish, fabulous & carefree. They are for women who have huge families to care for, who save up for a year to buy a new washing machine.
Why has she put her name on it? Because it draws attention to her, of course, but MOSTLY because it draws attention to the fact that she’s designed a range at all! If you don’t promote things, people don’t know they exist. It’s just basic marketing. Here’s the main point: if you had a clothing budget of $50 a year, of COURSE you would feel better if some of the items were designed by Ms. Sex & The City herself. It is a way to elevate people, to make them feel better about themselves. People love to associate themselves with things that they perceive to have value — this is as true of women wearing Sarah Jessica Parker’s range as it is of women who buy Louis Vuitton luggage. It’s that simple, just the other end of the scale.
If I had her level of celebrity, I would want to do something good with it too. I applaud her — she has even worn the items herself. It’s a sad fact that the higher your profile, the more you are judged & criticised — & it’s a shame, because I think in this case, she is genuinely trying to do a good thing.
Extra For Experts:
Click “documentary” & watch SJP speak about her line. (I think she’s great.)
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala
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though her line is not my personal taste, i admire you for giving a differing view on the line…and you make some very astute points about it all, that many who are looking for the edgy and novel overlook. i guess they just think of her as “carrie” and all that implies from a style perspective…edgy, designer-level, risky, glamorous. but “carrie” was a fantasy, a character. she was a fiction…and as such, he life is far away from the reality of most women who admire her. whatever connection SJP has to the line somehow connects to the “carrie” character, and that connection is wrapped up, most likely, in the marketing of the product, while it may not be readily apparent.
SJP is generally a pretty decent woman…i admire her greatly, actually, and i don’t have a lot of love for most celebs. something about her seems honest…which is more than can be said about many in the limelight.
I’m a huge fan of your blog and I’ve been reading it for a long time, but this is my first comment. I just had to say that I totally agree with everything you say in this article. It’s good to have perspective on these sorts of things and realize that not every woman in the world has a huge interest in fashion or thousands of dollars to spend on clothing. Also, Sarah Jessica Parker is awesome!
Why the pink typing? (Oh my eyes)
tricia — I understand that everyone had high expectations of the line, but you only have to look at the outlet (& their market) to see that this was never going to be an expedition into high fashion. Plus, did everyone forget that Patricia Field styled SATC? Geeeez.
yoko — Oh, thank you! Yeah, I think she is doing a very good thing, worth applause. Obviously it is not entirely altruistic since I don’t really think anything is (though that could be my cynical nature), but I think it is a step in the right direction for sure.
Nadine — Pink typing? On here or somewhere else?!
This is so crazy.
I just spent the night in a Sex and the City marathon, and was looking to dig myself further into a SJP coma, when POP! You write about her, just when I pop online!
:O
Wowowaweewa.
Ha! I am almost always thinking about her. Okay, I’m not, but she occurs to me a lot. She is kind of like the best friend I never had. CHEESY but true!
I was able to check out Bitten yesterday, and I thought it was great. I have nothing bad to say about a line with $15 (American) jeans and $10 shoes (except for maybe “SCORE!!!”). I would have liked something more exciting, but I’m content with what the line is and I think the concept (and SJP!) are great.
I don’t see why anyone would be complaining, it’s a great range; very bohemian-practical, some great colours, great stripes. The only thing I didn’t care for was the camos, and that’s just my own bugbear. Well said, Gala! Everyone should have access to awesome pieces like these!
Even though her collection isn’t really my style, I think a lot of women wear that kind of functional stuff and are really happy with it.
And let’s face it, the Karl Lagerfeld and Madonna collection for H&M in Europe had some good pieces, but the quality wasn’t that good. And most of it was designed for people who would love to wear designer clothes but can’t afford “high fashion” style. So what?!
By the way…really nice blog!
I read a few fashion blogs (primarily you and the Monolo). However, while I like to look ‘good’ and want to be ‘fashionable’ that is NOT the driving force in my life.
In fact, that I why I like your blog – it seems respectful of that perspective and realistic about making fashion work for you instead of being a slave to fashion.
I tend to have a fairly ‘vintage’ style (mostly because I do lots of swing dancing) but when I am not dressed like it is somewhere between 1937-1957 I like basics. I have bought two pieces from the Bitten line at Steve and Barry’s and I have to say I like them.
Sure, they aren’t setting the world on fire… but does every t-shirt I won have to set the world on fire? What’s wrong with getting a basic shirt in a nice color with a cute accent of some buttons on the shoulder? I say nothing.
I have worn one of the tops from the line a few times already. It’s light, comfortable and I think fairly flattering and every time I have worn it I have gotten compliments. Not bad for $10.
Thanks for your great blog!
...just wanted to say that you should remove the quotation marks at the end of the “are not quite so squeaky clean” link :) great blog, btw!
I really admire her for doing a line like that. This is the first I’ve heard of it. It’s kind of ironic that everyone would expect “Carrie” from her, and instead she does simple and elegant basics- a fashion risk in itself.
I happen to absolutely LOVE basics with maybe a different kind of accessory, or with something else unexpected. I’m just not the type of person to dress…well, like Carrie! And she could have done a line that was so incredibly expensive, and I admire her for the price limit, as well. Also, I can’t believe the range of sizes, as well.
I definitely have a new respect for her after learning about this.
Thanks for the article, as always.
Also, I would just like to say that I just did a store locator for Steve and Barry’s, and there is one in the mall right down from where I live. I’m talking, like, a 10 minute drive. Hooray Nashville!
I’m definitely going to go check it out. :)
i happen to like her line, for basic items, it’s simple stuff with a bit of style and i don’t really even picture mom’s with 7 kids wearing that stuff, moms like that usually cannot help but let themselves go, and wear only over sized t-shirts and sweatpants (well around here at least they hardly ever look like that). i think her line is cute, and i appreciate the lower price. though it has never occurred to me to buy something because it was designed by a celebrity, if i like the item then i like it, it’s as simple as that, the face of the endorser or creator doesn’t change it for me.
I was in a mall with my father the other day and they ads they have for this line is great.
It’s a picture of SJP with things written across it in pink like graffiti.
“Your sweater shouldn’t cost more than your food” is the first one I saw.
Something I completely agree with. There are some pieces of clothing that should cost more, because they’ll be better made and last longer, but at the same time something for just throwing on and every day use shouldn’t cost so much you go bankrupt. I think it’s a little ridiculous that people go ga-ga over D&G and Coach clothing and accessories. I have a friend who has to have EVERYTHING D&G, but then again he has the money to do it (all be-it that it’s daddy’s money). I personally think that money that’s spent can go to better things. Helping someone else, treating your friends out to a nice meal, or even putting it into your savings so you can think about your future.
Great, GREAT post, Gala!
I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of months now and love it — but this is the first time I felt compelled to comment. I love the fact that designers and celebrities are reaching out beyond the sphere of the uber-rich. I’m personally happy that SJP’s line is functional with just a bit of originality. AND that it’s not just size 2-12. Bravo! Fashion, at the end of the day, is fun and self-expressive, but for some folks, anything beyond the basics is really a luxury.
As a size 18-wearing woman, SJP is my new clothing hero.
Do you know how hard it is to find jeans in my size that look like they were made for someone under 45? Or, without shiny butterflies on them? AND that cost under twenty bucks?!
I love Bitten. Cheap, functional, stylish.
i love love love love SJP (and i love patricia field even more). i’ve seen pictures of the line, and i totally don’t understand the flack that she got for it. i’m a designer myself, and as a designer, you do need to have crazy arty pieces for the runway, to draw attention to your line. but if a designer is unable to produce fabulous, everyday pieces as well, then i’d say he/she is a failure. bitten is a line for the everyday woman, to look stylish in her everyday self, and there’s nothing drabby about that.
Aw, nice to hear that so many people understand where I’m coming from. I think that tricia’s comment right at the start was pretty accurate — everyone expected “Carrie” & that wasn’t what she made. Carrie’s just a fantasy (albeit a beautiful one). If you look at pictures of SJP with her husband, she dresses in a pretty simplistic way. She is certainly very stylish but these days, with a husband & a child, she has to dress for practicality first. Plus, the more ‘way-out’ you go with anything, the less people you attract — not a good business proposition, plus it would have alienated a huge chunk of her potential market.
A lot of people said the same thing about Proenza Schouler’s line for Target earlier this year—that it was boring and indistinct. I disagree—I love that Steve & Barry’s and Target are making good design available to more people who don’t have thousands to spend on fashion. I haven’t been to see the Bitten line in stores, but what I’ve seen in pics online is impressive—practical, yet attractive and fun. :-D
that SJP just seems so damn NICE, its so hard not to love anything she does.
Well written. I hope your cosmo articles have a nice dose of realism. I think it needs it ;)ps: love love love that grey riccochet jumper.. looks so cute over the pink slip. totally delicious x
x Sarah x — Thanks, I think ;D I submitted my column yesterday, it’s realistic with a dash of surrealism, just the way I like it!
ha ha.. yeah I meant cosmo needs the realism.. x x
I personally checked out the line at Steve and Barry’s this past weekend and everything is under $20. You can’t expect it to be couture. But, i bought some FABULOUS jeans that fit like a dream for only $16. Just another reason to love her!