double take

I love a dramatic cover. That's why I loved ultraleggy model Nadja Auermann's September 1994 cover of Bazaar. She pierced my soul with her platinum hair, panther eyes, and icy blue feathers. But wait, doesn't Kate Hudson's 2008 W cover look strikingly similar? I don't know if that was intentional, but it's uncanny. I'm a fan of both ladies, and they both pull off this extreme look, so it's double the fun for me.

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I've long thought that Project Runway alum Austin Scarlett and the late Yves Saint Laurent share an uncanny resemblance to one another. Granted, the 27-year-old Austin resembles a 38-year-old Yves in 1974, but one can't deny the physical similarities. They're both tall, lean, have square jaw lines, wear oversize square glasses, and have thin lips and golden hair. Oh, and both are fashion designers, but clearly their likeness doesn't go beyond the physical. I doubt anyone's talent, including Austin's, will be comparable to that of genius Yves — but you never know, right? It's nice to know we have someone to remind us of the dapper lad from Algeria who roamed and fashioned the streets of Paris in the '70s.

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Just as I said that it's normal for fashion designers to draw inspiration from one another, one more case popped up to further prove my point. This time, Costume National looked to Rodarte's Fall '08 collection to create one of the pieces in its 2009 Resort line. The fashion world, moi-self included, were awestruck by Rodarte's innovative, beautifully crafted Fall gowns (left). I remember how airy yet strong they looked as they floated past me on the runway. Costume National's version is strikingly similar not only because of its lightness, but because of the abstract multicolor design and the one shoulder. I'm happy to see Rodarte's creativity being multiplied; it's too genius to only be enjoyed by the fashion elite.
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Can you blame Michael Kors for drawing inspiration from Balenciaga's Fall collection for his 2009 Resort line? I can't. Nicolas Ghesquière's collection, especially this particular black cut-out dress on Natasha Poly, was so cutting edge, heck, I would be inspired by it if I were a designer. While many of you may think it's weird for one designer to copy another so blatantly, it's completely acceptable in fashion. I mean, hello, there isn't a soul who hasn't copied Yves Saint Laurent's "Le Smoking" tuxedo suit! Kors made the dress, worn by model Vlada Roslyakova, his own by being more subtle with his cut-out shoulders, and by choosing a blue, abstract floral design. When it comes to fashion-forward designs, I say, the more the merrier.

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Many fashion followers are inspired by Sarah Jessica Parker, but Gossip Girl Blake Lively took her adoration to a more proactive level. At a recent event, she showed up wearing an outfit almost identical to an Yves Saint Laurent one that SJP wore not too long ago. Call it copying, call it inspiration, tomato, tomato, but the similarities are uncanny — the overly layered Margo Morrison New York necklaces, the champagne colored Dolce & Gabbana sheath dress, the blond pulled back hair. As long as SJP doesn't get perturbed, I don't have a problem with it. Do you?

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Being the celebrity clone-finder that I am, I have a fresh bunch of celebrity clones for you. First up, model Lisa Cant and actress Alexis Bledel. The similarity in their big, round baby blue eyes is undeniable, as is their rounded facial structure and fair skin. What's more, they're both delicate and doll-like. They can easily pass as sisters. If that were the case, Alexis would be the older one at 26, and Lisa would be the younger at 23. That's crazy because Alexis' baby face could have fooled me to think she's in her teens.

To see more celebrity clones and to hear what I have to say about Kate Moss and her clone, read more

By now you all know I have a talent for likening people to animals . . . but did you know I also have a knack for comparing people to other people? Since I stare at celebrity and model photos everyday, it's only natural that I found a few that resemble one another. First up, Kate Hudson. The model on the left, Alexa from Elite Models, is practically a carbon copy of the actress. So much so that I had to quadruple check that it wasn't really her! The shape of the eyes, the protruding ears, and thin lips all say "Kate." Scary that somewhere out there there's a person who looks exactly like you, right?

To see more celebrity/model clones, read more

Vanitas is all over the place these days. That's why I did a double take when I saw this Karen Zambos Vintage Couture Sleeveless Phoebe Dress ($215, originally $429) in the same exact fabric. Wait a minute . . . isn't that the print of Vanitas' Kimono Red Silk Dress ($284)? Yes it is!

It's a very small fabric world out there. Chances are both brands visited Premiere Vision, a fabric trade show, and liked the same print. Can you blame them though? It's a beautiful retro-inspired pattern. This happens from time to time, but the reason we don't see it more often is because many brands design their own fabric. That's probably a wise decision considering you don't want clones of your clothing walking around. Just some fashion for thought.