Robin Givhan, the Fashion Editor of the Washington Post, and winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 2006, recently paid a visit to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The world of fashion is familiar with her impressive writing as she covers the news, trends, and business in the international fashion industry. I sat down with her on her recent visit to unravel some of her thoughts on fashion.
Barbara Glass: As someone who comments on the style of others, what is your own personal definition of style?
Robin Givhan: I'm not sure that I have a personal definition of style. The best I could say is that I think of it as an expression of personality, purpose and good manners.
BG: You are often able to uncover the flaws in a designer's collection or something magnificent. Do you have anything in your own closet that you regret buying or an item that you can't live without?
RG: I like to believe that no garment carries that much importance in my life. (smile) But I have made a couple purchases that seemed terribly expensive at the time but have turned out to be such staples in my wardrobe that they've more than paid for themselves. The dress I wore at the presentation is an example. It's a Prada dress that's probably about three years old. Maybe four. I loved it as soon as I saw it. I debated the price. But I've worn it relentlessly. It always seems to work for almost any occasion. And I have a pair of Gucci motorcycle boots -- very plain -- that are a good 10 years old. They always work. Even though the soles squeak now!
Luckily, I haven't purchased anything I've truly regretted in a long time. Maybe a pair of shoes I thought would get more comfortable over time, but never did.
BG: Finish this sentence ,"A perfect outfit for me is..."
RG: One that still looks good at the end of the day and is still comfortable to wear.
BG: Where is your favorite place to shop?
RG: I tend to shop when I travel -- a reward for all my hard work. So I shop in Milan and Paris. But I make a good number of purchases in Washington (and in New York when I lived there.)
BG: What trend would you like to see disappear?
RG: Big shoulders and droopy crotches.
BG: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to follow in your footsteps?
RG: Think broadly but write in a focused way. And have a little bit of luck!
BG: Tell me something about you that would surprise people.
RG: I don't have a personal subscription to a fashion magazine. And I hate going to the mall.
3 Comments
Lindsey Reiser said:
BG: What trend would you like to see disappear?
RG: Big shoulders and droopy crotches.
Thank you! I nearly cried when I saw a spread of harem pants in September's Vogue.
I'm so glad you posted an interview with Ms. Givhan. Her work is fantastic as is the milestone of a Pulitzer for fashion criticism.
Barbara Glass said:
Lindsey,
Thank you for her very thoughtful & interesting comment! I was very impressed with Ms. Givhan's honest attitude about the fashions on some of our politicians. She makes all of us think about the impact fashion has as a form of communication. However, I must confess that I still have a pair of harem pants from the last time they were in fashion. However, now I wear them like lounging pajamas around my house.
-Barbara
Lindsey Reiser said:
I read a few more of her articles - particularly a few in the collection that won her the Pulitzer - after I read your post. The Washington Post has them collected here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2006/04/17/LI2006041700592.html.
I especially loved the piece about Condoleezza Rice. It shines a light on the fine line women have to walk between professionalism and sexuality when it comes to clothing.
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