Deleting Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen from my Cell Phone
I woke up this morning to sound of urban construction at about 6:45 am--my new loft is conveniently located between the site of two new high rise condos. As i began checking my phone for messages I realized my memory card was almost full and I needed to purge some useless crap that I have collected over the year. I began deleting unrecognizable phone numbers, dated memos and files, but that just wasn't cutting it. Then it dawned on me to check my media file. WOW! Among my 200+ photos and music I have never listened to, I came across some pics I took at the Fall 2008 Chanel show in Paris, back in early March. There were photos of the models parading around a carrousel in a very beige collection of tweeds, boucle and tulle (shocker!). Then, I came across a series of photos I took of the Olsen twins who were sitting next to me front row. What was I doing taking photos of these tiny twins in the middle of one of the most important collections of the season? Maybe I'm just a sucker for their YSL shoes and Alaia handbags?
Along with every tabloid in North America, the fashion world has become obsessed with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. At the Galliano show, I was among the fashion tv journalists waiting to interview Mr. Galliano back stage, when one of the twins emerged, (I never know which one it is) causing absolute mayhem among us. Seasoned reporters who have only ever chased an interview on the phone, were stampeding poor Ashley/Mary Kate out the back door. What I found surprising (other than my beloved predecessor Tim Blanks' ability to outrun any 25 year old) is that when the cameras where on her she looked like a deer caught in the headlights. I mean, this wasn't exactly her first fashion show. Is it possible that it is so violating to be confronted with cameras at a major international event that one still feels shocked by the media attention?
I recall a season earlier being invited to the Proenza Schouler after party at The Beatrice Inn. There in the shadows of the once exclusive club was Mary Kate (i think?). There she stood smoking a cigarette while talking to several industry insiders. She looked normal enough, in fact smiling easily with her friends. There was something rather attractive about her very tiny frame and large gazing eyes. When her line The Row debuted the following season, I recalled all of the clothes I had seen her and her sister in over the past couple of years. This line is truly a signature of their sense of style - complete with the high-end price tags.
Going back to why I (a person who never takes personal photos of anyone including my own friends and family at events) was compelled to take photos of these elusive girls? Perhaps I was trying to capture them or something about them that would make them less elusive--or perhaps I just wanted to get a picture of their fantastic shoes and bags.
Posted by ADRIAN MAINELLA
