Fur Fury

Since the beginning of fashion times, stylish women the world over have debated stances on a deep philosophical issue.

To fur or not to fur, that is the question.

Lohan furs.

And during the week, a French woman with a pound of flour attempted to teach Miss Lindsay a lesson.



Strong anti-fur campaigners, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) applauded Lohan's fur foe.

Robbie LeBlanc from PETA's Europe branch said "There is nothing remotely 'fashionable' about the torture and death of animals killed for fur. Lindsay Lohan might be able to ignore images of bloody animals skinned alive for their pelts, but we hope a dash of flour will help her rise to the occasion and forsake fur once and for all."

PETA suggest that "fur is a bigger fashion faux pas than fanny packs" and that Kylie Minogue is a cold-blooded snake murderer for opting to carry a gold python skin handbag.

Although the Australian climate rarely requires the warmth of a fur coat, our country has not been immune to PETA criticism.

Last year PETA urged consumers to avoid the local wool industry due to the treatment of sheep on Australian farms.

An Australian spokeswoman for Animal Liberation (AL), agreed that Australia was not as big a fur offender as Europe.

"Both male and female apparel - it's everywhere," she said.

She argues that "to wear fur is morally bankrupt, and anyone who wears fur is demeaned by it. What's fashionable about anally electrocuted animals?"

Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld is a pro-fur designer and is often hunted down by anti-fur activists.

A few years ago at the American Fashion Awards in New York, protesters missed their mark, splattering Calvin Klein with tofu pie instead of their intended target, Lagerfeld.

Apparently, "tofu pies are the missile du jour of anti-fur activists".

At least Lindsay was able to shake the flour out of her hair.

I can't imagine tofu pie being a neat accessory for a party outfit.

Here a Mo, There a Mo, Everywhere a Mo-Mo

Australian males are the best at getting themselves into hairy situations.

Leading the international race, more than 114,000 Aussie men have registered to officially take part in "Movember".

During the month of November, men across the globe are encouraged to grow a moustache, taking sponsorship pledges from family and friends and donating the money to The Movember Foundation.

The foundation was established in 2004 to help raise funds for and increase awareness of men's health issues.

Sitting on just below 15,000 hairy top-lips, Australia's closest mo-growing rival is the United Kingdom.

The United States, New Zealand, Spain, Ireland and Canada are also taking part this year.

All funds raised are donated to other charitable organisations, with a focus on prostate cancer and depression in men.

Australian participants have already raised over $4.5 million for local charities beyondblue: the national depression intiative and The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia


Although a popular fashion statement in the 1980s (see David Boon), the merits of modern moustache growing outside of the 11th month are somewhat debatable.

Some men can not only pull off the moustache, they are decidely more attractive with a top lip in full bloom.

Others however, should leave the facial hair to the attractive-from-any-angle Mr Depp.

Please take note Seth Green...



So if you see a moustached young man this month, throw him a $20 note.

You'll either be supporting men's health issues or providing incentive for the unkempt character to visit a salon.

It's a win-win situation really.

"Towel Shawl Anyone?" The Grande Dame's advice.

Touted as the "Grande Dame of British fashion", designer Vivienne Westwood will hardly need to tighten her patent leather waist belt in these tough dollar days.

Casting her eye across the credit card toting great unwashed, Ms Westwood has offered advice to penny-pinched ladies seeking to maintain their sense of style, while still affording the rent.

At Westwood's Gold Label show in Paris, GraziaUK reported the flame-haired designer suggests women take a do-it-yourself approach to fashion.

"In these hard times, there is status in wearing your clothes over and over until they grow old or fall apart," Westwood said.

She recommends creating "necklaces out of safety pins" and using curtains, tablecloths and towels for shawls.

Known for always pushing the traditional boundaries of style, particularly for a lady pushing sixty years young, Westwood seems more likely than many to wear a towel shawl with her evening gown.

As a more realistically stylish alternative, the Grande Dame also offers forward a mix-and-match idea that cash savvy fashionistas have been flauting for decades.

Westwood suggests women style beautiful pieces from their own wardrobes with pieces found in the closests of their nearest and dearest.

Unlike Westwood's artist/bus driver take on mix-and-match dressing in this photo, this fashion option now creates an effortless look that can be tailored to suit any wardrobe.

Summer's shirtdress can be done DIY-style by belting the middle of your favourite man's shirt.

And if one would prefer to drive a car instead of spending up on Gucci's US$3295 Hysteria tote, an ethnic-inspired bag borrowed from Mum, or anyone else that was styling in the '70s, would certainly cover all bases.

Modern style is becoming more and more accepting of an individual flavour to dressing.

Visiting op-shops, fossicking through Grandma's wardrobe or picking up one-offs at garage sales are becoming popular ways of piecing an on-trend look together for less.

Just ask the Grande Dame!