I'm steamed. I’m so steamed you could sell me as a side order of broccoli rabe. It was announced yesterday that Sarah Jessica Parker will be joining the fashion company, Halston, as its new Creative Director/President (TBD). Halston will leave those pesky details until another time.
Okay, I’ll admit it, I saw Parker on Broadway in 1978-79 when she was the third (and frankly, not the best) Annie. Okay’, I’ll admit it; I’ve seen most of her TV and film work, including the appalling (and recent) “Did You Hear About The Morgan’s?” where she had to act opposite the 6’ foot Hugh Grant, and an 8’ foot grizzly bear. I don’t want to be a plot spoiler, but the grizzly bear seemed more interested in what was going on than Mr. Grant. Okay, I’ll admit it, her role as Carrie Bradshaw assures her a place in the pantheon of the fashion firmament, but wearing designer clothes and making them are two different things. Note to actress’ world wide…Audrey Hepburn looked great in Givenchy; she didn’t feel the need to design for Hubert. And last, but not leastly, I’ll admit it, I was a big fan of Ms. Parkers fashion line “Bitten”, prior to Steve & Barry’s going belly up, but I knew they couldn’t sell those dresses for 20.00 and still turn a profit.
Is this just publicity? In fact, Halston is simply casting Ms. Parker as its co-star for its newly announced “Halston Heritage Collection”, its brand extension, with discounted retail prices ranging from $55.00 to $595.00, so I should get so worked up, right? Personally, I smell something rotten in Hollywood, is that not Carrie Bradshaw being shown in the trailer for "Sex and the City 2" in a white dress from Halston Heritage Collection? That was shot last summer? Here’s the down low, Halston is, owned by Hollywood bigwigs Harvey and Bob Weinstein. (Who produced SATC) but lest I be accused of being jaded, perhaps it is just a coincidence.
Here’s a big surprise…In the classic style of a used car salesman’s technique, this looks like the classic bait and switch maneuver, Marios Schwab will remain as the designer for the main line, which has a slot on the calendar at New York Fashion Week in February. Well what do you know, will wonders never cease?
Roy Halston despite a cameo appearance on “The Love Boat” did not feel the need to act. There were no film projects, no “other commitments”. Here’s a novel idea, why don’t fashion companies hire designers to design, creative director to be creative, and company presidents to preside over business. If you can’t act and crew gum, stay out of fashion, there’s enough cruddy design out there by the professionals! But let’s get real, while Ms. Parker may wear designer clothing well, indeed she is quite attractive, while she may have an eye, she can’t sew, she can’t design, and it’s unlikely she is up to the rigors of running a multi-million dollar company. She’s no Joan Crawford at PepsiCo. and she had been to the rodeo boys!
With the working mom's other commitments, namely three little kids, and a busy movie career, will Ms Parker (and husband, Matthew Broderick) even have time to be involved with redeveloping the Halston line. In recent interviews, Parker has admitted that she shouldn't have gone back to work so soon after a surrogate gave birth to her twin daughters, Marion and Tabitha, now 7 months old. "It's been amazing, but complicated because of my current work schedule, which I have enormous regrets about," she told Glamour Magazine about being a mom, while shooting "Sex And The City 2" last month. If you’re conflicted Sarah, and you need to pop on over to Halston with your sketch pad and fabric swatches. I know a great nanny looking for work.
PS: Tell me if I'm wrong, but that isn't Sarah Jessica Parker in the SATC2 poster, is it?
