Lindsay Lohan is Appointed as Artistic Advisor for Paris Fashion House Ungaro
Posted on September 9, 2009
The fashion world was reeling today at the announcement that Lindsay Lohan had been appointed as the artistic advisor for Paris fashion house Ungaro. Lindsay will be working with a new head designer, the relatively unknown Estrella Archs. Lindsay and Estrella are set to present their first collection in Paris on October 4 and will likely take a bow together at the end of the show.
Emanuel Ungaro sold the respected couture house in 1996 and it has been struggling financially since then. Ungaro was once a protege of legendary couturier Cristobal Balenciaga, and so many in the fashion world are horrified at the idea of the house having any connection to a Hollywood starlet who has not had the best of press lately. The house's last designer, Esteban Cortazar, reportedly quit over the idea of having to collaborate with Lindsay. But his collections weren't selling, so Ungaro went looking for a new head designer.
The CEO of Ungaro, Mounir Moufarrige, told The New York Times that he was aware that hiring Lindsay would shock French fashion purists who would think it was in bad taste, but said that the move is the right one for a line that is in need of "electric shock treatment." Eric Wilson of The Times tracked down Lindsay to ask her about her new job, and seemed surprised that she seemed knowledgable and exhibited such a passion for fashion. She also acknowledged that she is nervous about the project.
Lindsay told the Times, "My fashion school has just been my experience with people in fashion, working on photo shoots and creating my own style. I'm not coming in to take over and take away from anyone. I'm just bringing insight to things."
What everyone is tap dancing around here is the fact that they're worried about Lindsay's addiction problems. If she hasn't put her drug and alcohol use behind her, it will be a disaster. If she has, there's no reason in the world why she can't succeed in this new venture. She's a good actress and her first business venture into fashion -- her leggings line -- has been a success. And there's no question she looks great in the clothes. Lindsay has been given a second chance to take her career in an exciting and serious direction. It is totally up to her whether she makes the most of this amazing opportunity.
After her stint as a guest judge on Project Runway Tim Gunn says Lindsay surprised her. He says, "I was surprised and pleased by how extremely knowledgeable about fashion and articulate Lindsay Lohan was. She's very young and can be portrayed in ways that aren't all together flattering, and she was a true statesperson and really weighed in on the designers and what they were doing exceptionally well. And it was really a thrill to have her."
Interesting, isn't it?