I’ve been keeping this observation to myself for a while now because I didn’t want to alarm anyone else prematurely. But I can’t keep a lid on this any longer: I think the golden summer tan may be falling out of fashion. I’ve had my trend-o-meter trained on the spring/summer shows for the past few weeks and honeyed limbs have been all but edged out by flocks of fair-skinned models stalking the runways like porcelain gazelles. And I, for one, am terrified of them.
The proof seems irrefutable. Donna Karan in New York – fair. Nicole Farhi in London – pale. Missoni in Milan – almost translucent. And in Balenciaga’s Parisian parade yesterday, gladiator-inspired stilettos wrapped around moonbathed legs that made the models look positively spectral. And almost every other show followed suit. Could it truly be that the tan is no longer on trend?
It’s enough to send a shiver down a seasoned (and basted) tanorexic’s spine. I mean, I’m all for UV-avoidance, but can you imagine a summer without the subtle scent of DHA lingering in the air? Can I picture baring pasty pins to the world?
No. No I can’t. Nicole and Cate, I salute your alabaster gorgeousness, but I say the catwalks can have it – like they can have bird’s nest hair and standard size zero. Summer in Australia equals a faux golden glow – and a faint bronze body shape on my side of the bedsheet. If I can’t tone it, I shall tan it and I will continue to worship the golden goddess through trend, hail and shine.
But not everyone in beautyheaven shares my commitment to the tan commandments. Embrace the paleness, says our fair-complexioned advertising manager, Laina. Pale is interesting, insists co-ordinator Kate. White hot summer! they chant as I cling to my self-tan in defiance.
Am I really outnumbered on this? Would you trade your tan for a pale and interesting summer?
That’s great as I have very fair skin and fake tan just doesn’t work lol