I didn't want a Paris Pink Run: For It Pullover when I
saw the web model shot. I mean, honestly, is the web model shown below really
selling you the top?
However, in the top photo we get a real sense of how fantastic this top can look in the right size and with a curvy shape and coloring that pops against Paris. Maybe lulu ought to consider going back to using invisible people to model the clothes like they did before they had an e-commerce store. Poor models (and I'm not talking about attractiveness and shape exclusively, I'm talking about posture and expression) are a distraction and a turn off when it comes to deciding whether a piece will suit you. Lots of stores just feature the clothes (
Patagonia and
Athleta to name two) without people in them.
 |
Invisible people - From the lulu website circa 2008
Eh modeling circa 2009 - the in-front-of-a-firing-squad look (although better the Paris Run For It PO photo) |
Anyway, eh models and poor lighting in the web photos are a huge reason why I love seeing all the educator photos and self-modeling photos I grab from Facebook. (A big thank you to Anne for making me want a Paris RFI now)
PS - I should add I am not picking on the web model's looks at all. It's the photographer, artistic director, web content/layout person or whatever they are called that I am directing these comments to. They are the ones deciding how to photograph and which photos to display for the hundreds of thousands of people visiting the lululemon website to shop.
24 comments:
Any idea what size pullover the model in the top photo is wearing? It looks like a perfect fit with a little room for layering. This is the first pullover I have ordered I'm a bit worried about what size I ordered (I'm a touch curvier that her....). Thanks!
I think I have read that all the models take a size 6 so I assume that is what they put on her.
I agree so much, and your blog is a lifesaver to give different views and perspectives on a lot of these items. I can't count how many items I've passed on because they didn't look great on the lulu site, then I saw a different model wearing them or a different pic on your blog and immediately had to have the item.
It also brings up the question we ask so often: why don't they feature ambassadors as their models? It'd be awesome to see different body types and different types of athletes in the various clothes. It'd cut down on those moments of "Do those tights with the lines on the bum look good because the pants are flattering or because they are flattering to the particular model's build."
Sorry, I meant the girl who took her own photo in the in the PP Run for It pullover....unless she is a model too (which she totally could be). But the model info is helpful too!
It should be noted, that Elim is the stylist for the photo shoots...She was a marginal educator (not the most helpful over the phone), did a "meh" job on the Wunder Under Challenge (remember...featuring black, white, and GRAY), and somehow, is now in the web stylist position. Elevating mediocrity again!
I love the Paris color, and I think it would work with my coloring- but I (like others who have commented the same) just am not willing to buy something I have to worry about bleeding. There is too much other stuff I want.
That pullover does look great, though.
On another note, I am wearing my Cabin LS like crazy, much more than my turn arounds. I somehow got something (toothpaste) on one of mine that left a splotch on my favorite side on one. I neeeeed more....
BAHAHAHAH this cracked me up. especially the invisible people.
Does anyone know what the difference is between the original Cabin LS vs the newer Cabin LS II? I have one of the originals and I LOVE it - how did they change it to make it the LS II?
I totally agree. I just don't think the pullover fits very well on the model. Or maybe she needed one size smaller. I totally love it on the real life person photo. Thank you for sharing.
I bought the RFI Pullover in Persian Purple in my normal size (10) and ended up exchanging it for a 12 because I like the option of having a thin layer underneath in case i want to remove it. Even the 10 fit me really nicely, I just like to have a little more room in my tops when I'm running (I'm not a fan of the super fitted look).
I think the pullover fits the model just fine, she just looks miserable wearing it (again, to your comment on expression). Standing there, limp arms, stiff shoulders. I like that Athleta uses a variety of shots - sometimes headless people (or torso-less people if it's pants/skirts), but then there is often an "action" shot (frequently taken from the catalog of the person outside walking, surfing, DOING something in the clothes.
I HATE that they use a white background for everything, including white or light coloured clothing.. how are we supposed to see details? As for the model picture of the pink pullover, she just looks so defeated and sad, I'm surprised they chose this shot to put on the website.
For the question about the difference between the 2 cabin long sleeves, I have one of the first ones and a newer one. The newer one is about 2 inches longer and the edges aren't sewn together. I love them both :)
Oh no please no invisible people! This may not have been the best shot but in my opinion any real model is so much better than an invisible one!
Who's bright idea was it to put white pieces against a white background? This one's the worst: http://shop.lululemon.com/products/clothes-accessories/women-jackets-and-hoodies/Run-Stay-On-Course-Jacket?cc=0002&skuId=3428572&catId=women-jackets-and-hoodies
I am very surprised they chose the photo above to sell the PP pullover. I didn't want to buy it until I saw it on a real life person. I question their web division from the functionality of their website to their stylists making these decisions.
OT: Hi LLA, Just received my Scuba white coal tinted canvas super. I don't think I'm keeping it, though. My pattern distribution is OK, but there are a lot of the darker grey lot. The whole effect is pretty depressing, not to mention "camo like" too. The fabric is soft, very similar to our Snowy Owl Scuba; but the fit is slightly tighter, which I like very much! But I think I will trade it for either the Glacier Lace or the "Hamburglar" Scubas. Will be making a trip to my closest store late next week. Hopefully they will have it then, or if these two are availabe on the US site before my trip, I'll just order it. At least order the Hamburglar, since the Glacier Lace is another one of those "need to see pattern distribution" kind. Have you received yours and do you like it?
@ houndlvr69 - elevating mediocrity indeed!! For all the ballyhooing about John Galt and striving for excellence it has certainly not been the company mantra when it comes to web content or function (and too much of the time, unfortunately, customer service). The fit and designs of the technical clothes are excellent 95% of the time, but the web is their face to the world and they have been playing catch up to their peers ever since the site went live.
I ordered the did dye scuba with the fur and received it today. Lots of people have been say how ugly it is but it is beautiful on. I look tiny in it! I was surprised at how striking it is on.
@ yogibabe - I have not received my Scuba yet. I will certainly post when I do. I am happy to hear it's soft like the Snowy Owl but bummed you find it a depressing color scheme. We shall see. I kind of have my eye on the furry collared Scuba. I really like all the photos I've seen of it.
I don't think there is anything wrong with the fit with the model. Some part of the Lulu population will be wearing the pullover like that. Its just the pose and the facial expression that could be more natural. I would love to see the pullover on different body types. Althetic build, ballerina type, petite, curvy, etc... I am sure the lulu models have fantastic figures but I bet some of the clothes they are modelling are either taped or pinned up so the expectation of looking like them is unrealistic. I am also wonder if any of the photos are photoshopped? A Canadian clothing store called Jacob promotes non-photoshopped photos http://www.jacob.ca/about-us/no-retouching-policy while some of the lingerie companies enhances the model's pictures to make them more well endowed. H&M is starting to use mannequin bodies with real model heads. http://www.thelocal.se/37770/20111206/#
Anyways, I don't have any problem with Elim's styles. Its typical of the kind of styles we see in our region.
One of the many reasons why I love this blog! Thank you for aggregating all the wonderful real life photos.
anyone see the paris pink Run For it pullover in US stores? I know it was on the website but sold out in a day. Any US stores??
Thanks
I hope they continue to use real models rather than perfectly proportioned size 6 headless shots. Their current models have different skin tones and body proportions, and from the web shots I can tell which items would look good on me based on how they look on a particular model that fits my skin / body type.
That being said, there are some pretty bad web shots. For instance the paris pink items that were very muted online compared to the actual items (like run swiftly tops).
Also the recent dance items that were modeled on a dancer in various positions. It was impossible for me to tell how they would lay on when someone is not dancing around.
I prefer the real models and the ones they use are just fine with me. It's when they use a ridiculous, distracting shot that it bothers me. They really caught that beautiful model with a strange, almost smug, disinterested look and I definitely did not want to buy that pullover. I do not like headless or invisible model pictures at all.
One more thing, they say that their models are all size 6 but that doesn't mean they all wear a 6 in all of the items they model. I think they put whatever size fits them best. For example if compare the darker skinned, dark hair model and the very blonde, light skinned model (wish I knew their names!) both wearing a flow Y bra, I've always noticed that the dark haired model's bra is a lot shorter in height than the blonde model's, in every shot for months, thus leading me to believe that they are wearing different sizes.
I also hate how in most of the current shots the models look like they have a steel rod for a spine and that they are trying to make their shoulder blades touch. I prefer the firing squad, lol!
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