Interview of Fashion Critical by Freya Bennett
For more than a decade, Fashion Critical has been the internet’s sharpest, and funniest, voice on celebrity red carpet style. From the comfort of anonymity, this Australian commentator has built a cult following with her fearless takedowns, made-up fashion slang, and unfiltered humour. As she releases her first book, Fashion Critical: Red Carpet Lewks and LOLs from an Undercover Fashion Critic, we asked the woman behind the wit about honesty, outfits that make her weep, and why hosiery with open-toed shoes should be outlawed forever.
You’ve built an empire while staying anonymous, what’s the secret to balancing brutal honesty with keeping your identity under wraps?
I don’t really think too much about my identity being a secret while writing. Fashion Critical has existed for so long now that she has a mind of her own! My secret to brutal honesty has always to write the very first thing that comes into my head when I see an outfit. To rely on that stream of consciousness FIRST response, versus trying to think too hard about being “funny” or “clever.” Often I’ll do an entire album and think that I didn’t write a single funny caption, but reading it back later I’ll think ‘oh that one was quite good’. Hehe.
Red carpets are full of repeat offenders, are there any trends or designers you’d happily ban forever if you had the power?
Fashion is so subjective but YES I think there are some I would like to press Control Alt Delete on. Hosiery under open toed sandals can go and DIE in a ditch please. I’m also really bored of the naked dress and trying to be scandalous through nudity. YAWN FEST. Off the red carpet, seeing Y2K early 2000’s fashion returning to fashion makes me shake and weep with distress. GO AWAY I’ve survived this once and now you’re saying I must endure low slung jeans in gross washes with wide belts and slouchy low cut “going out” tops? PLEASE GOD, NO.
Having said that, I have also had my opinion changed. I used to hate chocolate brown as a colour for a red carpet frock, but the past year or so has seen chocolate brown have a real moment and now I rather like it!
Your commentary has that perfect mix of savage and hilarious, how do you know when a look deserves a full takedown versus a gentle ribbing?
I think it depends on the level of celebrity involved. If we’re talking about an A lister – they most likely have a team of multiple people styling them. In these cases, I feel like FARSHUN mistakes are criminal! But also I think you can tell when someone has put a look together to be talked about. Risque for the sake of it. It is then that my most savage take downs are likely to occur. But also – genuinely, I just call it like I see it. I am just as likely to say that I love something as I am to declare that I loathe it! I am here for the TRUTH! The eyeballs do not lie. I don’t care who the designer is and most likely don’t know. I just call ‘em like I see ‘em.
If you could crown one celebrity as the reigning red carpet monarch (and exile one forever), who’s on the throne and who’s on the boat?
You’ll have to read my book to find out as I have a selection of MVPS (Most Valuable Players) over time. Nobody should be exiled as without red carpet crimes to discuss, FC would become very boring indeed!
I will say that one of my current red carpet Monarchs is Coleman Domingo. He has really paved the way for really elegant and interesting red carpet fashion for men. Demi Moore has also been a standout in recent times in the womenswear category!
