Johnny Weir to be Nine Network's RAFW commentator?

lifeskate.com

For anyone who hasn't been following the Johnny Weir/Nine Network saga during the 2010 Vancouver winter Olympics, quick headsup. Eddie McGuire, Nine commentator (and former ceo), who has been anchoring the network's 2010 winter Olympics coverage, became embroiled in controversy over comments delivered during coverage of the male ice skating events last week, in tandem with guest host, Australian comedian Mick Molloy. The duo joked that flamboyantly-dressed male ice skaters - and in particular, ferosh US ice star Johnny Weir - did not leave "anything in the closet", with one competitor's costume described as "a bit of a Brokeback", in reference to Ang Lee's 2005 bromance Brokeback Mountain. In the wake of a backlash - which has included demands for a formal investigation in Australia into McGuire and Molloy's alleged vilification of homosexuals - Nine attempted to make amends by corralling Weir onto its Olympics team as a guest commentator.

After several nights of guest spots calling this week's womens' ice skating finals in Nine's field studio, Weir just presented an 11-minute wrapup of the best and worst fashions of the winter Olympics, together with McGuire and co-host Leila McKinnon.

In thanking Weir, McGuire alluded to possible future collaborations between the network and Weir. Noted McGuire:

"We are going to try to get you down to Australia in the not too distant future. Not only come down and have some fun, maybe with Fashion Weeks and things like that, but we want to see to see you skate, You are a champion and for all the hoohaa that's being going on, sometimes you can forget that you are a fantastic athlete".

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week is due to run from May 3-7 at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Beyond some high profile blogging invitees that organisers are rumoured to be wooing - the names Tavi Gevinson and Susie Bubble spring to mind - will Johnny Weir ice the rest of the competition out of Sydney's front row?

Tracy Grimshaw gets the cold shoulder from Twitter's fashion police

screengrab by kollektor

Well we know the importance of the statement shoulder in fashion right now, but who’d have thought Tracy Grimshaw would be among the first to champion the look on Australian mainstream television? The anchor of the Nine Network’s tabloid current affairs program A Current Affair has recently taken to sporting a series of strong-shouldered jackets. Instead of being applauded for her sartorial bravura however, Grimshaw has been slammed by that insta-barometer of public opinion, social media. Although apparently it is not the first time Grimshaw has worn the look on-air, tonight’s jacket did not go down well with Twitter's fashion police.

Noted Luke Carter:

“Is tracey grimshaw trying out for NFL or what?”

Angexo:

“Tracey Grimshaw looks RIDICULOUS!!!!!”

Dean Worland:

“WTF, Tracy Grimshaw doing the big shoulder on A Current Affair tonight, there's an age limit to fashion forwardedness, buzz cut is needed TG”

whatsonthetube:

“Is it just me or does Tracy Grimshaw look like she has just come from the Star Trek set tonight?”

Defixiones:

“Jesus Tracy Grimshaw ditch the shoulder pads already”

While ziz wondered:

“wonder what gordon ramsey would make of tracey grimshaw's shoulder pads tonight”

With only tinaintassie offering some words of support:

“Let Tracey Grimshaw know she looks great tonight. Love the big shoulders coming back”

Frockwriter is still attempting to ID the brand behind tonight’s two-tone cream and black affair with epaulettes - a Covers '80s redux is apparently one possibility. Update 11.16pm: Since ID'd by a reader as Australian designer Carla Zampatti.


carla zampatti

Meanwhile, we did manage to track down one Australian television industry source - who didn't seem particularly fond of the look either.

“Clearly Tracy is embracing the new shoulder pad big time” said the source.

“The shoulder pad on a bigger woman, you put them on tv, it’s huge. She’s tall – she’d easily be 5’10” in bare feet - and she’s got big shoulders. She can look bigger than she really is and she’s someone who probably doesn’t need a shoulder pad like that. They can look very modern on a young, little thing but once you get to a certain age, it can look a little dangerous”.

The source added: “Noone can change that woman. It’s the bane of the network’s life, her not wanting to take advice. She’s dressing herself”.