Thanks for writing. We're so glad that you love ITG: we love you!

I'm glad that you wrote: I in no way meant to convey a particular nationality or to communicate that smoking was "cool" via moodboard imagery. I make these moodboards out of files and files (and files) of old images that i've seen and loved (for whatever reason, regardless of health or safety implications) and pulled, and for a good number of decades, a fair amount of fashion imagery included cigarettes. I've always seen it as a sort of historical documentation (the same way I would think of what would now seem like a ridiculous outfit: huge 80's shoulderpads, acidwashed jeans, etc.), rather than a lifestyle endorsement: I thought the image of Carla Bruni backstage, above, was amusing because she's Carla Bruni and because of the late 80's, early 90's feel to it. Not because it's a beautiful woman smoking a cigarette. The Kate Moss in profile photo, I just liked because of it's close focus on the profile, and sort of abstraction of the model, and as for Lauren Hutton, I wish she WASN'T holding a cigarette (so as to see more of that mouth)!

HOWEVER: this is something that I am definitely more aware of thanks to readers like yourself, and so I am going to make an increased effort to be sensitive in that area. I never lack for ways to show my appreciation of anyone's chic, so don't worry. Thank you again! xAlessandra

Smoking can be very sexy. It's a self-imposed handicap. If you smoke and still look great, it's amazing to behold. Take Kate Moss, she's a born model. On others, a cigarette can be seriously unattractive.

-Jen

http://www.vibrantbeautyblog.com

http://scattergirll.blogspot.com