Is Fashion Lindsay Lohan’s Latest Form of Rehab?

For the first time in years, Lindsay Lohan made headlines for a reason other than 'accidentally’ flashing her vagina (or nipples, or behind) in public, partaking in a cocaine-fueled party binge, participating in a lesbian “love’ affair, or checking into yet another rehab facility. “Lindsay Lohan Cheerleads for Jeremy Scott,” New York Times style reporter Matthew Schneier wrote of the actress’ tame appearance at the designer's London Fashion Week men’s presentation.

“No, I don’t fly [for fashion shows],” Lohan told Schneier. “Unless it’s Chanel…Or Jeremy Scott! I’m a little overwhelmed. I haven’t done this—I haven’t really done the shows—in the last few years. But I live for fashion.”

Sure, Lohan may be famous—or infamous—for a number of things, but a positive relationship with the fashion industry isn’t one of them. But recently it looks like she’s trying to change that.

The last time the fallen actress, singer, and professional hot mess made an appearance on the fashion week circuit was in September 2011 at New York Fashion Week. Looking a lot like Donatella Versace’s doppelganger (overly bronzed with bleached blond hair), Lohan caused a “riot” at the Cynthia Rowley show, leading photographers to walk atop the prohibited glass runway to snaps pics (photo evidence or it didn’t happen!). In typical Lilo fashion, her appearance at NYFW was anything but drama-free. While partying at Beauty & Essex at a gig hosted by Nine West and Paper magazine, Lohan reportedly caused a stir when she demanded one of the event’s photographers delete unflattering photos of her. That same week at V magazine’s Black and White Ball, Lohan got into an altercation with one of the publication’s photographers, Jasper Wischen, after she attempted to throw a glass at his head, missed, and hit an innocent cocktail waitress instead. Wischen confirmed the incident via Twitter, writing “Wow. Lindsay Lohan is as trashy as they always say. She threw drinks and glasses to me as we tried to take a shot for @vmagazine. C.*.*.t.”

So how is it that someone who has had such a complicated relationship with the fashion industry—and the people who make it happen—seriously thinks she can make a career comback by breaking into the style sphere, when the respect was never exactly there to begin with?

Back in the heyday of her acting career, Lohan earned some credibility from a few fashion favorites; she starred in Miu Miu’s Summer 2007 campaign shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot, as well as Jill Stuart’s Fall 2007 ad, photographed by Mario Sorrenti. She also appeared on a mix of high-fashion magazine covers (L’Officiel, January 2007; Harper’s Bazaar, March and December 2008; Marie Claire UK, November 2008; Vogue Spain, August 2009; Elle UK, September 2009). Despite the early beginnings of acceptance at a time when her career seemed on the rise, Lohan’s relationship with the fashion industry, like her relationship with many other things since her innocent youth, has not been as prosperous.

In 2009, Lohan collaborated with designer Emmanuel Ungaro on a disastrous collection—Kanye West called her line “9/11 for celebrities doing fashion. After that, I thought, ‘Well, I can’t do a line now,’” he said. Just last year, she was sued by her leggings company 6126 for $5 million, citing Lohan’s bad reputation as the reason for the brand’s decline in success (the lawsuit has since been settled).

In August 2013, Lohan announced she was launching a new fashion blog (yes, we thought it was a joke, too). Since then, she’s shared her fashion inspirations, her must-have items, and how audiences can achieve her look. The website, dedicated mostly to shameless self-promotion, is hard to take seriously since, like rehab, Lilo’s numerous previous attempts at showing her fashion chops and integrating into the fashion industry certainly haven’t ended in her favor.

Following the typical fashion blogger route, Lilo has upped her Instagram game in recent months with a slew of mirror selfies accompanied by credit captions (“@givenchyofficial @saintlaurent_style #isabelmarant #PRADA can’t wait to wear this look,” she wrote on May 26), multiple #TBT’s of herself with Karl Lagerfeld, as well as re-posting paparazzi shots a la Kim Kardashian. Sure, her looks may be designer, but, as she has been described countless times, here style is still trashy.

Fashion, however, hasn’t been Lohan’s only attempt at reviving her career. Recently, reports have surfaced that the actress has been living in London, preparing to possibly star in a West End revival of a David Mamet play. Maybe London is exactly what Lohan needs to begin again with a clean slate, be it acting, style, or any other potential career route.

As I was writing this piece, however, new information surfaced of Lohan’s life in England—and boy, was she up to the same old tricks. According to Radar Online, the starlet was seen in a heated argument with Kate Moss at the new hotspot, Chiltern Firehouse.

Lilo, here’s some words of wisdom: If you’re trying to make it back into the cut-throat fashion industry, Ms. Moss is probably the last person you want to piss off, especially on her own turf. Good luck with that!