I must apologize for my sparse postings, but I have been very busy getting ready for Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week, booking shows and organizing production have left me a bit behind on my blog duties. I am ready for my exciting week, so join me for live tweet casting, street style, and interviews behind the scene during Fashion Week.
Alice+Olivia (Style.com)Alice+Olivia (Style.com)
Thinking about up-coming trends, 70’s comes to mind. Spring was all about retro 70’s vibe, but a bit too literal. I took a look at some classic Jackie O shots from the 70’s, for style inspiration, I can’t wait to wear my Jackie inspired look. Style.com had great pre-fall preview collections for 2012, Alice+Olivia was one great example with sleek lady-like retro clothes.
Hate her, love her, you will know her name, Madonna. Tonight, Madonna will cast controversy at the Super Bowl, not for what she will do or sing, but simply by her presence. Why does she always cause so much chatter? Adopting a child, music videos, and kissing girls, Madonna is always on pop culture edge. Pop stars come and go like newspaper headlines, today hot, tomorrow not. However, she is always moving forward, while other major names drift to obscurity, Madonna is still building an empire. Most people want to dismiss Madonna because of what is printed and written about her every move, but after tonight’s game I hope there is one thing to say—amazing.
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Pop stars half her age are doing anything to drum up publicity and sales, Madonna is still marching forward. The diva set—Mariah and Whitney—are trying to stay relevant, but Madonna is still selling out stadiums.
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In 2008, Madonna graced Vancouver, Canada with a concert, and I was fortunate to finagle a ticket. She shut our city down, almost 2 hours late, no one minded waiting for her to grace the stage. I am not celebrity obsessed and I don’t go to concerts, so I really had no idea what to expect, I knew I had to go because she had never been to Vancouver, and she is Madonna.
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She kicked my ass; fifty and I could keep dancing with her all night. I had to sit down. People tonight will see her energy and passion for performance and music, and I hope her critics take notice. For over twenty-five years, Madonna has kept current. This is something that is worth applauding because in an industry were women are always pushed out at a particular age, she is still kicking.
Madonna--The English Roses2011 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Graydon Carter - Inside
I am not a football fan, so I don’t even know who is playing, but I will be watching. Go Madonna!!!
For those of you who follow fashion know that brands go “in” and “out” like hemlines. The power of a brand is to start with a powerful creative designer force that mirrors society for a moment in modernity. What becomes difficult is when a brand no longer speaks volumes by way of designer death, retirement, or bankruptcy. How does a brand go forward?
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Like Hollywood studios, brands have become crippled by corporate rule. A brand must take what is iconic and familiar to audience, then reference past images to gain stability in today’s market place. Take for example, comic book film genre, which references nostalgia, textual material, and iconic symbol into box office results—now fading. Always reading the pulse of society, fashion has stepped forward with symbols of what is to come—style customization.
The romantic build of a brand has faded—a bit—think Galliano early 1990’s, when models helped financially keep a designer’s vision afloat—I know his current situation—but he has contributed to our fashion vocabulary. Galliano, McQueen, Ford, and Largerfeld created the blueprint to resurrect a Power House Brand; take the essence and symbols of the past and remix them for today’s marketplace—now what?
Post resurrection, designers are taking back what belongs to them—creative control. Corporations may own the name and supply the cash, but designers are taken fashion back. Case and point, Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci, and Celine’s Phoebe Philo, who’ve taken creative control of these bands by way of stylization; by separating from past imagery, these two designers have been able to connect fashion in today’s world. Fashion will always be about fantasy because style built by identity through self-image expression is timeless. A band can no longer blanket society, but create discourse with a highlighted niche. Philo has taken what was Calvin Klein’s modern woman, and elevated her consciousness of motherhood by giving her style power and function at Celine. Tisci has taken Gianni Versace’s vamp and made her elegant and stylish in Givenchy.
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Take a look at these images and let me know what you think.
The second most popular post on my blog, thus far, is my shaving tutorial for men. Jamie had great advice for men, but unfortunately he does not sell products for women. Well, I guess you could swing by and ask; I am sure he would pull something together for you.
W (Magazine): January 2011 (Image)
One of my blog followers, and close friend, wanted to know why I hadn’t done anything for my female viewers, well here we go. I meet with beauty and all around lifestyle expert, Liah Anderson, to discuss great tips for skin care. I’ve always felt an art piece needs a great canvas, and I believe that your skin is that canvas. Therefore, before you touch brush to make-up, you need to get your skin flawless.
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Liah invited me into her beautifully custom designed home, interior design done by her—I hope she lets me do a tour for everyone—for now she has great advice to activate your skin and turn back time—no, not while dancing to Cher.
W (Magazine): January 2011 (Image)
Liah is a skin care expert with plenty of background knowledge about each product and its usage. We all need a little after-glow to start the day, even if no one, uh…um… gave you some last night. Her daytime routine is all about protection, while nighttime is about tricking the clock.
I went to see Meryl Streep’s latest film last night, Iron Lady,the biopic about Margaret Thatcher, Great Britain’s first female Prime Minister. I am not a political analysis or film citric, so I won’t be discussing or reviewing the film on those merits, I am just a fashion lover. However, I will say Meryl Streep was amazing.
Vogue January 2012: Meryl Streep
The costume selection was classic to Thatcher ‘s character, a balance of ladylike dressing and powerhouse feminist. Yet, behind clothing regalia was a story about a fearless woman, whose hand print has been left on a country, and an era. The film made me think about female role models in society, and the decision women make everyday between family, self, and fulfillment. With narrow archetypical roles for women, Meryl is cast as another ice villain (The Devil Wears Prada), but Streep’s portrayal humanized Thatcher flawlessly.
Vogue January 2012: Meryl StreepVogue January 2012: Meryl Streep
This is not a female empowerment movie, but a film about self-confidence and personal belief. What I took away from the film is to follow your dreams. We should all be so lucky to have a partner, parent, or friend who engorged us every step of the way. Someone who says to us “you can do it.” When I get dressed with consciousness I feel empowered, to know my decision about what I wear is to claim myself. There is a moment in the film when Thatcher’s father tells her not to follow that pack, hard words for a girl to hear, but I felt the strength in those words. When we allow others to represent us, we strip away our power: “Poor is the man whose pleasures depend on the permission of another (Madonna, Justify My Love).”
Bazaar--December 2011 CoverCindy Crawford: Harper's Bazaar December 2011
Take a look at my video discussing my thoughts on Cindy Crawford’s daughter, Kaia in her Versace advertisement. Please leave me comments about your opinions and ideas about role models and power.
