Friday, February 19, 2010

Gag Me No More?

As many know, I have been a hater of Ms. Stefani Germanotta, aka Lady Gaga since the release of her first single, Just Dance. I hated the lyrics, hated her sense of (or lack thereof) style, and mostly hated her scene kid following. I especially hated the lyrics to her second single, Poker Face. What kind of dumbass song includes the phrase "Cause I'm bluffin' with my muffin, I'm not lying I'm just stunnin' with my love-glue-gunning"? We've got 12-year-olds running around singing this nonsense, not having any idea they are singing about oral-sex! It got even better with Love Game. Upon the release of this song, I decided I would just refer to her as Lady Gag-me! Now, we not only have kids unconsciously singing about oral-sex, but now they are blatantly singing about casual sex!?!? Really, "Let's have some fun this beat is sick, I wanna take a ride on your disco stick"? Not even a little bit subtle and they play it on pop radio 85 times a day? I just couldn't wrap my head around the idea that parents were letting their kids listen to stuff that could make Marilyn Manson blush without a second thought, simply because they didn't bother to really listen!
I am far from a prude and I have no problem with lyrical expression, especially when paired with a great beat. I do, however, have a problem with selling it to the wrong audience (i.e. children). I originally blamed Lady Gaga for this, but that was before I knew her background (as a burlesque dancer and self proclaimed "freak" in high school). I now realize that this insane behavior of hers and her odd fashion choices are nothing more than her self-expression that had to be buried during her days in Catholic school. This dumb campaign to promote and oversaturate the market with her to young people was the very wrong choice of her record label and the PR people in charge. No, she would not be the household name she is now, and she certainly wouldn't be as filthy rich as she is now, but at least her audience would be more appropriate to her style of music and performance. I really hoped she would be a one-hit wonder and quickly fade away!
I rarely do this, but just this once, I will admit that maybe I was too quick to judge and...I don't know if I can do this...alright, here it goes...I...was...wrong! There, I said it! I now compare Lady Gaga to Madonna in the 80's. They both have the same shock factor whenever they leave the house, they were both marketed to audiences much too young for their content, and they both have extremely wacky taste in wardrobes...and neither are one-hit wonders! A comparison to Madonna, especially coming from me (because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Madonna), is extremely high praise. 
I started to come around to her music after Paparazzi and Bad Romance. However, this major change of tune - for lack of a better phrase - came when I saw the video from the Brit Awards, and heard what she did. She was scheduled to perform her usual crazy act, but upon the death of Lee Alexander McQueen, she unselfishly changed her entire performance in tribute. She did a much more subdued acoustic version of Telephone and followed by Dance in the Dark and dedicated the performance to him. Check out the video below.     







Though I credit her with a great performance, I have little praise for her choice of outfit that evening, since in one photo I got a clear shot of her bare ass!








Dear Lady Gaga,


I'm still not going to "chase you down until you love me," but I will show you the respect you have earned. You've proven yourself as a real artist and not just a contrived sideshow. You are actually quite talented and honestly, if you hadn't have been picked up by the scene kid market in the first place, I probably would have been a fan from the beginning. I love shock art, I love originality, and I love real musical talent. You actually have all of that, it just took a while to see it through all the teens praising you for the past 2 years. I now realize your fashion choices are for you and not for the press it generates. I might not get it, but from now on, I won't criticize what I don't understand. 
One bit of advice though before I sign off - you really should smile more often - enjoy your success!


Sincerely,
The Anti-Fashionista 


P.S. I still have NO love for Ke$ha or Justin Beiber...and that is not likely to EVER change! 

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Alexander McQueen, A True Master - WWD.com

Check out this fantastic article from WWD. It truly describes the man, the artist, and the friend the designers knew.

Alexander McQueen, A True Master - WWD.com

RIP Lee Alexander McQueen (March 16, 1969 - February 11, 2010)

As stated in previous posts, Alexander McQueen was one of my all-time favorite designers. His much-too-soon passing came as a shock to the entire fashion industry today as they mourn the loss of this creative genius. He was found in his London flat after apparently committing suicide. He was the king of thinking outside the box. He was one of those people that just had an undeniable natural talent - who, luckily for us, found a way to share it with the world.

The designer lost a dear friend and stylist, Isabella Blow, to suicide just three years ago. He was also mourning the loss of his mother just last week. He kept his fans on Twitter aware of his heartache, "had a ----- awful week, but now my friends have been great but some how I have to pull myself together." His Twitter page has since been shut down.

As designers show their Fall 2010 collections this week in NYC, their hearts are undoubtedly with the friends and family of Mr. McQueen. His Fall 2010 line was scheduled to debut in Paris in just a few weeks.

Karl Lagerfeld, designer for Chanel, said it best, "I found his work very interesting and never banal. There was always some attraction to death, his designs were sometimes dehumanized. Who knows, perhaps after flirting with death too often, death attracts you."

Below are just a few of my very favorite recent McQueen creations. Feel free to post your favorites in the comments!
From Fall 2008 & 2009


From Spring 2008 & 2009




RIP to the brilliant mind who obviously had an excellent sense of humor (how else can you explain ending your Spring 2009 show in a bunny suit?)! You and your creations will be greatly missed!





If you or somebody you know is in crisis and may be contemplating suicide, there is help. Please call 1-800-273-TALK or go to http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Thursday, February 4, 2010

MAKE IT STOP!

As many of you are aware, I have a deep hatred for all things Christian Audigier and Ed Hardy! They clearly have no grasp on what Kustom Kulture actually is. If they had even the slightest clue, they would never commercialize this crap so hard, nor would they promote it among the social groups they do (the judges on Americas Best Dance Crew probably can't even tell you what Kustom Kulture is)! It was bad enough before Jon Gosselin and the brilliant cast of Jersey Shore got their grimey hands on it, but they certainly did their best to crucify an already dead trend. If there was any life remaining in the Ed Hardy brand, what I found on the shelves at Target the other day should certainly put the nail in the coffin (at least I hope this means the end for this disaster).

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Grammy Awards Fashion Continued...

John Legend in Prada looks great from a distance. However, once you realize that the vest is mesh, the entire look falls apart. There is no reason for any man that is not the bartender at the local gay strip club to be wearing a mesh vest! You are better than that John - get it together!






Carrie Underwood in Edition by Georges Chakra. I'm a little torn on this one. I love the geometric metallic neckline. I don't love the cut of the bodice though. This girl has far too great of a figure to wear such a tent dress! I think I would love the head to toe look if it were more fitted through the mid-section.







Ashanti is proof that even the best designer screws up. This Tony Ward Couture gown is said to cost somewhere near $300,000! First of all, the dress isn't even that cute! Second, as far as I'm concerned, Ashanti has no relevance in the music industry any more. Why she is even there stumps me, much less why somebody thought it was necessary to put her in the most expensive gown there! (I credit Tony Ward with the fantastic beading detail, but the cut is all wrong and I hate the frilly skirt/train.)




Beyonce in Stephane Rolland confuses me a bit. It's a pretty gown, but it just doesn't work for me on her. For some reason, it looks like she has a tiny head and that her body is way bigger than it really is. She's not a big girl, she's actually quite fit. I just believe that it's the really bad pose and the fact that it seems any movement is completely restricted in this gown.






Colbie Caillat in Nicolas Jebran. My issue with this look is not solely based on the gown itself, but the appropriateness of sporting such a sexy look when your dad is your date. It just looked a little strange when they were interviewed together on the red carpet (I am certainly not suggesting that their relationship is at all inappropriate - just that the dress and a dad don't mix). I don't particularly care for the dress anyway. The wavy beach hair with the dress, the black open-toe sandals, and the cheap looking sheer skirt just don't create a good overall look. This girl is 24 years old and was raised in the music industry. She should know better by now!

Chanel Tattoos?

Yup, it's true...and tragic!

Chanel Tattoos - 'Les Trompe L'Oeil de Chanel' Temporary Skin Art Brings Ink to High Fashion (GALLERY)

I would like to thank LV for the heads-up on this new "trend". I use the term "trend" very loosely here. Apparently Chanel is creating a line of temporary tattoos that will sell for $75 with 55 different designs (I do believe that means $75 for each design)! I appreciate Chanel's attempt here to break into a new demographic - but really? Temporary tattoos? That is something you get in a child's birthday party goodie-bag, not at one of the most famous couture houses in the world! I feel like Chanel is doing exactly what they've been so against for years; selling out to the masses! I place Chanel selling temporary tattoos in the same category as Alexander McQueen designing for Target, Vera Wang for Kohl's, or Max Azria teaming up with Miley Cyrus for Wal-Mart (which is an issue we will get into another day - I have tons to say about that phenomenon!).

What do you think of Chanel's new line of temporary tattoos? Give feedback below in the comments section.

Monday, February 1, 2010

And the award goes to.... (Grammy Award Edition)

The eclectic mix of people on the red carpet of the Grammy Awards is similar to what you would expect to see if you were cruising down Fifth Avenue in NYC and then accidentally end up on 54th Street with the bums ravaging the garbage cans. The class acts were certainly there, but the garbage was also out in full force!

Let's get down to business...

BEST DRESSED FEMALE:



Pink in a gorgeous Tony Ward scalloped mermaid gown in multiple shades of grey, takes the best dressed award hands down. Jay Manuel should take note: this is how you pull off platinum hair! Pink classed it up on the red carpet and had, in my honest opinion, the best performance of the night! Her acrobatics in mid air in a body hugging sheer suit, all the while singing is incredibly impressive and extremely brave! (And she has a hot husband...that little bitch has it all!)





HONORABLE MENTIONS:


Nicole Kidman in Prada



Mary J. Blige in Gucci




Jennifer Nettles in Victoria Beckham



Lea Michele in Ramona Keveza










BEST DRESSED MALE:


Usher wins it in this stone colored Emporio Armani suit with white piping and black contrasting buttons. This is a surprising pick for me because I generally hate mismatched prints and patterns, but for some reason I absolutely LOVE this! The black and white checked shirt with the coordinating black and white polka-dot tie and pocket square create a perfect juxtaposition! Apparently losing all that dead weight this past year has been very good for Usher...for those not following along, I'm talking about that mess of a wife he was toting around! His album may have tanked, but at least he hasn't lost his sense of style!



HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Ne-Yo - I don't care what Joan Rivers says, I like the white tie and shoes, and I don't think he looks like a pimp.




Jason Mraz - Recycled polyester suit with a tie made from old cassettes? Yup, what else would expect from Jason Mraz?




Common - He's as stylish as he is talented!











WORST DRESSED FEMALE (tie):


Britney Spears in Dolce & Gabbana & Ciara in Givenchy tied in this category because they are guilty of the same crime! The sheer mesh dress over a leotard is only acceptable for...NOTHING! There is no reason to ever wear this! This was supposed to be Britney's big Grammy comeback - but if this is the best she can come up with, she might want to wait another eight years before showing her face on the Grammy red carpet again! As for Ciara - I never know what she's thinking, so this doesn't really shock me!




WORST DRESSED MALE:



Akon looks like he walked out of the local Hot Topic and right onto the red carpet. The leather pants were bad enough on their own, but shamelessly plugging that he "discovered" Lady Gaga by wearing her on his tee shirt is just weird!








BEST DRESSED DUO OR GROUP:



Green Day have been around many, many years and screwed up on a many a red carpet - but not this time! They look coordinated and handsome without making a contrived statement of being overly matchy.





WORST DRESSED DUO OR GROUP:



MGMT tries too hard! I have no words to describe this disaster!








GRAMMY ARREST LOG:

OFFENSE: Flashing too much side boob!
OFFENDER: Katy Perry in Zac Posen
***As a side note - she seems genuinely happy with that lunatic Russell Brand!***















OFFENSE: Use of a deadly weapon on red carpet
OFFENDER: Lady Gaga in Armani Prive
***I have no idea what the significance of that stupid spike star is!?!? Does this get-up represent the solar system somehow, and her hair is the sun?***














OFFENSE: Being an overly obnoxious teenager!
OFFENDER: Justin Bieber & Miley Cyrus
***These two tools take undeserved arrogance to a whole new level - their 15 minutes must end SOON***














OFFENSE: Using Big Bird's stylist!
OFFENDER: Rhianna in this feathery Elie Saab frock
***I know I'll catch some flack for this, but she not only sucks as a performer (I can say that - I've seen her live), but she has never gotten it right on the red carpet!***












OFFENSE: Public display of sluttiness!
OFFENDER: Ke$ha is a complete disrespect to the entire music industry!
***Seriously, this girl really needs to be locked away so she can stop spreading the disease she calls music!***














A few extra notes:

I actually liked Fergie's dress again (Emilio Pucci)- still hate her music and watching her perform, but at least her red carpet presentations are getting better!














Travis Barker would otherwise be considered WAY under-dressed, but it's Travis Barker and I love him, so I don't care (besides, I like the use of old school Thrasher on the red carpet)! I also love that he coordinated outfits with his son, Landon!












Who was your favorite?