Red Carpet Fashion: 2012 Grammys In Black and Gold

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards aired on CBS tonight, and while the performances were high energy, the Red Carpet Fashion were plain and underwhelming.  It is indeed unfortunate that those in the music industry tend to not have as many style moments as actors, but there were a few to stand out tonight in a good way (and by good way, we don't mean the visual representation of legendary "good girl"  Little Red Riding Hood portrayed by Nicki Minaj).

The best looks of the night had two things in common; Black and Gold.  Sexy, black dresses were paired with the sharp, clean accent of the precious metal.  Whether around Gwyneth Paltrow's waist, Alicia Keys' neck, or even Lady Gaga's disco stick, gold added the perfect touch of edge to the looks.  Rihanna, in a custom Armani gown from her collaboration with the brand, used the metallic color as a separate accessory with her bag and bracelet.

 Lady Gaga took gold to another level - as always - with a mast that makes anyone want to play a "Love Game." Gaga also drenched her nails in gold, a befitting color for the songstress who has a few gold Grammys of her own.

photos: Getty Images

Madonna in Givenchy and Philip Treacy for Superbowl Halftime Show

Madonna headlines the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show, and proved that she is indeed one of the true entertainers of our viewing generation. Not since the Prince performance in 2007 has a halftime show been as exciting and electrifying as Madonna's.  Featuring LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., and the sequins-robe-donned Cee-Lo, Madonna performed some of her biggest hits, to include Vogue, Music, and Like a Prayer. If you're wondering who Madonna was wearing throughout the performance, she brought fashion to the Superbowl in Givenchy, along with that dramatic gold headpiece by Philip Treacy.  Below are photos from her performance, giving you a closer detailed looks from Madonna's halftime performance.

Photos: Getty

Reductive and Redundant: Madonna vs Lady Gaga

Here's the point.  Both Madonna and Lady Gaga are freaks of nature.  Both extremely talented, outspoken and provocative.  The 20/20 interview tonight with Madonna shed a bit of insight into her feelings about Lady Gaga.. basically showing that there aren't that many thoughts about her.  She used a big college word, #Reductive, to describe Gaga, which means "Tending to present a subject or problem in a simplified form, esp. one viewed as crude."  I actually liked this girl fight, but we've seen it all before on SNL when both Madge and Gaga did a skit based on their media imposed rivalry.  Nothing new. The moral of the story is, don't pump up the Madonna/Lady Gaga rivalry too much, because neither one of them are losing money or sleep over the other.

Five Songs Beyonce's Baby Must Remake: "Blue Ivy" Is Here!

Ingrid Jackson, better known to the world as Beyonce Knowles, gave birth to her daughter on Saturday January 7, and you better believe rumors, including the baby's name, have already started!  Blue Ivy Carter (or Ivy Blue Carter) has been here for less than 24 hours, but she has already been the source of much discussion (and conspiracy) on social media.  Already, the name backwards is supposed to be Lucifer's child (never heard of Lucifer having a daughter in the Bible), and its supposed to be a play on the number Four, but we can't be so sure of that either.

We can,  however, only hope and pray that the new edition to the Carter/Knowles clan will be musically talented, running notes all over the place and doing her own 16 bar features.  Since we know her mom loves a good remake/copy/inspiration, here are five songs that Baby Blue will have to remake/copy/channel when she can walk and learn 8 counts:

1. I Whip My Hair Back and Forth - If you don't think that this baby will out whip any other girl's hair.. you need a life lesson.  Willow better enjoy it now while she can, because Baby Blue will have a lace front like no other!

2. "I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - A fun, appropriate song for her to sing for the holiday season.  Hopefully this marriage will last and Santa will still be at home for the song to be a true story.  Beyonce always talks about her first song being from Jackson 5, so Baby Blue will definitely be learning every single song that Michael Jackson touched.

3. "That's What Little Girls Are Made Of" - Remember this song by Raven Simone? You probably don't, and young kids definitely don't - so Baby Blue could make this song at the age of 4 and get her first #1 record on the charts.

4. "Daddy" - Remaking a Beyonce song can only be done by Beyonce's daughter, for Beyonce to not want to come out on stage and outsing whoever tried to perform it.  It would be a nice dedication to Jigga as well - although he would likely add a few bars to it as a call/response type song.

5. "Where I'm From" - Baby Blue better have a little project in her.  That's it.

Five Songs Blue Ivy Carter Must Sing - Playlist:

What You Learn from Kanye's Tweets

Kanye West has been rather vocal recently on twitter; no surprise that Kanye West is vocal, but we haven't seen this much twitter action from him in quite some time.  It surprised me when I looked on my timeline and saw the crowned Kanye head laying sideways, making comments about his clothing line, and the fake twitter handle that was created in his Dw Kanye West namesake (which you will soon see that is not the real name of his collection).  I wondered how he would feel after his debut at Paris Fashion Week, when he may not have received the reaction he wanted; I was waiting for a verse in a song to be about those who didn't like it.  However, it seems that Kanye has a more gentle approach when it comes to receiving the criticism of those in the fashion industry.  Could it be possible that Kanye West has a level of respect for fashion that transcends music?  Its no secret that my review of the focused on a need of focus, but I took his tweets as a short lesson into where his mind is when it comes to truly being in the fashion industry. 

Kanye west started his enlightenment with  saying "I appreciate everyone's support for my clothing line but I wanted to clarify a few things..."


Here are seven things that I either learned, or think that you should know about Kanye's fashion journey, in nor particular order:

1.  The collection is not called Dw Kanye West.  The collection is simply called Kanye West, but his design company is called DONDA.  The word "design" seems to be more about set production than fashion, but you can email him to reach out.

2. Kanye has no agency representing him.  Perhaps his love for Cara Lewis is the reason.

3. He used tour money to back his collection.  No investors. #WTT was clearly made for Spring 2013.

4. Kanye has been working on a collection for 8 years.  We all remember Pastelle.. didn't work.  BAPE collaboration.  Didn't work. 

5.  The four words "Imma let you finish" and the #kanyeshrug messed up more than his likability - it also ended his LA office to do fashion work.

6.  If you were under contract with Louis Vuitton for 2 years, and you go and intern with Fendi and Guiseppe Zanotti undercover, don't expect LV to give you another opportunity.

7. Kanye West is hiring.

Aretha Franklin Performs on Jimmy Fallon

Its so good to see Aretha healthy and making new music!  Even better to not see Aretha Franklin's Inaugural hat come back with her!  With a brand new Christmas album, the Queen of Soul performed on the heavily music-centric Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night, full of soul, and of course those runs and grunts that only Aretha Franklin can perfect! I think the last 16 bars were just variations of "hey, yeah and glory," but at least it was on key.

Check out the video of the Performance here, from NBC!

Michelle Obama Fashion: Christmas in Washington Concert

Year after year, the Holiday season around the White House has become increasingly popular; with sold out, "lottery only" tree lightings, and tours of White House decor, the First Family was able to relax and enjoy "Christmas in Washington."  Taped this week, and airing December 16 on TNT, the concert features performances by Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson, Victoria Justice, The Band Perry, and Cee-Lo Green.  First lady michelle Obama wore a green cross-shoulder dress from Cushnie et Ochs, showcasing the arms that women across the world have grown to covet.  The dress, custom made for the First Lady, is a Holiday take from the brand's Spring 2012 Collection.

We also have to take a moment to comment on Malia Obama's beautiful gold dress; I think we are seeing a fashionista in the making and will certainly be noting her designers of choice in the near future!

Photos: Getty

Lady Gaga Thanksgiving Special Video Preview

Year after year, there has been a mind-blowing account of an "it girl" doing a musical special for Thanksgiving Night.  Beyonce has had this honor for the last couple years, but this year, we get a chance to see Lady Gaga be our Thanksgiving dessert and coffee.  Not to worry, Beyonce still got a piece of Thanksgiving as her "Live at Roseland Ballroom" DVD was released.  Below is the veideo preview lady Gaga posted on Youtube as an appetizer to what she's bringing on Thursday night.  Check it out! Only she can make a blood red jester's hat look avant garde.

Red Carpet Review: 2011 American Music Awards

Judging from tweets and other social media channels, the 2011 American Music Awards wasn't as exciting as expected.  Aside from the AMA's being a giant Fiat commercial, and the total upset of the night when Adele didn't win artist of the year, the show had pretty regular, average performances, and even more underwhleming style.  Perhaps because the headliners we would all anticpate seeing - both musically and style-wise - were nowhre to be found.  Beyonce? Rihanna? Kanye? Lady Gaga? Thus, the Red Carpet was barren and didn't leave much to analyze.  Here is my review of the best and worst of whatever it is we saw on the AMA Red Carpet.

Read more after the jump:

Music from How to Make it in America Season 2 Episode 8

HBO series have such short seasons; especially when the series is your favorite!  The season finale of How to Make it America was a full circle moment for the Crisp Brand, as tragedy, lust, and even spray-on drugs are removed to let the love of fashion reign among the young entrepreneurs.  The soundtrack of the episode was heavy with reggae and hip-hop, resurfacing Brand Nubian and Smif-N-Wesson - groups we haven't heard from in ages!  Looking forward to next season as Ben and Cam add denim to their brand.

Music from Home to Make it in America Season 2 Episode 8 "Whats in a Name"

Music from How to Make it in America Episode 7 Season 2

On the eve of the final episode of  How to Make it in America Season 2, it seems as if the hunt for success has caused both Ben and Cam to make some Crisp-threatening decisions.  This week's soundtrack, especially towards the end, gave a literal sound to the overall theme of tonight's episode.  Thank you for bringing Mobb Deep back to our minds.. this song will never die.

Music from How to Make it in America Season 2 Episode 7 "The Friction"

Duran Duran Releases "Girl Panic!" Short Film

The 80's takes you back to when real models, were the main attraction of music videos; from the colorful days of George Michael's "Freedom" to Robert Palmer's "Simply Irresistable" and "Addicted to Love." Duran Duran, a band known from this era, is bringing the sound, and the beauty back with their new music video for "Girl Panic!" The video features a team of supermodels that have kicked - or possibly thrown a phone at - the limitation of age in the face with their timeless beauty.  Naomi Campbell, Helena Christiansen, Cindy Crawford, Yasmin Le Bon (Yes, Simon Le Bon's wife!), and Eva Herzigova play to 80's band, and transforms the music video into an uber chic editorial campaign for the band.   Though Yasmin is married to the Duran Druan front runner, there was no way she would get that role with Naomi Campbell on set.  Instead, Yasmin plays the part of an unknown guitarist, who is likely the part of Dom Brown who is an unofficial member of the band.  The rest of the cast, playing the part of Nick Rhodes (Herzigova), Johon Taylor (Crawford) and Roger Taylor (Christensen) add the attitude - and sometimes the accent- to complete the ensemble.

Check out the new video below! Its guaranteed to inspired your style, and anti-aging regiment.

Music From How to Make it in America Season 2 Episode 6

Lusting for success can lead to lust in other areas, as proven with Ben and Nancy's affair.  We also learned that calling harem pants "hammer pants" will make editors spazz out! Here's the music that narrated the scenes for tonight's episode.  My favorite was "Night Air" by Jamie Woon - check it out!

Music from How to Make it in America Season 2 Episode 6 "I'm Sorry, Who's Yosi"

Experience: Watch the Throne Concert

Seeing both Jay Z and Kanye perform on separate occasions, I had been anticipating the day that both tour together in a full set.  Though I was excited to get the Watch the Throne album, the reason I really heard about the album was because of the tour.  There was no mistake on whether the chicken or the egg came first.  The tour was both for me.  The energy that I knew would come from this tour was all I needed; they could have sang their entire catalog and chanted whatever the people from Occupy Wall Street are chanting, and I would have been just as excited.

Janet Jackson Covers Harper's Bazaar Arabia

What do you think about this look for Janet Jackson's Harper's Bazaar cover?  Looks like the detailing around the chest will help prevent any future "malfunctions," but its very appropriate and sexy for covering an issue in a country where women have to be modest about their garments.  Her face is amazing though, beauty seems to be getting better with age!

Music From How to Make It in America Episode 5

This week's episode of HBO's How to Make it in America was full of NYC fashion hot spots, MOFONGO (yum), and a soundtrack of songs that were heard all throughout this past season's NYFW.  Here are a few songs from the episode:


How to Make it in America - Season 2 Episode 5 Soundtrack:

Music from How to Make it in America Episode 1

HBO's How to Make it in America debuted its second season tonight, and my new Sunday nights have now been made complete again.  Being a guy in fashion, I'm naturally going to love this show, and I have been a fan since last season.  Produced by the team who brought us Entourage, its only natural that the soundtracks are going to be amazing.  During the pop-up shop launch for Crisp, they were playing this song, Baby I'm Yours by Breakbot.  Here is the YouTube video by the artist.  Enjoy!

Kanye West Spring 2012 Collection Review

Kanye West has finally shown his new women's collection, Dw by Kanye West at Paris Fashion Week, and with mixed emotions, it is unclear of whether or not is as met the expectations.  The answer of this question depends on your actual expectation of whether or not you thought his attempt would be successful, or another cliche celebrity line that lacks the execution and craftsmanship of a true designer collection. I have to say that, well he has the artistic talent to do well in fashion, this collection leaned more to the side of a celebrity collection, with many "almost" attempts that were too close to the aesthetics of the brands he raps about.

The bandage dresses with cut outs were almost Herve Leger; the sequins jacket was almost Balmain and Celine - Lots of almost Mugler, Rick Owens, Alexander Wang...

The fur and heavy fabrics were more appropriate for a Fall collection, and although colors have become seamless through seasons, fabric choices have not.  The fabrics also appear to be very expensive, which helps keep the looks away from a "cheap" description.  The overall finish of the looks were unkept; not sure if the aesthetic was supposed to be ill-fitting, but it didn't translate well on runway photos.  The zipper shorts are hot and on trend, and will be a strong push into market for Dw.

He was sucessful in having Chanel Iman in the show, who's second look (the finale look), was definitely the best look, and a positive way to end the show.  The top appeared heavy, but the overall look was wearable and something unique for the collection.

I still love Kanye West... I think we all do in some small way.  I largely love him for his music, and his contribution to making high fashion cool in the hip hop community.  Kanye helped us tremendously with making fashion and the love of fashion masculine and I remain grateful for that.  However, though I write, breathe, and rock fashion all day; I will NOT be a designer.  He is an artist that can draw, paint, and produce, so he may be able to continue with this and improve. Maybe he will have a better take on menswear, since he can add his own preference into the collection.  His shoe collections have been amazing, so perhaps sticking to that will be his best option.  The fact is, Kanye has alot of money and alot of talent, so this certainly won't be the last collection, especially once he reads other reviews that aren't afraid to give a little tough love. I am quite sure Kanye is going to make a song, and 8 bars of it will about all of us fashion critics who didn't 100% love the collection, but at least I can say that I will have a song written about me. 

Rihanna for Emporio Armani Underwear Ad



Here are the photos from the Emporio Armani ad campaign featuring Rihanna.  The body looks amazing, but what do you think about the hair?  Is the world missing the "Good Girl Gone Bad" bob?

Adele Covers British Vogue October 2011

Here is a preview of Adele's British Vogue Cover for the upcoming October 2011 issue.  Looking forward to seeing the spread that goes with this issue; her cover looks amazing!