Currently Listening: Digital Girl (Remix) feat. Drake, The Dream & Kanye West

Hideous Getups Loose

Sex sells anyday, unflattering 80's sequined getups, not so much. Last nigth I tuned on MTV and the hippest dance competition show was on. America's Best Dance Crew is on it's fourth season and the level of talent is seemingly higher than past seasons. For every show, the super hyped-up crews who come from all corners of the country are assigned a challenge, for the second episode, the crews were assigned a song from the none other, Beyonce. The list of songs were pulled from Beyonce's latest album "I Am...Sasha Fierce", but there was a kick, the crews had to incorporate some kind of move or prop into their routine, but most importantly they had to make that routine their own. One of the all-female crews who claim they represent the real women in America, Artistry In Motion, was assigned one of the most recognizable and hottest track on the album, "Diva".

The sassy and zaftig women who looked like one of the favorites to reach at least the finale episode, showed up in some hideous attires that had me at "hello". Surprisingly enough, they end up at the bottom as well as AfroBorique, a Puerto Rican/Cuban sexsified salsa especialized crew, who seemingly think they are doing a show at a "clothing-optional" resort somewhere in the Caribbean, which sounds logical. For the Beyonce challenge, the amazonic-looking women from AfroBorike women showed up in some skimpy silver tops and matching mini-skirts, that looked more like some scrambles from a Versace knockoff. The three guys sexed it up by performing shirtless, which I'm sure raised the blood pressure to lots of teen girls and middle-age women and a couple of gay boys out there. But at least they looked the part. Sex is such a predominant factor in the industry today, that it almost makes me think. Is there something else?. AfroBorike swirled and grooved to "Beautiful Liar" and the judges seemed to enjoyed it. Well at least, Shane Sparks, the "thugged-down" choreographer whose comments often make me question his sexual orientation. Shane mentions, "That's the sexiest thing I ever seen" as he calls for a "slow-mo" of when the girls sensually throw themselves to their partners, which leads to the guys grabbing the girls by the waist and lifting them so that their p--sy is in front of the guy's face. I thought, seen it in some porno flick, sort of like a standing 69, but it looked like the trick worked for their advantage. Artistry In Motion had to outperfrom the other crew for the last coveted spot for next week show, but the decision was made and their dream (or at least their hopes) were damped as Mario Lopez, shouts "AfroBorike!" as the one who is moving on.

I don't think the ladies from Artistry In Motion performed badly, but the outfits did not help at all. The leader of the group (who looks quite familiar, I think she was on a different dance show called So You Think You Can Dance?) was wearing this unflattering baggy, blindingly shiny mini dress, while the rest had these sequined super retro tops in outdated colors that look like they could've work at a Mardi Gra parade. In other words, their looks did not scream "Diva".

Personally, I don't believe the outcome of the show does not rest entirely on how well that certain crew performs, but I do believe that fashion had to do with the final say of the judges. Let's look at the first season winners "The Jabbawockees", who always performed in white "Phantom of the Opera" masks in order to intensify the difficulty on identifying who is who whenever they were performing on stage. Not taking anything away from their usual flawless performances, breath-taking moves and impeccable skills. Their mystery and uniqueness was a contributing factor in their rise to their success. Recently, they have appeared in clothing brands ads in magazines, music videos, and even movies, now that tells you the magnitude and how influential this show is.

I really hope this is not the end for Artistry In Motion, there is definitely talent within those moves that captivated America, even for that short period of time they were on the show, but one last thing, please ladies, get yourself a stylist.

Pix: mtv.com

Hot Mess

shirt Calvin Klein, vest my own, tie Van Heusun, jeans H&M, shoes Aldo.

Have you ever been in a situation where you thought you look so hot and sexy and then you start feeling drops of sweat slowly sliding down your forehead and back? Well, that's what happen a few days ago while on my way to a job interview at Puma.

I putted together a look that said something about me and "setting appropriate". I looked at my closet and thought, "What the hell am I going to wear today?" I had in mind this slim fitted light aqua Calvin Klein shirt and these black rounded point shoes that I purchased a few days back. I then added this dark grey waistcoat that I made for a show a few months ago, but I had doubts about what tie to wear. I first thought of this blue tie that looked decent and worked quite well with the CK shirt. At the last minute, I changed my mind and went with this black tie that I thought pulled everything together. It was sizzling hot outside, probably around mid 90s F. I had no other way to get there but only by public transportation. The interview was set at 3:00 p.m. and I get there about 45 minutes late. I was trotting like a tranny with my ipod earpieces falling off one ear and my phone falling off my hand. I get on the escalator, make a turn and walk in the store worryingly knowing I was late. I calmed down, collected myself and approached this guy at the register who I thought initially was a girl. I asked to see the manager and he points to his right, to this seemingly naive asian chick, who looked to be in her virgin 20s. After talking to a customer over a pair of sneaker on one side of the store she calmly walks to the back of the store, a few minutes later, she comes back out with two applications on her hands, while sitting on this very comfortable black leather couch, I turned my head and notice this dude sitting with his back towards me. He look like he was there for the same reason as I was, but I didn't mind, he looked like no competition.

The manager calls me over and asks me to follow her to the front of the store, she stops and I'm standing facing her tiny frame. I notice she's wearing this cute black "boyfriend" blazer, a white tee, golden flats and this Cuban-inspired hat that I been seeing around quite a bit. She started to emotionlessly ask me questions about me, previous jobs experiences and future goals. But there were two questions that I sort of wobble a bit.

She asked, "What is your strength?"

I mumbled, took me a couple seconds and I replied, "It would have to be my caring for others"

At first it sounded so trite, but I then thought about it and it made sense, sometimes I can be an a-hole, but there are times where I can put myself second, and let another person come first. She proceed it and later asked me.

"What is your weakness?"

Again, took too long to answer, but I said "Probably my listening skills, I been told I don't listen as much as I talk, but I'm working on it"

I relized that came off a bit phony, or it made me sound that I was trying too hard to please her or trying to fit into those characteristics that they were looking for. It felt more like therapy, for some reason, I nervously answered a few questions, but I managed to carefully let words comes out my mouth in a sophisticated, unpretentious manner, trying not to slip up. I giggle and slightly smile between questions but she still keeps a straight face, no smile, no expressions, no nothing. She concludes by mentioning they were only looking for a long-term part-time sales associates and that there was only one position open, I was apalled.

We shaked hands and we both part in separate directions, she went back in and I headed out. I sensed a strange vibe from the interview, almost as if she was telling me "We don't want you here", but I kept moving and went to Levi's to set an interview, a nice black young lady at the register first notices me and seems to like my attire, she consequentially asks.

"Are those Levi's?", referring to my jeans.

I innocently said, "No, they're H&M", she then added.

"Oh well, we could've done an interview right now"

That lead to the other two managers that were close by and myself to laugh, she then sends a guy to the back of the store to grab my application, he comes back out and hands it to her. She proceeds to take a quick glance at it and says.

"Could we set up an interview tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.?".

I said, "Sure, no problem".

"Ok", she said.

"Thanks", I replied

I waved and walked out with a small grin on my face. That definitely felt much better, I thought I was more myself and felt more at home. The guys at Levi's seemed more approachable and friendly which I sensed when I step right on the store.

The next day I arrived to Levi's just 5 minutes late (apparently I have a problem with time), the manager nicely told me to wait a few minutes, we went right outside the store, and sited at these almost neon plastic-looking chairs. The interview goes very smooth, she asked me questions and I answered them back. It almost felt more like talking to a friend, than talking to a future boss. She mentions that she loved the outfit that I was wearing yesterday, "That's was perfect, that's exactly how we are trying to push people how to dress". That was nice to hear, but it also puts some unwanted pressure on me to back up what she said, meaning that I gotta pull it together everyday i showed up at work. I know to some people it may not sound like pressure, but expectations, they know fashion, they follow it, breathe it, eat it, etc. I feel like I also do, but there is definitely not enough clothes on my closet. Concluding, she mentions that's she going to review my application and contact the references I listed in it and adds that they'll be in contact with me soon. She then runs back in the store and hands me this Levi's business card that said "Levi's Stylist", she said that's what sales associates are called but to me I felt that the tittle "stylist" suited my character to a T.

MJ Lives...Well, At Least In The Pages Of Haper's Bazaar.

The 2009 September issue of Harper Bazaar features the talented Agyness Deyn in fully Jackson-inspired looks. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) is the tittle given to this spread styled by Brana Wolf and shot by none other than the very controversial Terry Richardson, who is one of my favorite shot-makers.

There was this obviously gloomy and melancholic mood in the world after one of the most celebrated (and often ridiculed) pop-stars unexpectedly left us under somewhat obscure and suspicious circumstances. Michael Jackson was not only a music genius, but he was also looked as a fashion icon. The white gloves, shiny socks and the infamous red Thriller jacket, were some of those iconic pieces that made Michael the icon he still is today. There is no doubt that his very flashy sense of style contributed to his illustrious career achievements and style recognition we known him for. Furthermore, Jackson was often caught wearing one of his favorite designers, Gianni Versace, who (in this case, was his sister and current creative director of the house, Donatella Versce) dressed the whole Jackson's family in black ensembles on his worldwide-televised ceremony. Also, weeks before his tragic death, Mike was photographed by a sea of paparazzi wearing this hot Givenchy studded jacket and various super expensive Balmain pieces (even though some of the clothes he was wearing were from the women's collection, he still looked the part). Jackson's contributions to fashion were major, that's probably the reason why Glenda Bailey, editor-in-chief of Harper Bazaar, decided to dedicate this sympathetic fashion spread as a small but significant tribute to the one and only, Michael Jackson. I'm eager to read what Mrs. Bailey had to say about this September issue, but especially the true purpose behind the shoot.

I love the pieces Wolf pulled for this shoot, but I'm afraid this looks a bit too plagiarized. I thought the spread was Michael Jackson-inspired but this looks like she went to his massive closet and pulled clothes that he already wore in past performances and videos. In my opinion, I feel the looks do embody a certain character, but I can't imagine any women walking around in any head-to-toe styled outfits featured in the photographs above. I wished the outfits were put together somewhat different, maybe they could've exchange a nice pair of denims, instead of those high-water black pants or the Thriller jacket could've work with any hot F/W 2009 Marc Jacobs dress, but anyways, the thing is done but at least it sends the message.

Pixs: models.com

Currently Listening: Sweet Dreams - Beyonce

Hot!!!

Lady Gaga For Out Magazine

The super gay magazine Out is featuring one of the most talked about pop artist in the industry, Lady Gaga, in their 2009 September issue. The cover, which I love, features Gaga as she came to the world, butt naked, but revealing nothing. The smeared make-up insinuates the fact that she just finish sucking the blood out of one of her boy-toy lovers. I think that aggressive foreplay can be projected as something so sexual and commercial that can potentially turn on quite a few readers, especially when it comes to a celebrity.

The cover shot and spread was shot by Ellen Von Unwerth and styled by one of my favorite editors/stylist Nicola Formichetti. I'm not familiar with the photographer, but I love Formichetti's work. I had the opportunity to admire his work on the pages of Dazed and Confused, V Magazine and Vogue Homme Japan, his esthetic and vision is truly unmatched, I love how he mixes different elements in order to bring out such great imagery.

Unexpectedly enough, Gaga looks darn good in this Dracula inspired looks. I think her inner freak comes out when she channels that character (well actually her inner freak comes out in whatever she wear), but this spread is so gothically sexy, and that's coming from me.

Pixs:out.com

Raquel Zimmerman For Jean Paul Gaultier F/W 09

I wouldn't except nothing less from both parties, the extravagance flare of Mr. Gaultier and the elegance of Raquel, this is truly a hot collaboration and very seductive ad. You really have to give Raquel for putting such an effort and transformation (with the help of stylist, make-up and photoshop, of course), but it's truly such an innovative project that it's going to be in everyone's mouth in Europe, at least. It's a bit freaky when I think about it, but it's amazing how she can look so feminine and masculine at the same time, just by changing clothes and a small twist in postures. There is only a few models who can pull this off, have that diversity and subtlety for this kind of acts, that represents such a high-remarked designer. I just love the fact that it's white and black, because then the emphasis goes to the clothes and the meaning behind it.

Pixs source: models.com

Karl Loves a Man in High Heels

Karl Lagerfeld and Baptiste Giabiconi from Purple Magazine on Vimeo.

Karl Lagerfeld seems to have this weird obsession with photographing men in women's clothing, especially in high heels as he has done it before for the March 2009 Vogue Paris issue. In his case thought he shoots one of his fav, Baptiste Giabiconi for Purple Magazine #12. Personally, I'm not into cross-dressing, but I can see the art in it. It's not something you see everyday (well, depending on where you live), but for me it's something not foreign but somewhat obscure. I have nothing against trannys (a.k.a. transexuals), but I love the idea of dressing as someone of the opposite sex and having "safe" fun with it, which I think it's probably one of Karl's point on this shoot. I'm sure for some this is a taboo, but in some parts of Europe, this might be look as something as nothing out of the ordinary. Men in women's clothes!?, wow, groundbreaking. I admire people who take risks in any kind of fashion and Karl is just doing that, I don't think his reputation as one of the biggest designers and image makers in history is being put in jeopardy by throwing himslef into the "lion's mouth" but it's a strong statement to the industry on the philosophy of freedom. I really can't wait 'till this issue comes out and hear lots of feedback from insiders, but especially I'll would like to know the reason behind this shoot by Mr Karl.

Vogue Paris March 2009, shot by Karl Lagerfeld

Pixs source: models.com, purple-diary.com