Music vs Style -- A Killer Combination

Anne and Nancy Wilson of Heart

Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie & The Banshees 

If there ever was a match made in creative heaven it is the existential marriage that exists with music and fashion. This union is undeniable because you're dealing with two very strong creative "minds" who are both rooted in image (and movement).

The Annenberg Space for Photography

The perfectly curated exhibition on view now (which has been extend until October 21, 2012) at The Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City entitled "Who Shot Rock & Roll", takes us on a journey through musical history and its co-habitual friend "image", as seen and captured by the top photographers who have been called upon by the music industry to not only document by to image-make and expose the personal side of our favorite musical icons.

Beginning with Elvis Presley, who changed the music business by knowingly exposing the "other side" and giving a "face" to rock and roll and turning a whole new generation on to the swing and sway of not only the music but of their own personal expression (via music, and style), he did  this expertly so by enticing us through the photographic and moving image, and in one sweeping move, turning viewers into fanatics. Yet he wasn't the only one to do so; many many others followed suit and today, music and image are synonymous with each other (just like fashion and image are as well) and the most lasting and indelible music acts are those who have embraced this combination to its hilt and have left us with equally indelible impressions through the image of music.

Tina Turner

The Rolling Stones

The Police

The exhibits moves you through these ideas and more, from the image factory itself to artistic collaborations between photographer and music artist [Anton Corbijn and U2's music videos featurette, Grace Jones and Jean Paul Goude's composites of the fantastic "Island Life" album cover, or Maripol and Madonna's complete image package (fashion styling and costuming) from her early 80s oeuvre for example], to the viewpoint of the fans (an interestingly casual and emotional section, I thought), to the culmination of the exhibit, an engaging 12 minute documentary produced exclusively for the Annenberg.

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"Who Shot Rock & Roll: The Film" teaser trailer (via Annenberg Space/YouTube)


Who doesn't remember perusing the record store and looking at the album cover and letting that bold, frontal image coerce you into buying the record and going on an aural journey (or in today's modern speak, doing the same thing by looking at the thumbnails of covers on Amazon or iTunes) and getting just that much closer into the mind of the recording artist? Or seeing a music video or concert film, movement and sound and image all rolled into one, and being taken on a truly visual journey?
A thoroughly enjoyable and definite don't-miss, go check out "Who Shot Rock & Roll" at the Annenberg before it closes on October 21, 2012, and as always, rock on!!

-fggofstyle
(all photos taken by me from images displayed in the center's courtyard/exterior)

**Mark Seliger, chief photographer for Rolling Stone magazine (1992-2002) and whose work is  featured in the show will be speaking at the final live lecture series in conjunction with the exhibition on Thursday Oct 18, 2012. 
For more information please visit the link below.




RELATED LINKS

Exhibitions: "Who Shot Rock & Roll" | The Annenberg Space for Photography

Strike The Ultimate Pose

On the afternoon of March 20, 1990, I secretly skipped sixth period to go to my best friends house and witness the world premiere of the most anticipated music video to air on MTV that season (and, well for the rest of that decade). Little did I know then that this music video would become an iconic event for me and would shape my future in its delicate way. It revealed to me that art, in its infinitely vast shape, could come together and create an entirely new depth of form to its newest art form (then, music videos) and bridge the past through homage, shape the future through imitation, and bring to the masses a long-thriving underground gay dance culture.
That day my ears danced to the progressive beat, my body moved to the rhythm, my eyes devoured the imagery, and my heart was touched. To this day, that song and especially that music video, continues to move me in joyful ways and it has been such a delight to watch its evolution through the myriad of numerous performances over the years. Back in 1990 I was witnessing the beginning of the next best thing, I was witnessing the moment something becomes a classic, an icon, and comes to an apex from which it has never come down from.
In honour of not only that moment but to the person who created this wonderful piece of art on the day they came into creation, I will share with you what has become my real piece of joy, and, for me strikes with the ultimate in style. And like a call to the sea, let's heed the words and follow suit: "strike a pose, there's nothing to it...", I give you "Vogue":



  Madonna, "Vogue" directed by David Fincher



Madonna as Marie Antionette performing "Vogue" at the MTV Video Music Awards, 1990



"Vogue" from the Blond Ambition Tour 1990 Nice, France; wearing costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier


from the Girlie Show 1993 Sydney, Australia; wearing costumes designed by Dolce & Gabanna

from the Re-Invention Tour 2004/film "I'm Going To Tell You a Secret" directed by Jonas Akerlund; wearing costumes designed by Arianne Phillips and corset by Christian Lacroix


from the Sticky & Sweet Tour 2009; wearing costumes designed by Ricardo Tischi for Givenchy and Arianne Phillips



from the Super Bowl Halftime Show January 2012 ("Music" performed with LMFAO); wearing costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier


from the MDNA Tour 2012 Milan, Italy (followed by "Candy Shop"); wearing costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier

The classic endures and thrives on. And may you continue to do the same, Madonna. Happy Birthday and may you forever be in Vogue.

-fggofstyle

(all videos via YouTube and are in the public domain)

Love to Love You: Donna Summer

It seems that these times of our lives have introduced us to many a legend who have come and touched us in their special way, and when they leave us, we remember how poignant their expression of Creativity has indeed left its mark and truly moved us. With over 130 million records sold, 31 #1  International hits, it is really no wonder that there is almost no one who hasn't heard "the Voice of a Decade" or The Queen of Disco, or, simply Ms. Donna Summer.

For me, Donna Summer embodied a style and charisma that could not have come from any other time except the 70's. I remember dancing with my Mom in the kitchen to "Try Me I Know We Can Make It" (which is still my absolute favorite Donna Summer song for various reasons and 18 minutes of pure disco sensuality) and I fondly remember always hearing Donna playing in our house all the time. I grew up listening to her voice, and kept growing up listening to it and being influenced by the messages coming through her voice even as an adult. It was through her voice that I learned many things about my self and about love, beauty, and style.
As a fashion/style icon, Donna had a style about her that was strong, courageous, and vibrant. The legendary fashion photographer, Francesco Scavullo definitely saw this in her and she was one of his most photographed subjects (see my pictorial tribute below). I will never forget that brown sequined disco dress she slips into to perform "Last Dance" in the movie "Thank God Its Friday". In that moment we learned that's how you do sexy and confident at the same time: it become a signature look not only for her but for countless women in the Disco era, and beyond--all you have to do is look at Tom Ford to see her fashion influence translated for our modern time--that alluring, seductive, sultry, amber-scented, confidently strong woman that Donna Summer put a look and face to for an international audience who would express their self to the world by following her cue. 

from "Once Upon a Time" album cover photographed by Francesco Scavullo 1977

from "Once Upon A Time" album art 1977 photographed by Francesco Scavullo

Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer from "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)"  single album art
 photographed by Francesco Scavullo

photographed by Francesco Scavullo 1980

Donna Summer as Marilyn Monroe photographed by Francesco Scavullo 1976

photographed by Francesco Scavullo while performing in New York 1978

photographed by Francesco Scavullo 1978

 The cue that I have personally followed that Donna taught me comes from "Try Me I Know We Can Make It",
 "I just wanna show you love and make it all time..."
This is something I do every day and I learned its wisdom coming through the voice of Donna, as that is what she did with her gift and creativity. She showed us all Love. 

Thank You and Rest Peaceful.

-fggofstyle

Related articles

• Beyoncé Pays Homage To The Late Donna Summer (pinkisthenewblog.com)
• Memories of Donna's Disco Nights (New York Times)

Video: John Galliano

 (video courtesy/via Bio)


What more can be said about the imitable John Galliano? Not much. Let the artistry in his designs speak for themselves. We are all awaiting his return and rise back into the top ranks again, for he left a truly indelible mark on the fashion world indeed.

-fggofstyle

Related articles

• The Dior That Was - A Look at the John Galliano Era, 1996-2011 (fashionologie.com)
• BREAKING: Raf Simons Replaces John Galliano at Dior (lowefactor.com)

A Tribute to Whitney Houston, The Greatest Voice of All

It is with such sadness for me to accept the news of Whitney Houston's passing on Saturday here in Los Angeles. Although she has had many personal struggles and it has cost her in many ways (ending her marriage to Bobby Brown, losing her New Jersey mansion, making a failed comeback in 2009, losing her iconic voice, etc), there is no denying the indelible mark this brilliant artist has left on music. Beginning her career in fashion as a model, all the while harboring a voice that will change the industry when she makes her debut in 1984 with her self-titled first album, "Whitney Houston", and the string of hits that span her career, no one saw that she was going to change and evolve the face (and sound) of pop music forever. Here is a collection of some of my favorite images and videos of this true icon through her career and life...

"Greatest Love of All" single cover, 1984

an early modeling photo from the 80's

photo by Richard Avedon from "Whitney" album cover art, 1987

one of my favorite Whitney songs written by longtime Madonna collaborator Jellybean Benitez, from "Whitney", 1987

album interior cover art for "My Love is Your Love", photographed by Dana Lixenburg

album interior cover art for "My Love is Your Love", photographed by Dana Lixenburg

still from "It's Not Right But It's Okay" music video,  1999

album cover art from "I Look To You", 2009

a still from the music video "I'm Every Woman" from "The Bodyguard" 1992

May You now be at Peace, Whitney.


With Love and Rememberance,
-fggofstyle

Video: Cathy Horyn's Spring 2012 Report Milan

Ms. Horyn's intrinsic eye focuses on modern day Milan and the references of the past in the Spring collections




In my opinion (and further to the musings I made after the New York Report), the Italians do sportswear (or the new "sport" trend) like no one else has (or can), and this season's presentations further drive this point. There were so many references to the feel-good of the 50's and 60's of La Dolce Vita that, I feel, will be a trend unto itself created and executed by the Italians for everyone else. The pitch perfect candy colors in soft hues evoke Spring, again, like no one else has shown in NY or London. Ms. Horyn's observation of "cinematic" feelings running through many collections I agree with wholeheartedly. There really is a strong reference to images of cinema in the Milan collections that each look becomes a picture of Sophia Loren or Anita Ekbert or even Brigitte Bardot. And in true form, Milan brought cinematics to the runways, with DSquared doing it tongue-in-cheek style, with mud to remind us that fashion really is dirty, no matter how you clean it up.

-fggofstyle

Mr. Cunningham's Eye on...

Bill Cunningham, the original street style photographer who has worked for the New York Times for as long as anyone can remember, now does very irreverent and pitch-perfect video montages of his photos of stylish citizens of New York for the publication, and are one of my favorite things to watch one the Times website. I came across two great videos which seem to have captured my visual sense of style today in two very distinct ways for me: the ultra-feminine and perhaps the last bastion of gender-specific clothing, the Dress, makes its big appearance (again) at NY Fashion Week, AND, the direct influence of menswear/womenswear towards androgynous dressing, or, in my opinion, "dressing for You".

Enjoy these great video montages and the wonderful commentary of Mr. Cunningham:
"Fashion Week: Fantasy or Reality?"
The influence of menswear on womenswear, or is it the other way around? I think we have really reached the apex of "dressing for You". Look at how interchangeable it really truly is nowadays: men carry handbags/purses and wear color, and women are re-drawn to tailoring and wearing brogues better than ever.

"Zip It"
The return of the dress, in a big way, has not only transcended the runways but the closets of women everywhere. The "one-piece" does what it does without any other aplomb. It is stylishly simple and complete and the smartest move to make now.

-fggofstyle

Video: Cathy Horyn's Spring 2012 Report NY

Ms. Horyn's astute observations of the emerging trends from New York Fashion Week

Her analysis of the trends are of course succinct and spot-on, and I completely agree with her on the three trends that she mentions but I feel that "soft silhouettes" are a trend unto themselves, which I think we will see throughout the presentations in the coming weeks as a counter balance to the "sport" trend that is emerging. I think that when we get to Milan, the "sport" trend may die down, as by now the Italians have been doing "sport" but with severe sophistication that no one else has been able to master as well. The new "soft silhouette" I feel will hit its peak in Paris, where I see this trend really taking hold and being executed par excellence there. The jacket has never really gone away and it is definitely stronger than ever. I think in London we will see the real style and proper execution of the jacket come full tilt, as tailoring is the strongest point of London and no better place for the jacket to be down perfectly but, in Tokyo the art of the jacket will be seen.

 Enjoy the video and I'm looking forward to London Fashion Week this week.
-fggofstyle
(video via www.nytimes.com)

Related articles

• Watch London Fashion Week 2011 Live! (graziadaily.co.uk)

Video: Lanvin Paris Fall 2011 Collection

Full of fun and tongue-in-cheek humor, Lanvin Paris does their Fall fashion film to a beat unexpected of the famed fashion house's general public image of the ultimate in French decorum. Steven Meisel helps to break down this barrier by creating a fun and hilarious film for the season, and one of my favorites. There is so many things to adore about this: the models are perfectly coiffed, everyone is dancing naturally (albeit loosely choreographed) and the cameo at the end is the best part. Who knew Alber can get down..?!
Enjoy!
-fggofstyle

Video: 100 Years of Style in 100 Seconds

Check out this great video from the UK to promote the opening of Westfield's new shopping center coming to East London on September 13, which takes us through 100 Years of style in fashion, music, and dance in about 100 seconds. This just puts a smile on my face as its a combination of a few of my favorite things: fashion and dance!
Enjoy!
-fggofstyle
(video via youtube.com/westfield stratford)

"MOVE" a fashion film for Rachel Roy Spring 2011

"MOVE" Rachel Roy Spring 2011 from Dominique Palombo on Vimeo.

The fusion of dance and fashion and film comes together in sublime perfection in this film by Dominique Palombo for Rachel Roy's Spring 2011 Collection. Fashion stylist Wendy Levy puts together Roy's interesting and fluid collection on the assortment of diverse dancers, moving to choreography by the brilliant Jermaine Brown. There's nothing else you can do, except...Move. Enjoy!
-fggofstyle
*thanks to Sabrina Phillip for sharing this with me*

A Hero's Welcome: Lanvin Men's Spring 2012

Spring/Summer 2012 Menswear Fashion Show from... by afp-fashion

The theme of the collection and presentation, "war heroes turn into heroes of peace", runs full force and relevant in Lanvin Men's fashion show, which just showed in Paris. This is a standout menswear collection and another personal favorite. Alber Elbaz and Lucas Ossendrijver present a cohesive and extremely wearable collection.
I love the color palette and its evolution, from rich and deep browns, to washed navy (almost chambray), black (and the exquisite leather and that covetable patent leather blazer), to a burst of color to close out the collection. I also love how the fabrics change from hard to soft, from the leathers to knit wool, to prints and tie-dye, to silks and jersey cotton. I also love how the style moves through the presentation, which you will notice how each look goes from "buttoned up" (ie boots, jacket, tie, etc) to "loosened up" (ie sandals, layered looks, color, soft textures).
The collection, rooted in an ideal of the strength and austerity of the "hero" man, hits all the right targets, I believe, by showing us both the hard and the soft, and the dark and the colorful side of the modern man's wardrobe.

-fggofstyle

(video via DailyMotion France/YouTube)

Versace's Edge and Glory lives on in "Edge of Glory"

For me, there is no denying my fascination and attraction to Lady Gaga's second release from her recent "Born This Way" album: it's the vintage Versace she wears in this sparse and down-played and "retro" feeling music video for "Edge of Glory". And to know that Donatella Versace opened up the house archives and has allowed Lady Gaga to use actual pieces from them is amazing. This, mixed with the recent news of Versace's H&M collaboration in which Donatella will re-interpret archived pieces in it, and the loaning of archived pieces for Gaga's promotional outings as well really does have me wondering if there is going to be a larger, direct release of archival items through the luxury brand's outposts or even an artistic exhibition coming soon (I believe its looong overdue). Yes, please, and may it be so!

-fggofstyle

Exclusive: ‘Edge of Glory’ is the First Time Donatella Opened the Versace Archives for a Music Video – Fashionista: Fashion Industry News, Designers, Runway Shows, Style Advice

Related articles

• Versace for H&M (fggofstyle.com)

Versace for H&M

As a long time collector and avid fan of Versace, the news of the luxury brands soon to launch collaboration with mega-retailer H&M is one of elation and surprise. With the rise of luxury brands doing high-street fashion becoming ever more prevalent, this move by Versace says, in a clear way to me even more than the great Lanvin x H&M collection last Fall, that no one in any luxury realm cannot ignore the lure and buzz of doing fashion-for-the-masses. With Donatella pulling from the vast Versace archives for inspiration/looks for this collection, its sure to be an interesting and hopefully well-round storytelling retail venture. I'm sure to get a few pieces to add to my personal Versace collection, which dates back to the early 80s. It will be an interesting addition to my archives and I can't wait to see what the H&M Collection says about the direction and future of the Versace brand, and to see how it will instill lust for its luxury brand to the masses.

-fggofstyle

(video via YouTube/fashionista.com)

Click here for more information:

Versace for H&M To Hit Stores this Fall, Plus a Peak at the Collection – Fashionista: Fashion Industry News, Designers, Runway Shows, Style Advice

Video: Tyra and ALT Play with Shoes (Fa Fa Fa Fashion!)

Fun and silliness abound in this funny "fashion learning course" video from Tyra Banks and Andre Leon Talley, who are hamming it up but giving us a lesson on the stiletto shoe. One of a number of videos from Tyra's newest venture, Fa Fa Fa Fashion , in which she gives "retired supermodel" tips on all things fashion, in a funny and tongue-in-cheek, total Tyra style. The best quips and quotes come from Andre ("fashion is pain" LOL) which is no surprise. Take a peek and have a laugh and learn a thing or two about a shoe. Enjoy!

-fggofstyle

The Stiletto -- powered by TYPEF.COM

MOCA presents "Rodarte: States of Matter"

Rodarte: States of Matter from MOCA on Vimeo.

Recently, M and I explored the first art presentation of fashion and costume designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy, also known as Rodarte, at MOCA Pacific Design Center. This video perfectly captures the exhibit, which is very impressive for its small/large scope and for the up-close details you get to experience in Rodarte's fantastic and intricate design work. Definitely not a show to miss if you are in Los Angeles and a purveyor of design, fashion, and art. And what better way than to witness fashion as art, for what it really is, through the focused and genius eyes of Rodarte.
Enjoy!

-fggofstyle

Video: The Boys of Milan and Paris

This is a joyous and fun video from Jak & Jil's Tommy Ton and director Justin Wu of the male models from the Milan and Paris FW 2011 shows, having fun and offering backstages glimpses of the shows. Can you say, "Boys, Boys, Boys"!?! So much FUN!! Enjoy...
-fggofstyle


Boys of Milan & Paris FW2011 from Justin Wu on Vimeo.

RiRi's Lookin' Good: Two Vids (Icon Inspiration Project)

I'm really liking how Rihanna is styled in these two videos, "Only Girl (In The World" and "Rude Boy". Together, they are contrasting opposites at the same time showcasing the same thing, Rihanna's sassy and sex appeal. One is soft, the other hard, both musically and sartorially. Good job on the fashionable perfectionism, Ri!

-fggofstyle

The New Center of Style

Fashion Week is under way for the Spring/Summer presentations in New York. The center of the fashion eye has sat for many years in Bryant Park, and I'm so happy that it has moved uptown (a bit west) to the fantastic Lincoln Center. In my opinion, this is the best and smartest move for the shows. It solidifies Fashion's place in the Arts, because it is Art.

Enjoy!

-fggofstyle

[video courtesy of the New York Times (www.newyorktimes.com), and was produced by Shayla Harris]