CULTURAL PIE

PLEASE DON'T STOP THE MUSIC!

2009-09-08T23:21:00.009-04:00

I love the genius that is Charo. I was first introduced to her as a child staying up to watch THE LOVE BOAT and FANTASY ISLAND on Saturday nights. Her sequined gowns with thigh high slits, sparkly fringe and plunging necklines were only topped by her HUGE blond cascading wigs, pumped lips, gyrating hips and her cries of COOCHIE COOCHIE COO - I lived for her!!! She was the perfect blend of comedy, glamor and trashiness.

Well, mamacita has stepped into the modern age and taken on modern day diva Rihanna's addictive hit, DON'T STOP THE MUSIC. I betcha RiRi never envisioned this for her song. Flanked by 2 cheesy dancers in lame' shirts and chunky black shoes, Charo serves it up like a bowl of spicy salsa - muy caliente! I LIVE!!!

FACEBOOKED

2009-07-19T23:59:00.007-04:00

Well, it has truly been a while since I last posted. I have started a project of my own (which I will discuss later) which has kept me VERY busy. So busy that I have neglected my blog. But after joining FACEBOOK at the urging of many friends - it sort of prompted me to get back to it. After all, the blog is about inspiration, creativity and seeing beauty in the world. I truly need to see and feel more of that right now, so what better way to grasp it, than to seek it out and grab hold of it myself?

So in the name of true creativity, inspiration, individualism, ingenuity and being from Detroit - here is the incomparable, singularly sensational, legendary, ICONIC - Miss Donyale Luna:

DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK

2009-04-06T10:42:00.006-04:00

Hello all!!! It has indeed been a minute since I last posted. I have been working on a really big project that has really taken up all of my time. I will be able to share it with you soon!!! In addition to not blogging, my personal life looked like that of a 17th century Lutheran monk - NOT CUTE!!!!

But if there was anything or anyone that could force my hand to get all back up in throughout here, it is the FIRST LADY, MRS. MICHELLE OBAMA. The Obamas have been on their European tour and Michelle has made quite a buzz with her wardrobe. I love that Michelle has been such a staunch supporter of American fashion (Where are the black designers though? If we get a black Attorney general, can't we have a black designer's dress on the first lady?! I am sure she understands the importance), but her mix of European designers has been refreshing. I love that she is doing her and to hell with the naysayers. The Moschino bow blouse got mixed reviews, but I think it was representative of the joy and optimism that she represents - classic fabric, exuberant expression!!!!! I even noticed that mother's hair and makeup have enjoyed a fierce upgrade. Honey, that 'do and face beat are working!!!!! She is looking more gorgeous than ever.

Above are my faves from the trip. And, I have to tell you that hands down, Michelle's BEST look of all time is the Azzedine Alaia knit dress. GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The gorgeously toned arms, the bare legs, the high heel and the sheer simplicity/complexity of the dress adds up to one thing - FIERCE. A first lady wearing Alaia - how bleeping modern can you get?!?!? Work girl!!!

SUNDAY DRAWING - GOOD LORD!!!!!

2009-02-13T10:31:00.010-05:00

In the combined classic words of two pop culture icons, RuPaul and Florida Evans:

"I have one thing to say: DAMN, DAMN, DAMN!!!!!!!!"

I will just leave it at that and leave you these pics to see for yourself. Praise Jesus and Halelu-yer.

Amazing Face - Ridge

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Beautiful boy

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Lord, this beyond gorgeous man had enough dark chocolate to put Hersheys and Godiva out of business. Lawd have mercy!!!!!!!

AND LET THE CHURCH SAY...AMEN!!!

2009-02-06T08:17:00.008-05:00

Michelle was pretty and luxe in chartreuse brocade and pashmina, Sasha and Malia were the embodiment of kid-cute in their fab jewel tone color mixes and, surprisingly, Laura Bush was ultra chic and modern in her beautifully cut, minimal, neutral ensemble. But it was the original ReRe (Sorry Rihanna), the icon...living legend...diva...the Queen herself, Aretha Franklin, that made the biggest and boldest fashion statement on Inauguration day.

I absolutely LOVED her hat!!! What many critics failed to understand was the connection to the age old tradition of 'Crowns' in the black community. Large, fanciful, embellished, bedazzled, ladylike, fierce, dramatic toppers are de rigueur at Sunday church services, special events, fashion shows, plays, graduations, etc, in the black community. They are a show of wealth, status and class in the same way that designer bags are. They also represent a regal connection to our African ancestry. I believe Aretha's fashion statement spoke to something deeper than just 'I wanna wear a big ole' fancy hat'. I think it spoke to a reverence and respect that she held for the momentous occasion and it's direct connection to her history - a history filled with church, civil rights, marching, shoutin' and making it to the mountain top.

For a woman that is known to show far too much skin, especially her never-ending cleavage, Aretha looked rather chic and understated in her melange charcoal lady-coat and chapeau. The hat has been requested by the Smithsonian - for sure, a great honor. I hope she donates it because it is about more than just the Inauguration, it is a great nod to a rich, little known aspect and aesthetic of American culture and history.

OH NO SHE DI-IN'T!!!

2009-02-06T07:13:00.005-05:00

No one loves a legend more than me. I go UP for Ross; I LIVE for Patti; I LOVES' me some Dionne; Gladys make me glad; I give all R-E-S-P-E-C-T to the queen, Aretha .......but the recent outburst of the legendary icon Etta James is just unacceptable.

Etta should be ashamed of her damn self. I know that sass is part of her schtick, but her derogatory and extremely unfunny comments about our new president were despicable. This is a woman who lived through segregation and the civil rights movement. She should be onstage PRAISING GOD that times are a-changin'. It is her generation that should see something extra special about Barack's presidency.

Also, she should be sending roses to Bey for introducing a new generation to her story, her song, her legacy. Beyonce did a fabulous job of portraying her in CADILLAC RECORDS (great movie!). AT LAST is a really obligatorily great song, but it is one of those songs that I have heard so many damn times that I never wanted to hear it again. Bey breathed a bit of freshness into it in my humble opinion. Etta James is indeed a living legend, but it is because of Bey that her name is back on the tip of the collective pop-culture tongue.

When Etta was being serenaded and honored by Bey, everything was hunky-dorey, but now that the attention has shifted away from her, I think she is a little attention starved. I find it funny because AT LAST was a 19 year old song when Etta sang it - it was originally written by Mack Gorgon and Harry Warren for the musical, ORCHESTRA WIVES and became a pop hit in 1942 for Glen Miller (with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday). Mr. Nat King Cole then recorded it in '57 on one of his many #1 albums. It wasn't until 1960 that Etta had a moderate hit with the song, only reaching #47 on the pop charts. So, how in the hell is it her damn song??!!?? Get real, lady. You are too accomplished and too much of a survivor who has so much to be grateful for to stoop to such unladylike behavior.

Count your blessings, Miss Thing....more class and less sass.....

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UPDATE!!! - Now, Mother is coming out saying that she was just joking......no, ole' girl, your coattails got pulled and you got read for being nasty and ungrateful!!!

ÜBER UBAH

2009-02-04T15:38:00.006-05:00

Ralph's Spring 2009 campaign

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Italian Vogue's iconic all-black issue
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Bruce Weber - Italian Vogue

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Closing out Ralph
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Backstage

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She could be the next big thing.....Ubah Hassan of Somalia, via Canada. I love that she represents a very different type of African beauty than we are used to seeing - one that is soft, delicate and ultra feminine. Most recent African girls of note (except Liyah) have been very strong, dark skinned, short haired and almost androgynous. Believe me, I love the beauty of all of them and I love to see all the chocolate girls working, but it is great to see some newness. She bucks that trend and I love it.

She also bucks the prevailing trend of rail thin, shapeless blondes. This girl has body and legs for days. I love that she has a very potent sexiness and vivacity about her. She closed Ralph's Spring 09 show and is the newest face in his Spring campaign. Let's hope this is a launching pad to a great, long, illustrious career. You better work those legs, girl........

GENIUS!!!

2009-02-03T08:59:00.008-05:00

Azzedine Alaia - Spring 2009

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Genius is a word that is just as bastardized as other words such as luxury, couture and talent. Nowadays, with the over-glut of contemporary fashion, Hollywood influence and youth culture, anything with a sequin or a ruffle is considered couture. Anything that has half of a percent of cashmere is thought of as luxury. Anyone that produces anything is deemed talented. I truly believe that the commercialization and normalization of high fashion has actually been one of the biggest contributors to its recent marginalization. Too much fashion, too often, for too many to participate and partake. When you have nobody-ass socialites and dim witted celebs dictating fashion, baby, we have a problem.

But we still have Azzedine!!!!!!!! Hallelujah, Thank you Jesus and Praise the Lord!!!!!!! This is a man that has stayed true to his beliefs and vision for his entire career. He bucks the prevailing trends and always ONLY fine tunes his own statement. And to top it all off, he has stayed in business the entire time. Now I don't know if he has some fierce tree behind his maison that produces Euros and dollars, but he has maintained for decades without normal seasonal showings or ads.

I personally think that the future of fashion is in the ultra individualized visions of people such as Donna Karan's Urban Zen, Commes des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto, Chado Ralph Rucci and of course, Azzedine Alaia. Donna, Rei, Yohji, Ralph and Azzedine have one thing in common (other than lots of money!) - they are singular visionaries who stay true to their course of creative expression. Now that is great inspiration - DO YOU, BOO!!!

PS - That snakeskin, trench, pouf dress is working me overtime.................

SHE'S BACK

2009-02-02T10:03:00.005-05:00

Yes, our newest diva is back....ladies and gentlemen....Miss Jennifer Hudson:

She looked great and sounded amazing. yes she was lip-synching, but who cares?!? We know this gal can blow the roof off the mutha', so don't trip!

She will be performing at the Grammys as well. My prayers, love and admiration go out to her and her family. Her faith in God, love from family and friends and keeping busy living her passion will see her though her tough times. Keep up the good work and keep showing these amateurs how it's done, boo!

SUNDAY MODEL DRAWING - MUSCLES

2009-01-19T09:23:00.007-05:00

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Wearing my own silver fox trapper's hat:

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RIP - RICARDO MONTALBAN

2009-01-15T10:33:00.008-05:00

One of the original Hollywood Latin Lovers, Ricardo Montalban, has passed away. He was known mainly as Mr. Roarke from Fantasy Island and was a star of Hollywood musicals in the 40's and Broadway in the 50's. He was also well known for his portrayal of Khan in the Star Trek TV show and movie. His suave, smooth, elegant, sexy, refined voice and mannerisms endeared him to millions.

Born to Spanish emigrants in Mexico City, Ricardo first achieved fame in NYC summer stock theater and Mexican films.

The thing that most stood out about this man, other than his movie star good looks, was his involvement in his community. I always have an affinity for minorities who give back to their communities. Mr. Montalban was instrumental in establishing the ALMA awards, awards for Spanish speaking actors. In 1970, he founded NOSOTROS and became it's first president, a group that fought the discrimination of Spanish speaking actors, sought to improve their image on screen and urged them to perfect their craft. This was groundbreaking. He had felt the sting of racism in America where he faced Texan signs barring "Dogs and Mexicans". How heartbreaking and disgusting? What most people don't realize is that we are all the same, when Latin actors win, I win; when coal miners in Kentucky win, I win. When single mothers win, I win. Any progression is good for all humanity. Any discrimination makes us all losers.

Vaya con Dios, Papi!!!!!

WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN....

2009-01-14T12:37:00.005-05:00

Looks like the old girls are repping............

Naomi and Linda duking it out for D-Squared - Spring 2009 campaign.

Just as an aside, Naomi would demolish Linda . Don't let that accent fool you - she throws cell phones and fists like queens throw shade (and fists). You know she means business - she has that weave tied up and is on the attack!!! Linda, hope you put vaseline on your mug, girl......

MORE OF PRE-FALL 2009

2009-01-14T11:23:00.009-05:00

PHI

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LANVIN

The collections are trickling in and they seemed to have saved two of the best for last. Phi and Lanvin look amazing!

Phi is truly finding it's own singular voice - highly constructed, sleek, urban, strong. It also has a strong sense of femininity with a nod to menswear. It seems as if they have taken some of the hallmarks of Proenza Schouler (constructed corsets and bras) and made them their own (and done them better in some cases). I LOVE the great short proportions here. Modern is such a bastardized term, but this collection truly looks like now, and more importantly, like tomorrow.

Lanvin - rich, luxe, modern, ageless, timeless!!! This collection is a masterful display of Alber Elbaz' brilliant eye for texture play, proportion, detailing and silhouette. Lanvin is probably one of the most influential and important labels in fashion right now - even more so than many premiere design houses such as Louis Vuitton or Dior. I would put it in the same category of influence and relevance as Prada, YSL and Balenciaga. Draped liquid metal, fur, lace, tulle, taffeta and stretch wool - a grand melange. Top it all off with a mad mix of necklaces, sexy librarian shoes and leather high top gloves for a look that is equal parts opulent and spontaneous.

Now I am just waiting for 2 of my faves - YSL and Givenchy. The clock is ticking.........

ON SECOND THOUGHT...........

2009-01-09T10:51:00.006-05:00

I was just thinking about fashion moving forward and I couldn't get past the need to remove the following articles of clothing/accessories from women's closets:

1) Ridiculously high, bulky platform shoes - these have been around for 3 1/2 years already. Let's move on y'all.......I am feeling low heeled (2") strappy shoes, strong heeled suede pumps (think early 90's Calvin Klein) and flat and high heeled tall boots in suede.

2) Sunglasses - I know these are a staple, but I like to look people in the eyes. I find that people use sunglasses as a stamp for stylishness, meaning, throw on anything and top it all off with a big, bug eyed pair of glasses and they make everything alright. Sunglasses are the accessory of choice of poseurs.

3) Skinny jeans - The problem is that most girls wear skinny jeans with a too tight top or a shrunken bomber jacket - this is all wrong. You have to have a play on proportion (a boyfriend jacket, a slouchy sweater, etc), unless you are Raquel Zimmerman. Plus, most people who wear skinny jeans are not doing themselves justice. A frowzy shape in a skinny jean is not cute. Let's ease it up a bit with flares, bell bottoms, trousers, boyfriend pants.....

4) Bad makeup - I see too many of my chocolate sisters wearing eye makeup that they copy from music videos. I particularly hate white shadow just above the lash or just beneath the brow. WHO IN THE HELL TOLD THEM TO DO THIS. STOP IMMEDIATELY!!!!! I am also sick of over contoured noses, overly thin brows and visible lip liner. I wish people realized that makeup is supposed to generally look natural and not like a mask.

5) Bad weaves and extensions - I think there is a trend of hair that is supposed to look like wigs or weaves. No longer do people try to make it look natural. No longer do people want you to ask "Is that her hair?". No longer is a real skin part necessary. Hollywood actresses all have that same 'center parted, softly waved around the face, with tumbling cascades of extra long hair' weave that is so annoying. Ride the train any day and you'll see hair that looks like hats. In urban areas, black women have become so dependent on fake hair that wearing natural hair is passe'. I see little girls, aged 5 or 6, with weaves and I just want to slap the hell out of the stupid mammy! Doesn't she realize that she is teaching the child that her hair, her natural beauty is not good enough? They start them at that age and then they are hooked. It damages their hair, their scalp and their esteem. I have seen time and time again how the natural beauty of a girl bursts out when she cuts her hair off, removes her wig or de-weaves herself. Think Roshumba - early 90's - sheer simplicity, sheer perfection.

6) High waisted jeans - This was a trend that worked on .01% of the population. They are highly unflattering and should be destroyed.

7) Knee High sneakers and Gladiator type boots - Generally worn with skinny jeans, need I say more?

PRE-FALL 2009 - BEST OF THE SEASON

2009-01-09T09:49:00.009-05:00

Narciso Rodriguez - his is the best pant of the season - slim yet easy, long & lean!

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Moschino Cheap & Chic - Consistently one of the BEST collections around - always feminine, modern with a touch of irony.

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Doo.Ri - Stunning look.

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Carolina Herrera - great look, just lose the shoes.
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Calvin Klein - Francisco Costa makes amazing silhouettes. I would love to see the little dress with a dark leg and a flat shoe or a flat over the knee boot.
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Burberry Prosum - I love this luxe wild child Brit look.

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Best of Show #1 - Donna Karan

Donna's newest collection is as brilliant as her recent Resort collection (feminine, pink, fuschia gorgeousness). What ties the 2 together is their faithfulness to her singular roots. She is at her best when she references herself, not other designers. She infuses the clothes with structured softness and drapes, sleekness, modernity, ease and sensuality (smart sexy!) What I love here most are the long, languid, lean silhouettes that move around the body - they always have a structured anchor - the shoulder, the waist or a girl's great legs.

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Best of Show #2 - Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang continues his winning streak of cool, modern, easy collections. What is so amazing about what he does is that the looks are amazing on the runway and the models could just walk right off of the runway and onto the street and they would look equally as fierce. You can clearly see an early 90's influence here (child, these young kids are referencing the 90's already!!!!!). There are clear references to Alaia, Helmut Lang and even Tom Ford when he was ripping up the fashion world with his early work at Gucci. My favorite is the smashing coral, assymetric draped day dress (dress of the season!!!) worn with sleek patent loafers - super cool, super modern and just plain super.

OBAMA FEVER

2009-01-09T06:58:00.006-05:00

From my lovely friend Mira aus Duestchland (from Germany):

I bought the magazin "Der Spiegel" yesterday (see attachment) =)The title says "Obama's best man" (=Michelle) =))) and below "Changeover of power in the US:The (president) couple and their vision for a better world"It's a positive article. The Germans love them =)))

Looks like the Germans have caught the fever too!!! Let's just pray that this whole Rick Warren thing is part of some covert, big-picture plan. This has been his only major misstep in my opinion, but I am trying to trust that he knows what he is doing. He is a big picture kinda guy and I think his heart is in the right place, so let's just see how this plays out down the line. In any case, it seems as if the entire world is ready for this amazing black man to step into the role of 'The Most Powerful Man In The World'. Michelle is going to be the greatest First Lady since the Carter era (yes, Rosalynn Carter is one of the greatest First Ladies, along with Jackie, Hillary, Eleanor and Dolley Madison). I hope she follows her heart and avoids the pitfalls of following the whims and desires of the media who ultimately do not have her interest at heart (their interest is in selling stories and they are conditioned to always go for the negative, so Michelle, honey, watch 'em girl!).

My prayers and my heart are with Barack and his 'best man'!

SUNDAY MODEL DRAWING - MODELICIOUS

2009-01-06T14:51:00.004-05:00

Stephanie turns it out again!

TV REVIEW - TRUE BEAUTY

2009-01-06T13:44:00.005-05:00

Tyra Banks' and Ashton Kutcher's new show, True Beauty, is the perfect synthesis of their 2 styles - model meets prankster. The contestants believe they are in a beauty contest, but they are really being tested on both inner and outer beauty. I found it interesting that in order to be a contestant, you had to be a stereotypical beauty with no consideration of the person's spirit, but it is TV.

The intros of each contestant were painful to watch. It was scary to watch people so horribly self absorbed focus 100% of their attention on their own physical beauty. It is sad that people could be so superficial and shallow and then be so vocal & cocky about it. These people obviously have a lot to learn.

There is one person who seems to be the clear front runner so far. CJ, an African American coffee barista, had a moment where he shared his past battles with weight and how those battles have shaped his self image. He says his new found beauty is just a costume covering the fat kid that he really is. I did not expect to hear this on this show so early on in the season.

I hope the show continues to have these moments of self realization, honesty and depth. The show was actually very entertaining and had some truly hilarious moments. After a while though, watching people cover their insecurities with bravado, ugliness and ignorance will not be enough - we already have enough of that on Charm School, The Bad Girls Club, any show with Paris Hilton, etc. I hope the message of inner beauty resonates with the audience and the participants. It sounds so cliche', but being ugly on the inside can make the most physically beautiful person look like an ogre on the outside. There is not enough MAC or Prada in the world that can beautify an ugly heart.

My hat always goes off to Ms. Banks who is unabashedly doing her thing, changing the world one TV show at a time. GET IT GIRL!!!

WORDS OF WISDOM: RANDY PAUSCH

2009-01-01T08:03:00.003-05:00

"Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer"

Randy Pausch

The Last Lecture

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2009-01-01T07:20:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year to everyone! May this year bring all of us closer to our dreams and the fulfillment of our God-given talents, gifts and abilities. May we all find peace, love and happiness in ourselves instead of hopelessly looking for it in our jobs, our name brand clothes or in other people.

Some of us have had rough times this past year, rougher than some could ever imagine, but we are still here. And if we are still here, there is hope. There is the possibility and the probability that we will make it out of our storm with greater knowledge, strength and wisdom. God is still in the blessing business no matter how bleak it may seem. We don't have all the answers and we don't know what tomorrow will bring, but we each have the present moment. We have right now. Each subsequent 'right now' moment adds up to our future. So embrace and make the most of every moment at that moment because they are the building blocks for our lives. And don't think I am on a soapbox, because honey, I need to apply this stuff to my life fiercely!!!

Thank you all for reading this blog - it has been such a therapeutic activity for me to purge, share, express and focus my thoughts, feelings and inspirations. I hope that it brings even just a small iota of positivity to your day.

God bless and be well.

MOVIE REVIEW: CADILLAC RECORDS

2008-12-30T09:48:00.006-05:00

I finally saw this movie and really enjoyed it. It was so entertaining and kept me hooked the entire time. I honestly didn't know anything about Chess Records and really didn't know the histories of any of it's stars. I had definitely heard their music before because my folks had a real love for the blues, but that was it. These were truly genius performers. I find it very interesting that black stars with nothing to show for their hard work but a couple of value-depreciating cars is not a new thing. The labels knew (and still know) how to whet the appetite of poor kids who come from nothing with no real payoff but fleeting fame.

Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters proved again that he is one of Hollywood's greatest talents - I find him captivating. Mos Def was such a fun and modern take on Chuck Berry. Columbus Short was excellent as Little Walter - the embodiment of a tightly wound, brilliantly talented, too-pretty-for-his-own-damn-good hoodlum. Gabrielle Union gave a performance that makes me ask why the hell does this girl not work more in A-list projects, dammit??!!?!? Beyonce gave her best performance to date - and I think she was damn good - plus she sang the stank out of those songs. I loved that she stripped away the too perfect Bey that we know to reveal a grittier, more gut-bucket and abrasive part of herself - I hope she holds on to a bit of this woman because she is thoroughly interesting. She probably won't be nominated, but you just might hear her name bubble up a few times during Oscar season.

The weakest link of the movie was Adrien Brody. He didn't connect & seemed miscast. While I do think that there is something oddly attractive about him, it isn't enough to warrant him as a headliner. Also, I thought that the makeup for the aging, battered and on-his-comeback Little Walter looked too fake. During one of Bey's smack scenes, as she is being held, her wig noticeably shifts - I thought that was kind of funny.

One great thing I learned was the origin of the most famous and most sampled guitar riff in history. You learn something new everyday.

See it and hear some FIERCE music!!!

SUNDAY MODEL DRAWING - BOYS AND A BABE

2008-12-30T08:21:00.024-05:00

Miami cuteness

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Lance - the cutie with the big ole' booty...
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Jamaican-American STUNNER Stephanie gave me

my life, y'all!!! This girl is simply gorgeous - amazing

proportion, amazing body, great legs, divine face

and bone structure and the most perfectly almond

shaped eyes. I hope to see more of this girl.....

HAVE YOU HEARD THE WORD?

2008-12-26T20:07:00.002-05:00

From one of my favorite episodes of The Family Guy:

KEEP WONDER-ING...

2008-12-26T16:31:00.011-05:00

Well, it's official - the WONDER WOMAN feature film is shelved and I am vexed, hurt, upset and fit to be tied. I have been laying for this movie for the past 2 decades - literally. It first started taking shape in the 90s with Sandra Bullock attached (HORRIBLE!!!). Then Catherine Zeta Jones was attached which would've been amazing, but never happened. Many other actresses have been linked to the role, including:

Charlize Theron - Major - very reminiscent of Lynda Carter. That face, body (5' 10") & physical prowess would have been ovah!!!

Sarah Michelle Gellar - No. All wrong!!!

Eliza Dushku - No.

Jessica 'Booty' Biel - She's a real looker & her body is MAJOR but turned down the role.

Kate Beckinsale - No.

Carrie-Anne Moss - Maybe...her intensity could bring a different air to the character.

Aishwarya Rai - Stunning, but is she physical enough?

Beyonce' Knowles - She wants this role. With her attached, it could come back. Single Ladies proves she has the bod. Would just pray this isn't her CATWOMAN.

Angelina Jolie - Already portrays Lara Croft. Looks and ability to do action give her a strong edge.

J-Lo - Could have pulled it off about 5 years ago.

Lucy Lawless - No.

Chyna - No. I feel sorry for her.

Lara Flynn Boyle - Baby, we won't even go there......

Megan Fox - Beyond beautiful - she could be amazing...

But, alas, my pick to fill Wonder Woman's red boots is Australian model and actress Megan Gale. Stunningly gorgeous, dark hair, light eyes, voluptuous shape and 5' 10" tall says it all.

If they decide to do this project, I say that it has to go back to the original roots - quasi Greco-Roman, togas, bullets & bracelets, transformational spinning, a fierce theme song, a heroic hunk, The Cheetah, Nubia - all the mythology that made Wonder Woman so magical to little girls and little fags everywhere. Maybe it's not set in the 40's and she actually comes to save America from Al-Quaeda or something, but I NEED to see some of the original drag. A couple of other other highlights could be Lynda Carter as Queen Hera and Jill Marie Jones, Gabrielle Union or Brandy as Nubia.

I hope they get their act together soon - I feel like an addict who needs a hit.

Be forewarned that this sick beat will make you want to do runway, vogue or start spinning deliriously:

Also, love this little girl:

EARTHA, BABY!!!

2008-12-26T11:17:00.006-05:00

The legendary icon Ms. Eartha Kitt left us on Christmas day. She will be greatly missed. She was an ultra modern renaissance woman who crossed the color line, worked and spoke out for human and civil rights for all, was a stage, screen, TV and recording superstar and was a real man-magnet, attracting some of the world's most wealthy and attractive men.

Eartha was far ahead of her time in many ways - she oozed sexuality and sensuality in a time when that was considered improper. It was that raw, unapologetic energy that drew people to her for well over 50 years. Now that is a career, dammit!!! And mother kept that body SNATCHED all those years!!!!!

During her long career, she had more than nine lives thanks to her sold out cabaret act, her Emmy winning TV appearances, her UNFORGETTABLE appearance in Boomerang, her stint as Catwoman (BRILLIANT!) and her brutally honest views on war, homelessness and bad politics. Her truest essence was always put forth at the right moment and those moments kept propelling her forward and deeper into our hearts.

Eartha - you were a one-of-a-kind Lady!!!

MOVIES

2008-12-24T19:58:00.006-05:00

Here are quick blurbs about 2 MUST SEE movies that will probably be nominated for multiple Oscars!!!

MILK

This is quite possibly the best movie of the year (still got a lot to see on my list, but this is brilliant). Sean Penn proves once again why he is THE actor of his generation - a male Meryl Streep (can't wait to see DOUBT!!!) if you will. The movie is also super relevant because of the civil rights issues American gays are dealing with right now. Harvey Milk was a true renaissance man - he was groundbreaking, revolutionary and ahead of his time. This movie is so well made, well acted, well written and timely!!! I wish California voters had seen it before they decided to strip folks of their equal rights. GO SEE IT and be prepared to be moved!!!

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SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Beautiful, rich, super engrossing tale of the ultimate underdog who uses his hard knocks life as a stepping stool to love and wealth. Beautiful!!! And.....everyone in the movie is gorgeous!!! From the beyond adorable kids who are brilliant in their roles to their grownup counterparts who bring a much needed dark beauty to the screen. Visually, mentally and emotionally a masterpiece. LOVE IT!!!

MOVIE REVIEW: LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (LAT DEN RATTE KOMMA IN)

2008-12-24T18:51:00.010-05:00

I just returned from the BAM Rose Cinemas (Brooklyn Academy of Music) seeing a fabulous movie entitled Let The Right One In.

This Swedish mystery/horror film tells the story of a 12 year old little boy named Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) who endures the taunts and bullying of his classmates who pounce on his shy, withdrawn and awkward demeanor. Oskar retreats into himself and gruesome newspaper clippings to find solace. One night, he befriends a strange little girl, Eli (Lina Leannderson), who is 'about' the same age as him. She is also an outcast of sorts but has one thing that Oskar doesn't have - aggression. The two become fast friends and confidantes, sharing secrets, coded language and ways of dealing with people who get in their way. Once the little girl's true identity is learned - she is a vampire - Oskar retreats from their friendship, but realizes that he truly loves her despite their physiological differences. They begin to 'help' one another in ways that don't sit well with their neighbors or the police.

The movie is very quiet and unassuming. It is not about graphic special effects, grossing you out or cheap scare tactics. It is about uprooting the idea of the outsider as the enemy. You find yourself rooting against the supposed 'victims'. You begin to realize that in this movie, 'victim' and 'attacker' are relative turns and that karma can be a real BITCH!!! Oskar and Eli fill the screen with their adorable faces, innocence blooming into knowledge and an emotional understanding beyond their years. They begin to balance one another. They each need what the other has to offer and they are smart enough and love one another enough to learn important and necessary lessons.

It's ironic that TWILIGHT is the number 1 movie in America right now. I have not seen it, but I do know that it is a very Hollywood version of a teen vampire love story. LTROI is not necessarily about romantic love, it is about an innocent, pure, childhood love that connects two people at the soul. There is a quiet intensity and intimacy to their relationship that is beyond sex or lust (afterall, they are only 12!).

I will not go to see Twilight. LTROI has made it unnecessary to see. When you see something so intense, artful, heartfelt and touching, there is no need to see the glammed up, watered down, commercial little sister.

This movie is only playing in arthouse theaters - if you can find it - GO SEE IT!!! It is a thought provoking and hauntingly beautiful piece of work.

FACE VALUE - CROQUIS BOOK

2008-12-23T17:04:00.006-05:00

Croquis book sketches of beautiful girls serving face, accessories, hair and attitude.

FRINGE BINGE

2008-12-19T10:26:00.010-05:00

Kim Noorda in Balmain

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Ashley Richardson in Carolyn Roehm

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Theresa Stewart in Gaultier

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Shana Zandrick in scary Chanel

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Maggie Rizer in Gaultier

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Jane Birkin in Ossie Clark

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Pierre Cardin (?)

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Amina Warsuma in Zhandra Rhodes

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Cavalli
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Original sketches by me:

Fringe on a base of lace - structured & sexy with movement -

underseams punctuated with velvet ribbon so you get a flash of

lingerie under the fringe when the girl walks, dances or shifts

in the arms of her very handsome date.
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Directional fringe - fringe in every direction to keep

your eyes moving with every shimmy she makes.
(click images to make larger)

SUNDAY MODEL DRAWING

2008-12-16T11:15:00.005-05:00

A LIL' LEVITY

2008-12-11T13:53:00.001-05:00

HOLEY SOULS

2008-12-11T07:57:00.004-05:00

A holey soul hungry to be

plugged with Prada, pizza,

pastors, playrooms and parts

of other people's bodies.

Hungry eyes constantly
search the faces and
packages of passing people
looking to fill the hole in
the soul.

Praying to holey rollers -
pompous preachers spreading
holey words - temporarily filling
you up with empty promises
and passing fancies.

Pain deep seated,
pain deep seeded,
an empty place, needy,
greedy, never pleased -
just can't get no satisfaction.

Ho-ley
Holey
Wholly
Holy
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Aaron

FIERCE PIERCE

2008-12-09T13:25:00.004-05:00

One of the most brilliant scenes from one of the most brilliant movies, EVER!!!!!

My favorite - MILDRED PIERCE. Joan Crawford (Mildred) and Ann Blyth (Veda) come for each other like a pair of queens battling for a trophy at a ball. Veda has the forked, venomous tongue of a king cobra and she does not spare her mother one bit in this amazing scene. Now this is witty, funny, sharp writing and acting at it's very, very best. LEARN IT!!!!!

AARON HEARTS AARON

2008-12-09T12:12:00.008-05:00

I recently visited Harlem's famed Schomburg Center to view the brilliant, groundbreaking, before-it's-time work of the greatest African American Modern artist, Mr. Aaron Douglas - a man who's work greatly inspires my own work and vision of modernity.

Aaron Douglas is a famed Harlem Renaissance artist who rubbed elbows with, inspired and worked with other greats such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston and Romare Bearden. His work was an inspired mix of Art Deco, Abstract, German and West African art forms and Egyptian wall paintings, all with a supremely modern, Afro-American sentiment and POV. His work always married the history of African and American blacks with the new progress and continued hopes of the people he loved so dearly.

Interesting enough, when looking at his work, I got the feeling that the French artist and creator of the iconic persona known as Grace Jones, Jean Paul Goude, had also done his share of Harlem Renaissance research. Of course, their inspiration may spring from the same source, Africa, but the stark, graphic and modern shapes look very similar to me. Also, Aaron's focus on integrating then-modern day blacks with industrial/technological imagery seems like a spring board for JPG's depiction of blacks as motorcycles, automatic garages and the like.

Aaron's work is very much about his desire to reflect, inspire and document the rise of his people while JPG's is very much about the pure sexualization, exaggeration, animalization and objectification of blacks. Aaron's was about moving us forward while JPG's was about boxing us into his own comfort zone. These very disparate starting points wield such drastically different interpretations of similar subjects. But, both are extremely beautiful, inspiring and artistically valid to me.

GIRL ON THE EDGE

2008-12-09T10:19:00.008-05:00

I will preface this by saying that, yes, dammit, I LOVES me some Bey!!! But when it comes to style, I try to be completely unbiased.

Baby Bey, as I like to call her, has been pushing the fashion envelope recently. Gone are the days of the old hat Elie Saab and Versace flowing chiffon gowns with a highlight of some beaded schmutz thrown on somewhere. She has replaced this Miss Universe look with much edgier looks - Thierry Mugler, Alaia, Gareth Pugh, Alexander McQueen and Dolce & Gabanna. I particularly love this fashionable move forward. I think it is very reflective of our times as well. She is looking more singular, sleeker, more focused, more streamlined, hipper, much more modern and dare I say it, younger.

I love that this new step frees her from her seemingly self imposed role of Little Miss Perfect (as does her saucy performance as Etta James in Cadillac Records).

One very interesting tidbit of news is her newly announced collabo with Monsieur Theirry Mugler as Creative Advisor and wardrobe designer. He will be doing about 58 looks for her and directing 3 segments of her tour, as well as advising on choreography and lighting. Mugler, through many ups and downs, was a true genius. If you have ever seen a Mugler show, you know that this man thinks big, thinks dramatically and thinks out of the box. His own shows were always more about the drama of showmanship than they were about the clothes anyway. She has to be aware of not just being throwback or too draggish, but constantly taking his genius and bringing it forward so that it is ALWAYS modern, feminine and youthful.

Was this inspiration for her Bey's famed robo-glove?:

Yes, children, the 90's are back!!!

NO MO' MO

2008-12-04T10:54:00.005-05:00

The new Louis Vuitton ads will feature Madonna. Yes, Madonna of the thin voice, cookie cutter electronic dance grooves and fake Brit accent. YAWWNN.........I think this is absolutely in keeping with LV's choosing celebs having a moment, but it is a little predictable and old hat in my humble opinion. Marc Jacobs, LV's creative directress, stated to WWD that he had seen her in a concert and loved her energy and some things that she said. I am glad that she inspires him because we each get our 'hit' from different places, but she does NADA for me (I am glad that she was an Obama supporter, though).

Her performances and appearances seem to be so robotic and over rehearsed - devoid of passion and spontaneity (Check out Beyonce for the art of passionate performing). Granted, she can't make it up as she goes, but you can't come across as devoid of emotion and heart, either. Nothing about her interests me - not her divorce, her alleged affair with A-Rod, her questionable adoption, her ultra lean physique or her music (and definitely not her acting). For over 2 decades, this woman has represented the dreams and desires of 99.99% of gay men all over the world. Since I am part of the .01% minority and I don't buy Louis Vuitton bags, I guess my opinion is a moot point. And on top of it all, I don't think she has been a true style icon since EROTICA (The MUSIC period was a bunch of hateful ugliness). I am not being a hater. I give her props for her success and brilliant business sense, but that is where my affection for Mo ends.

N THE D

2008-12-02T11:00:00.005-05:00

Well, I am here in my hometown of Detroit after a 10 hour drive from NYC. I had never made that drive before and it wasn't as bad as I had expected. I had to blast gospel, house and R&B music to keep me motivated because I am notorious for losing interest and succumbing to fits of narcolepsy. I don't know why, but put me behind the wheel of a car and I immediately fall into a Billie Holiday nod. I also really dislike long drives and have avoided making this trek for the 18 years that I have been in NYC. The last time I traveled from Detroit to NYC by car was when my family dropped me off to attend Parsons in 1990. Until now, me and Northwest airlines have been close, intimate friends.

My car mate for the ride was my dog, Weezie. She was so great - she is very patient, quiet and just goes along with the flow. As long as I occasionally reached over and rubbed her head or belly, she was cool. She was so curious that she spent a lot of the time standing in the window taking in all of the new sights. That is one of my favorite things to see. It is so interesting to watch her as she explores and digests all of the newness of the world with the innocence and natural curiosity of a child.

This city is my home and in many ways I will always love it. Detroit has greatly influenced my love of house and gospel music, dancing, church, fanciful hair, down home hospitality and hard work. The genius of Detroit has given us cars, house music, Madonna, Aaliyah, DIANA F*CKING ROSS, The Pistons, Tracy Reese, hair shows, Motown and Donyale Luna. Detroit's contributions to the greater American culture could arguably fall right behind New York and LA. But in the years since I was a child, Detroit has seen industries race out of the city, neighborhoods crumble and drugs, unemployment and gangs devastate our communities. I just hope the people of Detroit can find the strength and fortitude to reach back to the city's rich history of hard work and ingenuity to turn it all around. God knows there is a lot to be done.

Well, it is snowing here and cold as a witches titty. I don't really like the cold so I am going to get ready, bundle up and mentally prepare myself to face the tundra as I brave the cold, cruel, tough streets of 'THE D'.

BITCH, HOLD MY PONYTAIL

2008-11-29T08:46:00.002-05:00

I love this girl - she has the cutest face!!!

LANVIN LUST

2008-11-26T10:28:00.017-05:00

The house that Jeanne built - the ultimate in modern, feminine glamour...

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Jeanne Lanvin

GRATITUDE

2008-11-26T09:39:00.002-05:00

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.

SUNDAY SKETCHIN'

2008-11-24T13:06:00.013-05:00

THE MOTHERSHIP HAS LANDED

2008-11-24T12:43:00.009-05:00

It's a little after the fact, but I went with friends to see the CHANEL exhibition in Central Park (thx for the tix, Tiff!) a couple of weeks ago. It was really a mind altering and thought provoking experience that celebrated ideas - new, off the beaten path, twisted and otherwise. I always like to see other artists' interpretations, especially of a subject as iconic as a CHANEL bag.

I LOVED the raspy voice French lady who narrated the gallery tour - mother has seen her share of cigarettes and cocktails!

The actual location was a pod-like , space ship inspired, ergonomic, white kidney bean of a structure that seemed like it had just landed from another planet. The 'Art Container' was just as much a piece of art as all of the installations that it housed. Catch it if it lands in a city near you. The below footage was NOT shot by me - they were not going to take my black ass to jail!

THE DARKER THE BERRY

2008-11-22T18:25:00.013-05:00

.........you know the rest. Dominique Hollington is a chocolate hottie right out of Harlem, spotted shopping on 125th Street. He is now one of the hottest new black boys working today. In fact, days after his discovery, he was jetted off to Paris for the Spring '09 Givenchy Homme runway show. Apparently, he is also shooting a major campaign with David Sims. The lips and the skin tell the tale.............he also brings a black, NYC-boy-next-door swagger that is sooooo refreshing to see. It seems as though the trend is swinging away from the too skinny twinks of yesterday, and back towards a more butch, macho (yet still pretty) effect which Dominique embodies quite well. Funny enough, he reminds me so much of a male version of Lois Samuels-Ingledew - the stunning 90's Jamaican mannequin who was the door opener for other Jamaican girls like Nadine Hollis and Jaunel Mackenzie, among others.

Lois had face for your momma!

THE EPIDEMIC

2008-11-22T18:15:00.006-05:00

My sweetheart Tiff just sent out an email talking about the NEW EPIDEMIC - all the kids remaking Beyonce's Single Ladies video. Well, I found another take on this epidemic trend - the fabulous Miss Gwen Verdon. Watch Gwen and her girls turn it OUT - you betta work Miss Gwen:

BOY LUSCIOUS - SHAWN SUTTON

2008-11-21T09:54:00.007-05:00

Shawn Sutton serving face and body at RedNYC. Check those feline eyes.........

FUR EVER, FUR ALWAYS, FUR LOVE

2008-11-21T09:40:00.008-05:00

In honor of this dreadful, dry-skin causin', too-cold ass weather we are having, I am spotlighting CHIC 70's FURS today!!!

These girls are ready for the hawk (my dad's old school Southern phraseology for freezing cold weather) and the runway. In luscious shades of tawny, camel, russet and beige, they are indeed bringing chicness back. I am so sick of the Gossip Girl-esque look right now, I could spit. The Gossip Girl look is the spin-off of the Sex in the City look which is equally annoying. It is like they all raided the contemporary floor at Bloomingdales, shopped feverishly at Forever 21, picked up a shit load of Claire's Boutique accessories and then threw everything on at once. I could truly use some sophistication, rich textures, good proportion and a woman who understands and embraces good taste. This is about a lushness and mix of textures and hues that is light years beyond the over ruffled, too short, too juvenile styles that we see all too often.

These girls deserve a Chic Cheer:

SHAUN ROSS

2008-11-20T06:36:00.014-05:00

Shaun Ross is a stunningly gorgeous 17 year old Bronx-born black fashion model. He is also an amazing dancer. What is so unique about Shaun is that he is albino. His gorgeous, full, Afro features are contrasted by his alabaster skin, green eyes and blond hair. His lithe dancer's body is the perfect canvas for any photographer's or designer's work. Shaun was recently featured in the International Herald Tribune and the New York Times and is making a lot of headway in his burgeoning modeling career. In the articles, he speaks of teasing by kids and classmates, which to me, is heartbreaking. It particularly angers me when blacks participate in any form of discrimination (race, color, economics, size, immigrant status, sexuality, etc) because we know the resulting pain all too well. He seems to have traversed it pretty well and is turning his specialness into a commodity. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I am sure his success is like salt in the wounds of the haters.....and they should suffer!

Shaun in many ways reminds me of Alek Wek. Alek is one of my ALL TIME favorite models, not only because of her beauty and her sweet spirit, but because Alek represents a challenge to and shift in modern beauty aesthetics for blacks globally. Alek was in-your-face BLACK - no apologies, no regrets, no escaping it. Many blacks were forced to face their own self hatred. Alek's career was in many ways a little civil rights movement in and of itself - breaking down barriers, broadening views and beauty ideals and beating a path for the next round of pretty little chocolate girls.

Shaun makes you think and feel when you look at him. He makes you question preconceived notions of color, race and beauty. I think it is just as ridiculous to say "I don't see color" as it is to judge or discriminate against someone because of color. His color is part of his beauty - another gorgeous shade in the vast and ever-expanding spectrum of black beauty. It is that very same beauty, as rare and singular as it is, that should be celebrated and embraced. And to top it all off, this kid is GOOD.

I really wish him all the success in the world. Social soapboxes aside, I am sure this kid just wants to model and dance and be young and beautiful and fabulous. He will.

FOLK INSPIRATION

2008-11-18T14:41:00.004-05:00

Here's 2 looks that I did at Badgley Mischka for Fall '08 (below). My inspiration was this fabulous early-70's, folksy, ball skirt (above). I loved the graphic yet lyrical look of the print, softened with VOLUME!!!!! My version was on satin faced chiffon with satin (blouse) and sequined (dress) trim. Lily (dress) and Laura Selfridge were the seasons embodiment of fresh, All-American beauty.

DIVA DAVANNA

2008-11-17T11:15:00.006-05:00

I have truly seen it all. You may remember a post where I described this little girl as the BABY NAOMI, but I had no idea that she has a career modeling!!! Apparently she does children's fashion shows, pageants and she is a member of the House of Jourdan. She is a trophy, prize, crown and title snatcher at age 9!!! She is so adorable and reminds of BABY GIRL from THE BERNIE MAC SHOW. This girl is GENIUS - I LIVE!!!!!!!!!! It is so funny to me to see that a child understands all the little moves, fierceness and attitude (and shade) required to work a runway - but she is a natural born star. What is even better is that on her video comp card, she says that school and church are her 1st priorities - BRAVO LITTLE MAMA!!! Prepare to be served:

KRIZIA - OVERDRIVE

2008-11-14T08:41:00.007-05:00

KRIZIA amazingly was created in 1950 by Mariuccia Mandelli. It had it's true moment from the 1970's through the early 90's . This ad campaign from the 80's is what KRIZIA was all about - ethnic influence, knits, shape, mad mixes of texture and a little dash of whimsy. I am living for the silhouettes and the spirit - it's all very Genghis Khan, Mongol warrior meets Star Trek meets grandma's knits meets court jester.

IMAN FOR LANCETTI

2008-11-13T11:22:00.006-05:00

Excuse my French, but this bitch was posing for her m*therf*cking life, dammit!!! She was feeling it - like she had rent 2 months past due with an eviction notice posted on her door!!!! Love the clothes too - graphic patterns and shapes with feminine touches like scallops, lace, ruffles and flounces - but all ultra modern and sleek. Lotsa fun here.....

DESIGNER DREAMS

2008-11-13T09:42:00.014-05:00

My friends and I just had a very important conversation...one that is of the utmost importance. That question is which designer Michelle Obama should align herself with going forward. Yes, we are facing a meltdown of the American auto industry, a deep world recession and unprecedented unemployment. But, we do need a little levity and there is always a place for creativity and self expression. When one looks and feels confident and in charge, other's perception of them could shift in their favor.

It was always assumed that Michelle will have to focus on American designers to show her patriotism. My friends and I had tossed about Oscar de la Renta (too associated with Republicans), her current designer du jour, Maria Pinto (good, but not high profile enough in my book) and Carolina Herrera (sometimes too nondescript) but we sort of had a consensus with DONNA KARAN.

Donna happens to be one of MY ALL TIME FAVORITE DESIGNERS and one of the biggest influences on my aesthetic. I had been saying for so long that Donna needs to get her hands on Michelle's curves. Donna 'gets' her body type and would be able to work wonders with her. I see Michelle in Donna's jerseys, her double crepes and double faces, all topped off with a double face cashmere coat - I'm getting goose bumps. I do not see her in all that drapey, esoteric stuff from this coming Spring 09 season, though. Go for sensual, sculpturally tailored hand of Donna which was not on the runway, but will probably be in the stores. Or, hit the archives for inspiration from this stellar collection from Spring 1995:

And then, by golly, I open up WWD online this morning and Mother Karan is putting her designer pitch out there:

WWD - DONNA’S DREAM TICKET: Donna Karan would like to be part of the Obama transition team — apparel division. During a visit to Los Angeles this week to open her latest Urban Zen wellness and retail outpost, the designer said she would jump at the chance to dress the future first lady, Michelle Obama. “I think [Obama] would be divine — she has so much of her own style, I would love to dress her,” Karan said. “It’s not about her clothes, it’s really about who she is, and her passion for children, culture and wellness. I’m hoping to get to work with them — it would be my dream. They are so committed to ideals that are much in alignment with mine.”

I sincerely hope she takes her up on her offer - it would truly be MAJOR. Michelle really is the embodiment of Donna's whole strong, feminine, sensual, assertive and modern woman. This could be a match made in fashion heaven.

FINE FEATHERED FRIENDS

2008-11-12T08:48:00.009-05:00

Birds of a feather flock together.

I love a good proverb/idiom/saying.

I love the proverbial meaning, but I also love the literal meaning. I have some friends who HATE everything about birds. They think they are evil with their dirty feathers, aggressive and threatening squawking and their lethal beaks and talons. I personally LOVE birds. Birds, like flowers, butterflies, exotic fish and reptiles and even some insects, are some of God's most perfectly beautiful and colorful handiwork. The perfection of a bird's coloring; the mad mix of textures - sleek, stark, brisk slices of feathers on top with delicate, warming fluff underneath; hard, aerodynamic and purposeful beaks; collapsible wings that spread to take flight.....they are aesthetic and practical perfection. There are colors in nature that you just can't mix or replicate in some ole' dye vat....brilliant color combinations that YSL, Pantone and no damn body else could ever conceive.

It is absolutely awe inspiring to think about the beauty and perfection of nature. We take it for granted living in our cities of cement and stone (literally and figuratively). Being a lover of design and creativity has made me truly realize that nature is the ultimate runway...the ultimate atelier...the ultimate couturier salon. I love that we as creative people have such a rich font from which to be inspired.

GET YO' GUCCI GIRL

2008-11-10T09:34:00.006-05:00

From her super successful music career to her influence in the style world, Golden Girl Rihanna really is the girl of the moment. Here she is in a campaign for Gucci shilling a funny looking handbag that will somehow benefit UNICEF. I love it, singer, style icon, model and Mother Theresa all rolled up into one - work RiRi. The truth of the matter is that she's so damn gorgeous that you don't even care about the bag. It is great though that she can help the world by doing her thing.

BRYNJA FOR YSL

2008-11-10T07:56:00.013-05:00

There is something so right about the bold swipes of vivid color and graphic shapes pictured above from Fall 1987.

YSL is one of the best and most influential designers ever. He did have his moments when he lapsed into redundancy and oddity, maybe brought on by his long time struggles with drugs, men, love and mental health....but all things considered, this man was brilliant to the end. His scope of fashion was not just about his brilliant play of color (he was the best colorist in the world), drawing from the highs and lows of society and culture and mixing and playing on them like no one before him had ever done, his amazing draping techniques, understated and over-the-top use of embellishment or his use of bold shapes.......it was also about a broad, international, inclusive view of beauty. YSL put THE BEST of all beauty in the spotlight. From the regal African beauty of Mounia to the all-American glamour of Jerry Hall, Yves saw beauty in every type. Yves always had the best of each group - the best French girl, the best African girl, the best red head, the best blonde - his world view was about beauty in all of it's diversity. His runway was always a veritable mini UN - and the girls were the ambassadors of their countries and cultures. These varied cultures also were a huge inspiration to him.

One of his favorites was also one of mine - Miss Brynja. Brynja is an Icelandic model from the 80's who was a fave of YSL, Versace, Valentino and Donna Karan, among others. She was most known for her wafer thin, long lean body, her beautiful sweetheart shaped face (cheekbones for the gods, baby) and her dark, Louise Brooks bob (apparently, she is actually a blonde). It is rumored that Brynja was also a big druggie, like many in her era. True or not, she was FIERCE. This girl could work a runway with the best of them - she was from the Dalma, Katoucha and Marpessa school of RUNWAY FEROCITY!!!

Brynja is now a jewelry designer and spiritualist. I always find it very interesting what THE GIRLS end up doing with their time. Princess Mounia became a world renowned artist...Carla Bruni is the First Lady of France...Iman and Tyra are business moguls...before her untimely and deeply saddening death, Katoucha became a writer (following in her father's footsteps) and ambassador fighting against FGM (female genital mutilation)...Beverly Johnson became a wig magnate. I love growth, reinvention, evolution and ingenuity in creating or recreating one's life.

THE SNUGGIE

2008-11-09T15:31:00.003-05:00

You know they will sell any-damn-thing. There is this new product called a SNUGGIE. The premise is that it is a blanket with sleeves - keep warm while maintaining the use of your hands. Who in the hell "invented" this? It is basically a backwards monk's robe! They should include a bible and a rope belt with it as accessories. I hope I never walk into someone's home and see the entire family sitting there wearing matching SNUGGIES - that would scare the crap out of me, like I had walked into some creepy druid monastic ritual. When did blankets become such a cumbersome nuisance? You would think that there had been a rash of suicides related to blanket mishaps. The funniest thing is that they will probably sell a million of them.

MUSCLE ART

2008-11-06T11:36:00.006-05:00

This model was muscle-icious. I generally like drawing leaner guys, but this guy had muscles bulging from everywhere - his 6-pack was like a 12-pack. He also had nice draw-able hair. I guess variety is the spice of life. CLICK EACH PHOTO TO VIEW LARGER.

WE DID IT!!!!!

2008-11-05T08:04:00.012-05:00

PRESIDENT ELECT BARACK OBAMA!!!!!!!

___________________________________

My vote!!!!!

_____________________________

My 2 hour wait was well worth it!!!
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I cannot begin to tell you the overwhelming feeling of joy and hope that I am feeling right now. I am so happy that we have chosen a great man to be our next president. I truly believe that this man will usher in a new era. I believe that America and the world are ready for this change. I am so excited to see him in action because I really believe he is special. I have always said that this election could really be the turning point for the direction that the world goes - it could be positive and progressive with Barack or it could be worse than Bush with McCain/Palin.

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Josh and Aaron at volunteering at NE Philly office.

*****

Our NYC crew - Paul, Colleen, Jen, Esma and me (Josh is taking the pic!).

*****

Working the phone banks.
*****

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One of the most amazing things that has come about because of Barack's amazing run is the UNITY of so many different people. I just returned from volunteering in Philly where I saw hundreds of volunteers coming together for the task at hand. We were literally a mini United Nations at work. We were old, young, middle age, black, white, Asian, Indian, Latin, bi-racial, fat, skinny, short, tall, gay, straight, married, single, hitched, Christian, Muslim, atheist, Catholic and every combination of the above. There were immigrants who could vote and immigrants who could not vote. There were high school kids who couldn't vote but wanted to do their part. The hard work and organization of all of these people was so enlightening and inspiring. When I see pics of the celebrations of this historic win from the streets of America and around the world, I get so excited because, finally, people get it. There was a desire and need, spoken and unspoken, and Barack will be the catalyst to fulfill that need.

I am so proud of him as a black man. I would have supported this man if he were purple, but the fact that he is black touches a special place in my heart. Many blacks had completely given up on politics and believed that their voice did not count. Barack has inspired these people to get involved, to participate and to believe again that the struggles of our forefathers would pay off. Seeing Barack with his BEAUTIFUL family - his gorgeous wife and adorable daughters - means more than you know to little black children and teens. To see themselves in the Whitehouse will inspire a generation of black kids to excel like never before.

The Obama family will also inspire a new sense of style in America. They are such a photogenic, young and modern family and the days of stuffy old lady suits is gone. Barack's cool, calm and collected demeanor and Michelle's amazing grace, eloquence and strength will be a breath of fresh air for the world. As a purveyor of style, I do go to the aesthetics of it all too. I cannot wait to see Michelle in action as the First Lady - she will be the greatest since Rosalyn Carter and Jackie Kennedy. I am waiting for the first meeting of First Lady Michelle Obama and First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. Now that is going to be FIERCE!!!!!

The Obama kids are so gorgeous and I see them developing into a real stunning, poised and influential young ladies. I doubt we will have the drunk driving, partying and drugs of past first kids.

DOING MY PART

2008-11-02T00:19:00.011-04:00

Hey guys,

I am off to Philadelphia for 2 days to canvass for the Obama Campaign for Change. Our initiative over the next few days is called GOTV - Get Out The Vote. This campaign has inspired me in ways like no other campaign in history. I have sent money, bought products and given time and cell phone minutes. I have donated because I truly believe in Barack Obama's message. I have the feeling that I will be participating in and contributing to a great time in American and world history. I have friends and acquaintances who will also be going down to help out. Jeffrey, Joshua and Richard will also be hitting the streets to remind people to vote and to make sure they know what to take to the polls on Tuesday.

I come back Monday night for class and then on Tuesday morning.......drumroll......I GO CAST MY VOTE FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES - MR. BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA!!! For the past 2 years, I have been dreaming of the day that I pull that big metal lever. I will leave the polls and go directly to a phone bank to continue the drive to get people out to the polls.

I sincerely hope that you guys all get out and cast your ballot to change the course that our country is on right now. We cannot allow this to slip through our hands. Barack's win will be our win. We will then have the proof that HOPE is real and that by hoping and through action, we can truly make our dreams come true. This will only be the beginning. My next post will be a celebration of A HISTORY MAKING VOTE!!!

IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS

2008-11-01T20:12:00.002-04:00

I guess I wanted to think more highly of Americans, but some of them never cease to amaze me.

I have a prayer:

"Dear God, please do not ever let me be so full of hatred, spite, ignorance and arrogance that I start to embrace and spew lies about someone else who has nothing to do with the lies I am pilfering. Please let me realize that the hatred I have is actually hatred for myself - hatred for the ignorance, fear, laziness and rigidity that I hold on to because I do not want to face my own truth. Amen."

NEW LINGO?

2008-11-01T19:50:00.002-04:00

In honor of our Peruvian Brothers in the post below, I thought I might coin a new phrase........."Giving someone the red skull."

I'll use it in an example:

....I was riding the subway and a lady stepped on my brand new Loubous. Child, I looked at her, gave her the red skull, turned on my 6" heel, and pumped to the other end of the car....

I think it's ca-ute!

HORRORS OF HALLOWEEN

2008-11-01T19:06:00.005-04:00

I personally love Halloween and I love the NYC Halloween Parade. Unfortunately, I didn't get to go. AWWWWWW!!! But I got to see some peeps in the Village after the parade and I have to say that I was not too impressed with what I saw. I am SURE that there were some amazing costumes, afterall, NYC is usually the most creative city on that front. But, what I saw that was so boring, so uncreative, so mundane, so run of the mill, was the barrage of Sexy Whatever Costumes. The Sexy Whatever Costumes are all a mini, vamped up version of some other mundane costume. They always have garters, thigh high stockings or boots, a mini skirt or hotpants, a bustier or bra top, a shrunken little hat, a miniature, plastic hand prop and an acrylic wig. They always look like costumes from the Bunny Ranch in Reno, if you catch my drift.

In a span of 20 minutes, I saw at least one of the following:

1. Sexy Policewoman

2. Sexy Firefighter

3. Sexy Gold Miner (what the hell!?)

4. Sexy French Maid

5. Sexy Milk Maid

6. Sexy Bavarian girl in dirndl

7. Sexy Witch

8. Sexy Devil

9. Sexy Cowgirl

10. Sexy Sarah Palin (the scariest of the bunch)

11. Sexy Angel

12. Sexy Dominatrix (redundant?)

13. Sexy Lumberjack

14. Sexy Prisoner in stripes

15. Sexy School Teacher

16. Sexy Schoolgirl (a la Britney)

17. Sexy Nurse

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Damn, I felt like I needed a cigarette after all that sexiness. They all started to blend together after a while and I was just a bit underwhelmed by the run-of-the-mill-ness of it all. I blame it on Ricky's and all those damn satellite stores that they set up. The convenience of those stores actually works against the creativity that New Yorkers use to strive for (I know I shouldn't end the sentence with a preposition, but this is just a casual post, OK?).

I also blame this on the continual suburbanization of New York. The cool, hip, creative, statement making, singular types that once drove the creative ethos of the city are all being replaced with the uncreative, middle of the road suburbanites that now populate NY's night scene and even the fashion industry. They are the types that inject the word LIKE 10 times into one sentence, sometimes grouped together 2 or 3 at a time. This scares me more than any Halloween costume, even the Sarah Palin ones.

The Chick Magnet - I personally loved this costume - it's cool, minimal, creative and totally tongue in cheek:

SLICE OF MY HEART

2008-11-01T18:12:00.004-04:00

These Dreams - Heart

I absolutely loved this song - it brings back memories of American Bandstand on Saturday afternoons (after Soul Train, of course). It makes me think of going to the $1 movie theater with my friends and thinking we were so mature. It makes me think of the FUN we had raking leaves, washing cars and having bake sales to raise money for the school. Honey, Barack would be proud, I was class president - a bit of a community organizer myself!

I went to a 95% white school in the suburbs from grades K - 8, so my tastes and interests varied more than those of my black friends in my neighborhood. I was constantly told that I thought I was white, I thought I was better than other people, I was an oreo, etc, etc, etc. But I loved who I was. I loved being diverse and open and able to be in any crowd. To me, I thought a great song by Heart was as cool as a great song by Atlantic Starr. I love knowledge and to me, even at that age, knowledge was color free.

Girls, sang this song and work that huge hair.......

DESIGNER DOING TIME

2008-11-01T09:58:00.006-04:00

Designer, and I use that term loosely, Anand Jon Alexander, is on trial for 9 counts of rape and assault (27 total counts) . These counts even include assault and lewd acts against a minor. His alleged victims ranged from age 14 to 21. Closing arguments wrapped on Friday with his defense attorney charging that all 9 women were lying.

Anand is the extremely arrogant wanna-be designer kinda/sorta known for his beaded midriff tops and bell bottoms. He is probably equally known for his love of his own hair which was slightly reminiscent of Fabio or a second tier Chippendale dancer. Funny enough, I actually think he is a very handsome guy, with his dark Indian good looks, but his arrogance made him unbearable. There may have been a bit of a Napolean complex happening also.

In my opinion, this guy was a very lame designer. He was one of those people that was so wrapped up in wanting fame and admiration, that the work was secondary. Maybe terciary.

I don't know if all of these charges are true, but if they are, my heart goes out to all those young women. Apparently, they were all models that he took advantage of because of their youth and desire to work. This is soooo sad. He will get his. God knows, a pretty boy like that going to jail will get lots of attention.

BUST A MOVE, BOO

2008-11-01T09:28:00.004-04:00

Just adorable!

GLOBAL OBAMA-MANIA

2008-11-01T08:58:00.004-04:00

It seems that Obama's impact and influence touches our brothers and sisters everywhere around the globe. I think the world clearly sees that an Obama American presidency will be better for America and for the world. Our shamanic brothers in Peru think so, too.

I love this clip because I do believe that there are some people in the world who are more in touch with the spiritual world than others. I think a deep spiritual connection is probably untapped in most humans, but some have crossed that barrier and connect through shamanic rituals, some do it through speaking in tongues and some go into deep meditative states. Child, whatever gets you there!

I also believe that this connection can be made with people of all religions. I DO NOT discriminate over religion and believe that God speaks to people in a way that works for them in their culture and in their environment and in their life and it is NOT for me to decide for them. Christianity works for me, but Judaism or Buddhism or ancient shamanic practices may work for others, depending on that person's life. After all, spiritual connection is PERSONAL. I also believe that there are many lessons from different religions from which ALL can learn. There are many lessons of Taoism, Islam, Buddhism and of course Christianity that I look to incorporate into my life. That doesn't in anyway take away from my Christianity, it enhances it. It is pure ignorance, arrogance and close mindedness that makes people believe that God can only be viewed in a singular expression. God is not an exclusive God, he is INCLUSIVE!

Honey, when that man shakes the red skull at Johnny Mack, I go in, baby!!!

MY GIRLS - MARIMEKKO OVERLOAD!!!!!

2008-10-31T10:14:00.005-04:00

Two of my absolute favorite people in the world - Patricia and Yehua. I love these girls dearly. It has been such a blessing for God to put them both in my life. I met each of them in different work experiences where they were my subordinates and we all had the pleasure of working together at the same job.

What is so special about all of our relationships with one another and as a group is the fact that we can work together successfully and maintain friendships. Work and personal relationships are very hard to juggle. But, with these girls, all egos are pushed aside and the love and respect that we have for one another and the project we are working on are put to the forefront. I am older than both of them and I do not allow my age or experience to hinder the blessings I get from them. They are both smart, witty, intuitive, funny and extremely hard working and dedicated. They really inspire me and keep me connected to what the 'it-girls' are up to.

They are both super stylish and creative and are two great natural beauties. Patricia embodies a wonderful tomboyish femininity and has an impeccable eye for style and putting things together. She is also amazingly organized and persistent and keeps me on my toes! Yehua is the young moppet girl about town who is like a sponge for culture and wisdom and can put together a look like no one's business!!! She also has this amazing tall, lanky frame with the natural poise and carriage of a real model from days gone by.

The greatest thing about both of these chicks is that they are gorgeous on the inside and their beauty truly radiates from within. Their parents should be proud. I love these girls!!! They are MY girls.........

ESCADA'S SAKS LIFE

2008-10-31T02:31:00.009-04:00

I went to an ESCADA party tonight at Saks Fifth Avenue. The party was to celebrate Damiano Biella, my friend and former boss and his fresh take on the brand. British it-girl-of-the-moment (cuz there always is one...think Sienna, Amy, Joss) Duffy performed to an adoring crowd sipping on champagne and munching on fashion friendly finger foods. There was a great installation of girls in still-life wearing the newest collection and plenty of pretty people milling about trying to be seen. There was also a slew of wannabes and annoying people trying too damn hard to be fierce. But, that is to be expected in these circles, hell, that IS these circles!

I really enjoyed the evening - it is always good to get out and get dressed up - I actually wore a tie. It was my Italian night - Prada, Dolce and Versace, all black with a dash of silver. I should have documented it but forgot. If you can get me out of cargos and sneakers, you are really doing something.

But anywho, these were my favorite shots of the evening:

Duffy singing her little blonde head off...

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Giving sleeves....

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Angel in a blue dress....

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Fierce girl alert - Marianna - wearing draped goddess gown with crochet fringe - this girl takes me back to the days of a good ole' Geoffrey Beene cabine

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One of my new favorites - the one and only Ms. Laura Selfridge - as gorgeous inside as out, intelligent, funny, good style and great sense of humor (and the prettiest, purest face ever)

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STUNNING black girl serving sculptural profile and a fierce back breaker pose.

____________________________________________________________________

Hat Diva Jennifer - cute girl with great conversation. Her hat was in homage to the recession!!! Work it out!

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The grand dame of the evening working a Nigerian ensemble from the Yoruba tribe...and Mother had matching shoes!!! I love it. I spoke to her and she was just lovely and cheerful and glad to be experiencing life. I hope we all can be so fabulous in our elder years. Werk Ma!!!

INGRID MICHAELSON - BE OK

2008-10-31T02:20:00.005-04:00

I really love this song. So simple and straightforward. You know I love a big wailing broad sangin', but sometimes we need a bit of subtlety and mellowness to soothe our throbbing brains that are already filled with enough stuff. This girl reminds me a bit of Norah Jones and early Nelly Furtado with a little dash of Jewel thrown in. Don't we all sometimes just connect with the sad white girl angst? I guess we all have a bit of her in us, and there is nothing wrong with that. Hell, we are ALL connected on some level anyway.

I also love that she is so plain and everyday looking, not made up like a circus pony with drags makeup and wardrobe. She is out of Staten Island and still lives at home in her parents basement. She seems genuine and sometimes that feels more right than a bumpin' beat. Don't we all just want to be OK, if only for today?!?

AZZEDINE ALAIA - THE AMAZING, LIVING GENIUS

2008-10-27T11:22:00.010-04:00

Many designers speak of loving and honoring women and I think that it has become such a cliche', de facto designer quip. What I love about Azzedine is that he, with NO shame, loves and honors that sexual, strong, aggressive and dangerous part of a woman that even some women disdain. Most women that are haters of 'sexy' women are generally unsure or uncomfortable about that part of themselves. They are also uncomfortable with 'those' kinds of women around their men and in some cases are envious of their bravado and freedom. Let's just put it out there, OKAY?!

Azzedine just gets it - and his fans get it too. Their is a palpable sensuality to his clothes - you feel the heat radiating from them. This heat is not only sexual, it is the passion, the intensity and the brilliant technique of the great craftsmen/women who build these feats of architecture as clothing. The draping, the hand finishing, the stitching, the details, the trims all have the grace and assurance of a master's hand. The fit is like no other - these clothes accentuate your best features and add some where you may be lacking. He is known for body conscious, but what I see is all about shape. Shapes that mold to the body and shapes that are built around the body to further enhance it.

His choice of muses speaks to the level of beauty, sexiness, intelligence and accomplishment that he revels in. Naomi Campbell, Veronica Webb, Tina Turner, Grace Jones, Stephanie Seymour - modern day glamazons who fit a beauty standard unparalleled by the waifs of the 90s or the vacant dolly girls of today. This is a warrior woman whose roots are firmly planted in ancient Greece, the plains of Africa and the curves of the future.

After the passing of the master, YSL, I would argue that Azzedine is our greatest living designer. Maybe not the most popular or the most famous - but greatness is not found in how many InStyle pages you grace. Keep doing it Azzedine.

NOAH'S ARC - JUMPING THE BROOM

2008-10-27T09:31:00.009-04:00

NOAH'S ARC - JUMPING THE BROOM continues the story of Noah, Alex, Ricky, Chance and Wade and the joys and dramas they share. Noah's Arc was a ground breaking TV show on LOGO - one of cable TV's gay networks. It had been called the black/gay SEX IN THE CITY or the gay male GIRLFRIENDS, but to me, it was much more than that. This was a truer glimpse into the lives of black gay men than we have ever seen on TV. That man that wrote THE DOWN LOW appearing on OPRAH and Cousin Peaches on GIRLFRIENDS just isn't enough. Even though the show was it's highest rated show, LOGO snatched NA off after 2 very successful seasons. This pissed me off as much as when GIRLFRIENDS and HALF & HALF were taken off TV - I am still not over that, people, but back to Noah.

Noah, the center of the bunch, is the adorable, creative, sometimes naive cutie pie with a loving heart, perfect lips and luscious...no, I won't go there. His friends are Alex, the finger snappin' sissy with a heart of gold partnered with a big ole' fine hunk of a man/baby daddy; Ricky is the hot in the panties former lover/now-best-friend of Noah who is the quintessential queen looking for love in some man's Calvins; Chance is the affluent, highly educated, married, family-man using his stability to cover the fact that he is bordering on a mid-life crisis. Throw in Wade (rhymes with trade), Noah's formerly-straight man who is just now finding his true sexual self and you know that high drama and humor will follow.

The story picks up with Noah and Wade facing their wedding day. Before anyone can unpack a Louis or break out a flute of champagne, the drama ensues. Of course, they have to traverse one another to get to the big day. From relationship drama, to former flings, to botched wedding details - these boys have their hands full. Everyone did a great job but my fave was Alex - I love someone who says FUCK YOU to the haters and firmly grasps his clutch and pushes onward. Alex is all at once hilarious, super compassionate and brave. I also loved Noah's messy fag-hag boss, Brandy. Just check out the series DVD to see how she 'cums' into their lives!

One can look at each character and you are bound to see bits of yourself and/or your friends. I was personally bits of Chance and his husband with a lil' dash of Alex for HA-HAs (watch it Micky!). I have friends who can hang with Ricky and my partner is a little Noah-esque at times. It is very powerful to identify with people in pop culture. Lots of people take this for granted when they have always seen themselves represented. I definitely identify with these folks more than I identify with the spoiled rich kids on GOSSIP GIRL or the trash bags on anything starring Flava Flav and his girl, New York (ughhh).

I commend Patrik-Ian Polk immensely for sharing these characters with his community and the world. I love the fact that NA is unabashedly gay and unabashedly black. THIS very fact is the brilliance of the show and the movie. I pray that this movie is successful - we went to see it at 11am on Saturday morn and the theater was packed with black boys, black men, Latin queens, white boys, black butches, femme lesbians and every iteration of the above. Noah speaks to everyone!!! The following show was already sold out. I hope this success leads to a return of the TV show and a sequel.

Also, GO BUY THE DVDs of NOAH'S ARC the series (seasons 1 & 2). You will be addicted like a crack ho!!! You will hole yourself up at home in your PJs, with the lights out, shades pulled, with a Big Gulp, a family sized bag of Lays, a sleeve of Oreos, phone off the hook......child, I even took my DVDs with me to Athens so that I could watch at night - honey, Noah is fierce international, too!!!

SISTERS - THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES

2008-10-26T17:21:00.006-04:00

I just saw a wonderful movie called THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES. I had read the book in a book club a number of years ago and was in LOVE with the story. I remember thinking that this would make a really great movie. Well, the movie did not dissappoint on any front. The story is already brilliant, and the producers (one of which is Mrs. Will Smith - Jada Pinkett Smith) brought in a great cast that truly captured the essence of the lovely characters in the original story.

Set in the period when blacks finally get the right to vote in the racist South, the story is about a little white girl (Dakota Fanning) who runs away with her trusted friend and nanny (JHud) and ends up on the doorstep of the Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo and Alicia Keys), independent, accomplished, cultured sisters who are so different from one another, but ferociously need one another to survive.

The story could have gone all mammy on us, but what surfaces is pure love, regardless of age, sex, race or economic status.

Queen Latifah, who plays the family matriarch of the family, has such a presence on the screen - her voice and her figure are so lovingly imposing - like the love and strength of a Grandmother you see only during the summers. Sophie Okonedo embodied the emotionally challenged sister - even though she had her problems, in many ways, she could be considered the glue that held them all together. Alicia Keys was the revelation of the movie to me. Her brassy, stuck up, bougie if you will, delivery was spot on perfect. And Dakota - honey, that child has the makings of being the next successor to Meryl Strepp and Cate Blanchett, two great actresses who can spiritually and physically morph into ANY character. This girl is brilliant.

I am a sucker for emotion and this movie had me crying for the entire last hour like a blubbering fool - tears of heartache, joy and hope. Sometimes we need to purge our emotions like that. It certainly came in handy.

NEW SLICE

2008-10-23T02:33:00.003-04:00

Twenty-three year old Kansas City native Janelle Monae was discovered and launched by Outkast. She is currently signed with Bad Boy Records. I hope they do her justice with some good promotion, because this girl is a star. Interesting sound, downright gorgeous, stylish, a good dancer and extremely individual - let's see where this goes......I think she is MAJOR.

IS THIS AMERICA?

2008-10-18T08:46:00.002-04:00

It is beyond scary and so deeply saddening that in the year 2008, there are Americans who still feel like these idiots. People just refuse to learn that ignorance and hatred have no place in the human heart. Political leanings aside, can we at least try to be humane to one another? This is embarassing:

WORDS OF WISDOM

2008-10-17T14:59:00.003-04:00

"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it."

- Mark Twain

This is such a gorgeous quote - it brings a beautiful picture to mind and to the heart. As beautiful as it is, it is that hard to embrace during rough times. I am trying to learn and live this everyday.

MORE "ART"

2008-10-17T09:41:00.005-04:00

Just another day at model drawing.......ya gotta luv it, right?!!?

Well, these are the fruits of my labor. No pun intended.

POSTCARDS - FASHION IS MOVEMENT

2008-10-17T09:36:00.002-04:00

HERE, HAVE A SLICE

2008-10-17T08:39:00.002-04:00

Barack can have a slice of my pie any day. My CULTURAL PIE, that is.

IS IT ALL OVER MY FACE?

2008-10-16T10:19:00.006-04:00

GALLERY A-GO-GO

2008-10-16T09:57:00.007-04:00

Two gallery exhibitions I must see before they make their exit are:

Until the end of October, 2008

124 East 57th Street

New York, NY 10022

September- June

Tuesday - Saturday

10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

P: 212-421-5390

F: 212-838-2460

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September 23 -- November 1, 2008

26 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10013(Between Grand & Canal)
Hours: 12 Noon - 6pm, Tue - Sat

Closed: Sun & Mon & all major holidays

Phone: 212-431-2609

Fax: 212-431-2666

I absolutely LOVE fashion illustration and some of my favorites are featured here - Joe Eula, the BRILLIANT Antonio Lopez, Steven Stipelman and the ICON himself, Kenneth Paul Block. I have a date with these guys next week!!!

YSL - MARIE HELVIN, YOU PEASANT

2008-10-16T09:42:00.005-04:00

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Two of my favorite things ever:

1) One of the fiercest GIRLS ever - Marie Helvin

2) The YSL Peasant (this is peasant redux, but it was a signature of his almost as important as Le Smoking)

I am living for looks #3 and #4 - The mad mix of prints topped off with the babushka and that cinnamon velvet dirndl with the gold stack heel boot are giving me a moment.......THE PROPORTIONS ARE MAJOR, CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!

NEW WAY

2008-10-15T09:23:00.003-04:00

Vogue battle - The New Way

These boys serve each other fiercely.

BEFORE STARS WENT CRAZY

2008-10-15T09:06:00.003-04:00

Simply divine.......

BLACK ICONS?!?

2008-10-15T09:02:00.004-04:00

I don't know where I got this from - what is this and why? I take it that it is some riff on breaking black stereotypes. Starring supermodel, Roshumba (her body was working!).

AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL

2008-10-15T08:24:00.014-04:00

Original Anne Klein sketches circa the mid 1970's.
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I am one that honors the past and draws from it for inspiration. In fashion, what is old is new again. Look at the world's runways and you will see how this statement rings true - just look at Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Chloe and even Dior, among many others. These design houses have an amazing eye for the vintage and an even more amazing hand for making it new. It is all in the proportion, styling and fabrication that a designer makes it fresh. Hell, sometimes they don't change a thing and just slap it back up on the runway. Clothes can have their moment again without change, too. Designers such as Rei Kawakuba and Issey Miyake are constantly pushing the envelope forward, eschewing the popular inspiration of vintage clothes. Both schools have their merits (and faults). It's all relative.

I used to design for Anne Klein - it was my second job out of school. Anne had already died during the late 70's from cancer. Prior to my arrival, the company had been headed by Donna Karan, Louis Dell'Olio, Richard Tyler and Patrick Robinson over the years. Then my bosses came and I ended up being there for 3 years.

One of the things I loved to do was to go through the sketch archive and see the original sketches. Some of the sketches had been drawn by Anne herself, others by her onetime assistant Donna Karan and others by some of the other design greats that had worked there.

Well, from what I understand, as the company changed hands a million times after we left, that very special, invaluable sketch archive was thrown in the trash. My heart was broken when I heard this. I wish they had donated them to FIT or Parsons or to me. I would have killed (well not quite killed) for them.

But I have a few copies and they will have to do. I had these copies because I had worked on a sketch for the cover of a trade publication and the sketch had to be influenced by original Anne Klein. Child, to look at that date and think it was over a decade ago is amazing. Here it is:

OFFICIALLY BACK & SERVIN' THE CHILDREN

2008-10-14T11:09:00.005-04:00

Beyonce "I's Married Now" Knowles is back and taking no prisoners. She is serving body, booty, legs and a snatched waist and sister girl means business. Werk the choreography Baby Bey - L.U.V. it!!!

HAIR WARS

2008-10-14T09:53:00.008-04:00

The Feather Bouffant

VS.

The Heavy, Blunt Autumn Fall
VS.

The Octopus CurlyCue
VS.

The Dread Afro Wig

HALLELUJAH!!!

2008-10-14T09:30:00.003-04:00

Ok, I had my I-Phone stolen early last week. What was so upsetting was not the actual loss of the phone, it was the loss of my faith in people. To have someone knowingly take something from me diminished my view of others. It was taken by this man with a wife and an infant baby in line at COSTCO of all places. Karma can be a real bitch and I will leave it at that. He will get his - end of that part of the story.

The store was very helpful and understanding and really did everything they could to help, including looking at security tapes. What compounded my frustration though was the reaction of the police.

I preface this by saying that I apologize to anyone who may be a police or who may love a police, but honestly, most of them aren't worth a pile of dried up horse shit with 2 dead flies on top. My experience with police is very little, thank heaven, but when I have had to interface with them, all I see is arrogance, a horrible sense of entitlement, laziness, coldness and being severely jaded. Between the cynicism of one of the cops and the slimeball antics of the other one trying to put his mack down on the pretty boriqua supervisor lady, I felt like I was disturbing their day by calling them about a theft. ASSHOLES!!!!! I am so sorry, but if I hear someone call an NYPD cop a hero again, I am going to vomit. I fluctuate between laughing and being angry when I read the side of their cars - COURTESY, PROFESSIONALISM & RESPECT. That is a laugh riot. They should be arrested for disorderly public bullshitting.

But, I digress. I am so thankful that I am fortunate enough to just easily go out and buy another one. Hopefully my AMEX will cover the theft under my insurance. If not - I am still blessed. So blessed that I feel like doing this:

SLICE OF PIE - BOYWAY

2008-10-14T09:20:00.004-04:00

Here is an editorial illustration from Vogue magazine that I found in my archive. It was done by my friend and former professor, Boyway. This guy is amazing. I flourished so much under his tutelage. He helped me push myself and learn to see and express things in a grander, more fabulous way. Good teachers are America's lifeblood and I thank God for the great instructors I had in my formative years. I still take classes with him to this day and enjoy every minute of being with him. He is a bundle of joy, creativity and optimism.

NET EFFECTS

2008-10-14T09:13:00.004-04:00

BOTTOMS UP!!!

2008-10-13T10:19:00.007-04:00

My favorite sketch of model #1 from last night's drawing class - and no, this is not porn, this is ART, dammit!!!

SLICE OF PIE - FERNANDO

2008-10-13T09:12:00.011-04:00

Went to live model drawing last night with friend and former professor Boyway. I was in a bit of a strange mood, not finding my rhythm while drawing - I have so many things going on in my life that my brain felt overloaded with stress, thoughts and no focus. I started drawing the first model, who was great, but my mind wasn't totally into nude life drawing with classical Greco-Roman posing. I had honestly been hoping for more high fashion drawing.

Well, in walked Fernando. Nice guy. Great model. Beautiful features. A real pleasure to draw. He has such a great frame to draw - lean, muscular and angular. But, what he had that was so special was his ability to be strong, yet relaxed. He brought the fashion edge that I needed, I let go of some of the negative energy and I was able to enjoy the class and end up with some sketches with which I was happy. Thanks Boyway and thanks Fernando!