PLEASE DON'T STOP THE MUSIC!

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

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

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!!!!!

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!!!

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!!!

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

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!!!

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

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

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Wearing my own silver fox trapper's hat:

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RIP - RICARDO MONTALBAN

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....

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

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.........