DARK INSPIRATION

Kevin Aviance - Din Da Da. The video for this classic house/voguing song takes directly from Grace Jones/Jean Paul Goude with it's surreal imagery, oversize props, colors and multiplied images of the star. If you are going to be inspired, then be inspired by the best! Unfortunately, Kevin's video quality pales in comparison to the pure genius of the song.

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Grace Jones - Slave To The Rhythm. This is absolutely beautiful, artful and thoughtful video making. Mr. Goude's questionable use of negative black stereotypes (golliwogs, pickaninnies, overly sexualized black body parts, blacks-as-savages, etc.) has been extremely questionable, but I do consider it amazing art - visually, emotionally, audibly and mentally stimulating.

CELESTIAL INSPIRATION

STAR SEARCH was the American Idol of it's day. They used to feature a TV Spokesmodel category that had me running back like a druggie on the 15th. This used to give me my fashion life as a kid. If it wasn't Miss USA, Miss Universe, Style with Elsa Klensch or Charlie's Angels, then it was definitely STAR SEARCH. I particularly LOVED Tracey Ross, winner of the show's first season. That blunt bob was so fierce and timeless and mother gave you Virginia Slims realness every week in the photo shoots.

UMA OVAH

I have always loved Ms. Uma Thurman. She is that singular actress that combines other-worldly beauty with an amazing, statuesque physique and a to-hell-with-anyone-who-doesn't-get-me attitude. She has generally done a great job of balancing commercial fare with art house flicks as to stay relevant on both sides (Dangerous Liaisons and the Kill Bill series are some of my faves). She is kinda like Angelina Jolie, but less kooky (and I say that with all due respect because I LOVE Ms. Jolie). And on top of all of that, she is a real ACTRESS - talented, versatile and real, not a wanna-be.

Some of you may not realize, but Uma was once a top model in the mid 80s. She was so amazing editorially because of her unique face, her ability to move and her ability to act and emote. Plus, that face was and still is sitting in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. See Uma then and now:

Uma circa 1985 Italian Vogue - serving face and a fierce bob as a teenager in buffalo check and lacquered high water trousers.
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Uma now - one of the great natural beauties of our times. Here she is working natural waves, piercing eyes and asymmetric lemon chiffon.
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