Long Live the King: MJs last rehearsal

Featured Fashion Blog


While there is no question that MJ is the greatest music icon of the last half century, certainly defining my generation in all things pop and perverse, the glorious offspring of the 80s, let us not, as the world mourns, forget his contribution to the world of fashion. Though famed for his tunes, the singer's look was a one of a kind, instantly recognizable, off the wall style which screamed MJ before he even so much as opened his mouth or took a single moonstep.

So beyond the zillions of MJ memorial playlists springing up on ipods everywhere, fashionistas of the world, go on and honor his memory in another way: throw on a red leather zip detailed jacket, some banging parachute pants and a single white sequined glove and just beat it.

Thanks to the folks at Getty, here's a small sampling of the exclusive images of his final rehearsal at the Staples Center in LA on June 23rd...eerily presentient "This is it" sign in the background. I hear they're also in possession of the only footage of said performance and are currently in negotiations to release them. Photos by Kevin Mazur.








!-- start Vibrant Media IntelliTXT script section -->

Chanel London Madness

Featured Fashion Blog


Sure the Fourth of July may be just around the corner, but as an American happily settled in London, I see no reason not to tip my hat to the launch of a new beauty range from Chanel celebrating our fair metropolitan city with a line of London inspired, Union Jack stamped products.

July 1 Chanel will open a new makeup counter in Selfridges, and to mark the occasion, the brand's Creative Makeup Director, Peter Philips, has designed 3 limited edition products – ‘The London Madness Collection,' comprised of a lipstick, nail varnish and eye shadow. So before we fire up the grills and set off the fireworks next week, I see no problem with celebrating the Madness that is the capital of our ex-motherland--Chanel style. Besides, once you take a brush to the Union Jack eye shadow and apply it, you realize you might as well have smeared the American flag on your eyelids--that trusty old red, white and blue.

London Madness “Pearly Banner”- a highlighter with an ivory, gold and silver union jack on the surface £52.00

Rouge Allure in ‘Enthusiast’ - a bright, young, fresh red shade £21.50

!-- start Vibrant Media IntelliTXT script section -->

Royal Ascot

Featured Fashion Blog


The Royal Ascot, ladies and gentlemen, forget the sporting event of the season, it's sartorial sensationalism arguably elevates its people watching status to red alert def con threat down, it's MAJOR! MAJOR! It's so good it could even be better than fashion week and I wasn't even there on ladies day. Thanks to my dear old friend Spencer, we were able to penetrate the glass domed multi-escalatored recesses of the Royal Enclosure, to show off our hats amongst the elite and stalk the Queen in her box.

The day started out with a major wardrobe function, however, as I discovered that my gorgeous new Berardi dress purchased just for the occasion had a defective zipper. Needless to say, I was not in the mood to flash her Majesty my love handles, something had to be done. So my friend Spencer, a true Renaissance man, sewed me back into my Berardi and the show went on. Just don't ask me what I had to do to get it off.

Dress disaster aside, the day, while not sun-kissed, the event was certainly champagne-drenched, and the end of the day saw 15 happy Londoners snoozing off Pimms and champagne on the train back to Waterloo, albeit with wallets a bit lightened (Diabolical let me down). Suffice it to say that next year, I want a bigger hat.

Arrival

Down on the Green

Her Majesty's Box

They're Off!

Left side: Royal Enclose, Right: Grand Stand. Once you go royal, you never go back back.

The entrance to the Queen's Box

Crossing the finish line

Winner's Circle

The Hats

What is Ascot if not the race of women everywhere across the UK to battle it out for the biggest, bestest and most outrageous millenry statement? While ladies day is by far and away the most fabulous, Saturday was certianly not lacking in significant headgear. Not least that of the hat designer du jour, Victoria Grant, who looked absolutely smashing in purple and gold ensemble. Good friend that she is, she provided toppers for all five of her friends! Here's a selection of some of the best I encountered.

I love how the crest on her hat matches that on the Queen's box behind her

Apres Ascot

Not particularly keen to fight the crowds on the train back to London, we stuck around the race track until the girls were so cold that the boys had to surrender their jackets, thus breaking dress code, and signalling that the time to make a move had come. Not to fear though, the pub across the street from the station had been transformed from mere lager-den to river-side outdoor festival, complete with 80s music, barbeque, and plenty of Pimms. Needless to say, some serious tipsy hat swapping took place.