V-Style

Donna Summer Disco Fashion & Style Remembered

This Thursday morning Donna Summer died at 63 years old. In my moments of respect, I looked over her history of fashion in awe and respect. I may not have in depth knowledge of her life or music, although I have grand love for Hot Stuff and She Works Hard For The Money, but I know her fashion. As shown in my last Personal Stylist Fashion, I adore 70's glory and Donna Summer did it best. Donna Summer is disco. Watching her rock out in her sequined glory singing in Mac Arthur Park, wakes everything in me that loves fashion and everything fabulous. She will be missed. Her passing reminds me of a Rolling Stone's cover she graced. Is there life after disco? Only Donna knows.

70 Years of Barbra Streisand Fashion

Singer and actress Barbra Streisand turns seventy years old today. In celebration of her milestone birthday, I pay tribute to her decades of influence in fashion. Although her most recent fashion consists of streamlined sihlouettes in black, her past is filled with red fur, beads, head gear and iconic fabulousity. I will let the images speak for themselves, but before I let you go to browse, I must declare a secret. My absolute favorite Barbra Streisand movie is not Yentl or The Way We Were. My favorite is The Mirror Has Two Faces.

Florence Welch Piles on The Rings in Las Vegas

Florence Welch in Tadashi Shoji

The world is saying Adele is number, and she is definitely up there, but my number one draw-me-in muscian is Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine. Her music moves me, as does her fashion. Taking a gander at the Florence at her MSN Vegas after party, I was reminded of how fabulous she is and how fun it is to pile rings on your hands. The elegance of wearing one ring, will always be fabulous, but I miss the wild aplomb of ring décor so popular in the nineties. I threw on a handful to write this post. They feel cold and clumsy, but fun nonetheless. They will warm up in a second.

When you pile on large rings, interchange them with smaller rings or a blank digit, like I have done below. It's more flattering and comfortable for your fingers.

For more Florence fashion and music inspiration, I like to reference her Shake It Out music video...

Familiar Face Fashion: Jennifer Lopez in Lanvin

I don't watch American Idol and Jennifer Lopez is not a fashion favorite for me, but I love, nay, adore her Lanvin maxi skirt ensemble she sported on the American Idol stage this week. The combination of a dressy metallic piece with a clean cotton top shakes that little spot in my chest that flutters whenever I see fashion perfection. And that hair! And those legs! Brava! I do believe it deserves a twitter account.

Lana Del Rey Style

Tuesday Jan 17th, I was laying face down with a woman's hands in my hair when I heard Lana Del Rey in a way I would remember. I swear I had heard this song once before, I thought as listened to Lana float out the words, "playing video games." I ignored the massusee's pressure as I committed to memory the lyrics. When I left the building, I headed back to my home office. When I sat down at my computer, I typed in the lyrics I had memorized. I found Lana immediately. Ten minutes later I am watching the music video for Born To Die.  

Looking at and listening to Lana Del Rey makes me want to paint my lips the perfect red, get drunk and kick someone with a high heel. When I hear a good song, I want to wear good style. Music inspires me to get dressed... or undressed. Earlier today I was reading the Business of Fashion. There is a picture of a Rachel Dodes holding a sign that says, "Beautiful clothes inspire me to be a better person. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it is true." I completely agree. Wearing clothing changes you, sometimes for the better. Sometimes the other. Lana's style does the other for me, and I like it.

Gold Belts at The Grammy's

Best Dressed at the Grammy's is a logical post to follow the awards night, but the evening did not have enough looks to make my fashion heart swell. Instead, I was drawn to the tough gold belts seen on Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney, among others. I was hoping to discover some solid "gold" belts for us all, but I am without. My search will continue. I have always loved a high waist, hard metal belt. It will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine.

Giuliana Rancic in Georges Chakra

Paris Hilton in Basil Soda

Esperanza Spaulding

Katy Perry Wears Stacked Casadei Heels

This may seem an odd post considering I made such a stink about tall heels, but I could not pass up an opportunity to talk about lavender colored heels. Plus, with that platform going on, the heel ends up being my desired 3 inch height.

By the by, although Katy Perry appears to look more doll than human in this photo, I adore this lavender shade heel. Outrageously tall, yes. Drag Queen-ish even, yes - but I am loving it! I wonder if they are comfortable? At $590 they better be.

As a side note, don't think high prices mean comfort. I was recently at a cocktail party that became a long stroll to go salsa dancing and a wonderful Scottish woman could not keep up because she was wearing YSL heels that killed her feet. Bad form, YSL. If you want people paying obscene prices, make those shoes obscenely delicious to wear. 

Back to Casadei, I went on an online hunt to find Katy Perry's lavender shoe and only came up with the fushcia version pictured above on amazon.com (who'd a thought). For other stacked heels by Casadei, try endless.com

Best Dressed At The Grammys 2010

Lea Michele in Romona Keveza

Miley Cyrus in Herve Leger by Max Azaria

 

Keri Hilson

Jennifer Hudson in Victoria Beckham

Lady Gaga's Hat Hair in Las Vegas

In just a year Lady Gaga went from go-go dancing in the clubs of New York to Fame Monster. Being such a huge presence in 2009 I expect she will continue to hog the spotlight in 2010. Why? Well, although I am not really fond of her repetitive music, I am a mega fan of her fashion. I have never seen a celebrity, model, or musician look so so fabulous while taking incredible awe inspiring risks. Maybe Rhianna, but she often looks too trendy, whereas Lady Gaga is all her own.

In the past we have had Madonna and Cher, but Madonna often looked trashy and put together badly and Cher never looked right. Lady Gaga always looks good!

Pictured here, Lady Gaga showed her version of hat hair when she was officially named Creative Director for a specialty line of Polaroid products at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Beyond the hair, I need her sunglasses, those leggings are to die for and the shoulder emphasis was pulled off perfectly. Often the shoulders look 80's retro, but her shoulders look twenty-ten now.

L.A.M.B Makes Bags For Apple Technology

I have reviewed some "cute" looks for computer satchels and such, but nothing compares to what Gwen Stefani has done for Apple. Made exclusively for Apple, L.A.M.B has brought rocker chic to the technology world. From Mac Book Pro covers and gadget pouches to computer bags, I am absolutely loving it. If it wasn't so expensive I would snatch it up in a second. For those that can drop $300 on a bag go wild. These will last you for quite some time considering the water-resistant coated canvas and the Italian Vachetta leather used.