Dare to Wear Your Prom Dress When It Isn't Prom

Who would have seen this coming?:

Walking around in a prom dress, when it's definitely
not time for prom, is OFFICIALLY cool.

In Lily Allen's video for "LDN" she merrily skips down the street in a flowing, layered, strapless prom-syle dress... and tennis shoes. Somehow, she pulls it off and makes me wish I could walk down the street in my prom dress and matching Adidas... and not look completely mad.

Here is her video:



ALSO, Betsy Johnson fittingly titled her new spring collection "Prom Queen," and featured some fabulously frilled, perfectly poofy, and lovely laced dresses. I can't wait to see someone walking down the street in one, and totally owning their awesomeness.

Where can you find it?
You can buy Betsy Johnson online (free shipping on orders over $100 for a limited time!), or at one of her boutiques.

How To Get Pete Wentz On You

clan·des·tine adj: secret or furtive, and usually illegal

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In 2004 Pete Wentz, the beautifully tortured bass player/front man of Fall Out Boy, created Clandestine Industries as an outlet to sell his book. In 2005 it expanded into a clothing line geared towards punky-emo youth.

Now, Clandestine and DKNY have decided to collaborate on a new women's line. *Gasp* Petey and DKNY working together to make uber-emo skinny jeans - for women?? Oh yes, it's true.

The collection only features a few key items, but it definitely reflects Wentz's style. It features graphics inspired by his tattoos, and his Clandestine logo, which is actually taken from a tattoo he has on his lower stomach (check it out below). There is also a print tee that has a large pixilated picture of his dog, Hemingway.

It's perfectly rock star because:

1. It's inspired by his awesome tattoos...
2. It's basically all black, with the Hemingway tee being an exception.
3. It features skinny jeans and a trench coat.
4. The man who created it is better known for wearing guyliner than playing bass in his band.
   

Where can you find it?
I recommend buying it online, since Macy's is offering a free Fall Out Boy CD with a purchase of $100 or more. (It's not cheap, so this is easy to do.) Or you can go to a Dillards or Macy's near you that carries the line.

Why Eve Is Awesome, and MAC Rules.

The rapper Eve's video for "Tambourine," contains some obvious product placement for MAC Cosmetics... and I couldn't be happier! As you will learn (or may have noticed by my previous post about crazy eyeliner), I'm obsessed with MAC makeup. MAC, standing for Makeup Artist Cosmetics, makes makeup for, well, makeup artists. If you know what to look for, their distinct classy black packaging, you will spot their products in any behind the scenes video of major awards shows and music videos.

WARNING: Their makeup is not for those afraid to put a little high pigmentation on their face! However, if you're willing to play with it and learn how to properly blend their delicious array of colors, it can be more addicting than a Krispy Kreme doughnut.... mmmm.

Eve has actually been a spokeswoman for MAC's Viva Glam Campaign, which raises money for AIDS research, for quite some time. Here is some info from their AIDS fund website:

Established in 1994 by M·A·C Cosmetics, the M·A·C AIDS Fund supports men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. Introducing its first VIVA GLAM lipstick that same year, M·A·C decided that every cent of the selling price of the VIVA GLAM lipsticks would go to the M·A·C AIDS Fund. With a total of six shades of Viva Glam lipstick and two shades of Viva Glam lipglass now sold worldwide, and through the annual Kids Helping Kids Card Program, M·A·C Cosmetics has provided over $95 million (US) to date for the M·A·C AIDS Fund. The M·A·C AIDS Fund is the heart and soul of the company – with its employees giving their time, energy and talent to help those affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide.

Here is the "Tambourine" video, look for the MAC makeup about 1 minute into the video. I love the way it's presented to her on platters, like a tasty delicacy. Of course, her makeup looks ah-maz-ING in this video as well, but that's to be expected:

Where can you find it?

Check out your local MAC store during holiday time. The past few years they've sold some great pallets that contain all six VIVA GLAM colors, and each one is absolutely gorgeous! They're timeless, and compliment virtually any skin tone. So fabulous.

Thank Freddie Mercury for Black Nail Polish Being Cool

New York magazine has published an article online covering a brief history of black nail polish, one of my favorite trends. As expected, much of the major appeal of this trend was started with rock bands and artists. Some examples they list are Freddie Mercury (lead singer of Queen), David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Bauhaus, and Marilyn Manson.

Once the fashion industry decided to play along, the cosmetics company Urban Decay created the color Perversion, "a vinyl black polish with purple highlights named after a Gravity Kills album." The article also states, "Despite cropping up on fashion models, black nail polish still says 'rebellious rock,' as evidenced by indie band the Deathray Davies’ album, titled Midnight at the Black Nail Polish Factory."

I couldn't agree more. No matter how trendy black polish gets, it still makes you feel a little like a rock star.

Although their timeline stops at 2006, the black/dark nail polish trend is still going strong this fall. However, it has undergone some slight tweaking. Instead of jet black, colors are emerging with flecks of purple and magenta, with burgundy and navy undertones. My mother insists they all look the same, but I beg to differ. Of course I explain to her that when the sun hits my nails just right you can really see difference...

My favorites this season: OPI's Russian Navy, and Midnight in Moscow.

In honor of Mercury and Bowie, here is "Under Pressure":

Makeup Made For the Rehab Reject

Admit it: when you first saw Amy Winehouse's, well, unique eye makeup you thought, "Is she serious?" Not many would have guessed this over-the-top eyeliner would be a future trend. Her exaggerated cat eyes also seemed a little eccentric to me, until I saw what Alexander McQueen had models wearing for his fall show (shown above). They, like Winehouse, donned thick black liner drawn past the eyes, but they paired it with dramatic black brows and blue eyeshadow from lash line to brow bone.

This, by no means, should be used as everyday makeup, but it does reflect on the new fall trend: thick eyeliner. My favorites are classic black, or an edgy turquoise or teal. A more subdued version of the McQueen look can be found at the MAC Cosmetics site. They also use blue shadow and black liner, but it is street-compatible and a little more easy on the eyes.

Where can you find it?
MAC Cosmetics stores are found in many malls, and several department stores carry MAC cosmetics counters. A few department stores that carry it are: Bloomingdales, Macy's, and Nordstrom.

Japanese Gothic Lolita

I've just discovered an article online about a Japanese Goth trend called Gothic Lolita , intriguing. The trend began around 1999, and the site morbidoutlook.com names bands like Motley Crue and Malice Mizer (pictured above) as influences.

The look is similar to the American goth trend, but is a little softer. Less leather and chains, more layers of black lace. It's actually rather elegant and not as harsh as one would think. Some key things that characterize the look are:

• Black, black, black. What's a Goth trend without black? There is use of some color, but usually only red or pastels.
  
• Ruffled babydoll dresses. Think Alice in Wonderland meets Interview With a Vampire. In fact, Kirsten Dunst's character in this movie dresses in a somewhat Gothic Lolita fashion...
  
• Lots of layers. Ruffles, lace, aprons, jackets, leggings, tights, headbands. Even parasols can add to the dimensions of this look.
• Mary Jane-style shoes.

In essence, the girls who wear this garb remind me of full grown Victorian dolls. Ruffled dresses, innocent rosy faces, and long ringlets of hair. A little pout and a gaze of indifference helps too. It's elegant, dark, cute, and a little creepy. Deep.

Ghetto-Fab Blast From the Past

Many rock stars have been seen wearing super BIG, flashy, 80s inspired gold hoops. Rihanna sports them in her "Shut Up and Drive" video, and Lily Allen and Hilary Duff have also been seen wearing them.

Here is Rihanna's "Shut Up and Drive" (check out those hoops! classic):

Where can you find it?
If you dare to rock these massive hoops, check out your local Express store. They carry them in the large and round variety, and even some heart shaped ones.

Music is to fashion, as peanut butter is to jelly

Think back a few years: adolescent girls were running around in plaid skirts, pig tails, midriff-baring tops, and enough glitter to have anyone believe they had had a bad run in with a pack of angry pixies. Who was responsible for this? Definitely not their parents or teachers, no, it was a few former Mouseketeers. With the release of her "...Baby One More Time" video, Britney Spears immediately sparked a passion in young girls to become rebellious Catholic schoolgirls... or at least dress like them. Christina Aguilera burst on to the scene shortly after, and low-rise jeans suddenly became so low it's a wonder how anyone sat down in them without half undressing themselves. This is just one example of how a few musicians can spark a trend in fashion.

Musicians, especially since the 1900s, have had a strong impact on what is considered cool and trendy. Their eccentricity beautifully complements the extreme nature of high fashion, and a better pairing is difficult to find. Designers make the clothing, musicians make the statement, together they create looks that define generations.

With this blog, I'd like to bring to you some of the most exciting fusions between music and fashion today, no matter what the genre. Hip-hop, pop, rock, punk, goth, jazz... whatever is most enticing at the moment. Enjoy.