Darcel Disappoints: '150/50' at Colette

It's not every day that you see a one-eyed portrait of Yves Saint Laurent paired with a similarly unusual interpretation of the late Coco Chanel. However, as part of their 15th anniversary celebrations later this year, French fashion store Colette have called upon New York based artist Craig Redman to give friends of the store his signature 'makeover'. The exhibition immortalizes Redman's 'Darcel Disappoints' character in the guise of 150 portraits, including the likes of Rihanna, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga (see below).

Juergen Teller, Susie Bubble, Diane von Furstenberg and Joseph Altuzarra have all previously been given the  Darcel Disappoints treatment and each one perfectly captures the essence of that individual. The exhibition runs at Colette until the 31st of March so if you're lucky enough to be in Paris for Fashion Week or if you'll be visiting the French capital in the next month then it's worth a trip! Check out the video below for more information.

   

Spotlight: Lady Gaga 'Born This Way'

You've got to hand it to Lady Gaga because she's only gone and made another beautifully bizarre video, this time for latest single Born This Way. Released earlier today, the Born This Way video has got everything from graphic vagina references to dancing skeletons - I wouldn't expect anything less, especially as it was directed by the wonderful Nick Knight.

I know she splits opinion but I think she is a genius; no other female artist is making such great pop songs or brilliantly controversial videos and she deserves credit for that alone. The video also exploits the unusual face and shoulder implants that Gaga has been sporting during promotional tours - I can't say they're even remotely appealing to me but I can almost guarantee that scenesters around the globe were searching 'horn implants' as soon as they saw them. Weird.

Anyway, you can watch the full Born This Way video here; even if you don't like her music, it's worth a watch. What do you think of Lady Gaga? Are you a lover or a hater?

Photos from youtube.com/Lady Gaga/Nick Knight 

Daphne Guiness is Dead

Of course she isn't actually dead, but if you've been keeping track of her Twitter today, you'll have noticed a severe lack of posts. Guiness is one of a whole host of celebs (including Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Elijah Wood and Justin Timberlake) who have sacrificed Tweeting until $1 million is raised for World AIDS Day. I think it's a great idea, if each one of their followers donated just $10 or £10, then they'd reach the target in no time.

If you're interested in making a difference, go to buylife.org and donate. Talking about making a difference, if you're a regular reader then you may remember last month I attended the Levi's Shape What's To Come evening on Regent Street. It was a really inspiring evening and it helped me put my (not-so-stressful) life into perspective.

If you haven't already done so, I recommend you sign up to the Levi’s® Shape What’s To Come Online Community - not only is Shingai Shoniwa of The Noisettes hosting a live webcast tonight at 9pm but you'll be able to interact with other like-minded and career focused people. Great for getting your feet off the ground!

What do you think of the World AIDs Day campaign? It's so strong I don't think anyone can ignore the message they're trying to get across...

photos from buylife.org

It's Been A While...Lady Gaga

She disappeared off the face of the planet only to return wearing prime rump steak and now it seems she's been taking fashion advice from Miss Piggy...

London is supposedly the most diverse fashion city in the world but this is wrong on all levels (sorry gaga, I love you really). As separates the hair, glasses, bag (of course) and leather jacket are all rather lovely but the bad tights and hairy dress are a step too far.

Dodgy 80s throwback comes to mind. As do a flamingo and "that was so 2 years ago". I'm not really sure why she's in London at the moment but hopefully her style will resume 'icon' status when she leaves; what do you think, car-crash chic or just plain shit?

photos from laineygossip.com

Cover Up

Everyone watched Lady Gaga's meteoric rise to stardom-hood at the beginning of this year but seriously, other than a couple of scantily-clad football game attendances - where has she been hiding?

At Vanity Fair getting naked and wearing ill-fitting wigs, it seems.

If this was anyone else I'd probably hate it (I'd definitely hate it in fact) but it isn't and OK so it's boring and she looks like she's taken a bunch of drugs but I'm glad to see her again. Weirdly it makes me want to do a Kelly Osbourne and dye my hair some strange shade of lilac and then paint my nails to match - but isn't that part of Gaga's (Osbourne is way less cool) appeal? Yes, is the answer.

I was going to write about the September Issue of UK Vogue which arrived on my doorstep this morning, but it was all battered up and featured Kate Moss on the cover AGAIN which made me too annoyed to even consider - I told you Vogue, I'm bored of seeing Moss on the cover, regardless of how beautiful she is.

And she really is beautiful, but still...Excessive cover star or just a super super model?

photos from thefashionspot.com and thefrisky.com

Spotlight: Alejandro

 If Steven Klein's and Gaga's hot collab for Alejandro isn't worth a mention for this weeks Spotlight, well, I don't know what is...

I think she is out of this world, in every sense of the word. Although, the Madonna/Christina comparisons are growing a little thin now, they're all amazing artists in their own right - lets just leave it at that, yes? 

But seriously, she is a super-force to be reckoned with and Steven Klein has bought her insane vision to life so perfectly. She's always been more than just a singer, she is a performer, an actress and an icon - love her or hate her (Katy Perry ain't a lover that's for sure - "Using blasphemy as entertainment is as cheap as a comedian telling a fart joke.”) you can't deny the Gaga. 

If you haven't already seen the visual wonder that is Alejandro (blasphemy in itself, take that Katy Perry) then check it out here, it really is beautiful and weirdly mesmerizing! 

Blaspheme

If I owned an Hermes bag, I would guard it with my life; it itself would have life insurance. Apparently this rule doesn't apply to celebrities, or to be more precise, Lady Gaga.

Having been in Japan promoting Viva Glam for M.A.C she probably thought that scrawling over a perfectly good Hermes bag was in some way ironic, or she simply wanted the bag safe from the likes of Heidi Montag/Pratt. Now, I love the gaga, I really do, but seriously, Hermes? Its a kick in the teeth that I wish I could have executed myself - just imagine having enough money to be able to graffiti your own £2000 bag and not give a shit.

I guess not giving a shit has kind of become her motto - which is why I completely and utterly adore her. It seems that Japan has brought our Gaga's crazy side that I've missed so much in recent months.

She kind of looks like a piece of scrap metal from Terminator but of course, it works. We've come to expect nothing less than extraordinary from her and seriously, apart from on the Victoria's Secret runway, when are you ever going to see wings as fun as this? I definately prefer this yellow-tinged-bob on her to that awful blonde wig; it's so last year.

And what would a post about Lady Gaga be without a bit of white body-paint and crazy hair. Like Dior AW09/10 she piled on the (painted white) kirby grips for the Viva Glam launch in Tokyo today, so much so that they look like some strange sort of head piece. Maybe she's stranded there because of the volcano in Iceland (fingers crossed) so we'll see even more fun outfits!

Are you offended or baffled by the graffitied Hermes?

photos from thefashionspot.com

Lady 'leave a message after the tone' Gaga

I love the Gaga - always have, always will. I'm mortified that I missed out on the Monster Ball Tour (check out Nicola Formichetti's blog for video's and photos) but I'm sure there'll be a DVD out before I know it.

I was excited to see this photo she Tweeted the other day and although I can already hear everyone saying 'She's too thin blah blah blah' I think she look's bloody insane (good insane, not mental insane).

It's a photo still from Telephone and much like these three, which have been floating around for a while now, it looks typical of a Gaga masterpiece.

Yes I know she looks skinny and she obviously has lost a lot of weight but I think she looks good; I don't really know what all the fuss is about - everyone hated her not so long ago!

PS. A bird flew down my chimney and is now stuck at the bottom - we've cemented the fireplace up so it's stuck! Oh how RSPCA would cry if they knew...

photo's from aceshowbiz.com

Red Carpet Queen

You've got to hand it to Georgina Chapman at Marchesa, the woman knows how to create a red carpet winner.

Fall 2010 is no exception  - you could literally picture every hot-young-thing wearing everything from the collection. I saw Lady Gaga in a lace body and white ruffled skirt and Dakota Fanning in a structured ruffled LBD.

The dresses spoke for themselves - no catwalk was needed to highlight the fact that this collection is an instant winner. This is Marchesa on top form.

Apologies for the severe lack of content recently! I promise I'll bring exclusive London Fashion Week content from tomorrow - let the shows commence!

photos from style.com

Pearl Necklace?

Excuse the horribly crude title but that's the first thing that sprung to mind when I saw this photo of Lady Gaga this morning.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the Gaga and think she's a fashion beast BUT (and there's always a but) I can't help thinking she looks like a glamorous white-washed sea-anemone. I love the jacket and hat (pearly bubbles included), I love the hot-pink lipstick and mega heels - it's just the whole pearly face/body/legs thing I can't get to grip with. If she'd left it to the face I would have fallen head over heels for this look but sadly, she didn't.

What do you think of Gaga's latest fashion ensemble? 

photo's from justjared.buzznet.com

Look-a-like

I know, I know, I know - I need to post about someone other than RiRi, Lady Gaga, Freja or Abbey. I just can't help but love their personal styles. Freja always looks the part in band-tee's, skinny jeans and combat boots (black of course), Gaga in something amazingly crazy, Abbey in maxi-dresses and biker jackets and Rihanna in whatever's hot.

Since the SS10 shows last September, Rihanna has really emerged as someting of a fashion-powerhouse. It seems that most of what she wears, with a few exceptions, looks really incredible; and she has been known to look a lot better in outfits than the catwalk Size 0's - an achievement considering she's not waifer-thin.

I've rummaged around and found a couple of recent 'street style' shots which I think look great on her and that can be replicated at a reasonably decent price. Admittedly, I would never wear Look 3, but it just reminds me of her Pon De Replay days - though I doubt that was the look she was aiming for.

Blazer, jumper, bag - Topshop. Glasses - ASOS. Boots - All Saints

Leather sleeveless jacket, long sleeved top - Topshop. Gloves, necklace - ASOS.

Top - Elizabeth & James @ Net-A-Porter. Jeggings - Topshop. Necklace, ring - Asos.

I will start posting about different people, it's not fashion ignorance - I promise! Who are your modern style icons?

photos from justjared.buzznet.com and thefashionspot.com

The Brits 2010

Every time I turn on the telly (considering the only channels I watch are MTV, E4, Living and The Style Network) I'm inundated with crappy adverts about cashing my gold and wrinkle-free skin.

So I'm super excited about the Brits this year, not because I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone wears (although I am curious) but because Animal Collective have been nominated for Best International Breakthrough Act. Considering the winner will be decided by MTV viewers, you can appreciate the sheer amount of advertising I've endured whilst catching up on Gossip Girl/The Hills etc.

This is exciting because they're one of my favourite bands and if you haven't heard of them by now, shame on you. I've only ever listened to them at parties/on skating DVD's/when I'm chillin' so it kind of took me by surprise but in a good way. They're up against Lady Gaga, Daniel Merriweather (err why?), Empire of the Sun and Taylor Swift (...) so if you haven't had a listen by now, this is the perfect opportunity.

I've just put my vote in, what do you think about the nominations? Is there anyone you would of liked to have seen up-there instead?

PS. I didn't include Taylor Swift on purpose, she's not even popular here!

Highlighter Hair

And here comes Lady Gaga, whose hair will undoubtedly spark a DIY highlighter revolution. I quite like the orange hair, mainly because I want it for myself. However, I can't help but see a strange resemblance to Mutya Buena, anyone else? It's probably just the pencil thin eyebrows and candyfloss lips, maybe I'll come round one day but for now I'm not entirely convinced.

That skintight body is stonecold evidence that she doesn't have a penii, end of.

photos from justjared.buzznet.com

Lady gone Gaga?

If there were ever a character to split the fashion realms, it would of course be Lady Gaga. I've never known a celebrity to create such a divide; she is literally like Marmite - you either love her or hate her.

I've always been a fan because she continuously comes out wearing something different - whether its designer or not.

However, her latest public outing at MOCA's 30th Anniversary Gala has left me a little confused. I'm not so keen on the Frank Gehry hat (it's a bit too papier-mache for my liking) and the bodice looks like Christopher Straub's newspaper creation from series 6 of Project Runway.

But (and there's always a but) I love the chandelier inspired Prada skirt and the eccentric blue make-up. Blue make-up - whether it be on lips or eyes - always reminds me of young children trying out eyeshadow for the first time, but I think she wears it well.

Overall, I'm still not 100% on this look, but no one's perfect.

Photos from thefashionspot.com