Monday, October 20, 2008

Dancing Machines

Before I was swept up by the glamourous world of fashion, all I ever did was dance. So in honor of my deferred dream and Miss B's new Fosse-inspired video (featuring the guest appearance of a certain ring), I've brought you some of my favorite dancing videos of all time to get you through Monday...enjoy!

Beyonce, Single Ladies
Beyonce sashays into megastardom with an entire video of Fosse-inspired choreography with a bootylicious twist. Fosse may be turning over in his grave, but women everywhere are practicing every pop and roll in the mirror until it's sasha-fierce!




Paula Abdul, Straight Up
Her Highness! Before American Idol and televised sexual tension with Simon, Miss Abdul was a dancing queen. Here's Paula at her royal best. 


Janet Jackson, Pleasure Principle
A mover and a shaker, Miss Jackson stepped out of her brother's shadows to emerge as one of the most dynamic and beloved performers of all time. With a mirror, mic stand, chair and sensational dance performance, Janet proved she was here to stay.



Aaliyah, Are You That Somebody?
Who didn't know every move to this charming video, choreographed by the late singer's good and talented friend, Fatima? The steps were as young and spirited as the dancer herself, but Aaliyah's ease and effortless cool is what made the video a hit.


Madonna, Vogue
Inspired by a popular dance routine performed in gay nightclubs, Madonna created the mother of all dance videos and cemented her spot at the top of every Queen's list. Far from just a poser, Madge vogued her way into iconic territory.



Michael Jackson, Thriller
Groundbreaking. Theatrical. Spectacular. More than a music video, this was a horror film/mini-musical in which MJ's terrifying zombie and cat monster costumes and electrifying dance moves was the stuff pop legends are made of.


Classics. Let me know what dance videos make your list, and have a glam week!

Kisses,

Coutura




Sunday, October 19, 2008

Sole Mates

My secret? I can barely get through packing for Accessories and Cover shoots without being transfixed by the most beautiful, alluring shoes that come into the office. My many lovers---John Galliano, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent---have all been the sole object of my affection at one point or another. What happens is I sit on the floor of the Fashion closet and stealthily try on stilettos, platforms and pumps instead of focusing on the fifty pairs of shoes I have to do inventory for in the next hour before the messenger comes to pick up the trunks. And from the looks of the Spring 2009 Collections, my clandestine love affairs will only be getting worse...

Romance was in the air during Paris Fashion Week, where the heels were alive with Miu Miu's painted wedges, Louis Vuitton's tribal motifs and Dior's fertility Gods (the latter are shoes a lot of people shouldn't be wearing, Dior...).


Take a look, I promise, it's love at first sight!


John Galliano's modern metallics


Photobucket

YSL's wire-framed stunners

Photobucket

Dior's divine delights (fertility gods complete with pregnant bellies)

Photobucket

Photobucket

Chanel's feminine 40's glam

Photobucket

Photobucket

Louis Vuitton's fashion tribe

Photobucket

Lanvin's embroidered beauties

Photobucket

Miu Miu's painted masterpieces

Photobucket

Alexander McQueen's crown jewels

Photobucket

Viktor Rolf's eclectic heels

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Wow, aren't they beautiful?! Glamazons, which shoes are you head over heels for?

Kisses,

Coutura



Saturday, October 18, 2008

Not Just Great Denim


Every fashion brand can't create a good line of cosmetics (Exhibit A: Calvin Klein).
So when I heard that Rock & Republic would soon be launching their own cosmetics line, I was very skeptical. But these eye shadows are on point and best of all (just like the clothes) stay put! There are 48 shades ranging from vibrant to matte so you can paint the perfect eye no matter what your mood! They're a bit on the pricey side, so if you're a beauty maven on a budget, grab a shade that you'll wear both day and night so it's worth the investment. (Rock & Republic Saturate Eye Colour,$28, RockandRepublicCosmetics.com)
xo
Ferocia

Rewind!

Wow, the past couple of weeks have sped by me in a blur of beauty products, drinks, sleepless nights and copy writing deadlines!
Where do I begin? Let's start with the Smirnoff Event that Coutura and I attended. The best part about this event was that Pharrell chose me to come onstage and rock out with him and the rest of N.E.R.D.!!!! It was crazy being onstage with a major artist in front of hundreds of people. AND (like most of the free world) I luv me some Pharrell. But it was strange because once I got up there, I didn't throw myself at him (like most of the other chicas did). I was more amazed with the riffs the guitarist was playing and the amazing drummers (there were two). Of course, I danced my ass off and sweated it out like the rest of the girls up there with me (because it was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity!), but as I left the stage at the end of the performance I thought more about how awesome it would be to have my own rock band and made a mental note to sign up for guitar lessons. (And I do have a musical background, so it won't be too hard for me to pick up.)
I got home around 4 a.m. or so and that was the beginning of the end for me. I thought maybe I'd get some much needed zzz's that weekend, but I had brunch with my good friend Lea who then invited me to attend a birthday party out at Diana Ross's house in Connecticut for one of her younger sons, Ross. Of course, I couldn't say no to that! Diana's house was huge and Ross was super nice. (That other one, Evan Ross, was not so nice, but I'll just attribute his attitude to the fact that he's young and has stars in his eyes just because he was in the movie ATL...ha ha ha.) Lea and I partied into the wee hours of the morning and I slept most of that Sunday.
The next couple of the days at the office were super hectic because we were closing an issue and prepping for a major shoot. Coutura and I were busy burning the midnight oil, but that's the nature of the biz sometimes.
I also attended the Hennessy Artistry event (it was much like the Smirnoff event with artists performing). The line was super long and I got in just before the Fire Marshal showed up to say no else was getting in. The place was super packed, the venue very small and hot. I grabbed a cocktail and began scoping the scene. BJ Coleman (best known from Kimora Lee Simmons' TV show Life In The Fab Lane..word on the street is that he was fired) rushes past me with a gang of people (probably with some new client of his, no doubt); Fonzworth Bentley is deep in conversation with someone to my left and the model Chanel Iman is texting away to my right. Leona Lewis takes the stage and belts out some numbers and DJ Jazzy Jeff spins in between. Ne-Yo finally comes onstage and is the best performance of the night. However, I start to get grouchy from lack of sleep and the incessant heat and slimy looking guys in suits grabbing my arm trying to holla at me get to be too much and I decide to bounce. On my out, I spot Brooke Shields and Lindsay Price (stars of the hit show Lipstick Jungle) chatting it up. Overall, the event was ok, but Smirnoff definitely did the better job.
And now I'm off to do a bit of vintage shopping. Fall has finally arrived to the city and I want to start stocking up on the essentials (ie gloves, hats and scarfs).
xo
Ferocia


The group Spank Rock performing at the Smirnoff Event. How fierce are those boots she's wearing?!


Apparently there was guy in the crowd who was a N.E.R.D. hater who raised his hand high and was flipping them off throughout their performance. Pharrell noticed it and gave it right back at him!


Pharrell searching the crowd for a few good women to join him onstage.


He picked me!!! That's me in the gray and black sweater right after getting pulled onstage by one of the band members.


And there I am...rocking out with N.E.R.D.!!!



Having brunch with my girl Lea in BK. She's a model and an awesome handbag designer (www.thehouseofmuses.com).


Catching a breeze on one of the balconies at Diana Ross's house in Conneticut.


Coutura hard at work organizing clothes for a shoot.


I went to an Aussie beauty editor event and met the singer Tiffany...and she even performed! She's so awesome.




By the end of the week, Coutura and I have disaster areas for desks! Hopefully we'll get around to cleaning up a bit this week...

Monday, October 13, 2008

What You're Wearing In...

...New York City!


Okay, new post. Everybody loves a famous style maven, from Zoe Kravitz to Kelis, but Ferocia and I are firm believers that the most GLAM looks are right at home. That's why each week, we'll highlight the fiercest fashions in every city (and eventually, we'll go global), starting with our new favorite place, downtown Manhattan. Here, the top trendsetters at NYC's ever-popular Milk Studios...


Photobucket

Besides a pair of endlessly long legs, this glamazon boasts the hottest look of the season: the jumpsuit. The dark denim suit is super stylish. And take note: since the fabric doesn't always contour to your shape, the belt is your best bet to create curves. To top it off, her colorful accents (shiny mules, bracelet and make-up) and gold jewels up the fab quotient. Love it!

Only tip: if the pockets are longer than the shorts, either stuff them or cut them out altogether. I'd do the latter, you have to sacrifice for fashion!! And let's be honest, what can you really hold in a tight jumpsuit? Exactly.


Photobucket


Bold, printed dresses ruled this summer and this glamazon gets everything right! Unique color combos? Check. Swirl designs that aren't a cheap imitation of Pucci? Check (thank God!). Subtle jewelry and make-up? Check. And the flutter sleeves and bow add such a nice, feminine touch. Flawless.


Photobucket

This guy's outfit defines my theory on fashion as captured so beautifully by the late Yves Saint Laurent: Fashions fade, style is eternal. Style yourselves, people! Rather than throwing a bunch of menswear products on, he pieces together items that work, creating a dope, head-to-toe ensemble that's all his own. Every piece from the fedora to the glasses to the bracelets (ennhh...I'm not crazy about it, but hey, it's his own), completes the look! So ferosh, it's deadly.

Photobucket

This look is the definition of cool. It's preppy, laidback, masculine and stylish (yes, it's possible to be both). From the proportions (the quarter-length sleeved cardi with sleeves so casually pushed up and knee-length shorts) to the mixed patterns (zig-zag tie, striped shirt), this outfit is a winner. And the leather bag just screams elegance and quality. Bravo!


Glamazons, now all you have to do is email us at:

theglamazonsblog@gmail.com 

...with pictures of the amazing street style (of ladies and gents) in your city! You know the fashionista who always walks out of her house looking like she belongs on a magazine cover? The man who's perennially fashion-forward whether he's going on a date or heading to the gym? We want them. Can't wait to see your submissions!!

Talk soon!

Kisses,

Coutura



Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Good Vibrations?

When the e-mail came and my boss asked me to the attend the event, I was super stoked. It was a beauty breakfast for the new Lancomme mascara! And I'm OBSESSED with mascara!


So I get to the breakfast, feeling super fly sitting amongst the other beauty directors, when they pull out the new product: Oscillation ($34, lancome-usa.com).


There in front of me it sits....and vibrates...I'm immediately confused. I mean, should vibrating things be near my eye?! The beauty directors/editors are in awe when we press the tiny button on top that makes it buzz.


Photobucket


Then models come out and showcase how to use it. I kid you not, their eyelashes go from non-existent to super long and lush.


Photobucket


How does it work?


It's a battery operated brush that provides 7,000 micro-oscillations per minute, wrapping your lashes up to 360 degrees. Instead of the usual zig zag application, you just slowly apply it in straight, smooth strokes. And VOILA! Instant glam!


Oscillation officially hits stands on Wednesday, October 22. The waiting list for it has topped 13,000.


But, trust me my beauty mavens, it's definitely worth the wait!


xo
Ferocia


Images Courtesy of Lancome