Perry vs. GaGa: The New East Coast vs. West Coast

The NEW East Coast Vs. West Coast

With the release of Lady GaGa’s Alejandro and Katy Perry’s California Gurls side by side, their rivalry returns. Created by record companies, gossip mags and my friends, Perry and GaGa seem to always be pitted against each other. Probably because they’re smart, talented, outlandish, opinionated pop musicians who are close in age and rose to fame in 2008. While they have much in common, they could not be more different. Perry represents the East Coast. GaGa represents the West Coast. Perry wrote California Gurls to represent her home state and compete with all the great New York based songs, including the latest mega hit out of the big apple “Empire State of Mind.” GaGa began her career in the Lower East Side club scene and she’s always gushing about her love for New York. It really becomes a comparison of taste for New York or California. Let’s see the differences for the NEW East Coast Vs. West Coast rivalry.

West

Both ladies are publicity machines. Katy Perry utilizes the new school way (think of The Hills Stars, Heidi and Spencer) – sharing every opinion, sharing personal information, having a public relationship with another celebrity and doing whatever it takes to get your name constantly in the press.

East

While Lady GaGa prefers the old school method (think Marilyn Manson) – withholding personal information, expression through shock videos, dramatic costumes, calculated opinions and elaborate performances.

West

Both ladies have buzz-worthy wardrobes. Perry’s wardrobe is full of colour, vintage and camp. When she started her career she made sure to stand out from the sexed-up crowd of pop stars with high-waisted shorts, halters, 50’s, polka dots and fruit adorned clothing.

East

GaGa done changed the game. In a world of stylists, worst dressed lists and celebrity-designer endorsement contracts, celebrity fashion has become predictable and too safe. Now everyone is scrambling to compete with GaGa’s stand out assortment of latex, hair bows, bubble dress, disco sticks, capes, lace masks and body suits.

West

Worst line: “I’m like a fatter version of Amy Winehouse and a skinner version of Lily Allen!”

Best Lyric: “You’re so gay, you don’t even like boys”

East

Worst line: “Pop stars don’t eat”

Best Lyric: Tie between -- "Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun / And baby when it's love if it's not rough it isn't fun”

“Find your freedom in the music. Find your Jesus. Find your Kubrick.”

West

Perry’s music is catchy and fun. She also has the vocal chops to sing live. While I’m not a fan, she definitely has no problem climbing to the number one spot of the charts.

Her latest video for California Gurls is ridiculously campy. At first I thought ‘Great. Another fergalicious video of a girl trying to be sexy on a pile of candy.” However, Katy’s adventures in make-believe Candyland are visually entertaining, even with the whip cream and cupcake tits scenes. (I get it. Straight guys will not listen to your music or watch your videos unless you are naked on a cloud.) I find this kind of degrading but the rest of the video looks like a Willy Wonka playground. Candy is my weakness.

East

GaGa has delivered some of the best dance anthems in the latter half of the decade. While her music is danceable pop with an edge, this lady has much to write and sing about - fame, love, obsession, society and fear. Her biggest strength in my opinion is singing acoustically with her piano. Pure magic.

Her latest video for Alejandro is dark yet beautiful. Steven Klein directed this video, which includes themes of religion and military control versus sexuality and freedom.

West

Perry has supported the following charities: Music for Relief, Project Clean Water and Keep-a-Breast – where she auctioned off her molded breasts to benefit breast cancer.

East

GaGa has supported the following charities: Alzheimer’s Association, Artists for Peace and Justice, Stand Up to Cancer and multiple other projects. Her most vocal stance has been for gay rights and for women. In the recent Viva Glam campaign against AIDS and HIV, she stated “We want women to feel strong and feel strong enough that they can remember to protect themselves. To have this lipstick as a reminder in your purse, that when your man is laying naked in bed, you go into the bathroom, you put your lipstick on, and you bring a condom out with you…There are no exceptions.”

Everyone has a favorite??? Check out the latest videos from Lady GaGa and Katy Perry.

Summer Fashion 101

Whites

The all-white look is a staple for summer fashion. Club Monaco has a wide selection in all-white, light weight clothing to keep you cool on hot summer days. Avoid white leggings and super tight white jeans this summer (as I fear intense camel toe will ruin your intentions), instead try white hosiery. In addition, ruffles are still trendy but a well-draped skirt is the best wardrobe investment. Burberry's chiffon knot skirts have all the romance without the frilly pouf of ruffles. For better value, try Club Monaco's Catherine Silk Chiffon Skirt.

Purples

Purple has been in the spotlight for sometime now. With bold fashionable Torontonians venturing into dark purple lipstick (like Cyber from Mac Cosmetics), I believe great Grape finds will continue to pop up everywhere.

Trends: Florals, Rompers, Mesh and Denim

Tiny floral prints are in high demand. Break the H&M Garden Collection mold with the original flower child, Betsey Johnson or Montreal brand Barila (found at Model Citizen or Pho Pa.) Rompers are a trend that isn't going away anytime soon. Although not for everyone, many brands are offering a super cute selection ranging from sexy to sophisticated. The Americana all-denim look is back with vests, jackets, rompers, button-up shirts, skirts and shorts finding a place in your wardrobe. Side note: The lighter the denim, the better. The lingerie/underwear-as-outwear trend hasn't really taken off in Toronto yet. For those more modest, a sheer top captures the look with minimum exposure.

Top Left to Right: Baril Clothing, Floral Jumper; Betsey Johnson, Floral Jumper; Joe Fresh, Floral Dress ($29.99)
Bottom Left to Right: The Gap, Denim Skirt ($49.99); Urban Outfitters, BDG Dolphin Shorts ($29.99); American Apparel, Mesh Top ($39.99)

Christian Siriano proves to be as savvy in business as in fashion

I just finished watching Christian Siriano on The View. As he showed off a few pieces from his Fall 2010 collection, I couldn't help but be impressed. Not just by the extravagant clothes, but I was mostly impressed by how savvy he is. As most Runway alumni fail to keep relevant after winning, Siriano cleverly built a solid foundation to support his runway collections. For example, his Payless Shoe Collection which keeps getting better every season. This is a great example of when talent, no matter how extraordinary, is not enough. With a sea of designers in today's markets, you need to offer something more than two collections a year. New fashion designers need to be their own marketing and pr dynamos. Consumers need to be reminded of why they need your brand in their closet. It's refreshing that designers are making deals for affordably priced Target/H&M/Payless/Gap lines. It's simply smart, since it widens your audience and it's an ideal press opportunity. With luxury sales down and fast fashion chains imitating high fashion anyhow, why not get in on the profits.

Images: The Cut

Best Looks on the Red Carpet

Left to right: Gwen Stefani in Lamb, Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein, January Jones in YSL


Left to Right: Diane Kruger in Calvin Klein, Brooke Shields in Michael Kors, Giesel Bunchen in Alexander Wang

The MET Costume Institute Gala, "the Oscar's of the east coast", always brings out the hottest names in fashion and the models and actresses that wear them. While long sleeves were surprisingly popular, most opted for classic ball gowns with trains. American designers were the choice of the night, since the exhibit was titled American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.



From left to right: Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen, Joshua Jackson and Diane Kruger in Chanel, Gwyneth Paltrow in Giorgio Armani

Cate Blanchett decided to kick off the Cannes Film Festival by paying tribute to the late Alexander McQueen. The dress was part of his Pre-Fall collection.
Also, Diane Kruger embraces one of her favorite designer, Karl Lagerfeld, at the Chanel 2010 Resort Collection. And Gwyneth looks chic at the Iron Man 2 premier.

Images: Harper Bazaar, The Cut, Entertainment Weekly, Huffington Post

Robin Givhan and Jeanne Beker talk fashion

On a particularly stormy night last Friday, Robin Givhan, fashion critic and style writer for The Washington Post, and Jeanne Beker, host of Fashion Television, finished a series of conversations dedicated to architecture, music and, of course, fashion. New to the Hot Doc film festival this year, Critical Mass is a conversation exploring cultural subjects related to film. Robin Givhan is a huge name in fashion right now. Instead of moving fashion forward by design, she elevated fashion journalism by winning the Pultzer Prize (a first for a fashion writer. ) Although Givhan claims she is still trying to figure fashion out, she seemed to have a pretty clear vision of where fashion fits into our cultural dialogue. They discussed the pitfalls of fashion, such as designer's narrow visions of their ideal clients, the link between the ideal beauty shrinking while obesity rises, and design being influenced from sponsorship. Yet the one major change that stood out was the "demoncratization of fashion." With increased exposure to fashion and style, people are taking an invested interest in the matter. What that could mean for the industry is public pressure to progress fashion into something more realistic, such as the presence of more mature models on the runway and more pragmatic designs. The end of glamour and teenage models? Maybe not, but the times are changing and the people are finding their voice in fashion. Jeanne also offered up a little tidbit of news. She will be venturing into a new clothing line "Edited by Jeanne", which will soon to be available at The Bay.

Recap: Toronto Fashion Week

Best of Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2010

Lucian Matis always brings a sense of magic to the runway with imaginative embellishments and dramatic shapes. Matis' fall collection was inspired by his Romanian heritage yet embraced elegance and glamour. All the pieces were sublime - full of glitz, leather and lace with a folk twist.Andy The-Anh continues to show incredible workmanship with his Fall 2010 collection. By using mostly dark colours (except for a hint of his signature blue) and well-fitted garments, The-Anh created a strong modern woman look enhanced with layers, pleats and draping.
Izzy Camilleri is back and better than ever! Alongside Adrian Mainella, the pair debut their IZMA collaboration and kicked off Fashion Week. The collection showcased innovative fur pieces and leather garments amidst a neutral palate. Fur is back and IZMA revved it up with plenty of fabulous showstoppers!Dimitri Chris is Canada's resident high-fashion men's wear designer. His "Masters of the Foxhounds" collection mixed well-tailored jackets, bow ties and suits with knit wear, hunting caps and even a pair of cropped sweat pants. The variety of leather boots and shoes were outstanding and made the whole look come together.Jules Power made a cannonball of a splash with her debut at Toronto Fashion Week. The feat of her collection comes in the form of the "it" slouch sweat pants - a must-have of every Toronto girl. Paired with tailored jackets, furs, plaids, floral and other fun prints, Power's collection provides choices ranging from sophisticated lady to casual urbanite.



Other forward-thinking collections from left to right: Pink Tartan, Vawk, Line, Joe Fresh (featuring Crystal Renn), Evan Biddell and Gaudet.

Images: sweetspot.ca, fashionmagazine.com, vancouversun.ca

Tribute to Alexander McQueen

I only knew Alexander (Lee) McQueen the way most of the public knew him – as a brilliant genius and the marvel of a designer behind the Alexander McQueen brand. With his wild imagination, he turned beautifully tailored clothing into a spectacle, whose images would stay with you long after the show. The runway shows were part theatrics, part innovative design and part impeccable styling; risky to some, nevertheless incredibly inspirational. The beauty of his shows would leave tears in many fashion lovers’ eyes. McQueen was no stranger to pushing the limits of ready-to-wear, heel height and any other boundaries standing in his way. The recession lead many designers to serve up classics and safe choices, but not McQueen. If anything, he ventured into more risky, highly artistic designs, such as the Fall 2009 Collection.

This day is an incredibly sad one with the passing of a legend-in-the-making. In McQueen’s short career, he has gained the admiration of critics and fashion editors, popularity with A-list actors and musicians, and accolades from the industry’s top awards, including ‘British Designer of the Year’ and ‘International Designer of the Year.’ Now that Alexander McQueen is gone and the world will carry on without him, what will be left? The art of Alexander McQueen ends today. He was and will forever be my favourite designer. As a decoration of love I once said, “ If I could afford a Alexander McQueen gown, I would stitch it to my body and never take it off.” Although I cannot rely on McQueen for new inspiration, his work will be remembered. For his mind-blowing shows, original designs and thoughtful revelations. For beauty, love, truth, exploration and everything in life we hold dear.

May he rest in peace.

Images : www.style.com