Sunday News Round Up
November 1, 2009 by Ricardo Antonio Canales
Filed under News
MORE MODELS IN BLACK FACE
This week new pictures of models in blackface hit the fashion scene. I told you about the controversial Paris Vogue photo spread featuring supermodel Lara Stone in some of the hottest designs of the season in our last edition. But who could keep their eyes on the clothes when Stone is striking some serious poses in blackface! Did Corine Roitfeld’s edgy editorial spark a new trend in fashion photography?
Check out these pictures from the latest episode of “America’s Next Top Model” and you decide. “ANTM” Executive Producer Tyra Banks conceived and photographed the final six contestants on the show – one Asian, one Black and four White – all done up in dark makeup and wearing ethnic ensembles.
According to Banks she wanted to create an editorial that celebrated “Hapa.” Hapa is Hawaiian and is used to describe a biracial person. The photos were taken on assignment in Maui.
The blogosphere is abuzz about the America’s Next Top Model photo shoot. Many hail Tyra’s photos as groundbreaking and applaud her efforts to advance cultural awareness. Banks – as Executive Producer – has made many strides to promote diversity in all forms on the successful show. Still critics maintain having models done up in dark makeup isn’t fashionable, but just plain wrong. What do you think?
THE KING OF POP: KING OF COUTURE?
Michael Jackson "This Is It"
“This Is It” – the movie about the final preparations for Michael Jackson’s comeback tour is expected to be the new number one movie in America this week. The movie grossed over $20 million dollars when it hit theaters worldwide on Wednesday. Fans will be delighted to see Jackson deliver some stellar performances proving why he is warmly regarded as the King of Pop. Jackson also firmly secures his place as a formidable force in fashion.
Michael Jackson is a man that knows how to wear some showstopping outfits. Balmain,Tom Ford, Dior Homme are just some of the designer clothes he wears to rehearsals. Rehearsals!
In one scene, we see Michael in a spectacular Balmain jacket. Christophe Decarnin for Balmain Homme designed it with bold, exaggerated shoulders. The jacket is tempered with shimmering, sparkly stones cascading down one lapel. Jackson wears a similar jacket, this time in leather. The skin on this jacket is so soft and supple, just like the “Smooth Criminal” himself. We also see Michael in a red leather jacket with zippers on the sleeve. I wanted to see more of Michael in this jacket as it is simply fabulous. This jacket was also designed by Decarnin for Balmain Homme. And then there are the pants. Gold sequins from Alessandro Dell’Acqua. Simply sensational.
Zaldy, Jackson’s Wardrobe Designer for the “This Is It” tour, created some out-of-this-world numbers for the star to wear on stage. While we will never see Michael in the costumes, they are expected to be displayed in London in the near future. Zaldy says he worked with designers and engineers from the Netherlands to L.A. for the costumes in the show, designed he says, to push the boundaries.
“This Is It” is in theaters now.
GQ GENTLEMAN’S BALL
There is never a shortage of star power in the Big Apple. This week was no exception. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, Adrian Grenier, model Chanel Iman were just some of the fashionable ones in attendance at GQ’s Gentleman’s Ball.
Related Articles:
