NY Fashion Week Redux: The American Dream

The recession just get get the designers down this year. A la the 1930s, when the Great Depression was at it's worst and fashion at one of its bests, many designers took one of two paths: pure escapism or the destroyed American dream.



TREND ONE: PRETTY PARTY NATION

“Why all the party dresses?” told the International Herald Tribune's Suzy Minkes told Style.com blogger Dirk Standen. “Is that really what people want to do when their friends are losing their jobs? Go out and party? Maybe it is,” she added. And she has a point. What's the point of moping? This is America after all, and partying is one thing we know how to do. From left, Milly showed a 60's inspired party dress show, complete with groovy glasses and psychedelic prints. Rodarte-inspired party frocks showed up at 3.1 Philip Lim, whereas Diane von Furstenburg (my favorite show of the week) continued her party-nomad aesthetic, showing influences of ancient Egyptian culture and safari tendencies. Additionally, Marc by Marc Jacobs' new collection could fit great into one of fall's trends: the 80's, with bright, bubblegum colors and bright bows in the models' hair.



TREND TWO: EAST OF EDEN

No other designer exemplified the literal interpretation of the Great Depression (and our depression) quite like Ralph Lauren. And not all designers could; it took the gall and status of a rigidly royal American brand to take such a chance on such a literal thing. Lauren's collection was risky, but effective, as the models walked down the runway in torn overalls, poor-farmer hats, and other Dust Bowl-inspired garments. His collection was very effective in what it sought to do: make the old new again, while reminding us that America did bounce back from the last depression.



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Last season, the American designers tried simple, and business dropped. Hopefully, the fashion industry will snap back with these escapist and literalist interpretations of the world we are living in now.

Pop Culture News of the Day: Vampires go Beautiful.

Among the rather dull news about the national health care plan or that totally legitimate election in Afghanistan, you may have missed the news about things that aren't so serious: pop culture news, that is. The best of today's news, condensed for you:

• Are you a fan of Harry Potter? (What a silly question. Isn't everyone?) Well, this may your dream come true: Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure is opening a Harry Potter theme park, including hippogriff rides, butterbeer bars, and a trip to that fabulous wizarding school, Hogwarts. [BuzzSugar]


• Even if it's not, say, quality literature, as my snobby friends (and secretly myself) might say, Dan Brown's new novel, The Lost Symbol, has hit platinum status. That's right: Dan Brown is even more rich than he was two days ago. [ArtsBeat Blog/NYT]


• After the biggest scandal of 2009 (read: sarcasm), Kanye West's concert tour with Lady Gaga may be in trouble. Tour dates mysteriously disappeared from the listings. Does this have anything to do with the great West-Swift battle? Of course. Maybe. [The Vulture]


• The 25 Greatest Cult TV Shows Ever [EW]


• What's on tonight: Glee, of course, but also premiering is one of the CW's newest series, The Beautiful Life, about a group of models in the corrupt fashion world. Is it any good? I'll be watching and blogging  tomorrow.


• Last, but certainly not least, the release date sophomore CD for the indie darlings Vampire Weekend has been revealed (image shown)! After their burnout debut, the band's second effort, named Contra, will drop January 12, 2010. So you still have plenty of time to pretend to know who they are. [Melophobe]

Flashback: Two More Teens' Opinions on Obama's Speech Last Week

Just a couple thoughts from teens across the country on Obama's speech last week....

Allison B. (MD)

I think that President Obama made a very noble attempt to connect with the students of today. The class that I was in when my school broadcasted the speech was a standard piano class, and the kids didnt really pay much attention to what the president was saying. They all said at the end that Obama was saying the same things that every adult tells them everyday and it won't make a difference to anyone. But when my teacher asked them what would get their attention and make them care about getting an education, none of them had any answers.

Obama's speech was captivating from the standpoint of a speech from one man to a group of people. But the message is just as important as the delivery, as is the reception of it. And it's very unfortunate that so many students blew off the speech and didnt take the time to take Obama's words to heart.

Jacob F. (NC)

I found it interesting that Obama chose now as a time to try to make us teenagers seem like part of the whole. Now, as he talks to seniors about their healthcare and the middle-aged about their jobs. Also, he really seemed to be trying very hard to seem "hip." By bringing out terms like xbox, michael jordan, and ipod, he really wanted to seem like he was on our level.

On the Bookshelf: Doggy See, Doggy Do?

When someone mentions suspension of disbelief, they usually aren't referring to science. And they are hardly ever referring to dogs. But, as Alexandra Horowitz, dogphile and author of this month's Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know, says:

"Go look at a dog. Go on, look - maybe at one lying near you right now, curled around his folded legs on a dog bed, or sprawled on his side on the tile floor, paws flitting through the pasture of a dream. Take a good look - and now forget everything you know about this or any dog."

Clearly, we humans have been left in the dark with man's best friend.



The truth is that dogs just aren't the laboratory subjects that, say, mice, are. We treat them as pets, or more, like family, and so science has shied away from them, causing us to know next to nothing about their psyches. But Horowitz, a psychologist with a Ph.D. in cognitive science, has set out to change that on her adventurous journey to see what a dog sees. And what they see is vastly different from our world. One of Horowitz's examples is a rose. To us, a rose is beautiful, colorful, and full of symbolism in its familiarity. But to a dog, a rose is virtually worthless unless adorned with the scent of urine. Her conclusion, is that dogs don't see things the way we see them- a knife would be meaningless unless it smelled of urine or was wielded by a love one: there needs to be a connection from the dog's mind for it to see things.



Horowitz also discusses the hugely effective nasal system of dogs, their eyes, hearing, and their evolutionary descent from wolves. In one interesting deviation during evolution, dogs will and can look into humans' eyes, much unlike wolves, Horowitz says, explaining: "Though they have inherited some aversion to staring too long at eyes, dogs seem to be predisposed to inspect our faces for information, for reassurance, for guidance."





Horowitz's book will be released on September 15.

painting by alice james

Kanye West Embarrasses Himself, World Comforts Taylor Swift

In the happenstance that you were living under a rock last night, since even the people who were watching the True Blood finale instead of the VMAs knows what occurred last night: Kanye West embarrassed himself, again. I thought it was maybe a mimicry of the Sacha Baron Cohen-Eminem thing at the MTV Movie Awards a few months ago. But it's clear, both by the attitude in which he did it and his apology later that night, that it was no joke.



It was all going great. Taylor Swift, adorable country singer extraordinaire, won the Moonman Award for Best Female Video. (She looked great last night, as a side note). She goes up on stage, even touching Lady Gaga's shoulder for assurance. Because, I guess, someone has to have the courage to look like she (Gaga) does. Anyway, Taylor starts thanking people, talking about country, yadda yadda looking adorable, when from no where (and I mean NO WHERE. He just appeared.) Kayne West appeared and snatched the mike from her hands. She looks shocked, and then Kanye tells the audience (and the whole world) that Beyonce's video was the best of the year and it should have won. Taylor looked ridiculously heartbroken when he handed the microphone back to her, and didn't say anything. Beyonce looked hugely embarrassed, much to her credit. The audience (and the world) booed Kayne West, deservingly. Beyonce later brought Taylor Swift onto the stage when she accepted the award for Video of the Year so that she could complete her speech.



Here's the video, via nymag.com:







Later that night, Kanye apologized on his blog (and yes, it really is in all caps):

I'M SOOOOO SORRY TO TAYLOR SWIFT AND HER FANS AND HER MOM. I SPOKE TO HER MOTHER RIGHT AFTER AND SHE SAID THE SAME THING MY MOTHER WOULD'VE SAID. SHE IS VERY TALENTED! I LIKE THE LYRICS ABOUT BEING A CHEERLEADER AND SHE'S IN THE BLEACHERS! ........................ I'M IN THE WRONG FOR GOING ON STAGE AND TAKING AWAY FROM HER MOMENT!................. BEYONCE'S VIDEO WAS THE BEST OF THIS DECADE!!!! I'M SORRY TO MY FANS IF I LET YOU GUYS DOWN!!!! I'M SORRY TO MY FRIENDS AT MTV. I WILL APOLOGIZE TO TAYLOR 2MRW. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD!!!! EVERYBODY WANNA BOOOOO ME BUT I'M A FAN OF REAL POP CULTURE!!! NO DISRESPECT BUT WE WATCHIN' THE SHOW AT THE CRIB RIGHT NOW CAUSE ... WELL YOU KNOW!!!! I'M STILL HAPPY FOR TAYLOR!!!! BOOOYAAAWWWW!!!! YOU ARE VERY VERY TALENTED!!! I GAVE MY AWARDS TO OUTKAST WHEN THEY DESERVED IT OVER ME... THAT'S WHAT IT IS!!!!!!! I'M NOT CRAZY YALL, I'M JUST REAL. SORRY FOR THAT!!! I REALLY FEEL BAD FOR TAYLOR AND I'M SINCERELY SORRY!!! MUCH RESPECT!!!!!

So, is it sincere or pure public relations?

Wilson Wilson Wilson

image from the NY Times

Someone's out of place.

Do you know who Representative Joe Wilson is? Or rather, did you have any idea who he is before last wednesday?

With every media outlet in the nation focused on Capitol Hill for President Obama's address to congress on healthcare reform this man decided to make a fool of himself live on-the-air (or did he?) by shouting "You lie!" when the President announced that illegal immigrants would not be eligible for federal healthcare under his reform plan. Causing Vice President Biden to shake his head and Speaker Nancy Pelosi to show what can modestly be described as a death glare, Wilson's remark was featured on many a talkshow in the aftermath of the event.

Wilson is actually a fascinating character. Unknown to many, he's practically an addict to caffine pills which he takes because "[he] doesn't have time to drink it [coffee]". (Because taking pills for illnesses that you don't have it totally a good thing for a politician to do).

Ironically, Wilson's apparent stupidity and disrespect for the President, Congressional protocol, and the honor of the House chamber may have been a political ploy. In the aftermath of his little outburst he received a couple hundred thousand dollars in campaign donations for his upcoming 2010 race. While, at the same time, others have poured resources into the beginnings of his opponet's campaign. Want to see some more theories? Check out:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/weekend-opinionator-wilsons-manners-democrats-outrage-and-republican-cranks/

Obama's Speech to Students: Haha Irony..

image from NY TImes

Considering that President Bush (41) had already given a speech to students over 15 years ago, one would be lef to the conclisipn that a motivational speech given by a President to the nation's youth would be welcomed. However, in anticipation of President Obama's speech tuesday entire legions of parents campaigned against the so-called "indoctrination" of their children by the Obama-menace. School distrcits too weak to stand up to such demands prohibited airing of the event. What seems to be most interesting is the reaction of pundits and parents after the speech was given. Despite the White House's release of the text a full 24-hours in advance, the media frenzy over the address continued right up to the speech. Ironically, once given, the speech was immediately ignored by news directors due to its shockingly noncontroversial tone. In fact, President Obama's speech was anything but political. The speech remains an excellent example of compassion in action. President Obama's speech made him more approachable to students and, in some cases, humanized the office of the President. The speech focused entirely on each stuent's responsibility to themself and to their nation to succeed and earn diplomas. By punctuating the text with unique pop culture references to Xbox, Twitter, Google, and Facebook, President Obama and his speechwriters took a stride towards shaking off the cobwebs associated with "old people." Including in his speech that the education of this generation is, "..nothing less than the future of our country," President Obama made it very clear that education really matters and that there is a lot to say for a student who solemnly pursues his dreams.

The Vampire Dairies and the Vampire Paradox

The Vampires Diaries, styled as a Twilight-esque show about vampire brothers and the girl they love, debuted last night on the CW. Suprisingly, the marketing worked: the show had 4.9 million viewers, a record for the premiere of any show on that network. Beyond the show's apparent success, the show still has a lot of work to do. I know, I watched it last night. It, so far (and I'll be fair, it was only the first episode),  has yet to live up to its stunning promotion advertisements, one of seen left. I love looking at the ads shows put out; I think it's one of the most important things. Anyway, most of the promos focused on the love triangle that had yet to be: the main vampire's, Stefan's, more violent (and less of a wet blanket) brother Damon. But the fact remains that this show has a LOT of potential, especially given the recent success of other vampire-oriented things.



Speaking of those other things, specifically the similarly plotted True Blood and Twilight, is The Vampire Diaries just another Twilight rip-off? It is suspiciously timed, but the novels it is based off (and those of the True Blood series) were published long before Stephenie Meyer penned Twilight. So just how similar are these stories? I explain in the chart below:

Glee: Push it Good

America has fallen in love with Glee, that's for sure: me included. But instead of doing a full recap for the episodes, I'm going to instead focus on the better parts of the show: the music.





The Glee Club, "Le Freak"

Although this song and dance ensemble lacks the pizazz of the others in this episode, it sends a clear message: disco is out. It's a plee to the adults, no more oldies, only translated by jazz hands and dancing.

rating: 4



The Glee Club, "Gold Digger"

The music from this song has been on iTunes for a while now, and while the music is great, seeing it in action really made this spectacular. Standout: Mercedes' take on Jamie Foxx's intro, and of course Will Shue's rapping. How did a middle-age teacher have the rap to "Gold Digger" memorized? We may never know...

rating: 7



The Glee Club, "Push It"

While this scandalous dry-humping dance moves and sex-filled routine sent another clear message (kids want sex), the students were clearly not singing the song and the rap parts were dismal. But, to be fair, he does say he has trouble walking and singing at the same time. This routine was amusing, but not outstanding.

rating: 6



Quinn and the Cheerios, "I Say a Little Prayer"

Although the song choice is a "no, duh" for these Jesus-loving, celibacy spreading cheerleaders, they were surprisingly good at dancing and singing. But then again, as Bring It On taught us, cheering is basically dancing.  Quinn's voice isn't the star powered one that Rachel possesses, but it's certainly pretty.

rating: 6



Rachel, "Take a Bow"

How pretty. How soulful. Lea Michele did amazing on this, even one-upping Rihanna, the original songstress. The singing into the hairbrush scene could have been very cliche, but somehow it works here. An unexpected but wonderfully done bit.

rating: 9

Review: What's the Frenzy?

A Fine Frenzy- Bomb in the Birdcage

(c) 2009 Virgin Records America

I forget how I heard about A Fine Frenzy, aka Alison Sudel. It was probably in my Myspace days, when I wandered onto her site. Anyway, I soon forgot about her, because I was young and foolish then. So when I saw on iTunes that she was releasing a new album, I simply had to check it out. And not just because she looks like a nicer version of Angelina Jolie on the cover.



The album, Bomb in a Birdcage,  is full of a wide range perfectly sunny songs, such as my personal favorite, the happy yet melancholy "Blow Away," and the closest thing to a ballad, "Happier." Her voice is simple, yes, but effective for the kind of music she makes. each one of her songs is a sweet story, and she takes you on a musical adventure in the span of three to five minutes.



But most of the songs recount the natural theme implied by the title, and the album is full of folksy songs that make the listener smile. The main point about Bomb in a Birdcage is that it isn't easily defined. Sudel said she “felt like being daring” with her sophomore CD, and it's definitely a turn from her tragically beautiful debut album.



So while her new album differs from her more melancholy first, One Cell in the Sea, it differs in a pretty way.

9/9/09 Rings Wedding Bells in China

Thousands of Chinese couples decided to marry yesterday on the most auspicious day, 9/9/09, believing that the "triple 9 day" would bring good luck. In Mandarin, the number '9' is pronounced the same as 'jiu,' meaning eternal or forever.



In Beijing alone, 18,979 couples waited in lines to marry, a number not seen in six decades and only rivaled by last year's 15,646, who married on 8/8/08.

Tuesday Afternoon Links: The Obama Brainwashing Children Edition

• Missed Obama's stay in school speech? Watch it here.


• Watch as models Hanne-Gaby Odiele and Suvi Kopenen flip and trapeze for Purple magazine.(left)


• New York Magazine interviews Dan Brown on "how he feeds the brain."


• Wanted: Short People to Pose Behind French President.


• 8 Ways to Politically Brainwash Your Child.


• Mixed Signals: a little self-awareness can go a long way.
  
  

The Silence of the Bees

Back in 2006, when global warming was the newest trend, new reports of the alarming disappearance of honeybees surfaced and were soon christened CCD, or colony collapse disorder. And since that date, up to one-third of the world's honeybee colonies have vanished. Scientists have been quick to give a reason: global warming, mites, destruction of habitat, and, more recently, viruses and even cell phone towers (the Times of India claims the electromagnetic emissions are to blame. And they may all be right. Last week, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published an article saying that the silence of the bees may be caused by multiple pathogens fatal to the bees. According to the study, the genetic makeup of the CCD-affected honeybees was actually mutated and changed from that of unaffected bees.



Why the big deal? Honeybees are actually a $15 million business, responsible for pollinating America's farmlands. Author Rowan Jacobson, who penned Fruitless Fall, a post-Silent Spring environmental book about honeybees and CCD, says that without honeybees, our food supply is sure to suffer. He recommends looking to times before domestic honeybees were injected with chemicals and bred to be more efficiant pollinators to solve our crisis. Lucky for us, the bee's vanishing may be dying down: The Apiary Inspectors of America report that the deaths of honeybees are down 30% since the crisis first occured. Otherwise, the honey-filled days of Winnie the Pooh will only have been a myth to our children.



photo via Phil Hawkins/Bloomberg News