MY SHIRT DANCES TO THE BEAT

Have you ever been in the mall and noticed the new and unknown merchandise being sold on those little table stands. While I was in the San Francisco Westfield Centre, one stand stood out from the rest. Aside from the upbeat music and awesome base coming from this small little merchandise stand, the t-shirts were literally dancing to the bass of the music. I had to go ask the associate about this awesome invention!

She demonstrated how it worked and basically the lit-up panel on the chest is smooth and light so it would not feel like you were wearing a LCD screen on your chest. Every time some intense beat or loud bass is detected by the sensors on the chest, the panel lights up with its numerous colors depending on the style of the t-shirt. In the back or front of the shirt is a miniature battery pack. Sure this made it less convincing that it would be appropriate for clubs since the last thing I would want to wear at a club is a battery pack weighing me down or consistently colliding against my skin. However when I touched it, the casing was protected by a soft fabric that made it smooth. To make it more sellable, apparently the whole shirt could be thrown in the wash all-together making it just like a normal t-shirt.

Imagine yourself being the new spotlight at a club or party. Wearing this shirt might make you feel famous and popular. Not only would the music around you be upbeat and your dance moves be quick and sexy, but now your clothing can go along for an upbeat ride too.

image source: technology-guide.co.uk

BRINGING OUT THE WICKED IN OZ

For those who have seen The Wizard of Oz, you will truly love the spectacular new musical, Wicked. Bringing forth into the 21st century a new side story of the witches of Oz, the music and lighting is exemplified in beauty just like their counterpart, the exquisite costumes.

Here is a secret of acting: if you have a great costume, all you have to do is to show-up. Costume designer for the musical, Susan Hilferty, believes that every costume designer is a story teller. Each garment, each stich, each fabric, each bead should tell a part of a story. By incorporating different designs and styles of dress, she helps create the character. It is her belief that even though an actor or actress takes on a new persona of the character they are playing, she bases the costumes primarily on the physique, beauty, and personality of the actors themselves.

Take for instance the very first Galinda (later known as Glinda) to take the Wicked stage, her hair was meant to be curly. Why curly? It was because her character was full of happiness, joy, and glee. However, concentrating on the actress herself, a more straight look was more convincing.

She compares her costume designing journey for the show to weaving. She weaves a garment as a story is progressing, guiding certain stitches and designs as a story reaches a downfall or climax. Each actor in the musical resembles a thread; they are each important and a critical member in keeping together the collectiveness of the show as each stitch holds together different fabrics. In her mind is a certain image for the character. A proper costume designer must not think "Is this wig right?" or "Is this dress right?" The primary question is, "Is this actor right?"

In all the costumes, she incorporated little bits of the Wizard of Oz. This was a side story, a different story, one that people knew was awkward but good. That is why none of the costumes are every symmetrical or linear. When looking at boots, there might be wheels on them, and on top-hats, there might be two tubes on the top.

So if ever you go see the musical, enjoy the music, dance, and lights. But while you're dancing through life in Oz, remember, the costumes went through intense labor-hours to be perfect for you, the audience.

image source: musicalzentrale.de

KE$HA, THE NEW FASHIONISTA?

When people think of clothing and Ke$ha, usually it involves a Native American head-dress, sequins, a whole lot of glitter, and a little too much body paint. Coming from the new teenage girl idol, she announced first to MTV that she was ready to bring her unique style to stores very soon. In fact, while she is touring and writing new music, she is also creating a fashion line. What do you think this line will include? In my personal opinion, I see a lot of torn/destroyed tank tops, sequin skirts, vintage boots, and a whole lot of shiny things! Leaving out the bizarre and strange, Ke$ha hinted that capes would be involved. Yes capes, like those that heroes Batman and Superman or Harry Potter wear. Why does she think capes would be the next best fashion accessory? Apparently since it was being used and worn since the 1800s, they should be due for a comeback in every day wear, right?



Aside from capes, she plans to incorporate roadkill. Along with her design team, she finds pleasure and joy in finding feathers and roadkill. Next to buttons and sequin, this is the best substitute (not to mention the surprise variety that you can obtain in the middle of the freeway). Why roadkill? Though she personally believes that killing animals for human clothing is wrong, she plans to acknowledge their past life and their existence by using their remains and incorporating it onto her clothing so they may be remembered when the paparazzi snap photos of her walking down the street. With fashion there is always the question: do we like it or not?



The world accepted Lady Gaga and her couture fashion. However, Ke$ha's fashion is a whole different story. Is it fashion or is it roadkill?

image source: blackflowermusic.com

A|X REACHING NEW HORIZONS

When shoppers think of Armani Exchange, the first thing that comes to their mind would be overpriced or expensive clothing. In some cases, people who could afford the brand would say it was more of a brand aimed toward the city-folk. According to Mr. Giorgio Armani, the target of this brand was for the youthful, sexy, and urban-city individuals.

When we picture urban-city wear, it might entail a lot of dark colors such as navy blue, black, and grey. Although the styles and designs may be playful, they are more intricately designed to be stylish in comparison to other brands, but not to the extent of couture. The brand is commonly seen advertising clothing a person would wear when they go out to a party, club, or just to hang somewhere in the city.

However, all A|X fans will be excited to see what new direction they are going for. On November 15, 2010, A|X previewed their 2011 Spring collection in a New York studio. The theme was all about "travelista." As stated by the preview promotor, “For Spring 2011, Armani Exchange will take you on a journey beyond the popular destinations and into the exotic world of the “Travelista” where the destination is always chic and the adventures take place long after the sun goes down. The A|X Spring 2011 Collection is built around sophisticated utilitarian style, modern influence of season-less dressing, flexibility and the functional luxury of streamlined urban chic.”

image source: prettyconnected.com

WHAT'S NEW ABERCROMBIE?... JUST PLAID

When we see people wear plaid, especially red plaid, we usually think of a strong, masculine, burly, woodcutter. When do you wear plaid? The typical answer would be during the cold of fall/winter when the plaid matches the season, and the material warms the body. However, many stores have begun selling plaid in new styles and colors that allow shoppers to experience a new side of plaid.

However, there is still one brand that manages to push plaid to the fullest potential. Abercrombie & Fitch has managed to sell plaid not only during certain times of the year, but every day of the year! But is it too much? Every season Abercrombie & Fitch releases "new" plaid in different colors that matches the season appropriately. For instance, red plaid for the Christmas season and blue for the Spring. However, will this brand always just push jeans and plaid? Only time will tell, but from the way the CEO, Mike Jeffries, is going, looks like plaid will always be in fashion for years to come.

image source: abercrombie.com

GET OUTTA HER WAY! KYLIE MINOGUE IS HERE!

Australian born superstar, Kylie Minogue, is still as sexy and fashionable as ever, even at the age of 42. With her latest music video for Get Outta My Way, she manages to defy the bounds of what is classified as mature dress, and enters the bounds of what is forever sexy.

A major icon in the gay world, Kylie Minogue never has a dull outfit in this over-the-top video. Although her male dancers wear clothing ranging from just black underwear to skin-tight pants, she chooses to express herself through red thigh-high leather boots, a red waist-high robe, and long gloves. Who knew red made her sexier? If that was not enough, she pushes her body to the limit by costuming herself in a full metallic corset weighing probably more than her body weight. As reported in her "Making the Video" segment, she had issues moving and sitting down. But seriously, why would we want our sexy Aussie girl to ever sit down when her music is all dance? Nothing can stop her, so get outta her way! America, she is coming your way April-May 2011.

image source: www.ferofero.com

THE CREATION BETWEEN POLAROID AND GAGA

Back in 2010, Lady Gaga kept it on the down-low about her secret project between herself and the Polaroid company. All was revealed on January 6, 2011 when Lady Gaga, creative director, announced her newest creation to the arts, the Grey Label.

Gaga said at her premier conference, "When people get our products in their hands or on their heads, I think we will instantly start something really big."

When asked about what the Grey Label meant in fashion terminology, she classified it as so: Intended to be just as much everyday fashion accessories as innovative imaging tools, all Polaroid Grey Label products feature unexpected design elements such as leather touch points, brushed metal and exposed mechanical details. “The Polaroid Grey Label line embodies the Polaroid brand, with an injection of the future-looking fashion and design mantra of Lady Gaga that simply can’t be replicated,” said Scott W. Hardy, Polaroid’s President, “It represents Polaroid innovation for the new generation, one in which there are no limitations to sharing creativity through photography, both physical and digital.”

Although two of the products are miniature cameras (GL10 and GL30), the soon-to-be-announced cost of purchasing the GL20, camera glasses, was the most spectacular one of the trio. Although the shades can be used for every day wear, the glasses allow the user to capture and upload images to the glasses for not only the user to view from the wearers perspective, but others looking at the glasses' exterior.

image source: dandygadget.com