Fall 2009

Someone once said - the autumn collections, as well as men, women always expected too much, and those that fail ...

You must agree with me, this is different!

Party Like It's

1983

The eighties—the decade that fashion won't forget. Marc Jacobs led the latest revival with an unapologetic dose of New York nightclub nostalgia (metallic leather and acid-wash jeans, anyone?). Antonio Berardi and Gucci's Frida Giannini also went after-hours glam via crystal-studded minidresses and sharkskin suits, respectively. And leave it to Donatella Versace to put a gloss on the era with the season's most irresistibly sexy party dresses.

Biker

Brigade

Designers went, ahem, hog wild for zipped and shrunken toppers this season. Balmain's Christophe Decarnin is the poster boy for the tough-chic trend, of course, but Haider Ackermann, Alexander Wang, and Roland Mouret also revved up the look's have-to-have-it factor.

Boudoir

Crossing

From lacy bralettes at Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton to molded corsets at Fendi and Hussein Chalayan, all eyes were on the bust for Fall. That is, when they weren't on the legs or the midriff. YSL's Stefano Pilati channeled Elsa Peretti as a Playboy bunny with a leather one-piece that bared his model's gams, while Roberto Cavalli and Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci played a game of now-you-see-it, now-you-don't peekaboo.

Forties And

Fabulous

Adrian lives! The costume designer who made an icon of Joan Crawford and a virtue of out-to-there shoulder pads would have approved of the Fall 2009 productions. Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin's Alber Elbaz, and Aquilano.Rimondi whipped up 1940's tailleurs to do an MGM star proud, while Zac Posen, Victoria Beckham, and Bottega Veneta's Tomas Maier focused on long, languorous looks for impossibly glamorous evenings.

Ruche

Hour

Designers went completely drape for Fall. Both miniskirts and jodhpurs came swagged in silk charmeuse at Balenciaga; no outfit was complete without five, six, or seven mix-and-match layers at Missoni's nouveau nomadic show; and the fluid evening numbers at Donna Karan and Oscar de la Renta were so red carpet-ready they gave new meaning to the notion of "destination dressing”.

Smart

Investments

When the going gets tough, the tough wear camel hair. And pinstripes. The classics were back in full force on the runways—even rule breakers Christopher Kane and Miuccia Prada sent out double-breasted jackets, while Ralph Lauren and Marni's Consuelo Castiglioni went with tweed. In risky times, nothing spells sartorial security like a Burberry trench, a Chanel suit, or, just possibly, a swaggering fur-lapel great coat from Hermès.

style.com

Breaking News: Paula Is Gone UPDATED

A friend of mine just sent me an e-mail directing me to Paula Abdul’s Twitter page to read this:

With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #IDOL. I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all..Cont'd...

I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent,but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day1become an international phenomenon.

What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me

It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month

I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all...

Let me just say that I think this is a HUGE mistake. I think FOX should have given Paula the money. The show is not going to be the same and nowhere near as fun.

And I think that Simon and Randy will give Kara such a hard time, she’ll wish that Paula had returned instead of her.

What do you guys think? Will you miss Paula as much as I will?

UPDATE: I should say that there is still a chance this is a negotiating ploy, but I don't think so. I think she's gone. MJ of MJ's Big Blog disagrees and says she thinks that Paula timed her tweets just as tonight's Idols Live concert was ending so that fans following the concert on Twitter would get outraged and start another movement. If they do, I'm on board...






Photo Credit: FOX

Constantine will "Rock" On

Those of you still hoping to catch Constantine Maroulis in “Rock of Ages” now have until next summer.

The show announced today that Constantine has extended his contract with the show through summer 2010. He was originally only contracted through September of this year.

When making the announcement on Twitter, Constantine said his contract allows him time for other projects. An article in “Playbill” says that a new solo album is forthcoming.

And you know I’m happy about that…

For more about “Rock of Ages,” visit the show’s website here.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

What About Paula?

So now that the return of Kara is official, what about Paula Abdul?
FOX has not made any official announcement about Paula and she’s been a little vague on her Twitter page.

Last week in a tweet about her appearance on HSN, she mentioned “all the Idol drama.” Also last week, she promised to keep us as updated as she could about what was going on with Idol. And today, she said she had been in meetings all day (but she didn’t say what kind of meetings).

According to EW.com, “Idol” is set to start filming this Thursday, so something will have to happen very soon.

Again, let me just say that I think Paula is essential to “Idol.” Now let’s see what FOX thinks…

Stay Tuned…

FOX Makes It Official: Kara Will Be Back

I missed this one in my e-mail inbox this morning.

Then again, maybe I just didn’t want to see it…

FOX made it official today with a press release announcing that Kara DioGuardi will return as a judge on “Idol.”

Allow me to lead everyone in a collective BOO HISS!

Here are the quotes of support straight from the press release:

“We are so happy to welcome back Kara for her second season with IDOL,” said Simon Fuller, Creator/Executive Producer, AMERICAN IDOL. “She is a breath of fresh air, and her passion for music and her understanding of talent is invaluable. This show is all about discovering new talent, and Kara’s championing of Adam Lambert is proof positive of her great instinct.”

“Kara brings her own special style and sensibility to the show, which includes her innate talent to identify, nurture and direct a performer’s potential,” said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Executive Producer, AMERICAN IDOL. “We’re very pleased with her contributions as the fourth judge on the panel.”

"Kara’s spitfire personality and sharp musical sensibility infused AMERICAN IDOL with a new energy last year,” said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “She clearly has a keen eye for talent – spotting Adam Lambert’s superstar quality early on last season – and her performance on the Season Eight finale was one of the most memorable in recent IDOL history.”

Although I agree that her finale performance was quite memorable, even a total idiot would have seen the talent of Adam Lambert.

Wait a minute…

The press release goes on to try and win me over by telling me that Kara co-wrote one of my favorite current songs (the irresistible ditty “Good Girls Go Bad” by Cobra Starship featuring Leighton Meester). But alas, it didn’t work. I’m still bummed…

I find it ironic that a show built around listening to the opinions of the viewers would totally ignore them with this decision. Overwhelmingly, fans were against Kara returning, but our wishes fell on deaf ears. And I can’t help but think that will hurt the show in the long run…

What do you guys think? Are you unhappy that Kara is returning, or do you think FOX made the right choice?

Photo Credit: FOX

Will Kara Be Back?

I’m afraid that the news does not look good in the Kara DioGuardi department.

For us, I mean. It looks great for her…

Both People.com and EOnline.com are reporting that Kara will be back for another season of “Idol.” FOX has yet to comment.

I could tell you all what a terrible mistake I think this is, but as usual, my “Idol” blogging hero, EW.com’s Michael Slezak, has done it so much better with his musical rant set to Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab.”

Check it out here…

Photo Credit: FOX