Problems With Plastic Alert: Plastic surgery confessions!

Publication: Star
Date: 1 August 2011
(photo nicked for exposay.com, copyright Chris Hatcher)

Another grab bag of celebrities who have gone under the knife are presented on the cove of Star this week. There are a couple of "Guess Who?" pictures, but as you know, I don't play that. A lot of the women are older stars barely of any interest to the tabloids. For example, Linda Evans get mentioned for the first time in at least two years and Madonna and Lisa Rinna (pictured above) get mentioned for the first time in 2011. Suzanne Somers and Nicole Kidman are also mentioned, common names when plastic surgery is the topic.

If any name on the list counts as a surprise at all, they say that Jennifer Aniston, the youngest person on the list by several years, has been under the knife twice. Star has floated this story before.

70's Vintage Punk Rock Vixen Wendy O Williams

Before there was Madonna, Lady Gaga, or any other who was considered to be a 'shock rocker' female pop star, there was a force to be reckoned with and her name was Wendy O Williams.  If you were growing up in the late seventies to early eighties, you know exactly who I'm talking about!  In July of 1978, her band 'The Plasmatics' gave it's debut performance at the infamous CBGB in New York. Williams instantly became a punk rock cult icon for the ages and had a consistent following during her career thereafter.  

If you think today's female musicians have pushed the envelope in regards to what's considered controversial or taboo, Wendy O puts them in the rank of saints compared to her on stage antics. Williams was an intense personality on every level and it came through in her lyrics, her persona and most of all her wardrobe which was mostly 'skin'.  She was big on strategically placed electrical tape.  In the early 80's she was arrested several times for simulating sex on stage, attempting battery on an officer and for perpetrating obscene conduct.  She even went as far as to perform in nothing but shaving cream on one occasion!  This chick was off the hook crazy and the crowds ate it up!

After The Plasmatics went their separate ways, Williams attempted a solo career in 1984 when she released an album titled "W.O.W" that was produced by Kiss members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley & Ace Frehley.  She also gave a shot at acting appearing in the 1986 indie film, 'Reform School Girls'.  She ended up retiring all together in 1991 and toned it down quite a bit ending up working in a health food store, citing that she was just sick of people!   

Unfortunately, Wendy O Williams stage act was not an act at all, the brash & hardcore personality she portrayed to the public, was really who she was on the inside.  In 1993 she attempted suicide by hammering a knife into her chest but she changed her mind when it just lodged in her sternum.  Another attempt occurred in 1997 with an ephedrine overdose and finally she succeeded on April 6th 1998 when she went into the woods near her home and shot herself.  She was only 48.  This vintage music vixen was the epitome of a bad girl style icon and definitely paved the way for those who followed in her footsteps, so f.y.i. it wasn't a big revelation when Amy Whinehouse, Lady Gaga or Pink rocked the tape, as the punk rock vixen queen of 'shock & awe', Wendy O Williams had 'been there and done that' when they were still in diapers!        

 : hangout.altsounds.com  , fabsugar.co.uk , flickr.com , myspace.com , noisy-subculture.blogspot.com , corbisimages.com , chorniccandy.com, binside.typepad.com , tatparade.blogspot.com

Brigitte Bardot...Sex Kitten Of The 50's & 60's

There were many female celebrities who sparked the 'women's movement' with their overt sense of sexuality and that was way before pop icon Madonna did  back in the 50's & 60's & Brigitte Bardot, was most definitely one of them!  Born in Paris, France, Brigitte was a voluptuous beauty who's body image had a major impact on fashion.  

  
A neckline style was even named after her...the 'Bardot' which is a wide open neck exposing both shoulders and a whole lot more!

Her early desire was to be a dancer but soon found fame in acting, becoming known world wide after starring in the sexy thriller 'And God Created Woman'.  The film pushed censorship boundaries but as usual..sex always sells however, I have to laugh at the idea of 'a torrid tropical dance' being considered as risque considering what we see on the screen nowadays, let alone at home on our own televisions!

Besides the neckline style, Bardot is said to have been solely responsible for the rise in the popularity of the bikini, as well as the vintage beehive hairstyle.  She was called 'bikini girl' because pretty much all of the movies she starred in from the beginning had her portraying naughty sex kittens who pranced around in hardly anything!  As her career progressed she flashed some B&B (boobs & bunns) quite often and even agreed to do a rape scene. 

In her elder years, Brigitte has been in the tabloids on both a positive and negative note.  Positive because she's an animal activist and negative because unfortunately this once beautiful woman is a profound racist who was convicted on June 10th 2004 for 'inciting racial hatred'.  A true example of how sometimes 'beauty is only skin deep'...

: mulherevida.com , toptenz.net , popcrunch.net , allposters.com , strangecosmos.com , direct-mail.com   upi.com 

Fashion In Film Friday

The 1985 film 'Desperately Seeking Susan', starring then newbie super star Madonna centered around an unfulfilled housewife who meets free spirited Susan (Madonna) by accident when she began answering her personal ads in a New York tabloid.  She then becomes fascinated with her, gets amnesia & begins thinking that she actually is her.  Weak story line & weird, I know!  Although the plot left much to be desired, the soundtrack featuring Madonna's hits like 'Get Into The Groove' & 'Like A Virgin' as well as the fashions in this film that inspired a generation!

This movie is all about the popular clothing styles that surfaced in the 80's and Madonna was the first pop icon to make under wear as outer wear in public acceptable with the rise of the boustierre as well as bras paired with see through mesh tops as a bold fashion forward statement!

     

Hard to believe that was twenty six years ago and that to this day, this style is still in circulation, perhaps in a more modestly muted way, but still out there nonetheless!

Pop Icon Lady Gaga's style has definitely been instrumental in reinspiring this vintage style, but on a whole other level, as her no holds barred over the top fashion taste, or lack there of rather, has one upped Madonna in regards to shock value!

I personally prefer the less brash 80's version (i.e. Madonna's style) of under wear as outer wear because even she attempted to leave a bit to the imagination!  Truth is, everyone has the right to 'bare arms' so to speak but the question remains...is less always best?  


slsvggashion.blogspot.com , dvdreleasedates.com , dollydust.blogspot.com , urbanglossy.com, refinery29.com, fashionforlunch.com , usahangout.com

Spotlight Saturday - Cher is 65!

Academy award winning actress & pop songstress Cher turned 65 yesterday & just in case you didn't know, she was 'all of that' way before there was ever a Madonna or Lady Gaga.  At almost 18, she paired up with then soon to be husband Sonny Bono to record the hit 'I've Got You Babe' & that hit set her career ablaze.

From the very beginning of her early stardom, Cher became a style icon and the fashion muse of designer Bob Mackie who created many of the outrageous gowns & costumes we've seen her in throughout the years.

From 2000 to 2005 she was on her 'Farewell Tour' but make no mistake, Cher's not going anywhere soon as then timeless talent has proved she has the ability to keep reinventing herself!

 pics: spinner.com, blogue.us.com, inyourface.com, finalclothesout.blogspot.com, shoppingblog.com, mabjewelrycom

Bohemian Queen Janis Joplin

When I think of Bohemian style in regards to fashion sense, I can't help but turn my thoughts to my personal 'fave', the ultimate hippie chic, Janis Joplin.  Janis was an American born singer & songwriter who was ranked #46 out of 100 in 2004 by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 'Greatest Artists of All Time'... 

She was the true definition of a 'free spirit' and her flame flickered out way before it's time, but she left behind a her a legacy of music that defined an era of 'peace, love & harmony' in the midst of the Vietnam war.

By no means would Joplin be referred to as a 'beautiful woman' by todays standards. But she was something special for sure in her own right!  She had an amazing stage presence and aside from her obvious talent credentials, she became a fashion trend setter of the 60's.  She influenced her generation as well as ours with her careless gypsy style.  Once known as 'hippie' now called 'bohemian'.  People were drawn to her sense of individuality and rebellion in opposition to what the status quo norm was...

If anyone went against the grain, it was Janis as she definitely translated her personality through her sense of style.

Janice's over the top, vivacious, without borders styles was all about 'excess'.  Less was not more!  She was all about feather boas, big floppy hats, big beaded necklaces, oversized shades and F.Y.I....she made bangles famous before Madonna did in the 80's!  One Joplin staple that has made a big current comeback is the Mongolian fur vest.

Of every style era that's ever been attempted to be replicated, I think Janice's is the easiest because just like it was then, the 'anything goes', easy flowing vintage hippie style of the 60's revamped circa 2011...remains...

: stylecaster.com , frockandrollonline.com , cardboardposters.com , listal.com , fc07.deviantart.net , etsy.com/shop/shelcollector

Has Lady GaGa Gone GOO GOO?!

There's no denying that Lady GaGa is beyond no holds barred wild and crazy as far as her fashions and performances go, but get this...she's currently claiming that she didn't write her latest song 'Born This Way', because it was actually channeled through to her by one of her very good friends, the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen.  She even went as far to comment in the interview with Harper's Bazaar that McQueen who took his own life a year ago last February planned the whole thing right after he died.  GaGa also stated that she thinks it to be more than a coincidence that her label released the hit on the one year anniversary of his passing and that it truly confirms her belief that he was working through her.


In the same interview with Harper's Bazaar when asked about her new look (i.e. facial horns and shoulder bumps) since she debuted the song 'Born This Way', she went on to say..."They are not prosthetics, they are my bones...I have been waiting for the right time to reveal to the universe who I truly am."

Seriously people...isn't this stunt even a bit much for the extrovert extremist GaGa or has she finally gone goo goo with her antics?  Either way, this totally trumps the time when Detroit born pop icon Madonna suddenly woke up one morning with foreign accent syndrome!   


 glamourmagazine.co.uk

Whatever Happened to Grace Jones?

Recently I was reading about the days of Studio 54 and this got me to thinking...What ever happened to Grace Jones?  Remember her? The scarily sexy androgynous Jamaican-American singer, model and actress?

Born in Jamaica, she moved to New York in 1965 and became a successful model in the city but gained her fame as a clothes horse in Paris more so because her looks were considered 'too strong' for American magazines.

She also studied theatre in Syracuse and became an extremely capable actress which overshadowed her musical talents in America, but not in Europe where her status as a recording artist was much higher.  She made some low-budget films in the late 70's, early 80's and became a mainstream actress after starring alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1984 movie Conan The Destroyer.

Jones made a record deal with Island Records in 1977 and put out a bunch of dance club hits.  It's said to be known that she is responsible for adapting and emerging a new wave style in music and she definitely incorporated performance art into her grooves.  In 81' her album "Pull Up to the Bumper" spent 7 weeks at #2 on the U.S. Hot Dance Club charts. 

So where is she now?  Although she hasn't made an appearance in any mainstream films since the late 90's, it seems as though the 60'something Ms. Jones is still rocking the microphone in all her glory.  Here she is performing at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark wild as ever!  

She's also been spotted several years ago during New York Fashion Week participating in the Jean Paul-Goude African Fashion Collection.

A press article last year stated that the infamous Lady GaGa was said to be interested in working with Grace Jones on a musical collaboration to which Jones replied..."She asked, but I said no....I'd prefer to work with someone who is more original and someone who is not trying to copy me actually"...She also added that she probably wouldn't waste her time seeing GaGa in concert.

Bad move on your part Grace, she could have given you a 'leg up' and some new found media exposure as well.  And what the heck? If the Queen of Pop Madonna even gave her approval for 'style dupes' to Gaga, you should have too! After all...Imitation is the best form of flattery. Get over your damn self!


accesshollywood.com , lanceunemode.wordpress.com , mediaoutrage.wordpress.com , eil.com , painfullyhip.com , fanpix.net , kenyastyle.com

Retro Threadz Re-Cap On The Best & Worst Dressed at the 2011 Grammys

Did anyone happen to catch the 2011 Grammys this past Sunday? There were fashion faux pas galore! In my opinion, the two worst dressed of the evening were pop super star Rhianna and Florence Welch of ’Florence & The Machine.

First off it’s hard to believe that the see through mess Rhianna was wearing was actually a piece from the upcoming Jean Paul Gautier Spring 2011 collection and Florence’s drab yet busy all at the same time frock was actually a self inspired animal print designed by Givenchy.





This is a music awards event right?  So what's up with the Oscar'ish type evening gowns you know?   J-Lo totally captured the vibe for the night as far as I'm concerned in the mirror embellished mini dress that was designed by Emilio Pucci's Peter Dundas.




Kudos for the best dressed of the dudes goes to Adam Lambert who was tres’ chic and sleek in all black of course! Although I have no idea who he was wearing, I do know that he was adorned with gorgeous beaded necklaces by ‘Hellmuth’. A big… ‘Oh no you didn’t’ goes out to Ricky Martin who donned the tightest pair of silver, what appeared to be spandex space pants that I have ever seen! “Did I hear that right Ricky? Armani designed those….seriously?” Mr. Martin obviously knew ahead of time he was going to be presenting Lady Gaga’s performance so those trousers were a premeditated fashion disaster foiled attempt to upstage her I‘m sure!…





Speaking of ‘The Lady known as Gaga’…Have you listened really closely to the beat of her new tune ‘Born This Way’? It totally has undertones of Madonna’s popular late 80’s tune ‘Express Yourself’ in spite of the fact that Lady Gaga insists that Whitney Houston is her muse. Quite confusing I know! O.k., aside from that, was I the only one thinking Gaga was Madge redux circa 1980’s last night with her attire? Minus the pointy shoulders and Ray Charles glasses she was a complete doppelganger…




Gaga might very well be the performance artist extraordinaire but the truth remains…Madonna will always over shadow her as a cultural icon.


source : fashionspot gossiprocks justjared.buzznet theexaminer.com