CLAUDIO CINA

Janet - NUMBER ONES - Up Close and Personal - NYC - Radio City

Last night, Janet Jackson played to a sold out Radio City Music Hall on the final evening of a three day play date in New York City.  Ms. Jackson roared to a full and enthusiastic audience, "I am so glad to be home".  On her latest tour, entitled #1's to coincide with the release of her #1's album, Janet is in top form! She hasn't looked this strong in my opinion since the Velvet Rope tour and she exuded confidence and attitude that made the audience wanting more and more. Everyone was on their feet dancing the whole time to a play list that mixed old favorites and recent releases; all which made it to the top of the charts thanks to her loyal fans, who she cheered on throughout the show as they sang the lyrics to all of her songs.  In between numbers, while Janet was off changing or grabbing a breath, videos highlighting moments from her acting career were played, including when she was on "Good Times" and "Different Strokes" and "Poetic Justice".  The crowd went crazy though when the famous scene from Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too" when Ms. Jackson in a moment of craziness, starts tearing up the house and furniture with a golf club.

What I loved about this tour is that Janet intentionally chose venues where she could be more intimate with her audience."I am very excited to be back on the road on my largest ever world tour to celebrate my 35 Number One hits.  The tour will be different from those of the past in that I will perform music exclusively from my Number Ones. To each city, I will dedicate one of my Number One songs in addition to recognizing up to 20 young people whose lives and work have enriched their communities in significant ways.  Also, wherever possible, I will perform in venues that will allow me to be up close and personal so that I can be with you in a much, much more intimate setting."

"Thank you to the fans who voted for the cities where I will be performing. Your voices are so important to me. I am excited to be here with you tonight. I love you all." Janet

The show ended with a song and video sung dedicated to Michael, "Together Again".

The tour continues as she travels throughout the US and ends in Europe. For more information about ticket, click here to see if you can still catch this show! It is unbelievable and you will not be disappointed.

For Those Who Missed It: Adele on Chelsea Lately

If you haven't already seen this interview, it is definitely worth watching. The English singer-songwriter Adele has a second album out, 21.  It was released January 19th 2011 and sold 352,000 copies in it's first week in the US alone.  Everyone is talking about it.  If you haven't heard it yet, what are you waiting for??? Her single, "Rolling in the Deep" is the first song off the album and has been making waves on the radio and television.  Watching the interview between her and Chelsea is like watching two really good girlfriends who haven't seen each other in a really long time get together for a gossip and bitch session.  Adele has such a warm and bubbly personality and if you hadn't thought she was a sweetheart listening to her music, then you will after watching this video. She talks about mistaking Sarah Palin for Tina Fey and almost running over P. Diddy in a golf cart. Take a look....

 

Kylie Minogue and Dolce & Gabbana - Exclusive Fitting Photos for the Tour

Kylie's APHRODITE Les Follies Tour 2011 is about to play in Milano tonight and here are some exclusive pictures of  3 stars, Kylie Minogue, of course, and Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana in fittings for the tour.  Being a huge fan and having been to Kylie concerts in the past, I can tell you that she pulls out all the stops on stage.  Absolutely amazing, I am so excited to see here again when she comes to NYC for this tour. Until then, I will be dreaming of gold lame, Swarovski crystals, metallic leather, and feathers.  Good luck in Milano tonight......so jealous!

The Album is Out - Rihanna 'LOUD'

Pictures from the Album Loud which is on sale now!!!!! Only Girl (in the world) is a huge hit and I can't wait to listen to the rest of the album.  It just came last night in the mail courtesy a little angel of mine and I am so excited to listen to it for the first time today. The pictures are beautiful and sexy. We love the red hair. Only few to my knowledge and liking have pulled RED head off as good as Rihanna.  Linda Evangelista, Sybil Buck, Karen Elsen and Coco Rocha.

 

BLOND AMBITION

photo Kyle Ericksen courtesy WWD.com

Today's post is a quick one. I came across this picture of Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper.  Now Lady Gaga is wearing Giorgio Armani Privé, which I never would have thought.....although she is wearing a lot more of his things.

What crossed my head when I saw this photo: 1) OMG, Gaga looks amazing!!!! 2) She looks like a cross between Donatella Versace and Madonna. 3) This outfit could easily have been Tom Ford (when he was designing for YSL).

above two detail shots Tom Ford for YSL Spring 2003; photos courtesy style.com

 

Have a Fabulous Weekend!

Carrying the torch of "Burlesque" - Cher & Christina Aguilera

Burlesque; directed by Steve Antin set to be released Thanksgiving weekend

 

Ok, I must admit, I am curious to go and see the musical Burlesque, directed by Steve Antin.  It reminds me of a mix of Chicago, Moulin Rouge, Nine, Cabaret, and the video of "Lady Marmalade" (by Christina, Pink, and Mya).  And yes, all the costumes, which I am sure that Bob Mackie somehow had a hand in via Cher.  

This is a debut for Christina, who is a natural to the music world and stage, so it should hopefully be easy in this role to transition to the big screen.  The choice to cast Stanley Tucci to play the manager of a Sunset Boulevard club seems to have be a wise one, especially when at moments in the preview, it seems like he has been transported from the set of  the "Devil Wears Prada".  The movie is starting to get a lot of  TV plugs and advertising as the release date approaches.   It is set to debut on November 24.  I will let you know once I have seen it if I am a converted fan of the movie, as I am already a very big fan in real life of Christina and Cher.

I am going to give a huge shout out in my post to Dita Von Teese, another one of my idols and the original diva of Burlesque. I am waiting for her to come to NY and have another live show as I missed her when she was in Paris.  I am dying to see her!!!!! And I know as a fact that I will not be disappointed with her show because 1) I have more than words can describe how amazing it is and 2) pictures are worth a thousand words and with all of her amazing pictures, I have stopped counting. Luv Luv Luv all my burlesque divas!

Burlesque and the Art of the Teese by Dita Von Teese the book can be purchased on Amazon.com.

photo of Dita's show & performance courtesy www.dita.net

Madonna & Lourdes Vibe on Balmain Catwalk

Most people saw punk, which was the most obvious thing to catch in the Balmain Spring 2011 show notes.  But I couldn't help but see the material girls, Lourdes and mom Madonna in some of the looks.  Take a look at Carmen Kass fierce new hair......BTW AMAZING!!!  Doesn it not look like a call back to Madonna's cropped hair in the Papa Don't Preach days?  That would be yes, biker jacket and all.

above: Carmen Kass modelling at Balmain Spring 2011 show

above: Madonna's look from "Papa Don't Preach" video and single

The second example is a nod to America Pie, where Madonna gave you denim and the American flag.  Christophe Decarnin did not just pull this out of a hat.  Looks to me like he was thinking of the American recording artist more than once this collection.

above: Snejana Onopka modelling at Balmain Spring 2011 show 

above: Madonna's look from "American Pie" video

The third example is a reference to Lola, Madonna's daughter who is currently designing the "Material Girl" line inspired by Madonna's looks from the past.  Model Sasha Pivovarova looks like a spitting image of Lola.  See the picture from the launch party that she attended not even a week ago at Macy's.  Biker Jacket, ripped tights, and of course the boots.

 Sasha Pivovarova modelling at the Balmain Spring 2011 show

Madonna, Taylor Momsen & Lola from the Material Girl Launch Party; photo courtesy materialgirlcollection.com

I encourage you to take a look at the Balmain collection. Christophe is a genius, and whatever he does turns into dollar signs.  As for the the inspiration, there is plenty of Madonna and Lourdes to go around.  They will continue to inspire fashion as long as designers breath.

Why has Lady Gaga not landed the cover of Vogue?

What is Anna Wintour , Carla Sozzani, and Anna Dello Russo waiting for?  I want to be one of the first bloggers to campaign about this.  As much as it makes perfect sense for Gaga to be on the covers of I-D (which is amazing, selling out, go pick it up now, 30th Birthday Issue), Rolling Stone, and even Vanity Fair.  Helllllllo  Vogue?  You have a chameleon to work with!  Not to mention, so much personal style oozing out of her.  I am just amazed that no one has woken up and smelled the coffee.  This message really comes out of love, because I have been reading Vogue since I was in diapers.  So I guess, all I am trying to say is hurry up Italia, Japan, and America and give this Superstar the cover status she deserves! 

     

 
all images (not including I-D cover) are courtesy Lady Gaga.com