JustJared

This year's VMAs red carpet has been a little on the low side in terms of fashion –these are my favourite looks.

Beyoncé's pregnancy announcement has kind of overshadowed the show itself, which us UK residents will be able to watch on MTV from 8pm. Queen B looked incredibly beautiful in an asymmetric Lanvin dress. I loved how the hair was perfect for it and her huge emerald bracelet cuff was the best way to finish up the look. She later performed in a Dolce & Gabbana tux, also looking stunning!

Katie Holmes, who has been out of best dressed lists for a while, is my second best dressed. It's no secret that an Alaïa dress is the most effortless way of looking sexy and chic. I really liked Katie's hair and I actually thought her shoe choice made the look very interesting!

Zoe Saldana wasn't at her best last night but she still looked better than most attendees in her Barbara Bui dress. I loved that she paired it up with snakeskin wedges. It was a simple and chic summery look.

Britney, who was paid tribute last night, also looked amazing on her own way. She wore a Moschino romper/playsuit with a zig-zag sequin pattern layered with chiffon. It was really mini and pretty see-through, so still quite Britney but more demure than what we're used to. Never mind the shoes!

JustJared

Britney's new video, 'I wanna Go', came out today and it looks like we've finally got out old Britney back. The vive of the video is very 'Do Something', which is also one of my favourite music videos by her.

In terms of fashion she is taking baby steps. But she is taking them. The first scene is a close up of her Christian Louboutin leather studded stilettos as she walks into the press room. The rest of the outfit is also a bit more old Britney but she looks pretty awesome in it. And I love the fake colourful highlights, they're pretty old fashioned but they really suit her, no?

Otherwise the video is pretty fun. My personal favourite is when she says "f*ck you" to the journalists and all her "daring" moments throughout the video. 

Who knows, maybe after two or three more videos she'll be back up to her old standards of unique awesomeness. You can't tell I'm a fan at all, right?

Thoughts?

The first thought that crossed my mind when I first saw Britney's story on the new Harper's Bazaar had to do with how much I wished she dressed like that for public events. If she stuck LBD's, however short, and classic pumps there wouldn't be much risk of her looking, well, like she normally does. Her latest Hervé Léger red carpet moments haven't been the best, which is a shame because she can still rock anything like you can see to the right.

I'm not the biggest fan of the story, shot by Alexi Lubomirski, but I can appreciate some of the good ol' Spears smile along with a few nice fashion choices signed by Dolce & Gabbana, Isabel Marant and Ungaro. Once the Brit-shock wore off I suddenly realised the editorial looked very familiar to me. And this is why.

Back in 2009 Emmanuelle Alt styled a story shot by Mario Sorrenti called "Graffiti Couture". It's one of my favourite shoots of all time because it seemed to me like such a brilliant idea to bring together the highest of fashion and the most urban form of art. Also, the Vogue Paris teamed up with American designer KAWS to create the set for the story.

[HB, TFS]

Bearing this in mind, Britney's story is not only unoriginal but a blatant (bad) copy. Additionally, if you look closely enough at the full-size pictures you'll realise Brit has actually been photoshopped into all of the backgrounds and not shot in them. Maybe simple studio pictures would have worked better?

...Kim Kardashian is wearing it too. Or is it when Britney has chosen it as well? The fact is that both Brit and Kim have worn the exact same Hervé Léger geometric-print dress this weekend.

Being completely fair, the dress is a lot kinder to Brit's figure than it is to Kim's. This is also one of the most modest choices Britney has made in the last few years. It covers more than this week's other Hervé Léger number and it definitely feels more demure than her 'geek chic' look or her take on the LBD.

Looking at it from that perspective I suppose it's Kim that should've known better. She is usually very over-the-top but I did dedicate her a Collage Sunday and I had my reasons for it.

If anyone form Britney's organisation reads this please accept this as my formal application to be Britney's stylist. In the meantime, please don't do any more mid-calf boots. Specially in May.

[Celebrity-Gossip]

Britney's new video for my favourite song of the record 'Til the world ends came out today and she opens it staring into the camera and wearing one of Burberry Prorsum's studded biker jackets from SS11, which to me can only be a good omen. The video looks amazing with a hint of I'm a slave for you and a kind of raunchier nod to the famous Oops! I did it again red catsuit. I really liked the styling of the video because, even though it's very Britney, it's a lot more high-end than what we're used to. Correct me if I'm wrong but that might even be an Alaïa belt she wears with the red outfit. Add to all of this her pretty face and an incredibly catchy song and you've got yourself a hit.

Click here to go and watch the video. I have this song on repeat in my brain.

[Pictures: Youtube screencaps, Burberry.com]

Would you hold it against me, Lee?

Earlier this afternoon Giulia and I had a little discussion over bbm about Britney, her comeback and her new video. Like me, she was happy of how the V magazine cover turned out because it reminded her so much of the old Britney, who we both loved. Talking about the 'Hold it against me' video we differed a little. Giulia really liked it and, while I can never dislike something Britney makes, I wasn't totally keen on it. I was especially horrified by the big diamond white dress she wears together with diamond necklace and diamond cuffs. So I watched the video again, with an open mind. Now I can at least say that I don't feel as bad about it because not only is wasn't nearly as atrocious as I remembered but there was kind of a homage to McQueen's famous S/S99 collection. Whether intentional or not this nod to the genius gives Britney enough brownie points (in my book, anyway) to even up the score and increase her chances of the comeback she truly deserves. What did you think of the video?

I'm off.

[Pictures: Screencaps from VEVO]

Britney is Vack

All I needed was a legitimate reason to justify blogging about Britney. If you didn't know this yet, I am a die hard fan of Britney. I may or may not comment on what's happened for the last few years but the truth is that when you iconise someone for so long it doesn't matter how many bum cracks or 'trailer trash' looks you see the feeling doesn't go away. Well, Brit is coming out with a new album this year, "Femme Fatale", and her new single is already out. Watch the video here but be warned of the horrible, horrible fashion in it. The fact is that her publicists are taking all the right steps to make sure everyone knows about her comeback (the second now), the first of which is having Brit on the cover of V magazine. And not only that but shot by Mario Testino and styled by Panos Yiapanis!

I like the fact that the shoot is very Britney. It's simple and the clothes are kind of the fun stuff she used to wear back in the day and that, for better or worse, made her style (in)famous. Her pose and face expression on the cover make me melt instantly and the reddish one below makes me nostalgic, as it reminds me of her 'Stronger' video. Those were the times... In any case, Britney's music doesn't seem to ever going to go down in history as good so it might as well have a good dance beat and take over every club in the world.
You can see the rest of the pictures and read the whole article here. I will wait for the hardcopy issue, as I always do.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Vmagazine.com]

like a Circus

I have put together this little video with bits I recorded last Sunday, June 14th at Britney's last gig in London. My sister and I had a great time and were so close it felt unreal. Excuse my ridiculously poor editing skills and enjoy.

I'm off.

OOPS! I did it again

It is here. Britney's new video is out and the media's mouths have been full of everything but compliments for the past few weeks. Apparently the chorus is too explicit for the puritan minds of big America.

Love me hate me

Say what you want about me

But all of the boys and all of the girls are beggin' to If You Seek Amy

Love me hate me

But can't you see what I see

All of the boys and all of the girls are beggin' to If You Seek Amy

To avoid trying to come up with a pretentiously clever and clean way of explaining what is the deal with the song. So this is the crux of the matter:

If = F

You = U

See = C

k/A = K

my = ME

Just put those letter one after the other. What a shocking message.

If, however, you think you might be able to handle a good song without getting possesed by the Devil in the process, click here to watch the video. Britney wears a stunning pair of Christian Louboutins for Phillip Lim. Once again, who says she cannot clean up fine?

[Picture credit: BritneySpears.com]

I'm off.

PS. I got VIP tickets for her concert on June 14th in London!

kuD2 to Britney

I am finally back after my intense and hectic week at Luella. I have to say that as utterly knackered as I was by the end of the week, everything I learnt made every single second worth it. I can honestly say it has been one of the best experiences of my life so far. One I hope to repeat soon enough.

Now I am back to my uni work, a less glamourous task. But I am also back to soVIPzone. Today I would like to dedicate this post to the comeback of the decade. Britney has done it, yet again. They might want to talk about her lip synching or whichever other crap from her opening show last night in New Orleans, but she still nows how to make a hell of a performance. Plus, all her wardrobe and her dancers' has been designed by Dean and Dan Caten. Who said that Brit could not be fashionable?

What do you think?

[Picture credits: BreatheHeavy.com, JustJared.com]

I'm off.

First of, Happy Christmas, Chrismukkah and Boxing Day everyone! Hope you're all having fun playing with your toy planes, Barbie dolls and Manolos.

On this lazy and happy day I have decided to post a little about everything and nothing. I figured there is nothing better than some entertaining to kill some free time and forget about stomachaches.

With too much of this free time on my hands I started to have a look at the Pre-Fall 2009 collections even though I had promised myself (yet again) I would not. The traditional disappointment was substituted by some kind of odd surprise. Diane Von Furstemberg and Donna Karan provided a certain excitement, de la Renta some yawns, and Versace, Alexander Wang and Cavalli a bunch of smiles. If, like me, you have nothing better to do than filling your brain with a bit of harmless fashion click here.

I realized I rarely post about music, when it is in fact a big part of my life and inspiration. Today I was happy to find the first ever Dead Man's Bones (Ryan Gosling's band) video ever. Gosling (piano and vocals) and his mate Zach Shields (drums) have come up with an indie mixture of gospel and gothic. I do not know if it is good or bad music but it certainly is enjoyable. Go here to watch their video. Also, look for Gosling's "Put me in the car" —a song he recorded ages ago that is part of my list of favourite tunes.

For some more music, I would recommend Britney's Circus, Beyoncé's CD2 Sasha Fierce (plus her performance on the World Music Awards), and any Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and John Mayer.

Paper-wise, I have been trying to think a bit out of the box and avoid buying another version of Vogue. Instead, I bought a seasonal magazine called View of the Times. As far as I know it is Spanish, but I have just discovered it so correct me if I am wrong. It reaches a good common-ground between alternative and mainstream fashion. The layout follows the same logic and it is both affordable and long enough to fill a couple of afternoons or even three when keeping your laptop by your side.

I recently finished reading Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger —the author of The Devil Wears Prada. Change the magazine for a PR company and add some upper-East-side drugs and parties and what you get is a book you cannot let go of your grasp. I am currently reading Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh —I loved the TV show and will like the film about the decadent lives of a British noble family. I usually like having one or two extra books to read in between the main one. They have to be short stories or something that is easy to follow if not read in a while. These two books are The Diamond as big as the Ritz by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Return of the Timewaster Letters by Robin Cooper, both of which I would also recommend so far.

In the fashion department I would encourage all of you Londoners out there not to stop visiting Beyond Retro, Rokit and all those fabulous vintage shops in the surroundings of Brick Lane. If you are looking for some chic relax go to Harvey Nichols and have one of their delicious Mojitos. Being home in Madrid has also provided some new shopping experiences such as the brand-new Marc by Marc Jacobs shop (with wicked accessories for the holidays) and the Oscar de la Renta boutique (a type of fashionable sightseeing). If in Barcelona, pay a visit to el Born with its cool shops full of Isabel Marant, Danielle Alessandrini and Vanesa Bruno.

[Pictures credit: Style.com, Amazon.co.uk]

I hope I killed enough of your time. I surely killed mine.

I'm off.

my early Christmas treat

If being this close to Christmas was not enough for my personal joy fix, Miss Britney Spears herself decided to make this time of the year even more special for me. So I am thrilled. Her new album, Circus, will come out on December 2nd coinciding with her birthday. In addition, Womanizer, her first single, has made it to the top of most of the international lists within days of its release and Brit has readied different media appereances including a special on Saturday in the States and various performances in talk shows and so on. Not to mention this Sunday's "Britney Day" on Music4 here in the UK.

Join me in my happiness while you contemplate some of her newest promotional and Rolling Stone photos (yeah, she is on the cover!).

[Pictures credit: BreatheHeavy.com and Rolling Stone]

I will be back shortly with new posts, including the Christmas specials and my very own photoshoot project! So stay tuned!

And thanks to those of you who keep commenting in my absence! Comments will be replied to soon!

I'm off.

i want a PIECE of her!

This will shut up those who doubted her talent for a while. Britney is back with her second single out of Blackout. Piece of me talks about her tempestuous relationship with the paparazzi.

We want a piece of her!

UPDATE!!

Video embed disabled. Click HERE to see the video.

I'm Miss "American Dream"
Since I was 17
Don't matter if I step on the scene
Or sneak away to the Philippines
They still got pictures of my derrière in the magazine
You want a piece of me?
You want a piece of me?

I'm Miss "Bad Media Karma"
Another day, another drama
Guess I can't see no harm
In working and being a mama
And with a kid on my arm
I'm still an exception, and all you
Want a piece of me

I'm Mrs. "Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous"
(You want a piece of me?)
I'm Mrs. "Oh My God, That Britney's Shameless!"
(You want a piece of me?)
I'm Mrs. "Extra! Extra! This Just In!"
(You want a piece of me?)
I'm Mrs. "she's too big, now she's too thin"
(You want a piece of me?)

I'm Mrs. 'You want a piece of me?'
Tryin' and pissin' me off
Well get in line with the paparazzi
Who's flippin' me off?
Hoping I'll resort to some havoc
And end up settlin' in court
Now are you sure you want a piece of me?
(You want a piece of me?)

I'm Mrs. "Most Likely To Get On TV For Strippin' On The Streets"
When getting the groceries, no, for real
Are you kidding me?
No wonder this panic in the industry
I mean, please
Do you want a piece of me?

I'm Mrs. "Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous"
(You want a piece of me?)
I'm Mrs. "Oh My God, That Britney's Shameless!"
(You want a piece of me?)
I'm Mrs. "Extra! Extra! This Just In!"
(You want a piece of me?)
I'm Mrs. "she's too big, now she's too thin"
(You want a piece of me?)

I'm off.

it's BRITNEY, bitch!

Blackout. Out November 30th.
Get ready, bitches.

the AFTERMATH

For all those who were expecting it and for those who weren't, here it is.

MTV's 2007 Video Music Awards was going to be the opportunity for her to make it up for all this time, three whole years of terrible news —both real and fake— and matching images provided by the most trustworthy sources: celeb hunters and paparazzi.
One more time the tabloids managed to turn a regular out-of-the-ordinary little thing into an outrageous event backgrounded with the most gossip-filled details. Britney couldn't remember the lyrics; Spears looked distracted and did not do the coreography correctly; the old diva of Pop didn't fit in her tiny outfit. She disappointed her fans. Disappoint? Her fans? How would you feel after hearing this out of the mouth of some comedian known for playing with satire and controversy and nicknamed "Big bitch"?:
"This is exciting, wasn't that incredible? Britney Spears, everyone. [Applause] She is amazing. I mean, she is 25 years old and she's already accomplished everything she's gonna accomplish in her life. It's mindblowing. And she's so grown up she's a mother, you know, it's crazy. It's weird to think that, just a few years ago on this very show she was this, like, sweet innocent little girl in slutty clothes riding around with a python. That's not nice, calling Madonna a python. But, have you seen Britney's kids? They are THE most adorable mistakes you'll ever see. They are so cute. They're as cute as the hairless vagina they came out of. I'm serious, they're this cute, you guys."
(Sarah Silverman after Britney's performance. VMA 2007.)

Three years is a very big space time to make up for; perhaps too big. Alcohol, drugs, divorce, rehab... how would it feel on stage before the focused lenses of zillions of bodies when all that has been going on about your life in the papers has always included those words? Would it feel comfortable? Maybe confident? I don't think so. But Britney is supposed to be something unnatural, isn't she? Someone with the unhuman ability ot achieve the imposible and go beyond humanity. There might have been a time when she seemed close to that, when all the worshipping and support provided the energy enough to fulfill the crazy expectations. That time is gone, but support shouldn't be. It is, though.
I have always been told we all have extraordinary gifts which make each of us different from everybody else. This case perhaps wasn't that of a great voice, but it certainly was one of the most outstanding performer and star ever. Is it really worth it to turn her shine off by force?

I'm off.


[Credit image: BreatheHeavy]

THE comeback!!

Ladies and Gentlemen... drumroll, please.
I'm glad to inform y'all that SHE is finally BACK!! Miss Britney Spears will perform at the 2007 Video Music Awards!



If you happen to own a computer, then chances are you've come across online rumblings regarding the bald-no-more Britney Spears: The pop star will make her comeback at this year's MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas.

Well, it's no rumor, folks.

MTV News can now confirm what may well be one of the worst-kept VMA secrets of all time: On Sunday night, Spears will grace the VMA stage, nestled within the Palms Casino Resorts' Pearl Concert Theater, to perform "Gimme More," the first single from her forthcoming fifth album, which is slated for a November 13 release (see "Britney Spears' Greatest VMA Hits: Barely There Costumes, Giant Snakes And A Scandalous Lip-Lock"). The yet-untitled effort will be her first studio LP in four years, following 2003's In the Zone.

Perhaps in homage to the glittery magic of Las Vegas, Spears consulted with illusionist Criss Angel, star of A&E's "Mindfreak," on "some of the moments of the performance," said Jesse Ignjatovic, the executive producer of this year's VMAs. Spears has been spotted around Sin City in recent weeks with Angel at her side, and there is unsubstantiated speculation that the two are romantically involved.

Ignjatovic said it was important to secure Spears for the big show's opening number.

"I guess, looking back, we've had a great history with her," he said. "Some of the biggest TV performances [of her career] have been at the VMAs. And fortunately, [when we approached her about performing], she was into it and excited to do it. I wanted her to come on and make a statement right from the very beginning of the show. And she'll kill it. I wanted to start the show in a very big and dramatic way, and she's the one to do that. She'll captivate everyone, and set the tone for the rest of the night. There's no one better."

As for what we can expect from Ms. Spears, Ignjatovic wouldn't give up the goods, but promised fans would be thrilled.

"You can expect the things we want and expect from Britney — that will all be there," he said. "What I've seen of it is great. She'll be dancing, performing, doing her thing. That's exactly what we all want. Fans that are familiar with her performance on previous VMAs will not be disappointed."

[Source: mtvnews.com]

Go to http://www.myspace.com/soVIPzone and check out Britney's new song! It's HOT.

UPDATE!!
HARDCORE cold part II will be available on Sunday, so keep checking back!

I'm off.

sweet home LOUISIANA...

I'm here again with another Britney update. Once more, we can see how Brit's art and vision on fashion had no boundaries and, of course, no taste whatsoever. As much as I love her, there's no way I can put up with all these awful outfits and hats she wears all the time. Brits, however, has her ups and downs; every once in a while she trows on a classic Californian white dress and she matches it with something to cover her feet that's not a complete fashion-crime —purses are a whole other level of junk.
As most of you probably know, the former (only for a few) Diva of Pop has made some sort of super media-successful and yet questionable come-back by performing several of her top hits in selected spots in Californa and Las Vegas. Rumour has it that she's planning on extending her own little tour to some more locations thru the US.
Whatever her intentions are concerning her music activities, the fact is that there seems to be NO WAY of her learning anything about style. She dresses like she never got out of Kentwood, like she can't spend a thousand bucks on a top. But maybe it is not as simple as that. Sometimes I wonder if her über-famous tackyness is also a part of the Spears publicity tactics. Perhaps they're just forcing your minds —mine already was— into keep focusing on her; it is kind of a long-term strategy so nobody forgets about her anytime soon. One way or another, I'll be right here no matter what, no matter how long, no matter how dirty it gets.
Take a look at Brits' last look-able ensemble and her most adorable accesory ever: little Sean Preston with matching hat.
I'm off.

PS. Remember you can click on the image to enlarge it.

the SPEARS wears PRADA

What a world! What A world!
The list of the dumbest americans has come out today. And guess who is at the top? Oh yeah! My dearest Britney.
While Britney is the first one, she is obviously not alone. Right after her come Miss Paris “That’s hot” Hilton, Michael Jackson, George W. Bush, O.J. Simpson, Mel Gibson and Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. So ok, what I can learn from this is that not only Mr. Bush is not at the very top, but that the voters have chosen shaving off hair as the dumbest thing over sending hundreds of people to die in a war which was senseless in the first place.
But all this is really starting to make me tired. I don't quite understand why everyone needs to keep doing this kind of stuff to her. Oh right, having post-partum depression and being half-alcoholic isn't anything, my bad. But I whink that by now she has already learnt to go out with the anti-shit unbrella wide open; that must be a hell of an umbrella.
Unfortunately for those who wished for her to be freed too soon from rehab, and fortunately for her huge crowd of faithful fans, Brit-brit is doing super fine. Since she came out of the Promises center looking thiner, healthier and, most important, happier, it's been all a nice pleasant walk. Two days ago she attended for the third time to the Lakers game and how happy it made me seing her wearing a gorgeous mini dress by Prada, specificly from the Spring/Summer 2007 collection. Thank God for illuminating her so we don’t have to keep watching tons of pictures from her wearing the cheapest and ugliest Target and Wall-Mart dresses —tag included.
I hope Britney can finally find the right path and stay in it so she can soon provide us again with her unique light.

and the BEAT goes on, and the beat GOES ON...!

Oh welcome the equinox may be! The first day of the Spring is already a day behind our lives. It is a day on which fantastic things are to happen, a day when the most important —and yet most irrelevant— people were, are and will be born. Aka?: it's my birthday.
Nineteen Springs have gone by in the blink of a perfectly moisturized eye. Thanx to everyone for making such a good day out of it. Seriously, you don't deserve me. But this is how I am, so close the the plebs and all.
However, this is not a post about me, but about someone more important, about her highness. Someone who's been there not for the whole nineteen years of my existance, but still has been there long enough to matter. This would be —of course— Ms. Britney Spears. My most outstanding present was the release of Brit from "Promises" rehab center yesterday. How awesome is that? Apparently she has done better than expected and has been able to leave the rehab facilities in advance. A regular stay in the center is around 45 days, and she has only been there for a month. Also, it looks like this 30-day stay at Malibu's center has helped Britney to clear up her mind. Kevin and her will be sharing 50% of custity of the kids —18-month-old Sean Preston and 6-month-old Jayden James—, which is just great because this way they won't have to get into any kind of trial that will only end up feeding those nasty ruthless piranhas the tabloids are.
Now let's just hope for her to hop back on to the recording studio and make a kicking come-back in a few months. Because, even if the media hasn't let this through, Brit's support from her fans —myself OBVIOUSLY included— is larger and more intense than anyone can even guess. We are gonna make Britney the artist with the most freaking successful come-back in the music history!!

I'll be back sooner than you think with Gucci's collection review.
I'm off.

and yet another SECTION

Just a quick update on things before I post my next review.
Since Britney is such a MAJOR part of my life, I decided to make her a constant to my blog. Each week, I will try to summarize everything going on in her life. Also, I will be commenting her outfits —I can pretty much foresee how's that gonna be, though.
So this is it. Take a look around and enjoy. Keep checking back!
Ciao ciao.