While normally a big proponent of Lady Gaga’s style and music, I find that her new video for “Alejandro” in an almost insulting attempt at tribute that just comes across as poor pastiche. Like a bad, local theatre troupe remake of “Vogue”, “Express Yourself”, and “Erotic” by Madonna, mixed with elements from Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation”. It looks like the so called “queen of originality” has tread into the murky waters of the faux-homage, an area best left to sitcom clip episodes and Simpson’s Halloween specials. I far more enjoy her stylized take on the music video as short film, her unorthodox choreography. Though she started to delve into over-borrowing with her video for “Telephone”, at least those references to Tarantino films and the girls in prison genre were either inserted with subtlety and intelligence, or placed in the video with such over the top abandon that it worked more as clever parody and witty stylization than the disappointing “Allejandro”, which just reeks of ripoff.
It’s ironic that the release of Christina Aguilera’s new video for “Not Myself Tonight” should coincide so closely with the release of “Allejandro”. In one video flat Aguilera is able to both out Madonna and out GaGa Lady Gaga herself. While one could make the argument that Aguilera is also referencing several elements that Madonna used regularly in her videos: The religious imagery of “Like A Prayer” and the fetish fashions, start white backgrounds, and similar interaction of “Human Nature”, And the direct reference to “Express Yourself” that presents itself in the monocle scenes its at least seems more well done, genuine, and energetic than GaGa’s near narcoleptic attempt. Aguilera did have some help crafting such an exciting piece though, in the form of Hype Williams, one of the most celebrated music video directors… ever.
I was much more impressed by the new Aguilera video. Several factors are superior, the music, the fashion, and the choreography. all of which is ironic considering it was the original feud between Aguilera and GaGa that started GaGa’s meteoric rise to the top, perhaps this is the beginning of Christina’s comeback, Aguilera was once considered to be one of the edgier pop stars before being unseated by the extravagant and more intelligently promoted Gaga, though in many ways it appears the Aguilera is still the stronger vocalist. I hope that Lady GaGa continues her rise to the top and inspires an epochal change in video styling, fashion, and the branding of pop-stars. GaGa may indeed go on to win the war, but as for this battle, chalk on up for Miss Aguilera.
Toronto designer of “dark futuristic clubwear and streetwear”, Futurstate showed their latest collection at FAT this spring. The collection proves that Futurstate is continuing down the path of sophisticated, structured cyber and military inspired designs and aiming to offer cybergoth designs that are not tacky and candyraver-like. The collection was entirely black and void of almost any pvc. To make the pieces stand out designer Laura X relied on subtle details such as rows of black buttons, black mesh, and crisscrossing black cords. My personal favorites were the puffed shoulder jacket and dress shorts combo (pictured upper right) and the simple all black geisha style dress (pictured lower left). Items from this collection would be a great purchase because they can serve as stylish streetwear, they are not just for the club, but I did feel a bit of the fun of past lines was missing. I wouldn’t mind seeing a hot new pvc dress or outfit!
See the men’s collection in more detail in our Junk fashion editorial in the new June/July issue.
release date : June 1, 2010 released by : self released info : 1st album . 6 tracks . 28:47 run time genre : electronic / industrial reviewed by : Jason Draper
It’s been less than nine months since Trent Reznor announced the indefinite hiatus of Nine Inch Nails. While this EP didn’t come out under his former moniker, it’s hard to deny the similarities in the musical content. Working with his wife Mariqueen Maandig (former West Indian Girl) and Atticus Ross, Reznor has created a concise EP that feels like natural progression from 2008s The Slip.
In a genre in which bands continue to release unmemorable albums, it is Maandig’s vocal hooks that make How to Destroy Angels stand out amongst their peers. They have a similar effect as a spring-cleaning on an old country home. The music still has the abrasive tones that you come to expect, yet the vocals even it out, and at times make the songs pleasantly hypnotic. It’s strange to walk around humming the melody from an industrial song, as if it were a radio pop song, but that is exactly what the album has done to this listener.
recommended tracks : 3.6 if you like you may like : Nine Inch Nails, West Indian Girl, Sneaker Pimps overall 9 . music 10 . lyrics 8 . recording quality 10
I guess you get two music videos today! A new video from Lady Gaga just went live and it’s filled with more imagery I love. Perhaps you could argue that Lady Gaga isn’t doing anything artists before her haven’t done, but the fact that she is mainstream, gets played on easy listening/variety radio, and the masses are eating it up with all the controversial material included is a feat in its self. Anything that may sway trends in the direction of aesthetics I enjoy is fine by me!
Black metal dudes dancing, then come the 80s aerobicizers, then kind of disturbing humping and grinding, then the 80s aerobicizers are actually vampires, then the black metal dudes bleed rainbow blood, then Alison Goldfrapp is actually a vampire, then she has a neon coffin… I have no idea what’s going on with this video, but I do know I find it highly amusing and love it! The new single single Alive from Goldfrapp’s latest release Head First comes out today. This video by the creative studio, Legs was released a few weeks ago in support. Personally I think Alive is a much better song than the first single Rocket, and I still can’t stop listening to this 80srific, synthpoptastic album.
Of course I could crack jokes up and down about this amazing product called, Balla Powder For Men, but I won’t be that immature (yeah, right!). This powder is just for men, for “the boys”, when the hot summer months are leaving you feeling not so fresh. This amazing high-quality talc comes in three masculine fragrances that will leave you and your delicate man areas clean and refreshed. My favorite part about the application process reads, “Shake into hands and rub into desired area (don’t rub too hard!).” I can’t make this wonderfully odd stuff up! Balla Powder For Men, get some!
In Buffalo’s Recent Runway 3.0 event there was a standout designer amongst the students involved. Tess Hinterbichler put together a chameleonic and mutable collection of garments ranging from casual separates to fully produced dress. Unique construction allows several of her garments to literally transform elements of themselves into new pieces of both artistic fashion and wearable sculpture. The winner of the events Nancy Belfer award, Tess is slated to begin a fashion internship in Boston shortly. But while she is still in Buffalo we had the chance to produce a small shoot for Tess and conduct and interview with this young designer whose insights into fashion and design should excite Auxiliary readers about the next generation of designers we may be hearing a lot about in the future.
Your work seems to combine a unique futurist perspective with a sense of evolution and change. Where did you draw influence from for this collection?
Since this was my senior project for Buffalo State College, all of the designers were told the theme of the runway show (Technology: progression obsession) and told to run with it. I must admit that when I first heard the theme, I was a little turned off because my design aesthetic is more ready-to-wear than futuristic or technological; I want my clothing to be beautiful yet functional. After months of brainstorming and working on ideas for my concept board, I was finally able to translate the technology theme to my perspective as a designer.
I was inspired by the architecture of the Musée du Louvre in Paris, which is both modern and traditional. Functionality and innovation are two key terms that come to my mind when dealing with technology. The function or purpose of my technology is transformation. I incorporated wire into certain seam-lines of my garments so that they can be morphed into a different look.
What is your background in design, how did you come to fashion as a field of study?
I had known that I wanted to be a designer for as long as I’ve remembered. I still have my second grade, college-ruled science notebook that I would draw designs in instead of taking notes; needless to say, science was never my subject. The thing that eventually lead me to the decision to study fashion design in college was when I attended the senior fashion show at Syracuse College. My godmother’s daughter, Molly studied fashion design there and the show was amazing! The show was held in one of the auditoriums, there was loud music and lots of people. It was the most exciting this I had ever been to. On the four hour drive back to Buffalo from Syracuse I started to draw my our fashion sketches. I knew from that point on that I wanted to be a designer.
The June/July issue is the tenth issue of Auxiliary, a magazine dedicated to alternative fashion, music, and lifestyle. This issue we have a several great interviews, including Ellen Allien, Amy Doan of Shrinkle and Sugarpill, RazorCandi, Polina Y of Drop Dead Festival, and Die of Enigma Fashions. The issue also contains a junk punk men’s fashion editorial, a primal beauty editorial, a modern meets romantic swimwear editorial, a feature on the mysterious art group AutospiA, and a review of The Nightmare on Elm Street remake. It also features DJ Razorgrrl sharing her current top tracks, a music article on film scores, and fashion by Playdead Cult, Futurstate, Rockin’ Bones, Too Fast Clothing, Gore Couture, Trashy Diva, Sick on Sin, Kiss Me Quick, Cherry Dewar, Reactor Rubber, and much much more.
You can download it HERE for free. Print copies are available HERE. Enjoy!
