Ctrl BG: A Shortcut to Financial News 12/21

After MUCH drama, the fall of the auto industry in the US has finally been avoided- at least temporarily anyway. In the end, Bush signed over $17.4 to Chrysler and GM on Friday in return for non voting warrants and more oversight on executive pay etc. In the end, they made a full circle and the money will be coming from the TARP fund, which brings up the really intriguing question of whether the government has opened the pandora box and now other industries will be lining up to get a share of the rest of the TARP fund. Paulson has already asked Congress to release the rest of the $350 billion TARP fund early, when just a few days ago he said that it will not be necessary. Just when we thought we figured out how the TARP is going to work, they change their minds. This does not bode well for the government, because it makes them look like they have no idea what they're doing. Maybe they don't! On the other hand, the wider purpose of TARP is to support the financial market stability, and I daresay, it will probably not be very stable if the auto industry went bankrupt!

On the sidelines, the Madoff scandal continues to unfold, revealing many influential individuals exposed to this fraud. The S&P cut the rating of 11 US and EU banks, including Bank of America, Barclays Bank, Citibank, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Morgan Stanley, Royal Bank of Scotland, UBS and Wells Fargo Bank. I guess if ratings must be cut, at least there is safety in numbers. What are you going to do when everyone goes down?

Outside of the States, it looks like the land of chocolate and waffles is not doing very well. Belgium's attempt to bailout Fortis got frozen as Prime Minister Yves Leterme tendered his resignation after having reportedly politically meddling to sway a court ruling. Apparently this is the third time their government collapsed. I had no idea.

The Girl With The Short Hair

Last year I went from that was down below the middle of my back, to a really bad short japanese-boy-rockstar cut. My hair grows fast so while I was mortified & stuck with pinning it back and trying to tie it up in all sorts of ways, with ribbons and clips, it eventually grew back to past my shoulders by September of this year. Being stuck with thick, thick hair I got fed up and went to go get it cut again into a straight across, above the shoulders/longish bob.

Then, I went home and chopped it all off to have it super short in the back, with an A-line cut in the front. Kind of like Victoria Beckham, but less extreme and shorter. How does it feel? Totally awesome. Here are some cuties that might inspire you to cut it short.




The best part is that you figure out fun ways to do your hair, it's just easier to take of! Best part? If you can work the curling iron and get a bunch of curls, it's completely adorable. It definitely becomes a deciding factor on how you style your outfits.

What are your thoughts on girls with short hair?

As for my next hair cut? I'm definitely going to go for a Shannyn Sossamon look.


Image Source: Garance Dore

Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn for Vogue's January Issue

Hot blog Fashion Junkii has a few scans of Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn in the January 2009 issue of US Vogue:

The ladies are wearing designs straight off the runway--and looking absolutely fabulous!
Check out how their looks compare to the catwalk renditions here.

Best of 2008: Obama-mania

Another huge highlight of this year was the election of Barack Obama for President:
...intelligent, competent, and charismatic, Barack Obama came to symbolize change and progress in American politics. His importance was not lost on the world of fashion, who supported him from retail to runway:
In August 2008, Robin Givhan reported that designers like Diane Von Furstenberg, Derek Lam, Zac Posen and Tracy Reese would create t-shirts and tote bags in support of his campaign:

Fashion's Barack fever traveled to Parisian runways,where designers embroidered his name and likeness into garments for Sonia Rykiel's Spring 2009 show in October:
And then of course the Obama effect trickled down to the masses, with everyone--including Fashion Bomb readers--showing their support for our President elect:

In 2008, politics became fashionable. Let's hope it wasn't a passing fad!
Bisous!

Colicchio Plans to Take It Easy in '09

Fauxhawked amfAR TwinkleGay: Fabio Viviani Will Flirt with Anything That Moves; Stefan Richter, However, Appears to Have a “No Fats or Fems” Policy

We find it hard to believe, possums, that we had to wait until the season’s sixth episode of Top Chef before we saw a fauxhawk.

It came courtesy of amfAR employee Barry Brown, whose post on the Natasha Richardson-hosted reception we were delighted to find.

The post served only to augment our distrust of the Bravo editors, for—what do you know?—Barry, like Cheyenne Jackson, is another gay who doesn’t, um, like seafood (duh), but who nonetheless liked Jamie Lauren’s scallop dish. It’s a conspiracy, we tell ya. F’agcuse!

Most interesting of all, Barry had these tidbits to share:

“…Fabio's real talent lies in schmoozing people. He likes to flirt...[sic] with boys and girls. And that's probably how he does well in life. The food? Merely adequate.”

Oh possum, even E.M. Forster could have told you that.

Stefan’s chicken pot pie was a “[v]ery creative use of his inspiration. Too bad he didn't seem like he wanted to talk to me at all when I was tasting his dish. I obviously wasn't important enough. It just turned me off. His food was good. But again, it was nothing special. I could have made that at home and it would have been just as good.”

Meow!

We must say that we’re a little surprised. After all, we have the photo of Stefan kissing Danny Gagnon, who’s both a fat and a “phlegm.”

So, what’s the lesson to be learned, possums? Never piss off a gay in a red velvet jacket (especially Santa).

It’s a Hanukkah Miracle! Gail Simmons a Member of the Tribe!

Mazel tov, oh fortunate Jews of the world! Behold the Lioness of the tribe of Judah!

Of course it ought not have been a surprise that radiant, lissome, buxom, leonine, McGill summa cum laude graduate Gail Simmons should be the most alluring literary Jewess since the Biblical Esther, Rebecca in Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe and Rachel in Marcel Proust’s Remembrance of Things Past. Still, it’s nice to know.

It should have been Gail judging the Top Chef holiday episode (Michelle Bernstein is simply not an adequate replacement); on the other hand, given what an abomination the episode turned out to be, it was probably for the best that Gail not be tainted by it.

So, we didn’t get Gail in the holiday episode, but now we get to watch her make latkes, courtesy of WPIX. Enjoy, possums.

One Hoot Wonder

'Fergus' was sent in by Jackie, and done by Ashley Weisel. Thanks!

I'll Eat My Hoot

Tattoo Andy

Mail Bombs: Taraji's Flutter Sleeve Dress, Laila Ali's Ombre Sweater, and Vanessa Hudgen's Rocker Look!

Hey!
Check out the New Fashion Bomb colors! You like? I try to keep it fresh for ya:)
One thing that will always stay the same, however, are Friday Mail Bombs!
...Let's get started!
First of course we have a query about Fashionista of the Year Rihanna! Queenda says, "I'll be attending a Christmas Party next week and I already have the skirt I'm going to wear, the only problem is that I don't have a top. I came across this picture of the ever-fashionable Rihanna and I love what's she's wearing!"
"...Can you please find help me find this shirt or another alternative?"
Be the Queen of Chic at your party with these options:
1. Karen Zambos Vintage Couture Layered Ruffle Top, $183. 2. D&G DOLCE & GABBANA Chiffon Layered Babydoll Top, $472.50.
Next Nikki from Chicago loved our post on undercover fashionista Taraji P. Henson, and wanted to know where she could her flutter sleeve black dress:
She says, "I am going to a Player's Ball next month I want to keep it classy and hot at the same time. Please help me out....."
Taraji is wearing this $345 Black Halo Keyhole Ruffle Sleeved Dress...
...get the sophisticated sheath from www.pinkmascara.com.
Fashion Bomb convert Kalifa was browsing over at the YBF and saw this picture of Laila Ali:
She says, "I was wondering if you could find these pieces for me."
Get Laila's look with the following:

1. Vince Belted Ombre Sleeveless Sweater, $229. 2. Sweet Pea by Stacy Frati Mesh Turtleneck, $58. 3. ISDA & CO Ponte Slim Leg Pant, $136 4. Aldo Lioni Clutch, $16. 5. 7 for all mankind Women's Olivia Platform Pump, $210.
Fashion Bombshell Edrei writes, "Could you help me find the name of the designer of the black dress Gabrielle Union wore to the Seven Pounds premiere. Luv it!"Adriana found out through Instyle that Gabby's wearing a jersey dress from Kaufman Franco, similar to this one from their Fall 2008 line:Next Bebe says, "Can you PLEASE recreate this Vanessa Hudgens look?"
Sure! Get a cute rocker look with these:

1. Development Black Stretch Jacket, $228. 2. Alexander Wang Butter Crepe Pleated Front Shell, $126. 3. Cheap Monday Tight Skinny Jeans in Black, $65. 4. Steve Madden Cayce Sandals, $77.
Lastly, Tasia liked Ciara's embellished top and said, "Can you help me find something similar?" Ina favored her pants, saying, "I was wondering where I can find something similar. I have the same build as Ciara (tall, long, and muscular) and the inseam on these pants are superb!"
Adriana and I collabo'd to find this look:
1. Elie Tahari Uma Blouse, $147.50. 2. Victoria's Secret Pants, $78.
That does it!
I'm flying to the states this Sunday for the holidays. I am sooo excited to be back on my old stomping ground! Can't wait to spend time with my family and friends:)
I'll be updating next week from time to time, but will of course leave you enough time to spend with your loved ones (as I spend time with mine).
Bisous!

NYC Event: Chanel Iman's White Party

Fashionista reports that Chanel Iman will be throwing a holiday themed white party this Saturday, with ticket sales benefiting the Gay Men's Health Crisis:
The event goes down at Santos Party house in New York, and the tickets are $40 at the door or online here.
The actual invite doesn't have Chanel's name on it, so we'll have to take Fashionista's word for it. If anything, it should be a cute party for a great cause.

12 Days of Christmas

Sometimes we sing our Christmas Carols without really knowing what we are singing about. Some are happy tunes and most are peaceful. The Twelve Days of Christmas has been around for a very long time and it is not really an easy tune to sing. Many of the children I know find it too long and too repetitive. But they do think that it is a very traditional and rich tune.

Here is an explanation of the Twelve Days of Christmas coming through my email and it is a good thing to share with you as it has baffled many people especially those in Malaysia. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge that won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

•The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
•Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
•Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
•The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
•The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
•The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
•Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
•The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
•Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy,Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
•The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
•The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
•The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were
not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone
during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning
plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each
element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality
which the children could remember.



To all my Christian friends....

Merry Christmas every one!! Peace on the Earth and Good will to all mankind.

Amuse-Biatch Über-Homosexual Thursday: New Scallopgate Gets the Hung Jury It Deserves (So Sayeth Nathan Lane)

Scallopgate Redux: On Behalf of Cheyenne Jackson, a Framed Jamie Lauren, the Gays, and Honest People in General, Amuse-Biatch Cries, “Bullshit!”

Ok, now we’re just angry.

As any faithful viewer of Top Chef (including, and especially, cheftestants) ought to know by now, scallops are the devil’s playground, an ingredient fraught with peril and the sweet but briny foretaste of doom. And so, on some level, our girl Jamie Lauren ought to know, and ought to have known, better.

Still, what Bravo’s editors have done amounts to prosecutorial misconduct.

In building their case against the scallop dish Jamie made for the Seven Swans A-Swimming component of the skull-numbingly numbskull “12 Days of Christmas” Elimination Challenge, the editors showed 6’4”, blue-eyes-and-calves-of-death gay grointhrob (much better than heartthrob) Cheyenne Jackson saying, “I just tried the Seven Swans A-Swimming. A little too slimy.” Case closed; bring in the guilty verdict.

And yet, on the “bonus footage” on Bravo’s website we get to see Cheyenne’s complete statement, which we are transcribing just in case the video mysteriously disappears (it starts at the 30-seconds-remaining mark): “I just tried the Seven Swans A-Swimming, um, and it was good, surprisingly. I’m not usually a scallops person. A little too slimy.”


See how that works? So Cheyenne Jackson doesn’t usually like scallops because they are a little too slimy, but Jamie’s scallops were good and not slimy (and, let us not forget, Miss Martha Stewart herself raved about Jamie’s earlier-in-the-episode scallop dish).

So, you wanna talk about a little too slimy? Talk about Bravo.

The 12 Days of Lame-Ass

Expect no further comment from us, possums, until we get over just how lame and stupid last night's episode was.

Best of 2008: Magazine Diversity

No end of the year round up would be complete without mentioning the huge increase in Magazine Diversity in 2008.
The year saw traditional glossies questioning their industry (gently prodded by Bethann Hardison), and turning inward to ask, "Where's the color?" Perhaps in the Obama era, magazines are seeing that it's time to get real and reflect the demographics of their country.
After a controversial Lebron James cover caused a critical wildfire in cyberspace, Fashion Bible Vogue took their July issue to ask if Fashion was Racist:
After fashionistas answered, "Yes!" Vogue decided to walk the walk with several spreads, even including Arlenis Pena, Oluchi Orlandi and Lakshmi Menon in a story on the industry's rising stars:

Harper's Bazaar also jumped on the multicultural bandwagon, with Tyra Banks gracing their September cover and posing as Michelle Obama in a fun multi pager:

And with the Williams sisters rocking couture on the court for Bazaar's November issue:

American mags did their part, but no one showed more love than the Italians, who plucked style aficionado Diddy as their cover boy for the October Issue of L'Uomo Vogue:
...and who knocked everyone out the park with Vogue Italia's All Black July Issue, featuring Naomi Campbell, Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn, Liya Kebede, Tyra Banks, Toccara Jones and more:

The issue launched Facebook Groups, started discussions, and caused fashionistas worldwide to scramble for collector's copies. A Time article by Jeff Israely said, "After the original run of the July issue sold out in the U.S. and U.K. in 72 hours, Vogue Italia has just rushed to reprint 30,000 extra copies for American newsstands, another 10,000 for Britain and 20,000 more in Italy." Cha Ching!
2008 was THE YEAR for magazine diversity, and we can only hope the Fashion Powers are finally understanding that multiculturalism is not only beautiful, powerful, and profitable, but it's also the future. As ad pages dwindle, it's best to be as inclusive as possible-we notice!
Didn't you?
Bisous!
*Shout to Jezebel for Italian Vogue scans.
*If you're a mag hag, I highly recommend reading the blog Make Fetch Happen. Brigitte sifts through your favorite glossies with a fine toothed comb, and offers well informed, witty opinions.

This Week in Chic: Rachel, Ciara, Rosario, and more!

This week brought out a slew of chic outfits:

I think it's a tie between Ciara and Rachel Roy for this week's chic award. What do you think?
PS I love the Fresh Prince Reunion at the Seven Pounds premiere!