Harry Styles Is the Future of Fashion at the Met Gala

Harry StylesDid you catch all the celebrities strutting down the pink carpet during the Met Gala on Monday? The famed annual event is one of THE fashion hot spots of the year — a veritable who’s who of Hollywood. But this year, one celebrity alone came to tell all of 2019 that the future of fashion is now. And that celebrity is named Harry Styles…

Before we get into Harry’s amazing attire, we must discuss the theme of this year’s Met Gala. Why? Because that in itself #WHOA amazing — yes, it’s so amazing that it’s worthy of a hashtag with ALL CAPS.

This year’s theme was Camp, a term coined by cultural critic Susan Sontag. In 1964, she penned the seminal essay Notes on Camp to describe this most unique style…

“Indeed the essence of Camp is its love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration…It is the love of the exaggerated, the “off,” of things-being-what-they-are-not…The hallmark of Camp is the spirit of extravagance…The androgyne is certainly one of the great images of Camp sensibility.”

In other words, think flamboyant, fanciful, flashy, over-the-top — or, as the young people say in 2019, EXTRA.

To illustrate her point, Sontag also included examples that typified the camp aesthetic, like Tiffany lamps, The Enquirer headlines and stories, King Kong, women’s clothes of the twenties and the old Flash Gordon comics.

And, thanks to the Met Gala, one Mr. Harry Styles can also be added to that long list of what qualifies as essential Campness! To see him walk the pink carpet was truly a thing of beauty. It was revolutionary. Clad in a black Gucci ensemble with lace cuffs and a ruffled neckline, complete with painted nails and a lone pearl earring, he owned the carpet and everyone knew it. As he told Vogue of his look…

“I mean, I think it’s about enjoyment and about fun; no judgement. And having fun with clothes. I think fashion is supposed to be fun. And I think it’s a good time for that as well — people being who they are.”

THIS. YES. THIS. This is what it’s all about. With just a few words, Styles ushered in the future of fashion! It’s all about that gender-fluidity and finally throwing out those tired, outdated gender norms that serve no one, instead, holding us all back. Because the future of fashion is all about moving forward You can break out of those gender-conforming boxes and be whoever you want to be! You don’t have to let societal rules and norms define you! As cliche as it sounds, you do you is good, solid advice!

Harry StylesMy awesome writer friend Megan Mann wrote an incredible piece for InStyle this week on the lasting impact of the former One Direction singer’s outfit. She described it perfectly — a future where conversations about men’s fashion isn’t so narrowly defined and where personal expression can fully flourish. Wouldn’t that truly be a wonderful world?

“Harry Styles showing up as he did at the Met Gala, following years of bold style choices, opens up the conversation about what men wear…It’s permission for guys like these and any stars to come to continue showing up, to be asked who are you wearing, and to have a damn good answer.”

So, is it a stretch to say Styles has, with this one sheer jumpsuit, Changed Red Carpets Forever? Let’s hope it isn’t, because it would be a change for the better.

Thank you, Harry Styles, for changing the future of fashion!! Who had your favorite look on the carpet, friends?? Are you a fan of all things camp? xoxo

Motivational Quotes Monday: On Why Singing Is Good For the Soul

Happy Monday, friends!!! And a very good morning to you too! This weekend, we were finally able to take a walk in the springtime sunshine and IT FELT GREAT. I was soaking up all that vitamin D like it was going out of style! And speaking of great things, today’s motivational quotes are all about one of my favorite activities: Singing!! We’ve been watching the new season of American Idol and I’m loving it! It reminds me just how good singing is for the soul. You all know how much I love to belt out a good tune. Any time, really — in the shower, folding the laundry, even writing blog posts! The music muse just flows through me! So here are five quotes to celebrate the power of singing…

Singing Singing Singing Singing

Etsy Love: These Freddie Mercury Pins Are the Champions

Freddie MercuryIn case you weren’t aware: Yes, I’m still obsessed with all things Freddie Mercury and Bohemian Rhapsody!! Four months after seeing the movie, which was LIFE CHANGING, I’m still playing Queen’s songs on repeat, watching endless clips on YouTube and over the weekend, I even stayed up late reading an article about Mercury.

The verdict: I. Am. Obsessed.

And speaking of obsessed, I’m in love with these pins on Etsy that honor the genius that was Freddie Mercury!!! From his signature pose to some clever Queen-inspired picks, there’s something for every fan to love!! Here are four of my favorites, starting with this one ($11) of Royal Freddie…

Freddie MercuryClassic concert pose, $9.95

Freddie MercuryCute cat shot, $11

Freddie MercuryQueen lyrics, $1.90

Have you seen Bohemian Rhapsody, friends? Do you have a favorite Queen or Freddie Mercury song? I’ve always been partial to “Somebody To Love” and “Save Me” — the melody, the lyrics, the emotion! I could go on for days, obviously!! xoxo

Thoughts on Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga and THAT Electrifying Oscars Performance

Lady Gaga Lady GagaDid you watch the Oscars on Sunday? I just had to tune in, despite Bohemian Rhapsody being the only award-worthy movie I’ve seen in the last year! Pitiful, I know, but I’m willing to bet that a lot of people tuned in for the same reason I did. And, guess what? That reason had absolutely NOTHING to do with the films or the red carpet fashions or even the fact that the show was without a host this year. Let’s just be real and admit it already: We sat on the edge of our seats waiting for that much-anticipated performance from Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper…

And, my capsule review in as few words as possible? They didn’t disappoint. #Whoa

Now, before I get long-winded about all that passion, I suppose I should get a few disclaimers out of the way: No, I am not a homewrecker. No, I don’t advocate breaking up relationships. But there’s nothing wrong with a little harmless fantasizing, is there? Of course not! These are merely my observations.

Anyway, back to that Oscars performance. I felt like I started holding my breath the minute Bradley Cooper started singing and didn’t exhale until the very end, when they sort of leaned their heads into each other and Lady Gaga shot him a look that could sink a thousand ships. Those three minutes sort of felt like an out-of-body experience, and I had no idea what was even happening! Well, I guess I do have some idea because the electrifying magnetism was undeniable. The passion! The connection! The sparks! The unbridled chemistry! Literally, it was almost too much; I’m actually surprised my TV didn’t blow a fuse from all that sexual tension — it was palpable even through the screen!

Mind you, I say all this as someone who hasn’t even seen A Star Is Born and who thinks “Shallow” is lukewarm at best. But like I said, that performance was anything but lukewarm. It was hot, and while Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper can deny it all they want, there’s is something there. Yes, even I, with my nonexistent track record in the romance department, can see it. And, look! Twitter agrees with me!

So, I hereby crown Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper the “will they/won’t they” couple of 2019. This is feeling like it’s going to be on par with David and Maddie (remember Moonlighting?), and I predict that we’ll be on the edge of our seats for much of the year — and maybe even beyond? After all, there’s no way the flames from this fire are going to die down any time soon.

Lady Gaga Lady GagaWhat’s your verdict, friends? Am I reading too much into things or is there chemistry simmering under the surface for these two? What did you think of their Oscars performance? If nothing else, Lady Gaga’s fashion was on fleek!! That necklace… xoxo

[Kevin Winter/Getty Images]

What Adam Levine and His Super Bowl Performance Says About Women’s Bodies

Adam LevineSo about Adam Levine and that shirtless, tattooed-torso Super Bowl performance of his last weekend. I. Just. Can’t. And I’m not just talking about that giant “California” tattoo scrawled across his stomach! It’s just more than I can, well, stomach.

After watching the Super Bowl Halftime Show, I reacted like lots of people on social media: shocked (but not surprised) at double standards yet again. Here was the uber, excessively confident Maroon 5 rocker, loud and proud in front of thousands, singing his band’s greatest hits. Just when you think things are winding down, BAM! He rips his shirt off and flaunts himself across the stage like he was auditioning to be the next Magic Mike. It was sure a sight, trust me.

Some people were losing it over their love of Adam’s tats and six-pack abs, seemingly forgetting about the Super Bowl halftime show in 2004 that saw Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake embroiled in controversy following a “wardrobe malfunction” that accidentally exposed Jackson’s breast. Well, it was mostly just Jackson who bared the brunt of criticism since Timberlake pretty much escaped unscathed.

Did I mention that said wardrobe malfunction wasn’t even Jackson’s fault? That didn’t stop people from shaming and shunning her for YEARS. Ooooh AND?!?!? The kicker is that Jackson’s gaffe even earned its own name: Nipplegate.

So, let me make sure I’m understanding this nonsense correctly: Levine gets photo galleries dedicated to his nakedness, but Jackson is made to wear the Scarlet Letter and blacklisted in the industry. Hmmm, OK, sadly, that sounds about right, but I sure wish we were farther along as a society in 2019. Have we not even progressed or grown that much?

Adam LevinePeople were so offended over over Nipplegate. Apparently a woman’s body is a crime on par with Watergate. Apparently, a woman’s body is something shameful, something that can’t be shown and must remain hidden at all times. This attitude only reinforces dangerous and sexist stereotypes, as well as send the message to young women that they can’t have the same type of body positivity as men do. If they do, they’ll be criticized and shamed for it.

I mean, the fact that the whole thing sparked a name in the first place is unbelievable. Back in 2004, memes didn’t really exist, but can you imagine the types of memes people would make about Jackson if this had happened today? They’d be ruthless! Instead, they’re out here praising Adam Levine…

What are your thoughts on the Adam Levine Super Bowl performance controversy? Do you think we’ve made any strides toward bridging the double standard gap, friends? xoxo