Modern Glam

In Protest of Prop 8 Which Violates the Civil Rights of a Minority

The Witch is Dead? - Mr. Blackwell Dies at 86

Richard Blackwell, better known as Mr. Blackwell, died on Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of complications from an intestinal infection, according to his publicist, Harlan Boll.

Mr. Blackwell, a little known dress designer, became famous for his annual satirical review of the worst dressed celebrities, beginning in 1960. This was long before everyone else jumped on the bashing of celebrity fashion disasters, and back in the day, people eagerly awaited and/or dreaded his annual pronouncements.

Although his commentary was always mean spirited (it was intended to be satirical), he claimed that he actually admired most of his targets for their great talent.

Some of his more famous comments:

• Madonna: "The Bare-Bottomed Bore of Babylon."
• Barbra Streisand: "She looks like a masculine Bride of Frankenstein."
• Christina Aguilera: "A dazzling singer who puts good taste through the wardrobe wringer."
• Lindsay Lohan: "From adorable to deplorable."
• Ann-Margstret: "A Hells Angel escapee who invaded the Ziegfeld Follies on a rainy night."
• Camilla Parker-Bowles: "The Duchess of Dowdy."
• Spears: "Her bra-topped collection of Madonna rejects are pure fashion overkill."

R.I.P. Mr. Blackwell.

Technorati Tags: Richard Blackwell,Mr. Blackwell,Mr. Blackwell's death,celebrity fashion victims,worst-dressed list,fashion,style,celebrities,women

Opinion: Misogyny in America is Alive and Well

You may feel that this is "old news" since it occurred a week or so ago, however, after watching the Democrats debate this week, and hearing the commentary afterwards, I was inspired to write a post with my take on it.

Elton John raised 2.5 million for Hillary Clinton's campaign on April 9, at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. Speaking to the audience, he stated that he felt that there is no one more qualified to lead the United States in to the next era, and then had this to say: 

“Having said that, I never cease to be amazed at the misogynistic attitude of some people in this country. And I say to hell with them.”

In my opinion, this misogyny  became very clear after watching Clinton and Obama debate in Pennsylvania, and listening to|reading the commentary in response. While Clinton was certainly aggressive, she was also polite. Yes, she did point out some of her issues with Obama. Were her statements untrue? No. Were her statements excessively derogatory? No. Was she rude? No. If she were a he, would these statements have received the amount of criticism that they engendered? NO. Her statements were in response to questions asked of her by the moderator, Charles Gibson. Clinton committed the error of not appearing "unassuming enough", "feminine enough", and most egregious of all the errors that she made during her campaign, she committed the sin of being a woman in a misogynistic society, a society where even many women accept the status quo without thinking. A society that, unbelievably, still sees women as incapable of leading our country.

I really shouldn't be so surprised. After all, even Madonna apparently views misogyny as acceptable, as she has publicly stated her plans|desire to produce an album with noted misogynist, rapper, m&m. 

Sign me: Bloody Well Disgusted!

Off to bake cookies......

Image credit: © Reuters

 

 

 

del.icio.us Tags: elton john, hillary clinton, misogyny, presidential campaign, women in politics

   

Technorati Tags: elton john, hillary clinton, misogyny, presidential campaign, women in politics

 

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