Join the Sparkle Army!
the army for all things fabulous
DONNA SUMMER
May 18th
Although I never met Donna Summer, she was a very important person in my life and the news of her passing yesterday covered me with extreme sadness. Her influence touched me in every way and formed my ideals as a child- I wanted to look like her, sing like her and dress like her. I was captivated by her extreme beauty, flawless skin, perfectly applied makeup and luxe curly hair (mine was was horribly pin straight and thus began my love affair with hot rollers). Her voice was strong and powerful, but also sexy and at times, angelic and her outfits- do I even need to mention her outfits? Yes Soldiers.. yes I do! Sparkling, shimmering and always at the height of disco fashion giving her the perfect stage presence to accompany her supreme talent. Indeed, I spent hours listening to her albums, dancing in my bedroom and longing for the day I would be old enough to be inside a real disco and look fabulous while I danced under the glorious flashing lights. Forward to today and here I am.
She was everything- a mentor, an idol and an icon and in her honor, I considered “going black” on Sparkle Video Day for the first time ever as a moment of silence. However, after much thought I realized that was not the right thing to do, especially as Da General of the Sparkle Army. It’s my duty to make sure that sparkling is our first priority, no matter what comes our way. This is our duty and together we will continue to bring light, love and sparkles to the world and that, Soldiers, is exactly how we honor Donna Summer- forever The Queen.
Disco Commercials: Just Pants
May 16th
This “Just Pants” store commercial from the 70′s features young partygoers with fabulous hair giving quite a sassy fashion show while they get ready for disco. Or perhaps they’re just getting ready for school- who knows? All that really matters is that they look hot because “Every day is Saturday night when you’re lookin’ right!”
VIEWER IMPRESSION: I’d shop there!
IT’S A POLI-SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!
May 11th
Today’s Sparkle Video is such a treat in that “Klaus Nomi meets George Michael” kind of way. The first look at Ivan Cattaneo, with his reflective mirror outfit, bizarro goggles and snazzy gold metallic boots screams “I’m totally New Wave!”. Instead he rolls out “Polisex”, a smooth groove backed by the sultry sound of the saxophone while he performs some fabulously dramatic dance moves. GOTCHA! Now, about the group: I don’t believe this is an actual band, but his “Besties” who like to rock an outfit, but who better to bring on television with you? Especially when you’ve got people like the silver keyboard player and the soldier guy playing the high-hat who are totally feeling it (freeze the frame at 0:35.. it’s magical!). The 80′s truly was a time when people strove to look unique and they do it smashingly. In fact, the whole thing is so mesmerizing, it’s almost too much! Almost.
Disco Deodorant: APPROVED!
May 7th
Marketing is everything as we can see here from this disco-tastic Degree Deodorant packaging. I went to the store to grab my longtime favorite product that I was totally devoted to, when I caught a glimpse of this. In fact, it was calling to me from the shelf saying, “Hey General, I’m a Sparkle Soldier too! I’ve got a disco ball, a glitter cap and I’ll protect you all night on the dance floor… for up to 24 hours!”. Well, there was no way that I wasn’t going to take that challenge, Soldiers! Especially now, because the season’s outdoor dance parties are about to kick in and having this kind of encouragement, support and devotion is 100% APPROVED!
SHY, SHY SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!
May 4th
Amazing how fast a week can pass and then KABLAM! It’s Sparkle Video Day again! In all honesty though, it couldn’t have come fast enough for me because I’ve been gagging to share today’s clip with you. I’m in love with everything that’s being showcased here from the hazy focus to the bright colored outfits (in a palette that’s all the rage right now) and especially the super sexiness of “Shy, Shy Sugarman” performed by Jack’s Project. A hot number that starts out with “Some get the glitter, some get the gold… “, is an all out attitude fest because these girls ooze with fabulous bitchiness, especially the one in the yellow. In fact, they’re that much sought after combination of being both the popular girls and also the very, very bad girls. I must also point out that special honors go to the lead singer for knowing how to work in maximum hand shots to show off her press-on nails… as any of us would do.
GET READY ‘CUZ HERE COMES SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!
Apr 27th
Today’s Sparkle Video is from one of our favorite TV shows, Musikladen, however this clip is from 1983 when they clearly had a lot more money to spend on production. Sure, it’s only a theory, but I think it’s supported by the inclusion of a slick, snazzy and sparkly show open and a full-on neon light-up stage (as compared to the old tinsel and foil backdrops sometimes used in the 70′s). However, the most obvious kick in the budget surely went to the slew of ladies dressed in “dancing school fabulous” hired to shimmy and shake along to the performing guests who, right now, happens to be Trax. I think it’s totally appropriate that a man singing “Get ready ‘cuz here I come..” should make use of a dazzling sequin lightning bolt that leads straight down to a spectacularly large codpiece, in a “driving the statement home” kind of way. The drummer also knows his way around an outfit, as he made a fabulous choice in wearing his spaced-out best. I guess the other two guys didn’t get the sparkle memo, but it’s okay because the hotties dancing around them kind of steal the show anyway. Especially the girl in the super hero number who remembered to include the most important fashion accessory of all time- Space Cuffs (get some!).
Great Moments in Disco Fashion History: The Disco Commercial
Apr 23rd
By 1978, Disco Fashion had moved out from the nightclubs and across mainstream America with the blinding speed of flashing lights and laser beams and right into our television sets. There were all kinds of dance related TV shows but now, companies of all types also wanted to connect with this dazzling lifestyle and let consumers know that their products were cool and thus, the Disco Commercial was born! These fabulously fun spots pushed everything from beer, soda, clothing, cosmetics and even discos themselves and since it’s not possible to feature them all today, I’m announcing that this will be a whole new sparkling category for Sparkle Army Soldiers to enjoy. Today- we start with one of the best.
Pabst Blue Ribbon is still what the cool kids drink today, but this is from 1979- THE year of Disco! A young Patrick Swayze with super-fab hair is taking his lovely lady dressed in the finest disco chic for a night of dancing and thanks to PBR, they are owning that dancefloor.
VIEWER IMPRESSION: I’d buy it!
AUSSI-TASTIC SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!
Apr 20th
Sparkle Videos just keep getting better and better so brace yourself for one of the most amazing things EVER. It’s dazzling perfection made with flashing lights, hypnotic music and one man in a very colorful outfit with showstopping dance moves. In fact, I’m going “on the record” right now and asking if there’s anyone out there who can recreate this number step for step (outfit, hair and mustache required!) and if so, please contact me because you are booked for the next Sparkle Army party!
I’M A SUCKER FOR SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!
Apr 13th
Whenever a song starts out with, “Alright you freaks..”, you know it’s going to be extra good just like today’s Sparkle Video. Don Cornelius (RIP) is showcasing a full-on outfit war on the Soul Train stage and to be honest, I’m not sure who the winner is. Now normally, I always “go sequin” as did the legendary Teena Marie (RIP) in an exciting magenta sequin dazzler which she smartly paired with a turquoise sequin tube top and matching boots. However, she’s standing next to the one and only Rick James (RIP) who’s wearing a very “Bootsy-esque” suit with extreme bell cuffs, accented with rhinestones and fabulously topped off with jeweled encrusted glasses and glitter dusted hair. This makes for quite a conundrum so instead, let’s call it a glittering tie because when it comes to sparkling, everyone’s a winner!
Sparkle Jacket Stealing: NOT APPROVED!
Apr 12th
Soldiers, I never ever thought I would have to write a post of this nature, but we can all thank the douchebag in Hamburg who stole our good friend (and high ranking Sparkle Soldier) Snax‘s favorite jacket. This glittering white number has always been his first choice for a night on the town and especially for live performances when sparkle factor is of the utmost importance. These photos are from the “Join the Sparkle Army” party back in August 2009, where Snax is looking resplendent in his magical jacket. As you can see, it’s quite unique and so I feel comfortable saying that if you see someone wearing it, then they are indeed: THE THIEF.
How sad is that? Someone who has no creativity of their own, no drive to pull together a truly individual and personalized sparkle outfit. Someone who thinks that stealing sparkle from someone else will make them sparkle, but that’s not how it works, silly Mr. or Ms. Douchebag! Something that people like you will never understand is that sparkle.. REAL SPARKLE.. comes from within and no matter how many sequins, glitter or swarovski crystals you glue to body, you will never sparkle.
Soldiers, we must all band together and keep our eyes open to help bring Snax‘s beloved white sparkle jacket back to him safe and sound. Most importantly, you must take a photo of the person (a.k.a THE THIEF) you catch wearing it so it can be uploaded for all to see and so they can be banished from all Sparkle Army events for eternity because stealing someone else’s sparkle outfits, parts of sparkle outfits, jackets, shoes or space cuffs (get some!) is NOT APPROVED!
“YOU CAN’T WIN LIKE THAT! Anyway, the joke’s on you…’cuz you can take the look, but you can’t take the funk. Snax moves forward, while you’re just frontin’.” – Snax
