Da General Fashion

Great Moments in Disco Fashion History: Men in Jumpsuits

I get a kick out of this 1976 ad for Jump Suits Ltd. every time I see it. That’s because the Beardo in this photo was at the height of men’s disco fashion in this one-zip number that shouts “After hours at Plato’s Retreat!”.  While the ad copy mentions that these designs are “young, hip, tight and sexy”, we all know what they really wanted to say was “Easy On.. Easy Off, baby!”.  Which reminds me…

… you simply must watch “American Swing”, a film about Plato’s Retreat which was a famous sex club for straight couples in New York City back in the 70’s & 80’s.  Besides the expected mattressed-out orgy room, this member’s only club also had a pool, snack buffet and its own disco so you could get down in one way or another all night long (now that’s what I call a party!). Truly the most entertaining thing about the film is the interviews with former clientele because now, they are all senior citizens.  Trust me, after seeing this you will look never look at the older people in your life the same way again.  You will wonder… just wonder that maybe they are a lot cooler than you think.

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

STAND BY YOUR SPARKLE VIDEO!

Today’s Sparkle Video is a “shout out” to my friend Eigk, who always prefers his glitter mixed with a heaping dose of CAMP! Here we have two dazzling superstars– the world famous drag comedian Dame Edna and legendary Studio 54 glamazon Jerry Hall– belting out a karaoke duet of “Stand By Your Man” dressed in gold metallic cowgirl outfits dripping in rhinestones. It really doesn’t get much better than this unless it’s lit with star filters… which it is so KABLAM!.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50cYc0KeDPM

Da General APPROVED!

Disco Ball Shoes: APPROVED!

Can you imagine the power of wearing these shoes, reflecting disco-tastic light from your feet everywhere you go? Having people swarm you like a superstar, wanting only to be by your side because YOU ARE the PARTY?  That is some downright Superhero sh*t to me!  I came across this mystery photo on the internet and all I can say is that I will not rest until I find this pair of “Disco Ball” shoes and make them mine.. MINE… because they are fabulous and they are APPROVED!

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

OH BOY! IT’S SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

Today’s Sparkle Video wasn’t chosen because of what’s going on in the world right now, but because it’s an excuse for me to once again profess my undying and unconditional love for Boy George.  At first it seemed like a difficult task- how to choose from hundreds of fabulous videos, but this particular version of the Culture Club’s “War Song” won out easily.  A smokey stage, a shimmering backdrop, a whole band dressed in sparkle outfits and a stunning Boy George looking like an angel directly descended from Flash Gordon’s lair!  Just hearing the sweet sound of his voice and seeing his breathtaking beauty topped off with that show-stopping headdress makes me cry glitter tears of happiness. I hope he still has this ensemble, because I know for a fact that he would win the Sparkle Outfit contest at our next party!

Dear Boy George, no matter what you do or where life takes you, I will love you forever.
p.s. can you come to our next party?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFCDfuyTsg0

Da General Fashion

Great Moments in Disco Fashion History: Space Disco Coloring Books

Okay, you got me- this really isn’t from back in the day!  It’s the Join The Sparkle Army Coloring Activity Book, a fabulous collector’s item from one of our parties back in August 2009.  It all started when Ronson and I decided to make jumbo coloring walls for the party and I was searching tirelessly, Googling “space disco coloring book” day and night to no avail.  I was so shocked and saddened to find out that no one had ever thought to make something like this.  I thought, “how on earth did parents expect their children to learn about all of the important stuff in life like disco balls, sparkly cocktails and Spaced-Out Sparkle Outfits?”.  It was then that I decided to create my own images for the party and they turned out so fantastic, Ronson suggested we print up a souvenir book for our Sparkle Soldiers to take home.  Yes, thanks to us, some lucky children out there now have a coloring book filled with funny drunk robots partying on the dancefloor mixed with vintage illustrations of futuristic fashion from designers like Kenzo, France Andrevie, and the king himself- Larry LeGaspi.  (Your welcome parents!)

This glorious souvenir from our legendary party is long out of print, but if you’re gagging to have one, there may still be a copy or two available in the archives at Monster Ronson’s.  However, if you’re lucky enough to already own a copy, definitely hang on to it because word on the street is that someday, it may be worth a bajillion dollars!

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

SPARKLE VIDEO ERUPTION!

Today’s Sparkle Videos are both from the group Eruption and are featured for different reasons, however nothing to do with having different singers.  “Go Johnnie Go” is a song I can go my whole life without ever hearing again but, like most footage from the Musikladen TV Show, the costumes are pure sequin overload! These outfits have a wonderful style that mixes two of my favorites together- dancing school fabulous and asymmetrical outer space drama. “I Cant Stand the Rain” is also featured today, not only for singer Precious Wilson’s sparkling “insect on acid” look, but to prove that this group actually had some good music at one point. This song was their biggest hit and I love the way it captures the sound of rain droplets… in that magical disco sorta way, that is!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gkMGH33f7E

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx7FR_aIBEg

Da General Music

Welcome to the Disco

Another snow day in NYC.  I don’t know about you, but I need a soundtrack to help me get motivated to trudge through this white wonderland and Air Power’s 1979 classic,”Welcome to the Disco”, is just the song to do it.  Dance tracks that start with sassy girl talk always make me smile and this one leads up to such a glorious moment at 1:43 when the high drama strings kick in-  and that’s exactly when I will head out to glide and swish with reckless abandon in my magenta booties because not even snow can stop the Disco Machine.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FudPwKIzG_w

Da General Beauty

Holy Sparkle Eyes!

As you know, it’s my duty to keep up on all things fabulous and last night’s visit to Sephora did not disappoint as you can see from my disco-tastic “70’s meets 2011” look in the photos.  I’m wearing two of the products I scored and the first item is the Sephora Baked Eyeshadow Trio in “Dusk Til Dawn No. 4”. This lovely compact houses three of my favorite shades: dark plum, soft pink and luscious violet – all with varying shimmers and sparkles which can be also be used wet for more intensity.  By the way, top honors go out to the Sephora team for their constant effort to keep the Sparkle Army flag flying high and I’m always impressed with their devotion.  The second product in the photo, Illamasqua Eyeliner in “Alchemy”, is one of the most amazing glitter products I have ever seen.  The color is the brightest yellow gold and its gleaming sparkles are so dazzling, I’m sure it can be seen all the way from Uranus!

One night + two products = endless fabulosity!

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

PULL UP TO SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

Apologies for not posting much this week, but I’ve been a little distracted with life and it’s many surprises, however one thing I will never do is let that get in the way of Sparkle Video Day!  Today’s video is an all around feast for the eyes and ears as the divine Grace Jones, the absolute coolest person in the world, sings our favorite song, “Pull Up To The Bumper”.  This version is especially tantalizing because she is wearing that hat- that HAT made of a gazillion dazzling rhinestones with its magic light beams dancing to the beat thanks to effects from our beloved starfilters!  What a hypnotic and sexified way to start the day… Happy Friday!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFJpbX1s5ng

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

SPARKLE FASHION VIDEO DAY!

Today’s Sparkle Video is the motherload of Sparkle Fashion and all the classic looks are covered in this show open for the 1981 Disco World Finals.  It’s one fabulous satin, spandex and sequin extravaganza taking place on a light-up dance floor that looks like a funky disco pinball machine lit up by multiple glorious star filters.  In a way, I find it hard to believe that these are really the World Champions of Disco because while there are a few good dancers here, they’re sprinkled in between really awful ones (I get an extra big kick out of #6, Klaus from Germany! ).  Although, who cares really, because there is a Sparkle Fashion Onslaught of mad proportion happening as every single one of these people clearly understood the importance of dazzling on the dance floor and for that, they are ALL WINNERS!  And by the way, if I might add… SPACE CUFFS… get some!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzlyQaB2muI