For today’s Sparkle Video I have selected my true love, Boy George, singing the haunting “Out of Fashion”. This song always gives me chills because being the Dazzler I am, the thought of one’s moment, anyone’s moment, being “over” is just too much to bear. However, looking at The Boy in all his majesty with his body swaying like the legend he is, heals me instantly. Dressed to the nines (holla bedazzled pants!) and topped with his trademark hat- he’s also wearing the absolute best sparkle makeup Da General has ever seen! His asymmetrical mask jam packed with green and gold glitter and accented by dramatic false lashes and gem encrusted eyeliner has me writhing between emotions of admirational gagging and pure seething jealousy (which, by the way, is how I decide if something is fabulous). He really is the only person in the world that can say things like “you’re a living tragedy” and “you wore me out” and make it sound so beautiful.
HOLD YOUR SPARKLE VIDEO!
Today’s sparkle video features disco legend Celi Bee and her back up dancers performing “Hold Your Horses” in a fierce spandex explosion. Celi is one of my style icons with her slicked hair, disco-tastic makeup and fabulous fashion sense. She’s like a living, breathing Fiorucci illustration that twists, moves and poses on a stage of flashing lights that makes her rhinestone accents blink and sparkle madly. It’s perfection as it should be, especially in 1979, the year of disco!
DO YOU FEEL LIKE A SPARKLE VIDEO?
Have I mentioned I was in the KC & The Sunshine Band Fan Club as a child? I’m sure I have and today’s Sparkle Video is a perfect example why. First I have to mention the Donny & Marie Show because I love everything about it: the 70’s “light up” set design, the sparkling glamor of the siblings and an extra special HOLLA for Marie’s super chic short hair! However, that’s nothing compared to the sparkle onslaught behind the curtain. Harry Wayne Casey and his band are a bedazzled force to be reckoned with as they move and shake all over that stage asking “Do You Feel Alright?”. One thing’s for sure, and that’s that they totally feel alright because each and every one of them is dazzling in their famous colorful rhinestone outfits. They even brought along two lovely ladies dressed in the height of disco fashion just to drive their message of fabulosity home. Message received KC! Message received!
VOULEZ VOUS SPARKLE VIDEO DAY?
Today’s Sparkle Video is not only a piece of music history, but also a great moment in disco fashion history as well. In this clip, The Midnight Special is featuring an epic live performance from LaBelle singing “Lady Marmalade” and looking like gorgeous Space Queens from beyond the galaxy. Its no wonder because they’re dressed from head to toe in silver metallic La.. La.. LaGaspi! That’s right Soldiers, in addition to being deliciously gorgeous and having supernatural voices, these ladies had excellent taste in choosing Larry LeGaspi to create their otherworldy outfits (and a special shout-out to Nona’s bedazzled makeup!). It makes complete sense to us “More is More” types though, because what becomes a legend most? A whole ‘nother legend. And that’s what we call a KABLAM!
I’M A SUCKER FOR SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!
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!
Leopard Sparkle Shoes, part 1
I love leopard and when it’s mixed that with sparkle you have a fabulosity that cannot be ignored- just like these dazzlers from Laboutin. I’m gagging with covetous desire at the sight of them, but alas Soldiers, I will not own them because I would never cut so deep into my “disco money” for one pair of shoes. However, they have me given the best idea for how to fix my hot pink pumps that have somehow come up with mystery spots. I’m going to turn them into a showstopping treat for the masses by taking their idea and making it better. How is that possible, you ask? First, my shoes are pointy with lots of toe cleavage which spells “Rock n’ Roll!” and Second, by making the leopard pattern out of Swarovski crystals using their super cool “ooky” color choices. That’s right, I’m going to create a totally Cramp-tastic shoe that looks like something Poison Ivy herself would have worn and possibly even our late, beloved Lux Interior (RIP).
Pictured below is how my shoes look now, but check back for part 2.. coming soon!
The MOTHERLOAD
The word for today is “motherload” because that’s exactly what today’s Sparkle Video is. “Dancing Queen” features the ladies of ABBA in the outfits: slinky sequin catsuits with matching neckties(?) and boots. Their disco ball-esque set is so effective at drawing you in to the mood as swirling dancers move all around them like a dream. At approximately 2:56, the “light-up dance floor” on the stage kicks in for a dazzling grand finale and then to top it off..it’s a karaoke video! All this is just too much Soldiers, and when I say “too much” I mean perfect. The motherload.
HEAVY DUTY SPARKLE VIDEO DAY
It’s been a while since we had some Rock n’ Roll on Sparkle Video Day and there’s no more glamorous, rockingess, sparkle-tastic one than The Gossips’s “Heavy Cross”. First and foremost: OUTFIT! Holla Beth Ditto! This is a girl after my own heart and the personification of “More is More”. Hair, makeup, nails, jewels- she is completely covered in fabulosity. Even in her more casual look she makes sure to wear a sparkling black “T”, post-punk eye makeup and dramatic red lips. As for the music, it’s right on point with how I like my rock which is hard hitting with lots of rhythm for dancing and this song rages with the passion in her voice. I’d also like to give special sparkle kudos to the director for adding the flowing glitter effect that encompasses everything (exactly what glitter is meant to do!) and for lighting it all with star filters because just like me, that never gets old.
SPARKLE VIDEO DAY 2012!
It’s the very first Sparkle Video Day of 2012 and it’s starting out with a jewel encrusted bang! This is truly one of the best videos I’ve ever seen for many reasons, but mostly because it reminds me of a night at the disco recently where the crowd was standing on the dance floor. Not dancing, just standing and watching the DJ. Watching for what I don’t know, but while they were not dancing, me and R. Wayne were sparkling madly and throwing it down freak style all around them. Anyway… back to Starf*cker and their video where a bunch of bland hipsters are having the most boring toga party on earth. Enter the mysterious stranger in a bedazzled spandex outfit who comes in and proceeds to strip, fondle and lipstick tattoo each and every one of them and you know what? It worked! Who would’ve guessed that this was the recipe for unjamming giants sticks from peoples’ posteriors and for turning any party into righteous “Quality Time”? Now that I know this trick, I’ll be more than prepared- I’ll be armed and extremely dangerous.
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I CAN’T STOP SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!
I know, I know. I have not been keeping up on my duties to write about all things sparkly since I got back from Berlin, but in my defense, I’ve returned to NYC at the height of holiday party season. Too many parties keeping Da General busy at night and my days are being spent shopping for sparkly things to wear. So not that much has changed really, I just need to work on my time management so that it includes champagne hangovers. However, the one thing you can always count on Soldiers, no matter what, is Sparkle Video Day.
That’s right! I have not missed a Sparkle Video Day since I started this campaign of fabulosity and I am committed to making sure your Fridays are filled with glittering inspiration. That said- I must confess I am growing increasingly annoyed with the corporatization of youtube. When it’s not shoving some company paid promotion or commercial down your throat, it’s taking down amazing and rare vintage disco clips. So today, I am pulling from vimeo and what a glorious gem I have found for you!
Today’s Sparkle Video features two of my all time favorite things, Sylvester and Roller Disco. Sylvester is one of my heroes for many reasons, but mostly because we share the exact same view of fashion and also because he was truly blessed with the ability to turn anything into “an outfit”. Here, he’s wearing a clearly customized purple bedazzled top paired with some sort of uniform pants, but it works.. it works Soldiers, because he oozes fabulosity! I’m also totally feeling Martha Wash’s asymmetrical blue satin caftan that encompasses one leg in a clever harem explosion. Sprinkle in some hotties on skates and gobs of flashing lights accentuated by glorious star filters and there you have it- PERFECTION.
Join the Sparkle Army 