Da General Movies, Music

The Stud

 

Recently, I had the pleasure of watching “The Stud”, a disco-tastic film released in 1978 which stars Joan Collins as a married, wealthy and bitchy woman who enjoys fabulous clothes, dancing at the disco and sex, sex and more sex.  The other main character in this marvelous time capsule is Tony, who runs her nightclub and also is her lover, but at the same time sleeps with pretty much everyone (ahhh the 70’s!). It would be hard not to enjoy a movie set up on this alluring premise, but what’s even more exciting is the music starting right from the opening sequence with a dazzling orchestrated theme song by the Biddu Orchestra.  Some other classics on the soundtrack are “Native New Yorker”, “Let’s Go Disco”, “That’s The Way I Like It” and the overly fabulous  “Cocomotion”.  It also looks like we’re not the only ones who like both kinds of music, rock n’ roll and disco, as hits like “Love Is The Drug” and “Love is Like Oxygen” are also included.  I guess great minds really do think alike!

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

REACH FOR YOUR SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

Here I was, ready to feature “All American Girls” as today’s Sparkle Video seeing that July 4th is just around the corner, but then this dazzling number turned up and I said “THASIT!”.
I couldn’t look away from this gem of glittering proportion and I’m sure you can easily see why because “Reach Your Peak” stole the spotlight with its EVERYTHING.  The lovely ladies of Sister Sledge, sparkled out to the max, getting sassy and sultry on a dance floor filled with flashing lights, disco smoke and laser beams is nothing less than spectacular.  Seriously, sparkle tops and pants?  Usually we see one or the other, but that’s exactly the right move when you believe More is More and lead singer Joni’s twinkling jumpsuit deserves special mention for working those star filters overtime.  By the way, starting today, this song is my new motivator for any day I feel “the lazies” coming on, which happens often in summer.  I think this sexy tune will keep me focused and working hard toward my goals and one of which, by the way, is another fabulous Sparkle Army party so stay tuned Soldiers!

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

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

SPARKLE VIDEO DAY FANTASTICO!

Today’s Sparkle Video is O.T.T. on all levels, including the homemade intro and outro which, normally I despise in youtube videos, but in this case adds the most dazzling dramatic anticipation of what’s to come next (kudos FrankJimmy!). And what does come next is Raffealla Carra shante-ing through a mound of smoke followed by her clan of male dancers in outfits that can only be described as Hot Porn Cops of the Future. Can someone bring ’round the DeLorean ’cause I’m getting in!  Truly, Raffaella is a woman after my own heart because our demands for a good time are exactly the same: disco smoke, men in hot pants and gobs of spandex and sequins.  However, what really makes her my new and everlasting queen is that not only does she work The Fabulous Entrance angle, but she takes it even further by giving you The Fabulous Exit and there is only one word for that… KABLAM!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIpVHO5wqSI

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

COULD BE THAT IT’S SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

Today’s Sparkle Video has me calling my personal outfit maker and telling him to stop the sewing machines because we are totally changing directions to this fabulous number modeled by Imagination’s lead singer.  Perhaps it’s the build up from the smoke filled stairway dance coupled with the dramatic cape swirling, but when that moment comes, and it does – KABLAM!   “Dancing school fabulous meets outer space” has never looked better than this fully sequined asymmetrical onesie topped off with matching hood and space cuffs.  Just look at how it sparkles like magic from disco heaven.. I just gotta have it!  Oh, and I like this song too.

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

A MEMORIAL SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

The goal of today’s Sparkle Video is to get your extra long Memorial Day weekend on a party roll. This remix of “I’m Comin Up”  will definitely take you there as it features the legendary Amanda Lear looking gorgeous as always in her trademark fabulous hair and flawless makeup.  Adding to that is her disco ensemble to end all disco ensembles: lycra body suit, harem pants with slits so high they might as well not be there and finished off with sexy strappy metallic heels.  As if that wasn’t enough, the classic 70’s multi-effects, star filters and gobs of billowing smoke have me completely gagging over the DISCO PERFECTION of it all.

Da General Fashion

Great Moments in Disco Fashion History: Bareback Action

Quite a slogan Bakers shoe company used in the late 70’s for their backless heels!  Who knew years ago that this term, spurred on by the growth of dangerous and lethal STD’s, would evolve into something XXX rated?  As funny as that is, what’s NOT funny is that these shoes were were all the rage: seen everywhere, worn by everyone.  Often when spotted at the disco (or even at local high schools across the country), they were paired with designer jeans like Sasson, Jordache or Gloria Vanderbilt and a halter or tube top.  Other choices to accompany these heels were DVF wrap dresses and various types of delightfully swingy skirts, especially those that covered bathing suits at fashionable pool parties.  They were sexy, comfortable and a legendary part of disco fashion.

btw…. I want a pair right now!

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

P.S. IT’S SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

Today’s Sparkle Video is once again from our favorite show of dazzle and delight- Musikladen.  Here we have the Dolly Dots not dressed in actual sparkles, but making their own way in the disco fashion world with an electric “peter-pan-warrior-princess” look.  It’s quite adorable seeing the full color explosion that’s happening on stage while they sass n’ shake like their hips like cheerleaders gone terribly wrong. They also get extra sparkle points for making use of an effect we don’t see much of anymore -the legendary strobe light moment.

P.S. it’s FABULOUS!

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos, People

IT’S ERIK’S SPARKLE VIDEO BIRTHDAY!

Today’s Sparkle Video is a special birthday dedication to Erik, a devoted Sparkle Soldier who always brings lots of love, smiles, sequins and a proper “anything goes” attitude to the party.  That’s a very good thing, especially since his birthday celebration tomorrow night at Monster Ronson’s promises to be nothing less than fabulous and everyone who is anyone is going to be there! Which brings me to the video, “Roller Boogie”, selected by Erik himself because like most of us, there’s nothing he likes more than spandexed Roller Girls skating in a space galaxy tricked out with flashing lights.

Excellent choice my friend… Happy Birthday!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V19sDA49Iio

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 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!