Da General Heroes

Bob Mackie

Bob Mackie, one of the most famous American designers of all time, seems to see life as one big sparkling universe where high glamour should prevail above all.  His overtime-working-bedazzler has contributed to the superstardom of the most famous women in showbiz including Sparkle Army faves Raquel Welch, Cher, Diana Ross and Charo.  In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a movie or tv show that he didn’t have a hand in during the 70’s and 80’s, when sequins and starfilters were an everyday part of life. That’s right- if it sparkled, you could bet your life it was a “Mackie”!  Still in demand for his dazzling costumes, he’s most recently been glitzing up pop stars like Pink and Katy Perry- and let’s not forget the world famous, Barbie, who’s been wearing custom “Mackie’s” for years now. Did I mention costuming for stage, film, TV and the spectacular Las Vegas showgirls or designing a ready-to-wear fashion line?  There is nothing his magical hands have not touched!

Ever since I was a little girl, Bob Mackie represented the world as I hoped and dreamed it would be when I grew up. A world filled with glitter, sequins and rhinestones and a world where everyone is more beautiful because they sparkle.  Thank you, Mr. Mackie.

Bob Mackie: Legendary Dazzle Master and Sparkle Army Hero!

photos from the book  “Unmistakably Mackie” by Frank DeCaro

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2vLnzcX4dY

Da General Fashion

Great Moments in Disco Fashion History: Sequin Tube Tops

Introduced in the late 70’s, Sequin Tube Tops are the single most recognized item in Disco Fashion. This magical part of the “unofficial uniform” was often worn with slim fitting jeans and super sexy high heels as shown in this photo from the book “70’s Style and Design”.  Without a doubt, this outfit was the best choice for many reasons including sparkling madly under flashing lights, “easy access” at the after party and on a practical note-  boob support for all night dancing.

I can’t imagine life without Sequin Tube Tops and thankfully, I don’t have to because this timeless fashion piece is still around today.  Whether you buy a new one, score a fab vintage version or get some elasticized fabric and make your own- it really doesn’t matter.  Just get one!

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

SUPREME SPARKLE VIDEO DAY

Hold on to your pants ’cause if you don’t, today’s Sparkle Video is gonna knock ’em right off!  The gorgeous Supremes are giving it so hard in this full blown disco meltdown called “Let Yourself Go” that you can’t help but get up and dance.  The pulsating beat combined with the “overtime working” SEQUIN BATWING ARMS has an effect that can only be described as “KABLAM!”.  Wouldn’t it be great to have an alarm clock that played this every morning so you could start each day with SPARKLING FABULOSITY?   The only problem-  the Discos won’t be open for hours.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s07mfr0rlP4

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

FUNKED UP SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

I think we can all agree that Rick James invented “More is More” after seeing today’s Sparkle Video. There is nothing that’s not going on here: pyro entrance, glitterized hair, sequin spandex, knee-high metallic boots and a SPACE CUFF ONSLAUGHT that will kill your eyes with fabulousity! That’s because the whole entire band is decked out in Sparkle Funk Attire and it’s mighty impressive- especially because this song is about growing up in the ghetto and I’m pretty sure the only man who could get away with this outfit in the ghetto is Rick James. Even dressed in sparkles, he is a BADASS MASCULINE SEX MACHINE that takes full command of the stage and with when he says “Where’s the place you like to Funk?”…  you better know the answer!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slF1Y_inE4w

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

WHAT’S INSIDE SPARKLE VIDEO DAY

Today’s Sparkle Video was chosen for several reasons, but mostly to remind everyone that the Sparkle Army likes BOTH kinds of music: Rock n’ Roll and Disco. Another reason is that today is October 1st, starting the countdown to Halloween- the holiday where everyone in NYC goes completely crazy, dresses up and parties!

In this video, The Cramps make a live television appearance in pure Sparkle Style style to answer the question everyone has on their minds, “What’s Inside a Girl?”.  Like many of their songs, this one takes humorous lyrics, old fashioned rockabilly sounds and adds a heaping tablespoon of psychotic frenzy!  I can’t watch this video without thinking of all The Cramps shows I’ve seen, the magic of Lux Interior and how much I miss him.  His passing was a devastating blow to the music world and fans everywhere so today, let’s go forth and make Lux proud! Grab your finest, sleaziest Cramps memories and put on some gold spandex, high heels and sunglasses (yes, i’m talking to the boys) and run in the streets screaming.. “Today Is Sparkle Video Day F*ckers!”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jHbsI-tLfk

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

ULTRA-SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

This is like crack for the hopelessly SPARKLE ADDICTED! Let’s skip over the song, as I prefer to shut off the volume and replace it with the glorious sound of The Trammps “Disco Inferno”.  Luv’s video is all about the outfits- they are so nonsensically fabulous in a medieval cheerleader/Judas Priest sorta way. The fleshy bodysuit that only suggests nudity combined with Heavy Metal studded shoulder pads and wrist cuffs proves that sometimes, being all over the place really does work!

The other thing that makes today’s Sparkle Video special is that instead of using the 4 point STARFILTER commonly used in the 70’s- this show went FULL KABLAM with 8 points and the results are BEYOND!  Those sequins are twinkling like magic nonstop and it’s making me want to write the President demanding that this effect becomes a national mandate… who’s with me?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_YnB6U-sVc

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

DIY SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

Today’s Sparkle Video defies logic. How can so many things that don’t make sense turn out so DIY KABLAM!?  My first thoughts: the song… why? Snoopy… why? Was Musikladen shot in someone’s basement? Why did one woman take off her heels?

I forget all those kooky mismatched ideas when I look at this duo of SUPER HOT DISCO LADIES who are rocking the show-stopping look I like to call “DANCING SCHOOL FABULOUS”.  Sequin Outfits with matching Sparkle Cuffs will never die, and throwing in hot pink feather boas: priceless!

Truth is, this video reminds me of those crazy after hours karaoke moments when everyone is feeling sassy and the costumes come out..  you know the scene.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz4lBh1UlFo

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

SILVER SEQUIN SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

Today’s Sparkle Video features the sequin catsuit to end all sequin catsuits because this SPACED OUT SILVER number is totally OFF THE CHAIN! What’s amazing is how current the shape is- those shoulders are right on trend in 2010.  I’m also tripping on the right sleeve that includes a fabulous, “hinting at a SPACE CUFF” detail!  Notice when Emily Woods is moving, she knows how to work that body to show off this genius design?

Truthfully, I do find this outfit an odd choice for a classic song like Proud Mary and I wonder why didn’t she go for covering a hot track by Patrick Cowley, but who really cares?  She looks stunning amidst all those disco balls and laser beams, and isn’t that what we all want out of life?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZQO1qWm_wA

Da General APPROVED!

Empire Sparkle Heels: APPROVED!

The press release for these limited edition shoes came out in Spring and the official photos did not do them justice.  On Monday night, I strolled past the GEOX store where these shoes are smartly displayed and I immediately felt lightheaded- stars swooned around my head as a flurry of sparks lit up my eyes! “Sparkle Confusion” soon set in, as I wasn’t sure whether to focus on the fully SEQUINED UPPER SHOE or the RHINESTONE ENCRUSTED HEEL shaped in honor of NYC’s own Empire State Building. What a fabulous tribute and purely magical idea!

The only problem with these shoes- which do I choose?  Leopard, black and purple sequin- all are my favorites and all are APPROVED!

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

FRIDAY IS SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

There’s nothing I don’t love about today’s Sparkle Video- from the opening scene right up to the end- it’s sex on fire!  Lulu is feeling it singing “I Love to Boogie” but we all know what she means. Her divine hotness in that skintight SEQUIN CATSUIT, thanks to a steady diet of carrot sticks, screams MEOW MEOW MEOW! Once her underage dance partner shows up in equally tight pants, high heels and shiny slicked back hair, things really heat up!

Grinding on the dancefloor, surrounded by a circle of strangers rolling around them- it’s just like a scene from Plato’s Retreat… except with clothes!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9cHujCeK48