Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Is She Ga Ga?

Is She Ga Ga?
Lady Gaga likes to shock with her music and her looks and what better way than with tattoos! Her designs are some of the most sought after body art designs and millions of people copy them. The most unusual thing about Lady Gaga’s tattoos is that they are all on the left side of her body.
Fans of the “fame monster” know that she has a symbol of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament on her left wrist, different types of floral designs on her lower back and a unicorn with the song title “Born this Way” as well as quotes from the German poet Rainer Marie Rilke. Lady Gaga has said that the reason she only has tattoos down the left side of her body is because her Father asked her to keep one side of her body “normal”.

The tattoo of her favourite writer Rainer Maria Riike is written in German and says “Confess to yourself in the deepest hour of the night whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. Dig deep into your heart where the answer spreads its roots in your being, and ask yourself solemnly, Must I write”.

Lady Gaga has three lilies with the words “Tokyo Love” on the back of her left shoulder. The reason for this tattoo is to celebrate the Haus’s collaboration with Japanese photographer Araki. She says Araki photographed her in bondage with ropes and Japanese knots and she says he photographed her soul and not her image. He signed the photos Tokyo Love.
She has a tattoo that was designed by famous artist Kat Von D, it is six red roses with vines that covers parts of her lower back and hips. She also has a tattoo of a unicorn with an extra long horn and the unicorn has a banner around it with a title of one of her albums “Born This Way”. The most well known tattoo of Lady Gaga is the peace sign inside her wrist, she is said to have had the tattoo as a dedication to John Lennon as he was a great inspiration in her life, because he always talked about peace and love.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears
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For most people a tattoo represents a very personal experience that only they know the real meaning of and Britney is no exception. She has around nine tattoos and the choice of her tattoo designs, such as the fairy and the butterfly, is certainly similar to tattoos that thousands of other women have and are not overly unique. She does seem to have a preference for rather small tattoos.
The most famous tattoo that Britney sports is a tattoo of a fairy, located on her lower back. The meaning of a fairy is intended to be childlike behavior, many people think that this particular tattoo is meant to represent her desire to hang onto to her youth. Regardless of what she means it to represent, it is certainly a symbol of youth. Usually, fairies are beautiful creatures that have supernatural powers. A fairy may appear to be lovely, however, they can also have a dark side and falling in love with a fairy can be a deadly affair.

Britney also has a tattoo on her left foot of a butterfly with flowers and a vine and flowers. The butterfly represents fragility and beauty. This is a concept that many women identify with and is a common reason why women choose a tattoo of a butterfly. During one of her most notable breakdowns, Britney got another tattoo. She followed Madonna’s example and had three small characters tattooed in Hebrew on the back of her neck:


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Translation of the characters means “God”. This selection of the Kabbalah word seemed irrational at the time, however, she had been studying Kabbalah when she elected to get the tattoo. She had the tattoo removed in 2008.
Britney also has a tattoo that she may regret. She has a set of small pink dice on her left wrist which were intended to be a matching pair to the blue dice that ex husband Kevin Federline had on his right wrist. The dice usually represent chance, luck, and risk. This may be her way of conveying the risk she was taking in the relationship with Federline by displaying the dice publicly.
Britney has a small tattoo of a flower on her lower stomach. The flower is a Chinese symbol for mystery. This may show her desire to keep her private life away from the prying eyes of the public.
Located on her right hand, Britney has another small tattoo of a five point star. This tattoo symbolizes guidance, protection, and balance and is one of the tattoos that she got when she was having her breakdown. Many believe that the reason for the location of this tattoo was so that she could remind herself regularly of the meaning. She also had a small set of pink and red lips tattooed on her wrist which are known as symbols of love. This is another one of Britney’s tattoos that was done during her crisis and is believed to be her way of giving herself love.

Rihanna’s gangsta style tats

Rihanna’s gangsta style tats
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You’d have thought Rihanna would be the last person to want to have a tattoo personifying violence, given recent events with one time boyfriend Chris Brown. However, the lovely lady has turned up with a discreetly placed handgun tattoo. She apparently had her favourite tattoo artist, Bang Bang, flown from his home in New York to LA for the event.
Bang Bang thinks the gun tattoo represents strength and power, “It’s powerful, it’s protection”, he said. Initially, the plan was to put the tattoo below her shoulders near her armpits but according to him Rihanna changed it to her ribcage because “it takes away from her face. You don’t want to be starting at tats. You want to be staring at her face.” She had initially had two guns drawn on her arms but decided against having them inked as they were too prominent and would interfere with a modelling job she had booked.
The uproar caused by her new tattoo is predictable, with all sorts of media and blogs turning up with the opinion that she is glamourising violence and encouraging handgun use. You could be forgiven for thinking she was espousing gang warfare by having a handgun tattooed when so many yong people are killed and maimed with these all over the world. However, it could also be argued that she has been quite thoughtful in her choice. On the one hand it could be that she views the tattoo as a talisman, protecting her from violence, in much the same way as people wear a cross, another symbol of mortal violence.
In the meantime, ex-boyfriend Chris Brown showed up at an LA tattoo parlour with dancer Natalie Mejia (CW’s Pussycat Dolls Presents: Girlicious reality show)who reckons that Chris Brown is a gentleman. They wouldn’t say what they had done though because it is personal, apparently.
On her MySpace page, Mejia declares: “Love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don’t and believe everything happens for a reason.”

Tattoo Artist Wins Academy Awards of Tattoo Prizes

Tattoo Artist Wins Academy Awards of Tattoo Prizes
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An Evasham-based tattoo artist has just returned from the tattooist’s version of the Oscars with a prestigious award marking him out as one of the best in his profession in the world. Terry Fuller, whose booming business Full On Ink, in Port Street, is defying the credit crunch, attended Rick’s 13th Tattoo Convention in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA, where he beat off stiff competition to win the Top Three Artists’ Choice Best Black and Grey Award.

Eminem Pays Tribute with Proof Tattoo

Eminem Pays Tribute with Proof Tattoo
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Eminem has long since been getting tattoos that tell his life story. He has tattoos of his uncle, his ex-wife, numerous ones of his daughter, and two separate tattoos that make up a whole, of D12, a band which consists of Em and five other band mates. One of these band members, Proof, was killed in a Detroit nightclub in 2006 and Eminem has made mention of this in his new book The Way I Am, which was released just this past month. But Eminem has gone even further than to simply reminisce on Proof and the impact he had on him.

Republican State Offers Free Tattoo Removal on Election Day!

Republican State Offers Free Tattoo Removal on Election Day!
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Phew Boy, so many thoughts on this one are floating out there I am sure. For many Americans, this year’s Presidential election may just be the biggest election of their lifetimes. Who is it going to be? In fact this year’s election may just well receive larger fan fare than the debochle that was once Al Gore’s and George Bush’s. Time will tell. You will find many freebies this year on election day from businesses all over that wish to hand out peace, love, and goodwill amongst fellow Americans. But bet you never guessed you could have your tattoo removed for free all in the name of patriotism, did you?

Pamela Anderson to Remove Tattoos

Pamela Anderson to Remove Tattoos
Celebrity Pamela Anderson, the former Baywatch babe, has decided to get her body art removed in a remarkable move as she blieves her tattoo designs will become an “eyesore” as she gets older.


A close friend revealed that the star is seeing the effects of age and hard living on her body and as her skin becomes softer she feels like her tattoos are becoming less attractable. Anderson, who has designs on her arm and back, wants them in a bid to appear more responsible.

She admitted “I’m not removing tattoos because I’m now a good mom - I’ve always been a good mom. And people with tattoos aren’t any less of a parent.” In 2002, the actress shocked the World by revealing she contracted hepatitis C from sharing a tattoo needle with her former partner Tommy Lee Jones.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Weekend Hot! or Hmm…: Kelis, Ciara, Melanie Fiona

Weekend Hot! or Hmm…: Kelis, Ciara, Melanie Fiona
Happy Monday, Fashion Bombers and Bombshells!

Vuitton here currently regrouping after a long weekend and dreading having to go back to work today, as I’m sure the lot of you can empathize. And it seems a few celebs are in our shoes as well. Moving from pillar to post, the stars were caught by photographers at events or just plain old shopping.

But were they snapped while looking their best, or was it best for a few of their ensembles not to have seen the light of day? You be the judge.



First up is Ciara, who was spotted shopping it up over the weekend at Barney’s New York…


The singer went for a military inspired look with this army green cropped tee, denim cut off shorts and biker boots with a black Givenchy purse slung across her arm. She showed a lot of skin, but she made it work without looking too risque’. A cool and laid back summer look for CiCi. Hot!

Next up is Kim Kardashian, who was all smiles at the launch of her perfume at Macy’s Aventura…

 
The reality starlet donned a colorfully printed Rachel Roy dress, belted at the waist and accented by Christian Louboutin Daffodil platform pumps. Despite the conservative appeal of her outfit, Kim still managed to evoke some sass with the length of the dress hitting right above the knee. The colors and fit complimented her skin tone and figure as well. Hot!

Nicole Richie made her way to Nordstrom on Fashion Island to promote her new collections of Winter Kate and House of Harlow 1960…

 
Sporting a wide brimmed hat, printed blouse, denim cut off shorts, black tights and black booties, the mini mogul didn’t stray from her boho chic predilection. I love how she paired the black tights with the cut offs to dress the look up a bit more without overdoing it. Hot!

 
He rocked all black from head to toe and showed us that rappers can be stylish as well. Despite the lack of color, I liked that there was definitely some thought put into the outfit, especially because of the leather jacket and boots. Fly!

Actress Katerina Graham was also in attendance at the concert…

 
The actress played with her ponytail on the red carpet as she struck a pose. One thing she didn’t strike was a high note with this ensemble. Usually a hit or miss with me, her look here resonated with the latter as there isn’t a focal point with her outfit. Her makeup was too severe for an already severe ensemble: strapped bustier, black shorts, nylon stockings and laced up ankle boots. Hmm…more ComicCon than concert in my opinion.


Melanie Fiona attended The Reveal of the What Is Sexy List hosted by Victoria’s Secret


She wore a sequined white and black dress with platform YSL Tribtoo pumps. Though some may say Melanie skews towards boring, I personally love this look! It’s simple, chic, and hot!

Kelis attended a Uganda Project Fund Raiser Presented By Make Believe in West Hollywood:

 
She wore a boyish top buttoned to the hilt with leather cigarette pants and peep toe pink suede heels. Perhaps certain elements could work separately, but together? Hmm…not sure why she chose this particular combination, especially given her chic predilections. Better luck next time, Kelis!

And last, but not least is Glee star Naya Rivera, who played host at the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards…

 
Another who is usually hit or miss for me surely made me bite my words in the this metallic Camilla & Marc number. The length was a bit conservative, in my opinion for someone her age, but she made it work and it showed how versatile she can be sartorially. Gray suede YSL Trib Too’s completed her simple, yet chic look

Tag, You’re it! Are Fashion and Facebook Making us Broke?

Tag, You’re it! Are Fashion and Facebook Making us Broke?

So this past weekend I attended my college friend’s graduation from medical school. It was a lovely event, so I wanted to look spring pretty.

For the occasion, I hit up Nordstrom Rack and purchased an outfit I loved: a strapless blue cheetah print dress paired with a mirrored gold Michael Kors belt. I loved it so much I ducked photographers all day. When I was finally pulled into a group shot, I complied, only if the photographer agreed not to put the picture on Facebook.


My Ashtyn Birthday Dress, January 12th

Before the age of digital cameras and social media, women could rework and re-wear their favorite outfits without worry. Sure, your friend might remember you wore the same striped tunic to both a picnic and a baby shower, but there was no record–no proof that you dipped back into your closet reserves.


At a Vivienne Westwood Dinner February 21st, wearing my birthday dress from January 12th.
There is absolutely zero shame in wearing the same thing twice or thrice. Michelle Obama notoriously repeats cardigans, belts, and dresses.



But we can’t deny there’s a slight social stigma or shame associated with the dreaded outfit repeat. For one, we’re influenced by celebrity culture, where our favorite stars are almost never spotted repeating. And if they do….the horror.






Who Wore it Better? Kim Kardashian vs. Kelly Rowland vs. Keke Palmer in Rachel Roy Resort 2010

Who Wore it Better? Kim Kardashian vs. Kelly Rowland vs. Keke Palmer in Rachel Roy Resort 2010
Kim Kardashian launched her perfume this past weekend at Macy’s Aventura wearing the same colorful Rachel Roy Resort 2010 dress previously spied on Kelly Rowland and Keke Palmer.



While Kim chose to accessorize hers with her signature Christian Louboutins and a black belt, Kelly paired hers with celery green heels in shiny satin. Keke went the simple route with black pumps, a berry lip, and a smile.







Weekend Beauty Hot! or Hmm…: Tracee Ellis Ross, Ciara, Jordin Sparks

Weekend Beauty Hot! or Hmm…: Tracee Ellis Ross, Ciara, Jordin Sparks

Hope all your weekends were bright and filled with fun things to do. I’m sure finals and graduation prep have many of you tied up, but take solace in knowing summer will be here in just a few weeks!



So let’s get into a few of our fave celebs:


Ciara was beach ready in body, face, and hair as she made some waves in Miami Beach. She’s working the vacation hair, makeup-less look, and the sick body.


Tracee Ellis Ross helped celebrate the opening of her sis Chudney Ross‘ store Books and Cookies. Tracee looks good (but would better as the star of a hot new sitcom—which she totally is coming out with soon) and Chudney has that “my dreams are coming true” glow. Cute.


Then over at Cannes, Rosario Dawson went for an easy breezy minimal look. She pulls off the no-makeup look well, but with such a pretty dress I would have loved to see at least some liner and bronzer.


Olivia was chilling at the taping of the “Love and Hip-Hop” reunion show. Hair and makeup were both perfectly executed. Brava


And finally Jordin Sparks was seen out at a party looking cute as a button signing autographs. I like her makeup but would have loved a creamier lip color formula. Love her brows as always.

This Week in Chic: The Maxim Hot 100 Party, Brandy, Kim Kardashian

This Week in Chic: The Maxim Hot 100 Party, Brandy, Kim Kardashian
Hey all! Vuitton here gearing up for a more exciting weekend that last week’s. I trust all of you are doing the same. But before we get ahead of ourselves, we must take a gander at a few celebs who had us doing double takes this week. The stars were out and about across the globe at events, or just candidly snapped by meandering paparazzi. But they obviously spared no expense when it came to their ensembles.



































Rihanna opted for a simple look this go ’round as she wore a black dress, Miu Miu ostrich leather hobo bag, and nude Louboutin pumps while in Paris. Swizz Beatz spinned a few sets at TAO nightclub in Las Vegas and looked fly while doing so in a gray and black leather jacket and Reebok Kamikaze sneakers from his collaboration with the brand. Apl.d.Ap and Fergie looked amazing as they showed their charitable sides at the Robin Hood Annual Gala. He wore Lanvin sneakers and Fergie donned a pair of Louboutin Daffodil platform pumps. As for Latoya Jackson…it’s nice to see her creative take on colorblocking.