Here's The Beef: Lady Gaga's Meat-Dress Designer Debuts Meat Shirt

Now you too can own a piece of Lady Gaga's controversial VMAs meat dress--sorta. Designer Franc Fernandez, the vision behind Gaga's daring choice-cut couture, has released a limited-edition meat shirt for Little Monsters and extreme fashion fans to enjoy. But don't worry, Morrissey: The shirt is just a fabric print of bloody marbled prime, not fashioned from real butcher scraps like Gaga's infamous dress that was lauded, criticized, and debated the world over.
This gives a new meaning to the term "Beefy T,"  huh?
The meat shirts will be available for purchase at Nicola Formichetti's outrageously reflective pop-up shop in New York while supplies last. At the store, Formachetti--Thierry Mugler creative director and Gaga's celebrated stylist--displays the wardrobe from Gaga's "Paparazzi" performance at the 2010 VMAs and archival vintage Versace pieces that she got free range with, and sells everything from spacey Mugler platforms, deadly studded vests, and to-die-for panda-skull rings.

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Fred Perry Releases Amy Winehouse-Designed Collection With Family's Blessing

Following Amy Winehouse's sudden death, British fashion label Fred Perry has decided to move forward with releasing its "Amy Winehouse for Fred Perry Collection" this fall, with the permission of her family. Winehouse had designed two previous seasons for the brand, infusing her pieces with signature retro and rockabilly style. Winehouse had modeled for her first collection for Fred Perry in fall 2010.
Winehouse's father Mitch said of the remaining collections, "Amy loved working on both collections, and would want them to be made available. All the money we make and the donation that Fred Perry will give will go straight into to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which we are setting up to help children and young people in her name." The brand will also make a seasonal donation to the foundation.
The monochromatic collection consists of houndstooth and gingham prints, spins on Fred Perry's signature polo shirt--a design popular with the original 60's British Mod movement--skirts, dresses, belts, and gloves that are unmistakably Winehouse.

It's sweet to know that not only will Winehouse's music live on, but her look as well, via designs in which she was personally involved. A statement on Fred Perry's website reads, "Amy was passionate and dedicated to the collaboration and her signature style is stamped across each piece." Plenty of celebrities have adopted the '50s/'60s retro look (especially since "Mad Men" came on the air), but none ever fully embraced it in the unique way that Winehouse did. Fred Perry is the perfect venue for her designs as an iconic retro-British brand.
Amy Winehouse for Fred Perry Fall '11 is now available online and will soon appear in stores. Her spring '12 collection is finished as well and will also be released by the brand, thus posthumously completing her four-season contract with Perry.

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Lady Gaga And Designer Jean Paul Gaultier Talk Fashion, Image & Stardom: Peep The Trailer!

"Gaga by Gaultier": The one-of-a-kind television special! Fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier gets all Barbara Walters on pop star Lady Gaga in a unique interview airing this fall. The special will kick off the CW Network's fall season and is scheduled just before Spring 2012 Fashion Week (which they show in the fall) begins. This meeting of top-notch fashionista minds is a nice choice for their viewers, particularly since CW airs the fashion-savvy "Gossip Girl" and "America's Next Top Model."

Having never met face-to-face before, Gaga and Gaultier tour his atelier in Paris, peek his latest designs, and chat about art, fashion, stardom, her tight-fisted image control, and the use of "provocation as a marketing tool." Being a person whom Gaga must admire, Gaultier was probably able to get some deeper information and ideas from her than Larry King or other interviewers have. I personally wouldn't mind getting some real tips from her on becoming a mega-brand.

This is a smart move on Gaultier's part to expand his brand's reach to a broader, network-television audience, as distinguished fashion designers and editors are increasingly, and acceptably, taking to the small screen. We've already seen television boost sales for artists like Jennifer Lopez and Blake Shelton due to their judging positions on "American Idol" and "The Voice," respectively. Then again, an album is only about $10 nowadays, while a Gaultier piece can be in the tens of thousands. Maybe a budget line is in the works?

It's endearing to see Gaultier pay homage to Lady Gaga by putting structured shoulders onto his signature Breton-striped sweater. Meanwhile, Gaga's own ensemble is an obvious nod to socialite Daphne Guinness's skunk-striped beehive and flair for macabre couture gowns (calling you out, girl!).

This isn't the first time Gaultier has sidled up to a leading worldwide pop star. Gaultier was the mastermind behind Madonna's Blonde Ambition tour costumes, including her cone-shaped "bullet bra" that became one of her most defining looks. With the myriad of Madonna-Gaga comparisons this year, it's only fair that Gaultier attempt to recapture his pop-world notoriety with Gaga. It's yet to be seen if Gaultier will be able to break through her stylist Nicola Formichetti's hold to custom-make something as iconic for her as he did for Madonna.

Why a particular interest in getting up close and personal with pop stars? It could be because Gaultier cast his own lot in the music game, releasing a pop song in 1989 called "How To Do That." Sadly, he doesn't sing, but clips of him talking about his craft over catchy dance beats and a video collage of flailing models makes for a still-chic glance at fashion's past. I would still absolutely wear any of the amazing looks in his video!

"Gaga By Gaultier" will air Monday, September 12 at 8pm ET on the CW Network.

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