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It was the plunge heard round the world: Jennifer Lopez showed up to the Grammys in 2000 in a watercolor teal Versace dress that dipped down to only Sean-Combs-knew-where.
It was sheer, it was wildly daring, and it marked a seminal moment for the curvy Lopez, who quickly went from Combs' plus-one to megastar in her own right. Even though Jen and Puffy's relationship didn't last (they broke up soon after, thanks in part to drama surrounding the rapper's gun charges), the dress did, and it has a place in fashion history. (Yeah, yeah, Brits. We know you think Liz Hurley's 1994 safety-pin Versace takes the dress cake. But Jen's from the block, so here, she's fashion royalty).
Michelle Obama picks Jason Wu
It was sheer, it was wildly daring, and it marked a seminal moment for the curvy Lopez, who quickly went from Combs' plus-one to megastar in her own right. Even though Jen and Puffy's relationship didn't last (they broke up soon after, thanks in part to drama surrounding the rapper's gun charges), the dress did, and it has a place in fashion history. (Yeah, yeah, Brits. We know you think Liz Hurley's 1994 safety-pin Versace takes the dress cake. But Jen's from the block, so here, she's fashion royalty).
Michelle Obama picks Jason Wu
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It was late 2008 and a 26-year-old designer got the thrill of a lifetime when the most stylish First Lady in a generation appeared on TV wearing his dress.
Jason Wu's star rose instantly that night, as the world started to Google the New York designer who had caught the Golden Fleece: The chance to get his dress on Michelle Obama, the night of the Inauguration. Many designers vied for the prize — submitting sketches, then gowns — but it was the Taiwan-born Wu's that won, an ivory one-shouldered silk chiffon confection embroidered with silver threads, crystals and organza appliqués.
Beyond the thrill of the moment, it was a business breakthrough, too. "You know, it's pushed brand recognition beyond belief," Wu told the News. "Like literally 10 years' worth of work is accelerated."
"Mad Men" brings the '60s back
Jason Wu's star rose instantly that night, as the world started to Google the New York designer who had caught the Golden Fleece: The chance to get his dress on Michelle Obama, the night of the Inauguration. Many designers vied for the prize — submitting sketches, then gowns — but it was the Taiwan-born Wu's that won, an ivory one-shouldered silk chiffon confection embroidered with silver threads, crystals and organza appliqués.
Beyond the thrill of the moment, it was a business breakthrough, too. "You know, it's pushed brand recognition beyond belief," Wu told the News. "Like literally 10 years' worth of work is accelerated."
"Mad Men" brings the '60s back
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Imagine recreating Camelot, one outfit at a time. That's the task that's won costumer Janie Bryant so many awards and accolades for her work on AMC's "Mad Men," which debuted in 2007. The best-dressed show on television features incredible writing and acting — but for style fanatics, those actors may as well stand still and stay mute. The clothes are the real thrill of the show.
In addition to the main characters — the dapper Don Draper, his frosty wife Betty and the va-va-voom Joan Holloway — are between 75 and 200 extras milling about at all times, whom Janie also has to dress, she told Glamour magazine. That's a lot of pencil skirts and suits.
What "Mad Men" has done, more than anything, is put fashion fantasy back on the small screen.
Jason Giambi gives TMI
In addition to the main characters — the dapper Don Draper, his frosty wife Betty and the va-va-voom Joan Holloway — are between 75 and 200 extras milling about at all times, whom Janie also has to dress, she told Glamour magazine. That's a lot of pencil skirts and suits.
What "Mad Men" has done, more than anything, is put fashion fantasy back on the small screen.
Jason Giambi gives TMI
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Oh jeez that was gross. It was a perfectly nice summer day in May 2008 when Jason Giambi insisted on revealing he liked to wear a skimpy gold tiger-striped thong under his Yankee pinstripes. He said it was for good luck. But there was nothing good about that mental image.
We had just been subjected to images of Eliot Spitzer cavorting in his man-socks, and it had taken long enough for that picture to disappear from our addled brains. And then this happened.
He even suggested he had shared the undies with other players, including Johnny Damon and Bernie Williams. Even Jeter joked it had helped him through a hitless streak. Yikes.
Naomi Campbell's in-custody chic
We had just been subjected to images of Eliot Spitzer cavorting in his man-socks, and it had taken long enough for that picture to disappear from our addled brains. And then this happened.
He even suggested he had shared the undies with other players, including Johnny Damon and Bernie Williams. Even Jeter joked it had helped him through a hitless streak. Yikes.
Naomi Campbell's in-custody chic
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Most perps would love to look as good as Naomi Campbell did in March 2006, when she showed up to the local precinct wearing a fur poncho to cover her hand-cuffed wrists. Campbell was arrested for allegedly tossing her bedazzled cell phone at her housekeeper (over a missing pair of jeans, it was rumored).
Lucky for the Brit supermodel, she had plenty of time before the cops hauled her away to gussy up a bit, grabbing the poncho, plus a black cap and a pair of sunglasses. You know, so she wouldn't stand out.
She'd later make crime chic again when making a quick-change after her community service stints to shoot some pix for a W spread. Fashion just has such a sense of HUMOR about these things!
Chelsea Clinton gets a makeover
Lucky for the Brit supermodel, she had plenty of time before the cops hauled her away to gussy up a bit, grabbing the poncho, plus a black cap and a pair of sunglasses. You know, so she wouldn't stand out.
She'd later make crime chic again when making a quick-change after her community service stints to shoot some pix for a W spread. Fashion just has such a sense of HUMOR about these things!
Chelsea Clinton gets a makeover
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It became a familiar refrain: Poor Chelsea Clinton was awkward and gangly, with brace face and unruly hair. You try living out your tween years in the lens of the nation, and then see how that turns out.
Then, about to turn 22, in January 2002, Chelsea got an invite to Donatella Versace's Paris fashion show. And to make sure she was front-row-ready, Donatella gave the former First Daughter the makeover of a lifetime. Versace's own hair and makeup team went on the attack — straight tresses, perfect makeup and a smart pantsuit — and plunked her down next to Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna.
"It was all a bit new to me," she told The Mirror. "I am a bit dazzled by it all, but I loved the show." Today, Chelsea stands out not for her dramatic 'dos, but for her smarts and poise (and that cute fiancé). The hair looked cute for a minute, but we love her just the way she is.
Then, about to turn 22, in January 2002, Chelsea got an invite to Donatella Versace's Paris fashion show. And to make sure she was front-row-ready, Donatella gave the former First Daughter the makeover of a lifetime. Versace's own hair and makeup team went on the attack — straight tresses, perfect makeup and a smart pantsuit — and plunked her down next to Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna.
"It was all a bit new to me," she told The Mirror. "I am a bit dazzled by it all, but I loved the show." Today, Chelsea stands out not for her dramatic 'dos, but for her smarts and poise (and that cute fiancé). The hair looked cute for a minute, but we love her just the way she is.
