Artist E.V. Day’s incredible work appears in all the prestigious arts venue, the Whitney Museum of American Art, The Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco Museum of Art, the New York Library…. and most recently Southern Methodist University Meadow School of the Arts.  The Texas-based University is hosting Carmen, Merry Widow and Hats, part of the fourteen suspended sculptures, which encompass Divas Ascending.

The sculptures are fabricated from retired costumes from the New York Opera’s archives, a collection comprised from prominent international opera houses.  Dresses from Carmen and The Merry Widow originate from the Metropolitan Opera and and New York City Opera, respectively.  Hats is made up of pieces from numerous houses.

E.V. Day explains the work specific to Divas Ascending:

“In my art, I use tension to suspend, stretch, and shred garments and to create forms that I liken to futurist abstract paintings in three dimensions.  The challenge… was to do justice to the retired costumes, which still have a majesty and degree of craftsmanship unlike any I’d ever encountered.  I wanted the sculptures to reflect and refract the specific roles the costumes had played.  The interplay between the story of the opera from which each costume came, the moment created by the sculpture, and the physicality of the transformed garment – its materials, its shapes, its colors, floating in this celestial space – is the work that I hope viewers of my installation will appreciate.”

The SMU Meadows Museum hours are 10:00am – 5:00pm from Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00am – 9:00pm on Thursday, and 1:00pm – 5:00pm on Sunday.  There is no charge to view the costume sculptures.  For more information call the museum at 214-768-2516 or visit www.meadowmuseumdallas.org.

Worst Dressed: Mary Kate Olson, Christina Ricci, Lena Dunham, and sadly Beyonce

Channeling Mr. Peanut: Brooke Shields

Best photobomb: Michael Kors.  Honorable mentions: Amy Poehler and Donatella Versace

You are hilarious!  Oh, that dress is for reals, serious?  Amy Poelher

Blue Velvet dominatrix: Ivanka Trump

Something About Mary hair:  Oddly enough, Cameron Diaz

Take me to your leader: Elizabeth Banks

Looks like a napkin on a cruise ship: Christina Ricci

Hip bones doubles as weapons: Anja Rubik

Little House on the Prairie look: SJP

You should know better: Diane von Furstenberg

She is going to the Avenger’s premiere after this: Bianca Brandolini D’Adda

Renee Zellweger

Mary Kate Olson (Photo Credit: Getty)

Diane von Furstenburg (Photo Credit: Getty)

Cameron Diaz (Photo Credit: Getty)

Chelsea Clinton (Photo Credit: Getty)

Kristen Stewart (Photo Credit: Getty)

Rihanna (Photo Credit: Getty)

Kristen Wiig (Photo Credit: Getty)

Sofia Vergara (Photo Credit: Getty)

Sarah Jessica Parker (Photo Credit: Getty)

Kirsten Dunst (Photo Credit: Getty)

Emma Stone (Photo Credit: Getty)

Kanye West (Photo Credit: Getty)

Scarlett Johansson (Photo Credit: Getty)

Christina Ricci (Photo Credit: Getty)

Chloe Sevigny (Photo Credit: Getty)

Bianca Brandolini (Photo Credit: Getty)

Rooney Mara (Photo Credit: Getty)

Hilary Swank (Photo Credit: Getty)

Lea Michelle (Photo Credit: Getty)

Clair Danes (Photo Credit: Getty)

Bruno Mars (Photo Credit: Getty)

Ivanka Trump (Photo Credit: Getty)

Debra Messing (Photo Credit: Getty)

Amy Poehler (Photo Credit: Getty)

Lena Dunham (Photo Credit: Getty)

Vera Wang (Photo Credit: Getty)

Brooke Shields (Photo Credit: Getty)

January Jones (Photo Credit: Getty)

Jessica Alba (Photo Credit: Getty)

Elizabeth Banks (Photo Credit: Getty)

Beyonce (Photo Credit: Getty)

Anna Wintour (Photo Credit: Getty)

Carey Mulligan (Photo Credit: Getty)

Coco Rocha (Photo Credit: Getty)

Lana Del Rey (Photo Credit: Getty)

Let’s say you have your eye on this beautiful David Meister gown that you are dreaming of wearing to your next recital.  But the price tag is a hefty $595, and you are still scraping your pennies together to pay your accompanist.  Well, let me introduce you to your new best friend, Rent the Runway.  With Rent the Runway, you would be able to rent the dress for just $100!

According to Rent the Runway, this is how it works:

Rent the Runway lets you access your dream wardrobe for all of life’s special occasions for up to 90% off retail prices.  Choose current season fashions from over 95 designers for every black tie gala, wedding, date, holiday, or night on the town.   On the hompage, enter the date of your next event, your size and the zip code where you want the dress shipped.  Filter through the available dresses by price, style, occasion, or even body type.  You can also order a back up size for absolutely free, so there is no need to worry about fit and you can order a second style for just $25 for the same dates.  Returning the dress back to RTR is easy and free.  The day after your event just drop our dress in the mail using the handy pre-paid envelope.  RTR takes care of the dry-cleaning!

PS – They do accessories too!

by Joseph Gualtiere

So the ladies had their turn, which means now it’s time for the gents… there are the drably dressed duds and then the dapper and debonair gentlemen. Which would you rather be? Chances are, you’d rather walk the line of the more suave and sophisticated kind of guy, so I’m here to give you some personal style tips to make sure you get the role… and maybe a few phone numbers.

Some basic rules:

Do not wear a tux to an audition. Period.
Your socks should match. They should never be white.
Get it fitted.
Polish your shoes.
Let’s start from the bottom and work our way up.

LET’S GET SOME SHOES!

For real, let’s get some shoes… what kind of shoes are you wearing? Do they match the suit you’re planning to wear? Make it a lace-up! Loafers can come off as casual, and over formal patent leather tux shoes emit an evening vibe. Polish your shoes! No scuffs, ands, or buts!

What color socks are you wearing? NOT white. Ever.

I’ll make this easy and break it down for you:

Black suit- black socks- black shoes/belt… don’t wear all black to an audition. It’s not a funeral. Make them smile, not frown.
Grey suit- black socks- black shoes/belt
Navy suit- grey or navy socks- brown or mahogany shoes/belt
Brown or tan suit- black or tan socks- brown or black shoes/belt
Polish your shoes and wear matching socks.

PUT YOUR PANTS BACK ON!

As for the pant, do yourself a favor, and don’t trip on the way in. The hem of your pant should meet your shoe, not exceed it. The bottom of the pant should not fall so drastically on the top of the shoe that you’ve got a large set of ruffles at the bottom of your leg. Just let it sit on the top of the shoe. Are your pants creased? If so, make sure there is one crease, not two. Sloppy men often hang their pants incorrectly, creasing the pant in a second place, leaving two large creases down one leg.

Don’t let them drag and hang, but let them sit nice and hemmed.

BATTI, BATTI!

Wear a belt. Period. It should match your shoes. Nobody can see suspenders, but there is a chance they can see your belt.  While we’re in this area, is your fly up? Doesn’t hurt to check!

Wear a belt so your pants stay up. You could be sorry.

BUTTON UP!

 Working our way further up, how long is your suit jacket? It should not hang any lower than the bottom of your pocket, and the sleeve of your jacket should cut off at the wrist, so that your hands are visible. It’s best to keep it buttoned during the audition, so if the jacket is too small and you can’t button it, move on and get a new one. If the jacket is so big that you can still fit another person inside after buttoning, it’s too big. Again, time to invest in a new one. The shirt follows the same rules as the jacket, so make sure it fits!  Additionally, don’t forget to button the top button!

Don’t bust buttons. Wear pieces that fit.

DON’T GET TIED DOWN!

Choose the right tie, and make sure it’s tied properly, letting it fall to your belt buckle, but not below it, and make sure it’s not too short. You want to look mature and professional, not young and messy. While bowties are always a fun way to style things up, save them for an afternoon brunch performance, and keep it simple with a nice sleek tie, and even add a matching pocket square.

Tie a nice, clean knot and button up!

CLEAN UP NICELY!

Lastly, be clean-shaven, or trimmed, brush your hair, and tie it back if it’s long. Do what you can to look great, and better yet, feel great!

Get clean.

Most importantly, it is important to reiterate what Christie says in the women’s attire article:

“Never underestimate the power of a good tailor…. that is all.”

How can you translate Spring/Summer 2012 trends into your audition wardrobe?

-       Get a tie clip.

-       Wear a fitted suit, and you’ll be timeless.

-       Choose statement socks, but nothing too distracting.

-       Color block it. If you’re wearing a solid suit, pair it with a boldly different colored shirt, as well as tie and pocket square.

-       Bold colored shirt.

-       Go double breasted.

-       Wear a very neutral colored ensemble, without washing yourself out.

-       Get a blue suit (not navy, but blue).

-       Be bold in a checkered suit.
_____________________________________________________________________

Joseph Gualtiere hails from New York City and is finishing up his degree at The Boston Conservatory, where he studies voice performance with Patty Thom. He is a proud graduate of The Fame School, LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. Joseph has performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, where he sang solo at New York City Opera and Avery Fischer Hall as well as with the New York Philharmonic. He also performed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Merkin Concert Hall. He has been featured on television and at Madison Square Garden as a backup singer for Elton John. While at The Boston Conservatory, Joseph sang in Puccini’s La Rondine, Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi, and Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado. In Boston, he has performed in The Emperor of Atlantis with Boston Lyric Opera, and in Cardillac with Opera Boston. Other opera credits include The Mikado/New York (Nanki-Poo), Pirates of Penzance (Frederic), and a world premiere production of Dido & Aeneas performed with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and Jody Oberfelder Dance Projects. Joseph’s musical credits include The Light In The Piazza (Fabrizio Naccarelli) at Berklee College of Music, Ragtime (Houdini), Fame (Nick Piazza), Bye Bye Birdie (Albert Peterson), Grease (Sonny), A Chorus Line (Greg), West Side Story, and the first revival of City of Angels (Angel City 4), choreographed by Walter Painter, who staged the original Broadway, London, and National Tour productions. He was also granted an award from The Josephine Foundation for Best Male Performance in a production of Once Upon a Mattress (Jester) performed with Jaben USA. Joseph has sung the tenor solo in the Mozart Requiem, in addition to singing with many leading choirs including Grammy Award ® Winning Brooklyn Youth Chorus, National Festival Chorus, Boston Conservatory Chorale, and LaGuardia Symphony Chorus.  Joseph is a Cirio Foundation Scholar, and recipient of the Father Fame Foundation Award.

In fashion, Joseph is the founder and editor-in-chief of Uptempo Magazine, a publication focusing on the artistic collaboration of fashion with the performing and visual arts. Having launched one year ago, Uptempo has been successful in producing high quality publications, shoots, events, and more. For Uptempo’s launch, Joseph partnered the magazine with prestigious companies such as Jimmy Choo, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, and Shreve, Crump & Low jewelers to launch the company with a red carpet entry fashion show at The Liberty Hotel, complete with ballet dancers, a choir, and an aerialist. Later, Joseph hosted the Fashion’s Night Out after party and fashion show, featuring looks by Yigal Azrouel, Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, and Balenciaga. In between all of that, the team has been working together diligently to bring viewers a closer look at both emerging and established artists, designers, brands, and more.

You have taken the time to learn and perfect your arias….. coached the language and musicality…. examined the dramatic context and character’s motivation, but have you taken the time to perfect your attire to complete your presentation?  Attention ladies, this can be one element that is woefully overlooked.  Hopefully, these tips can put you on the right track for success this audition season!

1. Honey, you are not a member of the wedding party… this is an AUDITION!

So Shiny....

Do not show up in your taffeta evening gown or bedazzled cocktail dress.  Any piece that presents excessive amounts of sequins, rhinestones, and/or tulle will not dazzle the audition panel, but could end up reflecting so much excess florescent lighting that it sends them into a downward spiral that ends in a stroke.  Do you want to be responsible for that?

2. This is not your temp job!

Pastels....

You probably have a whole section in your closet designated to office and professional attire.  But beware – this is not the occasion to break out your coral colored, Hillary Clinton inspired pantsuit.  Matchy, matchy monochromatic ensembles just scream Golden Girls and often look and feel restrictive.  You will not be able to embody Carmen with three inch thick shoulder pads impeding your sexy body language and it may instead send you into a Lucia type mad scene.  Which no matter how convincing… is the wrong fach, so no job for you!

3.  You are not Carrie Bradshaw!

Perfect for Suor Angelica?

Which brings us to the topic of footwear.  In real life, I love super high heels! I have hundreds of pairs of shoes that are strappy, hip, open toed, four inches, five inches, platform, double platform and beyond.  However, an audition is not your opportunity to work the runway in your Manolo Blahniks.  Instead, channel the more modest and practical Miranda Priestly.  Wear a lower heel that allows you to move with comfort and ease, but still with style!  For those of you with lingering questions on open-toe styles, that is a whole other Oprah, see that article here!

4. I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly…

V... P... L...

Audition season alone, should not be the catalyst for you to get your undergarments in order.  But if your mother never sat you down to impart this valuable advice, please allow me to break it into subsections for you.

A.   Get your puppies up and out there!  Not in a vulgar way, but in an Anna Netrebko kind of way.  A good fitting bra is invaluable to your silhouette and makes your clothes fit and look better.  Get thee to Nordstroms or Victoria’s Secret for a proper fitting!

B.   Spanx are the key to happiness, do not resist.  These little tubes of wonder are forgiving when the scale is not, they conceal unflattering figure flaws and help us look our best.  PS – Word on the street is Pavarotti wore a man girdle or ace bandages to aid in his breathing, although it is clear this did not work miracles for his figure, in your case it will be a win- win!

C.   Pantyhose – we all hate them, despise them actually, but they present a more polished look.  I resisted over and over again, but finally couldn’t handle being marked down in juries any more for failure to wear them.  So just comply!

D.  VPL (Visible Panty Line) – This is what separates us from the women who shop for clothing at Walmart.  Well, this and the pervasive use of polyester.  Conceal your panty line by either wearing a cut (thong, g-string, what have you) that will not betray your undergarments or conceal them with the use of the aforementioned item in 4.B – yes, in addition to making you look slimmer, helping your appoggio breathing, Spanx will keep your undergarments under wraps.  Seriously, they should give me a couple free pairs for all this promotion.

More volume...

5.  Maybe it’s Maybelline….

This is not the time to try out all the makeup techniques you learned on the pageant circuit.  You don’t want to look like the Glamour Shot you did in high school, but actually like the real you!  You can probably pump up the volume a little bit, maybe make stronger make-up choices, particularly for the eyes.  You could probably do bigger hair – not Ms. Texas big, but a little volumizer couldn’t hurt.  The one hard and fast rule in this category is by any means necessary keep the hair out of your eyes.  This is not a Justin Bieber look-alike contest, so pin it up or spray it back.

6.   Your uniform

Smart... Chic... You're hired!

You should dedicate some time and money to cultivate your ‘audition uniform’.  Your uniform should be assembled using all the tips given thus far and should flatter you (break out the color wheel) and reflect your personal style.  Personally, I have three ‘audition uniforms’, each styled from the best suited undergarments to the accesories to the matching coat and scarf, should the weather demand.  Each style differs depending on the role I am auditioning for.   After all,  I wouldn’t wear the same dress to audition for both Delila and Principessa.  So be aware of the nuances of the characters of your fach and plan accordingly.  When it is time to audition, this is one less thing you have to worry about because your ‘uniforms’ will be clean and ironed in your closet, ready to go at a moment’s notice.

7.  Never underestimate the power of a good tailor…. that is all.

In summation…

There are so many things outside of our control at an audition, from the accompanist butchering your aria, to the terrible lighting, to the hour and half you spent waiting because they were behind schedule, to all the bitchy sopranos playing headgames in the waiting room.  But the way you present yourself and the impression you make is one thing that is within your control and will give you a fighting chance this audition season!  So strap on your Louboutins (the three inch and under ones anyway) and go show them what you got!
_______________________________________________________
Christie Connolley is one of the founders and directors of Operagasm.com. You can learn more about Christie under the ‘About Us’ tab on the top of the page.  Christie welcomes you to comment on her article or email her privately at christie@operagasm.com.

Seriously, what… what… what is going on here?  I pity the fool super who had to wear that costume.  Oh, the Germans….

Have you ever hosted a raging party on a Monday night?  Not even a tame dinner party?  Know why?  Because people have to work on Tuesday morning!  But not New York’s elite, that is why they were all guests at the Metropolitan Opera’s Opening Night Gala for the new production of Manon …. last Monday.
(Photos by Scott Rudd)

At first I thought this was John McEnroe, but no, it is Paul Deneve

Christine Baranski

Why isn't anyone talking to Barbara?

Chloe Moretz

"Why isn't anyone asking me about MY premiere?"

Amber Heard

Emmy Rossum

Patricia Clarkson

Okay, so maybe she had to work on Tuesday, but it is only an hour show....

No other designer has provoked more tears during his career than fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. When he unveiled his very first collection three months after Christian Dior’s death on January 30, 1958, The New York Herald Tribune reported that it was “the emotional fashion binge of all time.” The international fashion community had made the pilgrimage to No.30, Avenue Montaigne, in fearful anticipation of witnessing either the end or the future of haute couture. The 21-year old in turn would be the savior of the French economy.

At the 2012 Yves Saint Laurent “Retrospective” exhibit, at the Denver Art Museum, the co-founder of Laurent’s couture house and life-long partner and friend Pierre Berge was asked the question, “Is fashion art?”  His response was that he believed fashion is not art; however it takes a great artist to create fashion. “Fashion is not art, but fashion needs an artist. Like a true artist, he took inspirations from everyone thus gaining his own hand writing, style and signature.”

Among other notable attendees, Curator of the YSL’s Retrospective Exhibit, author and fashion historian Madame Florence Muller, explained that Denver, Colorado is only one of three locations to hold this timeless experience because the Denver Art Museum is the leader in innovative art as well as fashion theatre. “The architecture of the building helps to understand the contemporary and modest collections. The Yves Saint Laurent’s: The Retrospective is the most important exhibition of the last 40 years of Laurent’s career, with only 2,000 of the 5,000 total collections were specifically chosen to be shown, representing the most pivotal points in the young designers history.”

“Down with the Ritz, long live the streets” was the crown prince’s credo and, with this in mind, Laurent was able to rejuvenate fashion by incorporating elements of the youth culture. After three years in the Dior fashion house, he deliberately outraged his conservative clientele by introducing the Beat Look, which seemed to have burst into his quiet salon straight off the noisy street with black leather jackets, turtleneck sweaters, and short miniskirts, at the time was just altered to be worn slightly above the knee was paid in homage to the rebellious students of the Left Bank of the Seine. As not only a designer but as well as a stylist, Laurent dressed every star from Marilyn Monroe to Pablo Picasso’s daughter, Paloma Picasso. With an infinity for Africa’s art and black women these elements both became the platform for his technique and ideal woman.

During this priceless experience, it indeed was a journey back in time, walking through galleries with different themes from different collections. He was very curious about other cultures, about art. Though not a fan of traveling, his collections clearly took its admirers through time travel, as well as the designer deep into his own conscience. What he was thinking, how he was feeling, experimenting with and without color, for it wasn’t until he traveled the lands of Marrakesh, Morocco did he experience and appreciate color. “I was often scared of color; I expressed myself through the color black because it was the only way I knew how. Color was given to me by Morocco through Morocco and with this gift I was able to find my aesthetic ghosts.” The designer added, “Before I created a collection I try to forget all I’ve learned and all that I’ve seen. It creates too much noise and I am not able to think. It was the act of drawing that made the collection. It is not fashion that makes the collection, but only style.”

He had a great respect for the female body and you see that respect in every dress and garment. Yves took sketches and made them come to life, fitting them to the womanly form. His greatest quality was playing at being a great designer by cutting paper dolls out of news paper. “I always start with the head and face of a woman’s body, and then the dress follows, never knowing exactly what it is I’m drawing. I need the female body.” As a parked emblem on each collection at the end of every runway show, Yves Saint Laurent used a broche as a symbol of giving luck to the collection and love to a woman.

During this self-directed fashion show you walk through as a voice over plays overhead, quoting Laurent, “The most beautiful garments that may clothe a woman are the arms of the man she loves but for those who have not had the chance to find this love and happiness, then I will always be here.” This quote becomes the overarching message of the show. As an ambitious designer as myself, I believe without a doubt that this tribute to the livelihood and legacy of Yves Saint Laurent and his triumphant career will have a tremendous  impact on Colorado’s fashion market as well as its designers and artists. People from all over will thus gain a new respect for the meaning of art, haute couture, woman, love and passion. Long live the streets!

The Denver Art Museum is the exclusive U.S. venue for the The Yves St. Laurent – The Retrospective featured from March 25 – July 8.  Click here for tickets and more information.
__________________________________________________________________

Reared in Aurora, Colorado by a single mother, Alexis Acire Papillion was born into a field of arts and creativity with a “So what, watch me!” fortitude. With her mother, an accomplished vocalist in the operatic and jazz arts, as a constant source of inspiration and support, Alexis Acire has continued her ascend into the world of creative and visual arts. Whether creative writing, painting, dance and modeling or her natural affinity for cutting, mixing and matching prints, fabrics and colors with various cultural traditions she has always excelled in the arts. As a published poet, having had paintings publicly recognized, reaching the semi-finals for Emmy nominated, award winning, “So You Think You Can Dance” or gracing the catwalk her calling is clear—creative and visual arts for life.

Alexis Acire started formalized dance training with Eaglecrest High School Dance Company under Eulanda Shead—currently attending the prestigious London Royal Academy of Dance. Alexis Acire has been a member of Encore Dance Studios under the direction of Brook Marie Casady, the Cleo Parker Robinson Summer Dance Institute under the tutelage of renowned choreographers: Milton Myers, Theodore Jamison and Lawrence Jackson who teach the techniques of Lester Horton, Katherine Dunham and Martha Graham. Alexis Acire has also participated in multiple PULSE Dance conventions, under the direction of hip-hop industry heavyweights: Mia Michaels, Loriann Gibson, Tyce Diorio, Wade Robson, Gil Duldulao and Chris Judd through which she was awarded dance scholarships to attend six additional regional conventions. In 2009, she was accepted to Colorado State University where she majored in dance and trained in Russian ballet and contemporary modern techniques.

In 2011, Alexis Acire Papillion, along with her creative team, formed La Maison de Papillion (The House of Papillion), a fashion house is the culmination and coalescence of her creative talents, her celebration of women and her love of all things—fashion and ideals of cultural inclusiveness. An emerging designer, model, dancer and activist, Alexis Acire will debut her much anticipated fashion line: La Maison de Papillion (The House of Papillion) late Spring 2012!

Alexis Acire is currently in completion of her Bachelor of Art History degree, models with the Justice Talent Agency, a division of The JTA Group, teaches gymnastics at the City of Aurora, Parks and Recreation Department, is an instructor at the Boettcher Boys and Girls Club of Aurora and is a member of L’Alliance Française, a French cultural and arts institute.

Check out all the deets here!

Costume by Mattie Ullrich

- Karl Lagerfeld in recent Harper’s Bazaar interview