Let's Make Lots Of Money

Kate Moss sat in the front row between photographer Mario Testino and publisher Jefferson Hack, the father of her daughter, Lila Grace at the Burberry show in Milan last week.

The supermodel is preparing to sign a lucrative contract with fashion giant Calvin Klein -- a deal that will reportedly boost her earnings to more than before her little nose powder incident. The grapevine also has it that she has signed deals with Stella McCartney, Virgin Mobile and a host of other well known companies.

The new deal, which Moss' people confirmed with our sources, is thought to be worth close to $2.6 million and comes six months after photographs of Moss allegedly snorting cocaine threatened to end her career.


The fashion house Burberry is also reportedly reversing their decision, offering her $1.8 million for another annual signing.

How's that for a quick turn around...

FYI, "People" just because Kate Moss wears vintage Vivienne Westwood that does not make her a fashion icon.

Also,can someone Please give Naomi Campbell a major substantial contract. She is just as deserving as Ms. Moss if not more so.

And everyone wonders why she's angry. Hell, that makes me want to slap my assistant.

Where's My Phone!

Wake Me Up

Wham! And then it happened.

George Michael arrested. Again!

The singer was first arrested for engaging in a lewd sex act with a undercover police office here in Los Angeles a few yeras back.


George Michael was seen at London’s Hyde Park Corner at 1.50am yesterday.


Police and an ambulance raced to the scene after someone spotted the semi-conscious singer slumped over in his dark Range Rover.

After ensuring the star had no obvious injury, officers breath-tested and searched him. He was then taken into custody.


The police allegedly found cannabis and GHB — a Class C drug known as Liquid Ecstasy.

In the trunk, the police are also said to have found a cache of pornographic material including sex toys and masks.

Can't the man get his "FREAK ON" Damn-It!

We Still Love You, George!

Ordinary People

Kate Beckensale eating and smoking for her life.


What did "Fish Sticks" Gwynnie Paltrow say about Americans again?

It's Not So Bad

Okay, I've taken the test and this is where I'm going.

I always knew that I was going to hell but what level that was always the question.

Eighth Level of Hell - the Malebolge (is the place for me )


Many and varied sinners suffer eternally in the multi-leveled Malebolge, an amphitheatre -shaped pit of despair Wholly of stone and of an iron colour: Those guilty of fraudulence and malice; the seducers and pimps, who are whipped by horned demons; the hypocrites, who struggle to walk in lead-lined cloaks; the barraters, who are ducked in boiling pitch by demons known as the Malebranche. The simonists, wedged into stone holes, and whose feet are licked by flames, kick and writhe desperately. The magicians, diviners, fortune tellers, and panderers are all here, as are the thieves. Some wallow in human excrement. Serpents writhe and wrap around men, sometimes fusing into each other. Bodies are torn apart. When you arrive, you will want to put your hands over your ears because of the lamentations of the sinners here, who are afflicted with scabs like leprosy, and lay sick on the ground, furiously scratching their skin off with their nails. Indeed, justice divine doth smite them with its hammer.

Oh, give me a break, I live in L.A, We're all going to hell! Fish Sticks Paltrow will be there too.

They forgot to include the publicists, reality show personalities (especially the ones that do home improvement) and the people in children's programming.

Click the title and take Dante's Test and see where you're going.

See you in hell, Bozo's waiting.


Ta-Ta for now...

I Have A Dream

I've often had dreams like this one, where I'm running for my life and I'm,...Well... I'm the one with the number.
Welcome to my Matrix.

N-No

Remember when her P/R team and her shameless self promotion made her out to be the hottest living creature on the planet?

Remember what a social climber she was?

Ben Aflec got away by the skin of his teeth but not unscathed by her publicity whoring. She went rebounding to Rat Man ( Marc Anthony) but not before busting up his marriage to The Lady Rat ( whats-her-face, his ex-wife who used to be Ms. Universe).

One of her many down falls has been that she, Jennifer Lopez, breathed too much of her own air.

How sad, very sad... ( shaking my head )

Times have certainly changed. Her face and her hype have much in common these days.

Yes, old, tired and has seen better days.



Jennifer Lopez at the Dolce and Gabbana show in Milan.

She so thinks she's Sophia Loren.

NOT & NEVER! or Never & Not!

N-No, for short.

Mos Def-initely Wrong

Falling behind on child support.

Are We? Yes...Sad but Mos, be true.





A New York judge on Thursday ordered the rapper-actor Mos-Def to make good on $10,000-a-month payments to his estranged wife, Maria Yepes-Smith, to care for the ex-couple's seven- and eight-year-old daughters, the New York Post reports.


Mos, whose real name is Dante Smith, was supposed to start sending the checks on Jan. 1 as part of his divorce settlement from Yepes-Smith, but he has had some cash-flow problems, according to his lawyer. So far, the two checks he has sent so far have fallen short by about $2,000.

With Mos Def having three other kids to care for. "It's the best he can do under the circumstances," the hip-hopster's attorney, Steven Goldfeder, told a Brooklyn court. "He has several children. He's always provided for them."

OOOOOO, No HE Di'NT!

Goldfeder then lobbied Judge Sarah Krauss to reduce the payments for Yepes-Smith, claming she reneged on a promise to home school the girls.

Neither Mos Def nor Maria Yepes-Smith talked to reporters after the hearing. But her lawyer, Karen Blaustein, questioned exactly what business problems Mos Def could have given his film roles in the pipeline, in particular 16 Blocks, a thriller starring Bruce Willis slated to open next month.

A Quiet Thunder

Ladies, Ladies, something is a brewing. I can feel it in my bones. No, it's not my wiccan super senses either. See my profile page on http://www.myspace.com/elbibdratsab. Which leads me to my point. I'm glad I found it right away,(my point that is).

Ladies, don't always believe what you read. I am not a witch, sometimes I'm a real..."Nice Person" says the Rabbi. Thank you Rabbi.

Last night MTV held it's fourth annual TRL awards in NYC. Ashley Simpson, Mariah Carey and a cast of others performed. Mariah's looking a bit round these days.

But Ashley Simpson is the one I'd like to focus on for the moment. Take a good look at the picture of her and notice the scarf that she's wearing. You see it? Sure you do. It's an Alexander McQueen. Pay close attention to the double stripe boarder on the scarf with anchors scattered about. It's a new design of his classic skull scarf.

Now Tootsiesells on eBay, anyone remotely interested in fashion, has come across her post season, still expensive wares to private buyers at some point or another in the past four year period, give or take, (the time that its taken to grow her still growing eBay business).

She is going to use this picture, the one that I have of Ashley Simpson and she will tell you that same old story about it being the last one in the Whole Wide World, Sold Out Across The Globe and she will use that same picture from the Alexander Mcqueen fashion show circa spring/summer 2002.

Don't believe it! All you have to do is call the boutique. The Alexander Mcqueen boutique is located in Chelsea at 417 W. 14th St., New York, NY 10014 near Ninth Ave. 212-645-1797.
They still sells them and they are arriving soon in new colors.

Far be it for me keeping a good business woman down but I thought you should know.

Now that you have the information. Good night and good luck!

Quarter Pounder At The Big Mac

On, one of my many errand runs today, I found myself at The Grove and it wasn't to shop at Abercrombie and Fitch. Admitingly, I was never what you'd call a real customer of theirs anyway. I would always stop in to see if Lara Flynn Boyle was snaking around with her wiener lips or if they had these cargo pants that I liked.

I didn't start jonesing for another pair until mine went AWOL on a trip to NYC. I was never quite proud of the fact that I got them there, anyway. I removed all of the labels with my little red seam rippers after I bought them. If someone asked where I got them I always said "You know I've had them so long I can't remember. They're so old." I got tons of compliments when I wore them.


Now, I hate, no, I LOATH that store after an incident that I had there this summer when I tried to return a pair of cargo pants that never quite fit right. They never made the ones I liked again, being the trend whores and soft porn peddlers that they are. "They're too cool to make brand staples."

It seems that once you exchange an item that you've purchased, even with the receipt, even within a certain time frame, you forfeit the right to a return by the same means as your purchase. They keep your money and give you a store credit. Ninety dollars is a decent chunk of change to give to a store that gives nothing back. It's not a Barney's or a Neiman Marcus in the least bit. They invite me to parties and they know how to treat people.

At Abercrombie they are are great in their own minds and to them, that's what counts, not what the customer thinks. Most of the sales people at the store aren't even familiar with this absurd policy until the computer tells them it's a no, no.

So they couldn't warn you even if they wanted to.

If they'd taken the pair of cargos that I had originally wanted off of the display like I had asked, I wouldn't have had this problem in the first place.

They don't sell display merchandise. Another one of their stupid policies. Can, I tell You how much I HATE THAT COMPANY!

I forgot what I was going to say... I did see, Drea de Matteo having lunch at The Farm. That restaurant is so gross and the food is awful, why on earth she would go there is beyond me.

I had the Tuna Three Ways there once... FISH... Oh that reminds me, I saw CCH Pounder at the Mac store, I was looking for some software and so was she.

All Aboard!!!!!

Get on board the Kabbalah Bus! The Kabbalah Center has a new product to peddle and it in the form of an energy drink. I'm all for that! Wow, now I can have my Patron with my Kabbalah and not feel guilty.

Rabbi Ymmik exclaims "G-d is Great!"

You can say that again, Rabbi! "

Kabbalah Energy Drink comes in regular and sugar-free.

Madonna is Jewish! She just doesn't know it.

Dirty Boy

Heath Ledger Before: He's all fun and games. Life couldn't be better. I do what I want, I say what I want. I run around with dirty finger nails. Kheils gives me all the grooming products I need for FREE but I don't use them. Hell, I barely use soap and water.

























Heath Ledger After: Someone told him that there is a little thing in California called a smoking ordinance. He can't go around smoking in indoor areas of fancy hotels (The Four Seasons) and eateries. I don't care who you are when it comes to my health. Star or not he needs to comply with it. Does he smoke around his baby too?

Bosten Legal

Two weeks ago, Dianna Abdala, a 24-year-old Boston-area attorney, had apparently agreed to work for William Korman.

Then things went sour in a series of last minute e-mails.
Following is their e-mail correspondence, that degenerated into a spat that got e-mailed to various attorneys, publications and "Nightline."

-----Original Message-----
From: Dianna Abdala
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 9:23 PM
To: William A. Korman
Subject: Thank you

Dear Attorney Korman,

At this time, I am writing to inform you that I will not be accepting your offer.

After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that the pay you are offering would neither fulfill me nor support the lifestyle I am living in light of the work I would be doing for you. I have decided instead to work for myself, and reap 100% of the benefits that I sow.

Thank you for the interviews.

Dianna L. Abdala, Esq.

-----Original Message-----
From: William A. Korman
To: Dianna Abdala
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 12:15 PM
Subject: RE: Thank you

Dianna --

Given that you had two interviews, were offered and accepted the job (indeed, you had a definite start date), I am surprised that you chose an e-mail and a 9:30 PM voicemail message to convey this information to me. It smacks of immaturity and is quite unprofessional. Indeed, I did rely upon your acceptance by ordering stationary and business cards with your name, reformatting a computer and setting up both internal and external e-mails for you here at the office. While I do not quarrel with your reasoning, I am extremely disappointed in the way this played out. I sincerely wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

Will Korman

-----Original Message-----
From: Dianna Abdala
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 4:01 PM
To: William A. Korman
Subject: Re: Thank you

A real lawyer would have put the contract into writing and not exercised any such reliance until he did so.

Again, thank you.

-----Original Message-----
From: William A. Korman
To: Dianna Abdala
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 4:18 PM
Subject: RE: Thank you

Thank you for the refresher course on contracts. This is not a bar exam question. You need to realize that this is a very small legal community, especially the criminal defense bar. Do you really want to start pissing off more experienced lawyers at this early stage of your career?

-----Original Message-----
From: Dianna Abdala
To: William A. Korman
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 4:28 PM
Subject: Re: Thank you

bla bla bla

Agent 007

1) Sean Connery
2) Timothy Dalton
3) Pierce Brosnan
4) Rodger Moore

























































Who do you like Better?
I Like Roger Moore. His karate chop was magnificent. He was also campy. Pierce Brosnan was fun too.

Ole Lady Lanvin

I returned these Lanvin sandals. They were too old lady and also made in Spain.
That turned me off completely seeing that they cost, well we won't talk about that... For the price that they were, they should have been made in France.

Elber Albaz probably had them sourced out and made at the Aldo factory.
That's just wrong.

Little Spears

I tried to pick flattering pictures. I really did. Halle Berry was the Hasty Pudding's Woman Of the Year recipient. She received her award on Thursday (see my post, How About A Pudding Pop).


And those of you who know me, know that I really have tried to like Halle Berry.


I tried to be fair but this time she forced my hand.

Those tetas (titties in spanish) look like little spears in her hands. Or those flat rocks they use in massage.

Why, are they in her hands like that?!!

"Ladies" always lift up gently as to support from the bottom middle section where the breast begins to curve upward and cup softly as to accentuate the breasts.

What was I saying Rabbi Ymmik? Oh yes, I was about to answer my own question. She's probbably conveying something important.


And she wonders why know one takes her seriously.

Wow, she is really talentless and lucky all at the same time. Good for her!



Trivia: Did you know that Denise Richards and Halle Berry were separated at birth? Ivana Chubnick (the acting teacher) is their mother.

Halle go buy some Sri Vectin Cream, your stretch marks are showing.

Breaking News!

Well, not really but.. it seems as though everyone was wrong this week about the Tom Cruise/ Katie Holmes break up. It's not that I'm for a break-up.
I just want her to run for her life, that's all.












Meanwhile, with the threat of terrorism and Katie's parents wanting their daughter back, security at the Celebrity Center is tighter than ever, however we did manage to get an illustration of Tom's church badge photo. Sorry it's the best we could do. The paparazzi are terrified of him.























Just Kidding. Did you know... Tom Cruise runs in all of his movies?

Silence

Can't you hear the laughter?


Top photo: Camilla,Duchess of Cornwall with a young goat.
Bottom: The Duchess eating ice cream ( I wonder if it's made from goat's milk )

Wait! Does that goat have a metal plate in his head?

Show Me The Dork

Jesse Metcalf is such a dork.
He wears black ankle socks at the gym... and often wanders around aimlessly looking confused.

A Million Peices of Frey'd Chicken

Writer James Frey really got a batter'n by Oprah. So much so, that I personally felt a little sorry for him. He looked as if he was going to cry. She's such a bully, that one. He looked down right terrified of the big O, all pinned up in her suit with an Elizabethan like collared blouse. She looked like a strange scary bird.

Oprah probably told him that if he didn't appear on the show to explain himself moreover for her to make him look like a Kentucky Frey'd Fool that she would sue him and four generations of him family for everything they were worth.

Just think…there was actually a time when Oprah was fat (only up until recently), with a kinky fro and no friends. She couldn't get invited to a party no matter how much money she donated to charity.

Today outside of her friend Gail King the number of friends she really has is questionable. I hope that she hasn’t fooled herself into thinking that she has been taken in by Hollywood. Because Hollywood is and always has been for sale.

Although, your empire remains Oprah, you sold your journalistic integrity along with your soul a long time ago. Jerry Springer and Oprah covered some of the same topics. AM Chicago, anyone remember that?

Certainly O., you should be able to sympathize with someone writing a book to make money and a possible name for themselves. James Frey wrote a very good book. You said so, yourself. The publishers thought so too. After all he got a multi-book deal.

Seems to me that you have been breathing too much of your own air. Perhaps you have had it too good for too long. You’ve defiantly come along way from your meager beginnings but you seem to have forgotten what life is like for the rest of us.

Hooray, for Bruce Willis, taking up for Mr. Frey. I must say… The way that most people are so quick to agree with her as if she is never wrong is creepy and unsettling.

Oprah’s bullying escapades began last summer with the French luxury brand Hermes.

As a long time customer of the company, I am very disappointed that they apologized about the incident. Hermes had nothing to apologize for. They weren't being racist as she did refer to it as her “CRASH” moment. Your feelings were hurt O., and I can understand that but it was “YOU” who was rude.

Bonjour, the “Clue Phone’s” for you, Oprah.
At your level of the high profile "look at me I have money" game, you shouldn't just show up to a store at closing and expect to be let in to shop.

Perhaps here in America that somehow flies but you forgot that Paris is not a part of the United States although you probably travel there as much as you do any other American city. i.e. New York, Los Angeles or Miami.
You are a visitor in France and you should act accordingly. What you did was rude no matter what country you’re in.

Next time have your assistant make, an appointment for you to shop, if your hours are irregular. I’m sure someone would be glad to come in early or stay late for you.


Is this what “Fish Sticks” (Gwyneth Paltrow) meant when she said something about Americans not being civilized?
See my post: Sofa-King-Re-Tar -Did

You Ain't Jesus

Kanye West is calling for a revised edition of The Bible, because he thinks he should be a character in it.
He says: "I bring up historical subjects in a way that makes kids want to learn about them. I'm an inspirational speaker. I changed the sound of music more than one time... For all those reasons, I'd be a part of the Bible. I'm definitely in the history books already."


I guess, no one ever told him about Mother Teresa. I'd like to know, if he talking about his Time Magazine cover and does he think it's a history book?

Seems to me that someone is letting the fact that he is in the Wikipedia, go to his head. Doesn't the bible say something about humility?

The Wikipedia ( the free on-line encyclopedia that anyone can edit ) needs your help? Please Donate... Especially you Kanye. I know you had your publicist write your page. It's sad but probably true. Press is Press.

You May Be Wrong, You May Be Right

David Lachapelle is not The Fashion Rabbi's favorite person. The Rabbi thinks, well... He can be a bit hissy and he wears pink not to be confused with rose or salmon. I find him a little on the scary side of crazy, myself but sometimes that can be a good thing. I say, at least he's exciting. We both agree that he is one the most prolific photographer of our time.

Now he is suing Ashley and Jessica Simpson for $10,000, for walking away from a photo shoot for Rolling Stone magazine.

He's been quoted by PageSix.com as saying, "They're everything that's wrong with music. Out of everything combined, they're everything wrong with culture, and everything wrong with art, and what we think of as art and musical culture - in one family!

The Simpsons say that, they walked away because they found his demands unsettling. At least I know that I'm not the only one that finds his scary but I also know talent when I see it.

Ashley and Jess, look at it this way at least he didn't ask you to get naked like Liver Lips Knightley and Scarlett JoPlumPson. Now that's image damaging. Girls, read a book. BOTH OF YOU!

See Beached Whale Anyone Feb. 8, 2006

Mi So Hongri...

The Marc Jacobs runway look for Fall 2006

Love the big Hats. To bad it's too hot to wear it now. That's exactly what I wanted to be for Purim, a big mushroom with a handbag.


Perhaps I'll stroll over to Melrose Place (that's were the Marc Jacobs boutiques are located) and place a special order for Rabbi Ymmik and myself.

Green is my favorite color but the gray one is awesome...

Stop It! You're making me hungry.


Marc Jacobs Fashion Week 2006 NYC.
Photos: Macio Madeira
Special Thanks to Style.com

Love Ain't Always Pretty

A Valentine's Day Poem by Elbib

Perhaps he and his girlfriend got matching waxes. He his back and her...

Her snatch!

Happy Valentines Day!

You Need Jesus!

Rachel, you know what you said!!!
Make me so daaaaaaammnnned maaaaaaad ( as I'm rummaging through my Hermes Birkin looking for a pair of pruning shears, but continuing on in my rant) with those big eyebrows that wrap round your head like a Geordi visor. Speaking of which I saw LeVar Burton and his beautiful wife Stephanie, the other day lovely people they are...
Getting back to those brows that need A Constant Gardner. Damone Roberts can't help this one. The Rabbi has a wonderful gardner named Jesus( pronounced Hey-soos).
Edelweisz, you should be ashamed of yourself because yes, if we were smart we'd ship you ass back across the pond and we'd make sure that you stayed there. You're another one that has made a name for yourself by the grace of America allowing you to work and the helping hand of lady luck. You should say prayers of thanks everyday for everything that this country has afforded you. Yes, I know that perhaps, you had a little bit of fame before you got here butt- face "it". Sorry. That one was too easy. Uh oh, The Fashion Rabbi is looking at me a little funny. Whaaaaaaat, my Red String Broke.
Rachel, you have a fiance who's American. "Ladies" this is what I mean..." You Have Got To Start Thinking Before You Speak".
Seems to me the real stupid one is you and of course Gwyenth Paltrow that goes without saying...
Congratulations on your Oscar nomination.

Photo Rachel Weisz by Theo Wargo: Wireimage.com
Photo of LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge "Star Trek" The Next Generation appears Courtesy Gene Trindi, Paramount Studios
Special Thanks to Mickey Dix at MickDixon.blog.com

Check This Out

David LaChapelle "The Fellini of photography" as he's been called by New York Magazine although I don't think he takes himself as seriously and his photos are never contrived. LaChapelle holds a rightful place as one of the most high profile, spectacular and respected photographers of the day. Working mainly in the field of fashion and celebrity, countless VIPs have gone before his hallowed lens, including Britney Spears, Madonna, Naomi Campbell and Paris Hilton. Let's just forget that I mentioned the last one or the first one for that matter. While magazines like Vogue Italia, Vanity Fair, The Face and countless others have used his fantasy imagery and viewer eye candy on their pages for the last decade. OOOOOOOHHHHHH How We Love Him! Lucky No:7 Check it out. The Rabbi's peyyahs need combing. Got's ta go.

http://www.guyhepner.com/content/content.php?loadartistid=7

Is This Really So Bad?...

Mind you,

I searched high and low for this cartoon and I must say I'm rather disappointed. I expected something a little more... How do I say this... Mind-Blowingly funny, Fall Your Ass On The Floor Belly Laugh, Now "Dat's" Comedy uproar. Not!

Seems to me that some of us should develop a sense of humor. People have been make fun of asians, blacks, homosexuals, jews, white men who can't dance or jump, the dumb blonde, Jesus and the French for along time. A certain group not worth mentioning laugh, sing, throw candy and make that annoying squawking sound whenever tragedy befalls a western nation. Say it loud and be proud, "America fuck yeeeeaaah!"

Now Muhammad is just like everybody else. A TARGET!

Welcome Mo, we've been waiting for you.

Straight Out of The PJs

Inventive Fashion Photographs

CHUCK CLOSE, ANNIE LEIBOVITZ, VIK MUNIZ
JANUARY 26 - MARCH 4, 2006
IMAGES

Press Release
Inventive Fashion Photographs
PRESS RELEASE
Inventive Fashion Photographs:
Chuck Close, Annie Leibovitz, Vik Muniz.

January 27 – March 4, 2006.


"Inventive Fashion Photographs – Chuck Close, Annie Leibovitz, Vik Muniz - looks at three unusual fashion shoots done on assignment for mainstream magazines by three of today's leading fine art photographers. Bringing their trademark styles to the exigencies of the editorial assignment – each photographer produced work that represented their own singular vision while expanding the boundaries of the commissioning magazine.

Beginning with W Magazine's September 2003 tribute to Kate Moss – where artists and photographers ranging from Lucien Freud to Bruce Weber worked with Ms. Moss with virtually no restrictions - Chuck Close's unflinching daguerreotype studies of Kate Moss's unmade-up face and body are images that continue to resonate. (It should be noted that these pictures were selected for the exhibition well before Ms. Moss's recent troubles.)

With no clothes, beauty products, or accessories to sell, these pictures are still relevant to fashion as they examine every pore of arguably the most influential model of our day. The dispassionate nature of Close's lens shatters most illusions of natural beauty, but in defying both today's dominant airbrush mentality and the false surface of the fashion and beauty industry Close finds in Moss's face - in critic David Cohen's words: "a kind of defiant white trash beauty that recalls Dorothea Lange's classic depictions of impoverished migrants".

For Close the experience of the shoot was a pleasant surprise. "She wore no makeup; she hadn't combed her hair, and she never even glanced in the mirror. But she said, 'I've had enough pretty pictures made of me.' She understood what it is that I do, and she was perfectly willing to comply."

In December 2003's VOGUE magazine, Annie Leibovitz joined the roster of photographers imagining Alice in Wonderland from Lewis Carroll himself to Richard Avedon, Cindy Sherman, and Anna Gaskell.

Leibovitz's re-staging draws its inspiration from Sir John Tenniel's original illustrations but casts its characters from fashion's own fantastical universe. Thus Natalia Vodanova, who once upon a time helped support her family by selling crates of fruit in Nizhniy Novgorod and now enjoys multi-million dollars contracts with the likes of Calvin Klein and L'Oreal, becomes the new fashionista Alice. Christian Lacroix plays the March Hare, Viktor and Rolf Tweedledum and Tweedledee, and John Galliano the Queen of Hearts.

As in many of Leibovitz's most iconic images the central conceit echoes some aspect of the sitter's fame, but the artifice of the construction is belied by the skill and believability of the execution. These pictures, with their storybook color and artful mix of natural and artificial light (a technique which Leibovitz pioneered) stand as remarkably successful set-pieces in Leibovitz's ongoing body of work.

Vik Muniz's fashion "Pictures of Wire", commissioned by the New York Times Magazine in September, 2004, re-create the line and form of four silhouettes from the Spring 2005 season in re-photographed wire renderings.

Muniz's pictures are playful illusions that twist and redefine our perception of the commonplace and the fantastic. Muniz first sketches an image, then sculpts or composes it out of material not usually associated with the creation of art, and finally creates a photograph of the object he has produced. By drawing The Last Supper with chocolate syrup, or constructing a Van Gogh out of Pantone swatches Muniz flouts artistic convention and high art seriousness. His pictures are never quite what they seem, challenging the viewer to rethink images and their meanings by taking a second glance. As Vince Aletti pointed out in the Village Voice, "[Muniz] has teased the medium mercilessly and with an infectious glee. He makes pictures of pictures -- sly, punning documents that subvert photography by forcing it to record not the natural world but a fiction, a simulation."

In Muniz's wire fashion photographs, we see that what interests him most (and also applies to Close and Leibovitz's work in this show) is the representation of objects rather than the objects themselves, and the dislocation between expectation and fact, imagination and reality.




For further information please contact Danziger Projects at 212 629 6778 or at: info@danzigerprojects.com.

Elbib and The Fashion Rabbi Ymmik say... Check it out. Always down with the PJ's.