Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano and DSquared Fall 2010
It's funny how designers interpret the meaning of "tough" in the runway. Women's Fall 2009 collection was full of it with the undying football shoulders, crazy makeup, and high-flying shoes. It's not the conventional image for tough, but when women deal with things that alter their body, it's really tough (ask anyone who walked in 10-inch Nina Ricci platforms!).
So what's the male version of it? I'm happy to say that the imagination shouldn't go that far. Lo, DSquared, John Galliano and Jean Paul Gaultier gave us the quintessential tough man. The working man. The bloody man. The beat up man. The raw, the primeval, and the dirty.
Perhaps there's a tired feeling to the prototypical man as the "successful" man--the man who bestows the clean suit. But behind closed doors he deals with dirty business; he cheats poverty with, well, more cheating; and he escapes it all with the slightest of wounds.
After what happened to Wall Street, Galleon Group and Bernie Madoff, designers must be utterly sick of all that. They want a clean slate. They want a man with virtue and strength. A man that handles things with his own two hands. He may be bloody beat up from that, but he's honest about it.
Yes, I watched it. I watched it this morning before going to school (thank God for DVR), and forced the tears back. Honestly, I believe the finale really gave closure to the series. Sadly.
My only complaint is that the whole plot is rushed. Back in the old days of Betty, major events happen for a reason. Perhaps this time, the major reason is cancellation. Why, ABC! Why must you cancel this terrific show!
I'm really gonna miss the characters, and everything they contributed. They really are one of the best fictional people I know (and I don't know a lot). Nevertheless, their reach is immense in real life. Goodbye ole chaps!
To watch the series finale, go to Hulu. The last five episodes are available for viewing.
What're you waiting for? Go ahead and relish every Betty-fic moment!
I haven't watched episodes of Ugly Betty in a super long time. Sadly, the series is going to be canceled: the show hasn't had superb ratings lately. Which is weird because there's always a message behind every episode! There is depth to this series; the characters somehow epitomizes modern America because it represents all sorts of people. In addition, the plot is very unsuspecting. There's so many cliffhangers and twists, it's sure to keep your head glued. And the good part is Ugly Betty's producers didn't have to resort to all the sexual canoodling that others showcase.
I will absolutely miss the series. Then again, that means I can catch up on all the drama of seasons past at Mode magazine! The series finale airs next Wednesday, 10 PM Pacific Standard Time at ABC7. Till then, Betty!
My recommendation: "All the World's a Stage" - this episode hits it home with themes of self-identity a.k.a. keeping it real. Of course, there's a ton of laughs too like Amanda's "I peed a little bit." That one cracked me up. To watch the full episode, go to Hulu!
After days of stressing out, I finally had my break!
The hoopla: I ate out with family and friends. And this time, I enjoyed every bite I chewed.
Last week was not like any other because my beloved relatives came over! It's a special occasion when this set of relatives come because they live so far north (think San Jose, California and Canada), and seeing them is such a rarity.
To compensate for lost time we ate at this Chinese restaurant, Ocean Seafood, and chatted it up! I wasn't a fan of the seafood but the little moments I spent with my Canadian cousin is so cool. She is really a worldly person, in the truest sense: she was born somewhere in the Middle East, lived in Hong Kong for years, visits relatives in the Philippines, Pakistan, the United States occasionally, and resides in humble Canada! Talk about traveler status.
Next day on my book is volunteering at church! My group was assigned to teach aerobics exercise to the senior folks, and it was a blast. They said they enjoyed it very much and urged us to do it again (in time, people!). After that, my group ate lunch.
I was thinking along the lines of fast food but little did I know that the group leader wanted to "party it up." So we headed to Alcove (pictured), this trendy cafe/restaurant. The ambiance is absolutely exquisite; it has that outdoorsy, Euro feel similar to French cafes mixed with Cali flair. It's even astounding to know they allow dogs to dine with their masters!
And yes, every bite I ate was so satisfying. Not only did the food fill my stomach, but it gave me an opportunity to relish every moment with people I care.
Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano and DSquared Fall 2010
