MONTGOMERY FRAZIER "The Image Guru" SCRIBES!....... Read What's On The Mind And In The Heart Of New York's Preeminent Image Guru
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
My Night At Crown!
Dear Internet Puppies,
for those of you who're visiting New York, or stuck here during this frigid and rather schizophrenic winter, who wish to discover a chic kind of New York restaurant experience, I highly recommend that you make a concerted effort to try to get into, or try to get a reservation at one of the most sublimely "cool" and terribly elegant restaurants on the UES (Upper East Side) at 81st Street between 5th & Madison, aptly named CROWN. Psst, Madonna had her holiday party there a few weeks ago...CROWN is frequented by the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Phil Donahue, Marlo Thomas, Anna Wintour, blah, blah, blah..... shhhh.... and me.
CROWN is housed in a 1930's townhouse, a stones throw away from the METROPOLITAN MUSEUM. This limestone townhouse was previously owned by former notorious Le Cirque maitre'd, Bruno Jamais, who transformed it into his namesake club, Brunos. Many years ago, Brunos was a swanky, high tone, members-only oasis for the uptown swells who didn't like to mix outside of their own zip codes, I know, because I was one of those lazy swells too, who didn't like venturing downtown, pre-Meat Packing District craze! In fact, I recall once attending an intimate dinner party there for former President, Bill Clinton, oh and did I mention The Gypsy Kings used to perform there on a regular basis? Brunos was terribly HAUTE then and I often made the "scene" with my close pals, Randle Doss, (Donna Karan Boutique Sales Manager) and Steven Jauffrineau, (GM of Andre Balazs's Sunset Beach, on Shelter Island). But towards the end of its rather successful run, it lost its favor with the "smart set" and unfortunately became infiltrated and frequented by more Russian hookers than you'd find in Gorky Park, all surprisingly named Svetlana and Irina, looking for rich, overly tanned, balding, creepy kinda guys from "Boca" (do you get the picture?) who in turn were looking for those same Russian hookers named Svetlana and Irina! They were matches made in chincilla HELL.... exit "The Image Guru".
Fast forward, many years later, enter CROWN, encrusted with taste & style.
It just goes to show you that with the proper sense of sophistication, the right address, an imposing doorman, a renown Chef (John DeLucie) who prepares sumptuous creations, a French maitre'd named Phillipe, some English bartenders, a thriving bar scene, a manorly "old guard" interior in rich stained cherry wood paneling accented with artsy etchings, photographs and paintings, high ceilings, cozy lighting, comfy banquettes, a grand main dining room decorative fireplace, an attentive and personable wait staff and last but not least, a hard to get reservations line. In other words, you can't just walk in off the street and expect to get a table tout suite... unless you're SOMEBODY PROMINENT, or as they say in Vogue and W, A-LISTERS. Be prepared to be turned away if you have the slightest bit of arrogance or attitiude sans sous reservations. But if you have the "look" , are cool, are in the know, spend money with elegance and not vulgarity, have celebrity friends, or are just plain good people who appreciate the sublime elegance of CROWN, then you'll find that you'll be welcome and will definitely fit in and get in just fine! Crass people need not bother...TRUST ME ON THIS!
I considered myself very fortunate to have received a rather coveted "friends and family" invitation to the grand opening & tasting this past Fall. CROWN, which is described as a restaurant-residence, comes to us from John DeLucie (the Waverly Inn/the Lion) and upon entering this jewel, one immediately feels SPECIAL and very New York. My longtime friend, Marc Amadei, who I've literally known since he was a kid, is the dashingly handsome and oh so charming co-owner and one of the Managing Partners. He was kind enough to include me in the select group of New Yorkers (apparently we're considered "influencers") who got the opportunity to be amongst the first to experience CROWN. On that occasion, I took my beautiful gal-pals Randle Doss and Suzanne Latapie, who owns Bistro Chat Noir,(another one of my UES haunts) to accompany me! A fun time was had by all that night and the "magic" at CROWN still continues to enchant me!
BTW The owners are the same owners who own THE LION, DELICATESSEN, CAFETERIA & MAC BAR, all popular downtown restaurants. Like Andre Balazs, the team behind these restaurants have a formula that works; a cool vibe, celebrity sightings, tasteful decors, great service, moderate pricing, delish food, and extensive out of this world wine selections and selectivity in clientele! What more could you ask for as a discerning Manhattanite?
So last night when I called my new chum James Cecil from Cadence Communications, the PR firm that handles the press for The Clinton Foundation, to join me for a holiday cocktail, I thought why not drop in at CROWN? So after a couple of excellent very dry and extremely dirty Grey Goose martinis, I said "James, why don't we just eat here?". "Okay, can we get a table without a reservation? or we can just eat at the bar" he responded....."Are you f---in' crazy?" I snapped, "I never eat at the bar, I just HATE that!" "Let me see if I can coerce them into seating us without a reservation". Now why did I just put my head on the chopping block by suggesting this? What if I couldn't get a table?.....How embarrassing it could be for me, especially with a new work associate. BTW James is in the process of facilitating an interview for me with Chelsea Clinton for the March issue of ZINK Magazine, which I've agreed to be a contributing writer for in 2012, so I didn't want to embarrass myself with him.
So why was I trying to be be a big shot? What if Phillipe, the CROWN's velvet rope wrangler and maitre'd, didn't know me or remember the few times that I'd already been there? Should I mention that I'm a friend of Mark Amadei's? Hmm, a precarious situation, to say the least, and one that could have backfired. But for my sheer balls and "Image Guru" presence, and thanks be to GOD, Phillipe couldn't have been more gracious and accommodating because he deliberately game up to me, whilst we were sipping our martinis at the bar, and welcomed me back and I introduced him to James Cecil! This was a good sign! So I asked Phillipe, "do you think you could squeeze two losers in tonight, without a reservation, s'il vous plait? We're small and won't take up much space and we eat like little mice", I jokingly said. "Of course, but it might a few minutes" he replied. Well my mouth almost fell to the floor in amazement. Thank GOD I'm polite to people, because they will invariably remember you if you're an asshole or pretentious, or just plain tacky! So a lesson for all of you internet puppies, always be polite to the people who can make your lives easier, a gracious disposition and a good "look" does pay off!
"Yes James, we have a table". Now because we literally did come in off the street, so to speak, without a reservation, I thought we would be relegated to some obscure table by the kitchen, or by the stairs down to the toilets in the back room. Off we were ushered to our table which was on a chic deuce banquette, centrally situated in the impressive stained cherry wood main dining room, strategically adjacent to an old friend and MTV ex-pat, Tony DiSanto,(who incidentally was the guy who green lighted the massively successful MTV phenomenom, Jersey Shore). Tony is one of the many investors in CROWN & THE LION and he was hosting what he said was his annual holiday dinner party. His friends included,'Footloose' and 'Rock of Ages' actress and girlfriend to Ryan Seacrest, Julianne Hough, (whom I was introduced to when I walked over to say hello to Tony) NBC's 'Last Call With Carson Daly', Carson Daly, CNN's Anderson Cooper (who incidentally looked pretty darn buff in his tight,white t-shirt) and one of my absolute favorite comediennes, Kathy Griffin, and those were just the faces that I recognized. I deliberately did not ask Ms. Griffin what designer she was wearing as I generally might have done in different circumstances, but she did look flawless, and I didn't look at any of the other dinner guests too because I didn't want to come off like some intrusive "fashionista", galking at Tony's celebrity dinner guests. But, if I'm not correct, I believe that Carson, Anderson and Kathy are all doing some sort of New Year's Eve Countdown show in Times Square. I actually emailed Tony DiSanto today to ask if he was producing Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve Countdown Show, but he wasn't. I guess he's got his hands full with all of the new shows he's producing thru his one year old company, DiGa Production Studio with co-producer Liz Gately and partner Ben Silverman, from Electus and formerly of NBC, whose many accomplishments included 'The Office'.
But back to ME, (haha). James and I caught up and discussed some potential business collaborations, namely the Chelsea Clinton interview for ZINK and ILS:2012:Scotland (International Lifestyle Studio) which is a new creative fashion/lifestyle event that I'm involved with Scottish Industries, scheduled for November 2012. Then we ordered the most delicious dozen oysters, drank our potent martinis, ate the most incredible pasta special, which I can't for the life of me remember what it was called, but it was amazing...oh did I mention it was amazing and then we finished our meal off with a palette cleansing triage of sorbets, which I also can't recall what the flavors were.....maybe I was a bit tipsy...I don't recall...did I mention I was tipsy? hicccup!
By the way, I need to reiterate that our service was superb. In fact, we had all the wait staff, the maitre'd, the hostess and the even the manager (who made the initial suggestion of ordering the excellent what's it called pasta special) coming up to our table asking if we were alright and if we were enjoying our meal! They ALL made us feel very special and very welcoming.....I simply love that place! I give CROWN two thumbs up from "The Image Guru". But then I had a totally positive experience there and they made me look good to my business associate, James Cecil, which I am always appreciative of.
So I would recommend that you make the journey uptown to this quietly situated, UES, 1930's townhouse that houses that most experiential delight, CROWN, a throw back to days of yore, where smart New Yorkers sought smart conversation, in a smart setting, for the smart set. I'll see you at CROWN because their image is just right for me!
So again, do something great for humanity and humanity will do something great for you!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
for those of you who're visiting New York, or stuck here during this frigid and rather schizophrenic winter, who wish to discover a chic kind of New York restaurant experience, I highly recommend that you make a concerted effort to try to get into, or try to get a reservation at one of the most sublimely "cool" and terribly elegant restaurants on the UES (Upper East Side) at 81st Street between 5th & Madison, aptly named CROWN. Psst, Madonna had her holiday party there a few weeks ago...CROWN is frequented by the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Phil Donahue, Marlo Thomas, Anna Wintour, blah, blah, blah..... shhhh.... and me.
CROWN is housed in a 1930's townhouse, a stones throw away from the METROPOLITAN MUSEUM. This limestone townhouse was previously owned by former notorious Le Cirque maitre'd, Bruno Jamais, who transformed it into his namesake club, Brunos. Many years ago, Brunos was a swanky, high tone, members-only oasis for the uptown swells who didn't like to mix outside of their own zip codes, I know, because I was one of those lazy swells too, who didn't like venturing downtown, pre-Meat Packing District craze! In fact, I recall once attending an intimate dinner party there for former President, Bill Clinton, oh and did I mention The Gypsy Kings used to perform there on a regular basis? Brunos was terribly HAUTE then and I often made the "scene" with my close pals, Randle Doss, (Donna Karan Boutique Sales Manager) and Steven Jauffrineau, (GM of Andre Balazs's Sunset Beach, on Shelter Island). But towards the end of its rather successful run, it lost its favor with the "smart set" and unfortunately became infiltrated and frequented by more Russian hookers than you'd find in Gorky Park, all surprisingly named Svetlana and Irina, looking for rich, overly tanned, balding, creepy kinda guys from "Boca" (do you get the picture?) who in turn were looking for those same Russian hookers named Svetlana and Irina! They were matches made in chincilla HELL.... exit "The Image Guru".
Fast forward, many years later, enter CROWN, encrusted with taste & style.
It just goes to show you that with the proper sense of sophistication, the right address, an imposing doorman, a renown Chef (John DeLucie) who prepares sumptuous creations, a French maitre'd named Phillipe, some English bartenders, a thriving bar scene, a manorly "old guard" interior in rich stained cherry wood paneling accented with artsy etchings, photographs and paintings, high ceilings, cozy lighting, comfy banquettes, a grand main dining room decorative fireplace, an attentive and personable wait staff and last but not least, a hard to get reservations line. In other words, you can't just walk in off the street and expect to get a table tout suite... unless you're SOMEBODY PROMINENT, or as they say in Vogue and W, A-LISTERS. Be prepared to be turned away if you have the slightest bit of arrogance or attitiude sans sous reservations. But if you have the "look" , are cool, are in the know, spend money with elegance and not vulgarity, have celebrity friends, or are just plain good people who appreciate the sublime elegance of CROWN, then you'll find that you'll be welcome and will definitely fit in and get in just fine! Crass people need not bother...TRUST ME ON THIS!
I considered myself very fortunate to have received a rather coveted "friends and family" invitation to the grand opening & tasting this past Fall. CROWN, which is described as a restaurant-residence, comes to us from John DeLucie (the Waverly Inn/the Lion) and upon entering this jewel, one immediately feels SPECIAL and very New York. My longtime friend, Marc Amadei, who I've literally known since he was a kid, is the dashingly handsome and oh so charming co-owner and one of the Managing Partners. He was kind enough to include me in the select group of New Yorkers (apparently we're considered "influencers") who got the opportunity to be amongst the first to experience CROWN. On that occasion, I took my beautiful gal-pals Randle Doss and Suzanne Latapie, who owns Bistro Chat Noir,(another one of my UES haunts) to accompany me! A fun time was had by all that night and the "magic" at CROWN still continues to enchant me!
BTW The owners are the same owners who own THE LION, DELICATESSEN, CAFETERIA & MAC BAR, all popular downtown restaurants. Like Andre Balazs, the team behind these restaurants have a formula that works; a cool vibe, celebrity sightings, tasteful decors, great service, moderate pricing, delish food, and extensive out of this world wine selections and selectivity in clientele! What more could you ask for as a discerning Manhattanite?
So last night when I called my new chum James Cecil from Cadence Communications, the PR firm that handles the press for The Clinton Foundation, to join me for a holiday cocktail, I thought why not drop in at CROWN? So after a couple of excellent very dry and extremely dirty Grey Goose martinis, I said "James, why don't we just eat here?". "Okay, can we get a table without a reservation? or we can just eat at the bar" he responded....."Are you f---in' crazy?" I snapped, "I never eat at the bar, I just HATE that!" "Let me see if I can coerce them into seating us without a reservation". Now why did I just put my head on the chopping block by suggesting this? What if I couldn't get a table?.....How embarrassing it could be for me, especially with a new work associate. BTW James is in the process of facilitating an interview for me with Chelsea Clinton for the March issue of ZINK Magazine, which I've agreed to be a contributing writer for in 2012, so I didn't want to embarrass myself with him.
So why was I trying to be be a big shot? What if Phillipe, the CROWN's velvet rope wrangler and maitre'd, didn't know me or remember the few times that I'd already been there? Should I mention that I'm a friend of Mark Amadei's? Hmm, a precarious situation, to say the least, and one that could have backfired. But for my sheer balls and "Image Guru" presence, and thanks be to GOD, Phillipe couldn't have been more gracious and accommodating because he deliberately game up to me, whilst we were sipping our martinis at the bar, and welcomed me back and I introduced him to James Cecil! This was a good sign! So I asked Phillipe, "do you think you could squeeze two losers in tonight, without a reservation, s'il vous plait? We're small and won't take up much space and we eat like little mice", I jokingly said. "Of course, but it might a few minutes" he replied. Well my mouth almost fell to the floor in amazement. Thank GOD I'm polite to people, because they will invariably remember you if you're an asshole or pretentious, or just plain tacky! So a lesson for all of you internet puppies, always be polite to the people who can make your lives easier, a gracious disposition and a good "look" does pay off!
"Yes James, we have a table". Now because we literally did come in off the street, so to speak, without a reservation, I thought we would be relegated to some obscure table by the kitchen, or by the stairs down to the toilets in the back room. Off we were ushered to our table which was on a chic deuce banquette, centrally situated in the impressive stained cherry wood main dining room, strategically adjacent to an old friend and MTV ex-pat, Tony DiSanto,(who incidentally was the guy who green lighted the massively successful MTV phenomenom, Jersey Shore). Tony is one of the many investors in CROWN & THE LION and he was hosting what he said was his annual holiday dinner party. His friends included,'Footloose' and 'Rock of Ages' actress and girlfriend to Ryan Seacrest, Julianne Hough, (whom I was introduced to when I walked over to say hello to Tony) NBC's 'Last Call With Carson Daly', Carson Daly, CNN's Anderson Cooper (who incidentally looked pretty darn buff in his tight,white t-shirt) and one of my absolute favorite comediennes, Kathy Griffin, and those were just the faces that I recognized. I deliberately did not ask Ms. Griffin what designer she was wearing as I generally might have done in different circumstances, but she did look flawless, and I didn't look at any of the other dinner guests too because I didn't want to come off like some intrusive "fashionista", galking at Tony's celebrity dinner guests. But, if I'm not correct, I believe that Carson, Anderson and Kathy are all doing some sort of New Year's Eve Countdown show in Times Square. I actually emailed Tony DiSanto today to ask if he was producing Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve Countdown Show, but he wasn't. I guess he's got his hands full with all of the new shows he's producing thru his one year old company, DiGa Production Studio with co-producer Liz Gately and partner Ben Silverman, from Electus and formerly of NBC, whose many accomplishments included 'The Office'.
But back to ME, (haha). James and I caught up and discussed some potential business collaborations, namely the Chelsea Clinton interview for ZINK and ILS:2012:Scotland (International Lifestyle Studio) which is a new creative fashion/lifestyle event that I'm involved with Scottish Industries, scheduled for November 2012. Then we ordered the most delicious dozen oysters, drank our potent martinis, ate the most incredible pasta special, which I can't for the life of me remember what it was called, but it was amazing...oh did I mention it was amazing and then we finished our meal off with a palette cleansing triage of sorbets, which I also can't recall what the flavors were.....maybe I was a bit tipsy...I don't recall...did I mention I was tipsy? hicccup!
By the way, I need to reiterate that our service was superb. In fact, we had all the wait staff, the maitre'd, the hostess and the even the manager (who made the initial suggestion of ordering the excellent what's it called pasta special) coming up to our table asking if we were alright and if we were enjoying our meal! They ALL made us feel very special and very welcoming.....I simply love that place! I give CROWN two thumbs up from "The Image Guru". But then I had a totally positive experience there and they made me look good to my business associate, James Cecil, which I am always appreciative of.
So I would recommend that you make the journey uptown to this quietly situated, UES, 1930's townhouse that houses that most experiential delight, CROWN, a throw back to days of yore, where smart New Yorkers sought smart conversation, in a smart setting, for the smart set. I'll see you at CROWN because their image is just right for me!
So again, do something great for humanity and humanity will do something great for you!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
A GIFT FROM BILL GATES & MICROSOFT!
WOW! I'm PERPLEXED! I literally just received a large package from BILL GATES & MICROSOFT, well actually Chris Capossela, their Chief Marketing Officer.
What was in it? A Samsung Series 9 Innovation Notebook and a Samsung Focus S Phone and a beautiful frosted and etched glass container.
Me thinks I have Henry Eshelman from Platform Media Group in Los Angeles to thank for this lovely & unexpected holiday gift from MICROSOFT! It pays to be an internet influencer! Now I just have to learn how to use them both!
MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. GATES & MICROSOFT & Henry Eshelman
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
What was in it? A Samsung Series 9 Innovation Notebook and a Samsung Focus S Phone and a beautiful frosted and etched glass container.
Me thinks I have Henry Eshelman from Platform Media Group in Los Angeles to thank for this lovely & unexpected holiday gift from MICROSOFT! It pays to be an internet influencer! Now I just have to learn how to use them both!
MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. GATES & MICROSOFT & Henry Eshelman
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
'Dressed To Kilt' CANCELLED NEXT YEAR! Enter....ILS:2012:SCOTLAND
http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/heritage/historic-sites/dressed_to_kilt_cancelled_next_year_1_2016693
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Happy-Holidays-from-Energy-Up--and-High-Voltage-.html?soid=1104982944699&aid=NMdopH3AFFk
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Happy-Holidays-from-Energy-Up--and-High-Voltage-.html?soid=1104982944699&aid=NMdopH3AFFk
I LOVE ME SOME HIGH VOLTAGE & THE ENERGY UP! Health & Wellness Program!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
I LOVE ME SOME HIGH VOLTAGE & THE ENERGY UP! Health & Wellness Program!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Monday, December 12, 2011
DO YOU FEEL ALONE? SKYPE SOMEONE AND WISH THEM A HAPPY HOLIDAY!
QUOTED AND STOLEN FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE!
"When you feel alone like no one cares, read this because it's absolutely true: Every night, someone thinks about you before they go to sleep. At least 15 people in this world love you. The only reason someone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you. There are at least 2 people in this world that would die for you. You mean the world to someone. Someone that you don't even know exists, loves you. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look. Always remember the compliments you've received. Forget the rude remarks. So, if you are a loving person repost this on your status ♥" (via Poxie Marx)
I LOVE the sentiment behind this quote that my friend from Los Angeles, Bryan Rabin, posted the other night on FACEBOOK and I assume he sourced it or stole it from another internet friend named Poxie Marx ( hopefully an internet nom de plume). I call this internet stealing, "quote usurping", but the sentiment is one that anybody can usurp and pass along to others in their internet communities because it has good intentions behind it, not for any kind of monetary gain or self promoting notoriety!
This time of year, millions of people, myself included, can get rather down and melancholy during a time when every other person you greet on the street, or in the billions of shops and retail outlets who'll want to sell you everything and anything to make their holiday quotas and commissions, are saying "Merry Christmas", or "Happy Holidays" either genuinely or disengenuinely. But the fact is, there are millions of people worldwide who do not necassarily like this time of year, simply because we're either broke ( either in spirit or monetarily) and GOD knows there's so much pressure to give, give, give; or because we may not be that terribly close with our families, or we're ill, or we've gone through bad breakups and our love lives have gone down the tubes, or we've lost loved ones or close friends and we just feel bloody ALONE! It's an age old dilemma and we find ourselves falling into the cliched Scrooge syndrome...bahhhh humbug! I can kinda' relate to many of these scenarios! TRULY dear puppies, you have no idea how many of these categories I fall into!
So the concept conveyed behind this "usurped & viraled quote" actually holds quite true; that someone out there truly does in fact LOVE us and thinks about us, even if we don't realize it, or we just don't wish to admit it, again for whichever reasons!
A longtime and dear friend of mine, the legendary hair stylist extraordinaire, Vivienne Mackinder, used to say to me often when I was convalescing at her and her amazing God-sent husband Hassan's lovely home in Riverhead three years back ( when I was recovering from a nearly lethal bout of pneumonia ), "we all have our pity parties from time to time, but we can't allow them to overpower our joy of life". No truer words have been spoken...but it's damn hard not to fall into the abyss of self-pity and self-isolationism, especially during this "happy, skippy time of the year". Well, I know I can easily slip into a "pity party" mode, and really.... who wants to be around "Debbie Downer" or "Morose Montgomery" during the holiday festivities? ( see how I included myself in that? ) Personally, I don't like be surrounded by that sort of curmudgeon, so why on earth would anyone want to be around me? I don't want to bring them down when they're so genuinely happy and gay ( no pun intended, lol ), so I invariably find myself refraining from playing in all the reindeer games, so to speak! But what I try to do, is keep my sense of humor and wit and look as glamorous as possible in this less than stellar time for me! I do so love to see my GENUINE friends, but they seem to be able to see right through me and know this is an unhappy time for me!( I often tend to wear my heart and my feelings on my Hermes sleeves). Yes I am a contradiction in terms, outwardly fabulous, inwardly bruised and hurt! I don't think I'm that special or unique in this respect because I believe there are far more "holiday blues" wretches who feel the same way as I do than we can ever imagine, or more than society cares to acknowledge.
So I occupy myself with parties galore, or I isolate myself and retreat, or I think to myself, maybe I'll volunteer for a soup kitchen and discover just how bad my life really isn't! Novel ideas, but they don't always work on me and I invariably find myself...DEPRESSED! There are billions of people around the globe who are far worse off than I am, and I do have my health back now, (thank GOD) but there's no consolation in knowing that other people are worse off than I am, (I'm not a sadist bloody hell) But in my sometimes shallow world of fabulousity, most people are generally much better off than I am..or so it seems, however, charity should always begin at home, I say! You can only help others, if you are truly happy and at peace with yourself.
However, there is a certain kind of joy in getting back to basics about what this time of year should represent, the joy of life and living! I do so love the simple things, like skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park, like having a hot tottie by the fireplace and singing Christmas carols, (I was a Madrigal singer you know), and seeing the joy in the eyes of children during this time of year.....and I love seeing CLOSE FAMILIES RE-UNITED IN LOVE and families who MAKE PEACE with one another!
I'm not a malevolent sort mind you, benevolence it my cup of tea, but were it that I should have that kind of family of close unity and undieing love...alas but NO I do not! I would love to be able to spend some time with my family, but the estrangement of some 30 odd years has left my heart iced and thaw it I cannot seem to manage. Therapy you might say, but the scars and wounds of this once child bruised are hard to mend....even for this image guru. As I always say, I'm an image guru....not a saint!
To reinforce the point, I do find solace in the simpler things in life, although many who may know me socially or peripherally, know me to be addicted to the finer things of life, but such is my profession, not my natural disposition! That's why certain sentiments touch me so....and why I respond with the passion, or displeasure of a nobleman; temperamental yet vulnerable at the same time and subject to whim and fancy...my whims and someone else's fancy. lol
I did endulge myself recently, I "sat" ( not literally, but figuratively ) on the computer last night and talked in length via Skype with a close friend from LA, DTJB (that's Downtown Julie Brown for all you monogrammed challenged people) and chatted with her after she and her husband Martin had just finished putting up their X-mas tree, which I watched twirling round and round with it's Spartanly white Christmas lights. Julie was sipping a goblet filled with Sandeman's Port in her smartly appointed, spaceship-like digs, which I've aptly named "Casa Diva" in Marina del Rey. I, in comparison, was slothed in my tiny U.E.S ( Upper East Side, York Ave & 75th to be exact ) pied-a-terr studio apartment lounging in my blue gingham Ralph Lauren pajamas, and were enjoying each others visable video presence as we just sat on Skype having a chinwag ( Julie's English expression for chat) for what seemed like hours. Now you must understand, I truly LOVE JULIE, and Martin her hubby, is a wonderful man TOO and they're so HAPPY together after 10 years of marriage. YIPPEE, see I'm HAPPY for my HAPPY FRIENDS, I'm not jealous or covetous of their wonderful marriage and they don't depress me, they encourage and inspire me. I truly envey them, how's that? I can count her as one of my VERY DEAR & LONGTIME, TRUE FRIENDS ( almost 25 years and counting) and she is 3,000 miles away, but not so far that I can't Skype her....so thanks Skype for the convenience and cost prohibitiveness factor of being able to bring close friends closer, even when we're worlds apart!
This is exactly what this posting is about....there is always someone out there who truly loves you, although they may be far away. So get back to the basics and put things into perspective about what's truly important in your life, not things, but people, health and happiness! Hard things to acquire, but when they're real, they can last a lifetime!
When I saw that quote which opened this posting from Bryan Rabin, via Poxie Marx, via the countless other internet "quote usurpers", I instinctively SMILED and said to myself, "HELL YES"! This sentiment is something I WILL definitely BUY into, especially in this overly-saturated, consumerist mentality, materialistic holiday season and I'll viral it along to others; because there ARE many people who do indeed LOVE ME and think about me and who genuinely wish me well...and as well as you too, my dear internet puppies. So reach out and Skype someone, cuz' you're definitely not alone!
And as I keep blogging, don't be lonely, or a miserably depressed curmudgeon, do something nice and kind for someone in need, and the universe will do something nice and kind for you!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
"When you feel alone like no one cares, read this because it's absolutely true: Every night, someone thinks about you before they go to sleep. At least 15 people in this world love you. The only reason someone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you. There are at least 2 people in this world that would die for you. You mean the world to someone. Someone that you don't even know exists, loves you. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look. Always remember the compliments you've received. Forget the rude remarks. So, if you are a loving person repost this on your status ♥" (via Poxie Marx)
I LOVE the sentiment behind this quote that my friend from Los Angeles, Bryan Rabin, posted the other night on FACEBOOK and I assume he sourced it or stole it from another internet friend named Poxie Marx ( hopefully an internet nom de plume). I call this internet stealing, "quote usurping", but the sentiment is one that anybody can usurp and pass along to others in their internet communities because it has good intentions behind it, not for any kind of monetary gain or self promoting notoriety!
This time of year, millions of people, myself included, can get rather down and melancholy during a time when every other person you greet on the street, or in the billions of shops and retail outlets who'll want to sell you everything and anything to make their holiday quotas and commissions, are saying "Merry Christmas", or "Happy Holidays" either genuinely or disengenuinely. But the fact is, there are millions of people worldwide who do not necassarily like this time of year, simply because we're either broke ( either in spirit or monetarily) and GOD knows there's so much pressure to give, give, give; or because we may not be that terribly close with our families, or we're ill, or we've gone through bad breakups and our love lives have gone down the tubes, or we've lost loved ones or close friends and we just feel bloody ALONE! It's an age old dilemma and we find ourselves falling into the cliched Scrooge syndrome...bahhhh humbug! I can kinda' relate to many of these scenarios! TRULY dear puppies, you have no idea how many of these categories I fall into!
So the concept conveyed behind this "usurped & viraled quote" actually holds quite true; that someone out there truly does in fact LOVE us and thinks about us, even if we don't realize it, or we just don't wish to admit it, again for whichever reasons!
A longtime and dear friend of mine, the legendary hair stylist extraordinaire, Vivienne Mackinder, used to say to me often when I was convalescing at her and her amazing God-sent husband Hassan's lovely home in Riverhead three years back ( when I was recovering from a nearly lethal bout of pneumonia ), "we all have our pity parties from time to time, but we can't allow them to overpower our joy of life". No truer words have been spoken...but it's damn hard not to fall into the abyss of self-pity and self-isolationism, especially during this "happy, skippy time of the year". Well, I know I can easily slip into a "pity party" mode, and really.... who wants to be around "Debbie Downer" or "Morose Montgomery" during the holiday festivities? ( see how I included myself in that? ) Personally, I don't like be surrounded by that sort of curmudgeon, so why on earth would anyone want to be around me? I don't want to bring them down when they're so genuinely happy and gay ( no pun intended, lol ), so I invariably find myself refraining from playing in all the reindeer games, so to speak! But what I try to do, is keep my sense of humor and wit and look as glamorous as possible in this less than stellar time for me! I do so love to see my GENUINE friends, but they seem to be able to see right through me and know this is an unhappy time for me!( I often tend to wear my heart and my feelings on my Hermes sleeves). Yes I am a contradiction in terms, outwardly fabulous, inwardly bruised and hurt! I don't think I'm that special or unique in this respect because I believe there are far more "holiday blues" wretches who feel the same way as I do than we can ever imagine, or more than society cares to acknowledge.
So I occupy myself with parties galore, or I isolate myself and retreat, or I think to myself, maybe I'll volunteer for a soup kitchen and discover just how bad my life really isn't! Novel ideas, but they don't always work on me and I invariably find myself...DEPRESSED! There are billions of people around the globe who are far worse off than I am, and I do have my health back now, (thank GOD) but there's no consolation in knowing that other people are worse off than I am, (I'm not a sadist bloody hell) But in my sometimes shallow world of fabulousity, most people are generally much better off than I am..or so it seems, however, charity should always begin at home, I say! You can only help others, if you are truly happy and at peace with yourself.
However, there is a certain kind of joy in getting back to basics about what this time of year should represent, the joy of life and living! I do so love the simple things, like skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park, like having a hot tottie by the fireplace and singing Christmas carols, (I was a Madrigal singer you know), and seeing the joy in the eyes of children during this time of year.....and I love seeing CLOSE FAMILIES RE-UNITED IN LOVE and families who MAKE PEACE with one another!
I'm not a malevolent sort mind you, benevolence it my cup of tea, but were it that I should have that kind of family of close unity and undieing love...alas but NO I do not! I would love to be able to spend some time with my family, but the estrangement of some 30 odd years has left my heart iced and thaw it I cannot seem to manage. Therapy you might say, but the scars and wounds of this once child bruised are hard to mend....even for this image guru. As I always say, I'm an image guru....not a saint!
To reinforce the point, I do find solace in the simpler things in life, although many who may know me socially or peripherally, know me to be addicted to the finer things of life, but such is my profession, not my natural disposition! That's why certain sentiments touch me so....and why I respond with the passion, or displeasure of a nobleman; temperamental yet vulnerable at the same time and subject to whim and fancy...my whims and someone else's fancy. lol
I did endulge myself recently, I "sat" ( not literally, but figuratively ) on the computer last night and talked in length via Skype with a close friend from LA, DTJB (that's Downtown Julie Brown for all you monogrammed challenged people) and chatted with her after she and her husband Martin had just finished putting up their X-mas tree, which I watched twirling round and round with it's Spartanly white Christmas lights. Julie was sipping a goblet filled with Sandeman's Port in her smartly appointed, spaceship-like digs, which I've aptly named "Casa Diva" in Marina del Rey. I, in comparison, was slothed in my tiny U.E.S ( Upper East Side, York Ave & 75th to be exact ) pied-a-terr studio apartment lounging in my blue gingham Ralph Lauren pajamas, and were enjoying each others visable video presence as we just sat on Skype having a chinwag ( Julie's English expression for chat) for what seemed like hours. Now you must understand, I truly LOVE JULIE, and Martin her hubby, is a wonderful man TOO and they're so HAPPY together after 10 years of marriage. YIPPEE, see I'm HAPPY for my HAPPY FRIENDS, I'm not jealous or covetous of their wonderful marriage and they don't depress me, they encourage and inspire me. I truly envey them, how's that? I can count her as one of my VERY DEAR & LONGTIME, TRUE FRIENDS ( almost 25 years and counting) and she is 3,000 miles away, but not so far that I can't Skype her....so thanks Skype for the convenience and cost prohibitiveness factor of being able to bring close friends closer, even when we're worlds apart!
This is exactly what this posting is about....there is always someone out there who truly loves you, although they may be far away. So get back to the basics and put things into perspective about what's truly important in your life, not things, but people, health and happiness! Hard things to acquire, but when they're real, they can last a lifetime!
When I saw that quote which opened this posting from Bryan Rabin, via Poxie Marx, via the countless other internet "quote usurpers", I instinctively SMILED and said to myself, "HELL YES"! This sentiment is something I WILL definitely BUY into, especially in this overly-saturated, consumerist mentality, materialistic holiday season and I'll viral it along to others; because there ARE many people who do indeed LOVE ME and think about me and who genuinely wish me well...and as well as you too, my dear internet puppies. So reach out and Skype someone, cuz' you're definitely not alone!
And as I keep blogging, don't be lonely, or a miserably depressed curmudgeon, do something nice and kind for someone in need, and the universe will do something nice and kind for you!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Sunday, December 11, 2011
HONESTLY NOW.COM Get To Know A Fab50 Pro, Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Meet an Honestly Now Pro: Montgomery Frazier, "The Image Guru"
By HN News
We sat down with Honestly Now Fab50 Pro, Montgomery Frazier and asked him a few honest questions of our own. Get to know Monty, just one of the many amazing Pros on Honestly Now!
What do you do, and what are you known for?
I am an image expert. Well known in the entertainment, fashion, arts, society, performing arts, business, politics and the internet communities simply as Montgomery Frazier “The Image Guru”. What am I known for? Simply stated, I make things better by evolving the “look” of people, places and things. That encompasses many different professional “hats” from creative director, fashion & life-stylist, tastemaker, influencer, and commentator. I’m known for my common sense, my taste level and my vision & style innovation.
How did you land on your current career?
I really don’t know! Quite by accident I’d have to say, although I’ve always had an affinity for the movies of yester-year. But to be honest, I had absolutely no training to do what I do today, although I would have been a communications major, had I not dropped out of university. So I started off my career at The Hyatt Corporation in Phoenix Arizona, then on to New York where, because of my innovative fashion and stylish “look” I became entrenched in all aspects of fashion and entertainment. I assumed my first position as the Creative Director for the innovative design firm, Parachute, where I was fortunate enough to work with such musical legends as Madonna, Cher, Duran Duran, Peter Gabriel, etc. But I feel that my most well known and publicized stint was as the Fashion Director for MTV from1985-1993, where my muse was none other than the “MTV Icon” Downtown Julie Brown, whom I then followed to work with her as her Fashion Consultant for E! Entertainment TV and so on and so forth.
What’s the most uncomfortable honest truth you’ve ever delivered?
Ahh, there are so many. I try to be kind, but brutally honest, but with compassion for the truth. To list one is almost impossible for me. To tell a loved one that it’s over, maybe that’s on my top ten.
What’s next for you?
To take the message of Montgomery Frazier “The Image Guru” to a television audience…..maybe for Oprah’s Network!
What’s the ONE question someone should ask you on Honestly Now?
Do I have optimism for the future of mankind?
About Montgomery
Montgomery Frazier, the “Image Guru”, created the genre of fashion and style commentary. In the MTV era, he cultivated media darling and MTV icon Downtown Julie Brown. Today, his roster of celebrity clients continue to rely on his soup-to-nuts image management, far beyond clothes. He also serves as Fashion Director at www.MODMagazineOnline.com. Oft-quoted for his opinions about pop culture and lifestyle, he continues making the key calls on what works, what doesn’t, and why.
http://www.montgomeryfrazier.com
Montgomery Frazier on Facebook
Would you like Montgomery’s personal advice and honest answers? Join his Honestly Now network!
Or, go to honestlynow.com and register. Be sure to add him to you fave’s so he knows when you’re asking a question!
By HN News
We sat down with Honestly Now Fab50 Pro, Montgomery Frazier and asked him a few honest questions of our own. Get to know Monty, just one of the many amazing Pros on Honestly Now!
What do you do, and what are you known for?
I am an image expert. Well known in the entertainment, fashion, arts, society, performing arts, business, politics and the internet communities simply as Montgomery Frazier “The Image Guru”. What am I known for? Simply stated, I make things better by evolving the “look” of people, places and things. That encompasses many different professional “hats” from creative director, fashion & life-stylist, tastemaker, influencer, and commentator. I’m known for my common sense, my taste level and my vision & style innovation.
How did you land on your current career?
I really don’t know! Quite by accident I’d have to say, although I’ve always had an affinity for the movies of yester-year. But to be honest, I had absolutely no training to do what I do today, although I would have been a communications major, had I not dropped out of university. So I started off my career at The Hyatt Corporation in Phoenix Arizona, then on to New York where, because of my innovative fashion and stylish “look” I became entrenched in all aspects of fashion and entertainment. I assumed my first position as the Creative Director for the innovative design firm, Parachute, where I was fortunate enough to work with such musical legends as Madonna, Cher, Duran Duran, Peter Gabriel, etc. But I feel that my most well known and publicized stint was as the Fashion Director for MTV from1985-1993, where my muse was none other than the “MTV Icon” Downtown Julie Brown, whom I then followed to work with her as her Fashion Consultant for E! Entertainment TV and so on and so forth.
What’s the most uncomfortable honest truth you’ve ever delivered?
Ahh, there are so many. I try to be kind, but brutally honest, but with compassion for the truth. To list one is almost impossible for me. To tell a loved one that it’s over, maybe that’s on my top ten.
What’s next for you?
To take the message of Montgomery Frazier “The Image Guru” to a television audience…..maybe for Oprah’s Network!
What’s the ONE question someone should ask you on Honestly Now?
Do I have optimism for the future of mankind?
About Montgomery
Montgomery Frazier, the “Image Guru”, created the genre of fashion and style commentary. In the MTV era, he cultivated media darling and MTV icon Downtown Julie Brown. Today, his roster of celebrity clients continue to rely on his soup-to-nuts image management, far beyond clothes. He also serves as Fashion Director at www.MODMagazineOnline.com. Oft-quoted for his opinions about pop culture and lifestyle, he continues making the key calls on what works, what doesn’t, and why.
http://www.montgomeryfrazier.com
Montgomery Frazier on Facebook
Would you like Montgomery’s personal advice and honest answers? Join his Honestly Now network!
Or, go to honestlynow.com and register. Be sure to add him to you fave’s so he knows when you’re asking a question!
HONESTLYNOW.com 'Style On Sunday' Question Of The Day!
Tune in every Sunday as Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru" asks you a
'Style On Sunday' fashion question and wants you to give him your honest answer, only on HONESTLYNOW.COM
'Style On Sunday' fashion question and wants you to give him your honest answer, only on HONESTLYNOW.COM
Friday, December 9, 2011
THE CLINTON FOUNDATION ROCKS LAST NIGHT IN NEW YORK! at http://www.clintonfoundation.org/
My dear internet puppies,
last night in New York was one of those unexpected nights for me that seems to happen only in New York!
Okay where do I start? Well I had made plans to attend a Christmas party that a longtime friend of mine, Sally Randall Brunger from KolDesign, throws every year at the BoConcept Boutique on Madison Avenue. Well I never like to go anywhere by myself, I mean it's just not done as "The Image Guru" because one must always be seen in the company of interesting, talented, beautiful and stylish people, so I called a "new" friend of mine, Marco Santini, ( who's HUGELY HANDSOME and VERY TALENTED ) who happens to be the drummer in the band, SWEET FIX...my newest SWEETest FIX!.....I always like to post that on my FACEBOOK page.
Anyway, Marco was available to come with me to Sally's party at BoConcept and it was like a blast from my past. Many of my once close friends from my madcap 80's and 90's days as one of New York's "downtown darlings" were there! Hmmm, let me recount who was there....the legendary Anita Sarko was DJ-ing, The Village Voice's inimitably witty and very ascerbic Michael Musto who was a co-host, the fabulous photographer/Image and Idea Producer and as she puts it "the original gangsta" Maripol who put Madonna on the style radar with her "BOY TOY" look was there too, along with fashion's Lauren Ezersky and her hubby Warren Schultz, ex-Mario Testino model/muse Dovanna, ex Antonio Lopez model/muse Jane Thorvaldson, downtown PR powerhouse from MAO PR Mauricio Padilla, and on and on and on! The only person seemingly missing from this illustrious downtowners "cool factor" list was Patricia Fields, but then she could have shown up after our departure....but then I do tend to overstate sometimes, but nonetheless, there were some downtown legends there!
After introducing my new, talented "find" Marco to all the people whom I thought he should meet and who were important and also suggesting that he give out his SWEET FIX cds to those same people ( it's called image networking) and being snapped up by Andrew Toth. the PMC photographer du jour many times with many of my ole' friends, refer to PMC website for photos from the event:
http://www.patrickmcmullan.com/site/event_detail.aspx?eid=39632&home=1
Marco informs me that his friend James Cecil, from CADENCE COMMUNICATIONS was doing the public relations for the CLINTON FOUNDATION's fundraiser for The Millenium Network at Terminal 5 (wheew, that was alot to remember). "I'm on the list and we should go to this", he said to me! "Will Bill be there?" I asked flippantly. " I think this is Chelsea's event, so I think she'll be there", Marco replied. "Okay" I obligingly agreed " I love me some Clinton!" So I retrieved my orange corduroy Etro coat and orange Ankar scarf, which I had slung over a fab BoConcept matching colored sectional. "I'm sorry but we're running late for Chelsea Clinton's event, thanks for a wonderful party Sally, I loved seeing you and all my longtime friends. It was like a wonderful, cool 80's revival!" kiss, kiss! And just as we were almost out the door, I saw another lovely face from my past, Adriana Kaegi, who used to be with Kid Creole & The Coconuts, she was one of the "Coconuts" so I took a few minutes to say hello to her and see what she was up to, which is about her new music cd too.
So we're finally out the door and can you believe, it took us almost 20 minutes to catch a cab on Madison and 28th Steet. We got to the Terminal 5 Event Space at 57th & 11th VERY LATE. As we walked in, I heard a very familiar, deep gruffed, Southern drawled voice speaking over a microphone. We entered a large, 2 story performance space, where we were literally BLOCKED by throngs of cell phone recording attendees recording a luminescent figure speaking up onstage....Yes puppies.....it was BILL-the rock star, ex-President of The United States and husband of our current Secretary of State, Hillary... CLINTON. LIVE and IN PERSON! Now I've been in the company of greatness before, but even I WAS EXCITED! There, front and center onstage was BILL CLINTON...DAMN, how cool is that and it was a PACKED HOUSE to boot. I felt like I was at a rock concert because anybody with a smart-phone was recording him, except for me, because I aint' that smart!
Granted, I've been in the company of Mr. Clinton before, ( at a private dinner party at the now defunct, once private club Brunos, which is now Crown ) but I am still a huge fan and massive supporter of all his philanthropic endeavors. But it never ceases to amaze me at how people still react to his mere presence! I swear, if he could legally run for the Presidency today, I think he would win hands down! TRULY! That's how popular and powerful this man still is! He has the ability to raise BILLIONS of dollars to aid many different charities and causes thru The Clinton Foundation and he always brings the light of awareness to whatever he chooses to champion...like his Haiti initiative. This is where Mr. Clinton and I have something in common, me being a Global Advisor for The Luce Foundation's OIWW, (Orphans International Worldwide) a charitable organization for orphans in Haiti. But last night's cause de celebre, The Millemium Network, is apparently his daughter's pet initiative which was what former President Clinton was speaking about. BTW I'm so glad to hear that we all can now see Chelsea on NBC too. Most Americans still LOVE THE CLINTONS, I'm not sorry to say..... and Hillary's kickass speech about equal rights for the LGBT communities at The United Nations General Assembly in Geneva was HISTORICAL! Personally, I can't get enough of The Clintons!
So on with the night, Marco found his contact James Cecil, who invited us to the event. He's the partner in Cadence Communications and handles the public relations for many of The Clinton Foundations's events. Mr. Cecil is an attractive and elegantly looking Macaulay Culkin-esque kinda' guy with a very calming disposition, I mean for a PR person, (which is almost a contradition in terms, lol) who graciously ushered us to one of the VIP areas as we watched Mr. Clinton speak. Unfortunately, we were too late to see Paul Rudd's opening, damn... cuz' I think he's so cool. BTW He was the evening's emcee. But we did get to enjoy The Fray's perfomances of 'You Found Me', 'Heartbeat', 'You Saved A Life' and several of their other Top 40 hits! After The Fray's performance came to a close, Chelsea and Paul Rudd did come back onstage and thanked everyone for coming and supporting The Millenium Network.
At this point, I had squeezed my way up to the front of the stage and recognized an old friend of mine who was standing up on the side of the stage behind the ropes, guarded by HUGE bouncers and secret service men. It was a familiar face that I hadn't seen in almost 15 years, my old friend Billy Evers, who happened to be the event producer of the evening. Wow, is that weird or what? I mean I had no idea I was even going to be at this event and there is my old friend producing the event.. Small world isn't it?
So we all went out afterwards to one of my old haunts, The Standard Grill, where Nils, the restaurant's General Manager, gave us a table, FRONT & CENTER without a reservation! Puppies, I don't mess around! I enjoyed talking with my new acquaintances, James Cecil and his very handsome protogee, Andrew, a very well spoken and elegant former model, who landed himself in the PR side of high finance and world politics with James's PR firm. Interesting converation, philosophizing and rehashing of old memories and experiences, but it was especially nice to reconnect with a dear old friend, Billy Evers, whom I met through another longtime friend and artist, Steven Miller. Both guys I've known since we were young bucks in our twenties being the "fabulous little monsters" that we were in New York in the 80's and 90's. Billy now resides in Boston but travels extensively and is hugely successful in his position as Creative Director for his events planning company, Rafanelli Events. He recanted a story about an event he produced for Marc Jacobs in Provincetown with Debbie Harry.... I did not attend that event....I don't like Provincetown much... but anyway that's another story.
But thanks gentlemen for making this image guru's night, it's great to meet new friends and see some old ones too. And thanks to my protogee, new friend Marco Santini, from the SEXY, NEW, 80's style pop group, SWEET FIX, for allowing me to tag along!
But the reason why I wrote this particular posting was because of The Clinton Foundation's wide reach of philanthropy. I am always happy to support the people who give back to humanity....and THE CLINTON FOUNDATION certainly DOES ROCK, they rock my world and they help to rock many other people in this world. If we could all learn by example.
For information on The Clinton Foundation's Millenium Network, or to make donations, log onto:
http://www.clintonfoundation.org/how-you-can-help/millennium-network
Remember internet puppies, if you do something great for humanity, humanity will do something great for you!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
last night in New York was one of those unexpected nights for me that seems to happen only in New York!
Okay where do I start? Well I had made plans to attend a Christmas party that a longtime friend of mine, Sally Randall Brunger from KolDesign, throws every year at the BoConcept Boutique on Madison Avenue. Well I never like to go anywhere by myself, I mean it's just not done as "The Image Guru" because one must always be seen in the company of interesting, talented, beautiful and stylish people, so I called a "new" friend of mine, Marco Santini, ( who's HUGELY HANDSOME and VERY TALENTED ) who happens to be the drummer in the band, SWEET FIX...my newest SWEETest FIX!.....I always like to post that on my FACEBOOK page.
Anyway, Marco was available to come with me to Sally's party at BoConcept and it was like a blast from my past. Many of my once close friends from my madcap 80's and 90's days as one of New York's "downtown darlings" were there! Hmmm, let me recount who was there....the legendary Anita Sarko was DJ-ing, The Village Voice's inimitably witty and very ascerbic Michael Musto who was a co-host, the fabulous photographer/Image and Idea Producer and as she puts it "the original gangsta" Maripol who put Madonna on the style radar with her "BOY TOY" look was there too, along with fashion's Lauren Ezersky and her hubby Warren Schultz, ex-Mario Testino model/muse Dovanna, ex Antonio Lopez model/muse Jane Thorvaldson, downtown PR powerhouse from MAO PR Mauricio Padilla, and on and on and on! The only person seemingly missing from this illustrious downtowners "cool factor" list was Patricia Fields, but then she could have shown up after our departure....but then I do tend to overstate sometimes, but nonetheless, there were some downtown legends there!
After introducing my new, talented "find" Marco to all the people whom I thought he should meet and who were important and also suggesting that he give out his SWEET FIX cds to those same people ( it's called image networking) and being snapped up by Andrew Toth. the PMC photographer du jour many times with many of my ole' friends, refer to PMC website for photos from the event:
http://www.patrickmcmullan.com/site/event_detail.aspx?eid=39632&home=1
Marco informs me that his friend James Cecil, from CADENCE COMMUNICATIONS was doing the public relations for the CLINTON FOUNDATION's fundraiser for The Millenium Network at Terminal 5 (wheew, that was alot to remember). "I'm on the list and we should go to this", he said to me! "Will Bill be there?" I asked flippantly. " I think this is Chelsea's event, so I think she'll be there", Marco replied. "Okay" I obligingly agreed " I love me some Clinton!" So I retrieved my orange corduroy Etro coat and orange Ankar scarf, which I had slung over a fab BoConcept matching colored sectional. "I'm sorry but we're running late for Chelsea Clinton's event, thanks for a wonderful party Sally, I loved seeing you and all my longtime friends. It was like a wonderful, cool 80's revival!" kiss, kiss! And just as we were almost out the door, I saw another lovely face from my past, Adriana Kaegi, who used to be with Kid Creole & The Coconuts, she was one of the "Coconuts" so I took a few minutes to say hello to her and see what she was up to, which is about her new music cd too.
So we're finally out the door and can you believe, it took us almost 20 minutes to catch a cab on Madison and 28th Steet. We got to the Terminal 5 Event Space at 57th & 11th VERY LATE. As we walked in, I heard a very familiar, deep gruffed, Southern drawled voice speaking over a microphone. We entered a large, 2 story performance space, where we were literally BLOCKED by throngs of cell phone recording attendees recording a luminescent figure speaking up onstage....Yes puppies.....it was BILL-the rock star, ex-President of The United States and husband of our current Secretary of State, Hillary... CLINTON. LIVE and IN PERSON! Now I've been in the company of greatness before, but even I WAS EXCITED! There, front and center onstage was BILL CLINTON...DAMN, how cool is that and it was a PACKED HOUSE to boot. I felt like I was at a rock concert because anybody with a smart-phone was recording him, except for me, because I aint' that smart!
Granted, I've been in the company of Mr. Clinton before, ( at a private dinner party at the now defunct, once private club Brunos, which is now Crown ) but I am still a huge fan and massive supporter of all his philanthropic endeavors. But it never ceases to amaze me at how people still react to his mere presence! I swear, if he could legally run for the Presidency today, I think he would win hands down! TRULY! That's how popular and powerful this man still is! He has the ability to raise BILLIONS of dollars to aid many different charities and causes thru The Clinton Foundation and he always brings the light of awareness to whatever he chooses to champion...like his Haiti initiative. This is where Mr. Clinton and I have something in common, me being a Global Advisor for The Luce Foundation's OIWW, (Orphans International Worldwide) a charitable organization for orphans in Haiti. But last night's cause de celebre, The Millemium Network, is apparently his daughter's pet initiative which was what former President Clinton was speaking about. BTW I'm so glad to hear that we all can now see Chelsea on NBC too. Most Americans still LOVE THE CLINTONS, I'm not sorry to say..... and Hillary's kickass speech about equal rights for the LGBT communities at The United Nations General Assembly in Geneva was HISTORICAL! Personally, I can't get enough of The Clintons!
So on with the night, Marco found his contact James Cecil, who invited us to the event. He's the partner in Cadence Communications and handles the public relations for many of The Clinton Foundations's events. Mr. Cecil is an attractive and elegantly looking Macaulay Culkin-esque kinda' guy with a very calming disposition, I mean for a PR person, (which is almost a contradition in terms, lol) who graciously ushered us to one of the VIP areas as we watched Mr. Clinton speak. Unfortunately, we were too late to see Paul Rudd's opening, damn... cuz' I think he's so cool. BTW He was the evening's emcee. But we did get to enjoy The Fray's perfomances of 'You Found Me', 'Heartbeat', 'You Saved A Life' and several of their other Top 40 hits! After The Fray's performance came to a close, Chelsea and Paul Rudd did come back onstage and thanked everyone for coming and supporting The Millenium Network.
At this point, I had squeezed my way up to the front of the stage and recognized an old friend of mine who was standing up on the side of the stage behind the ropes, guarded by HUGE bouncers and secret service men. It was a familiar face that I hadn't seen in almost 15 years, my old friend Billy Evers, who happened to be the event producer of the evening. Wow, is that weird or what? I mean I had no idea I was even going to be at this event and there is my old friend producing the event.. Small world isn't it?
So we all went out afterwards to one of my old haunts, The Standard Grill, where Nils, the restaurant's General Manager, gave us a table, FRONT & CENTER without a reservation! Puppies, I don't mess around! I enjoyed talking with my new acquaintances, James Cecil and his very handsome protogee, Andrew, a very well spoken and elegant former model, who landed himself in the PR side of high finance and world politics with James's PR firm. Interesting converation, philosophizing and rehashing of old memories and experiences, but it was especially nice to reconnect with a dear old friend, Billy Evers, whom I met through another longtime friend and artist, Steven Miller. Both guys I've known since we were young bucks in our twenties being the "fabulous little monsters" that we were in New York in the 80's and 90's. Billy now resides in Boston but travels extensively and is hugely successful in his position as Creative Director for his events planning company, Rafanelli Events. He recanted a story about an event he produced for Marc Jacobs in Provincetown with Debbie Harry.... I did not attend that event....I don't like Provincetown much... but anyway that's another story.
But thanks gentlemen for making this image guru's night, it's great to meet new friends and see some old ones too. And thanks to my protogee, new friend Marco Santini, from the SEXY, NEW, 80's style pop group, SWEET FIX, for allowing me to tag along!
But the reason why I wrote this particular posting was because of The Clinton Foundation's wide reach of philanthropy. I am always happy to support the people who give back to humanity....and THE CLINTON FOUNDATION certainly DOES ROCK, they rock my world and they help to rock many other people in this world. If we could all learn by example.
For information on The Clinton Foundation's Millenium Network, or to make donations, log onto:
http://www.clintonfoundation.org/how-you-can-help/millennium-network
Remember internet puppies, if you do something great for humanity, humanity will do something great for you!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Thursday, December 8, 2011
What Is "I'm from Driftwood"? Visit I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD at www.imfromdriftwood.com
Yes, that's exactly what I was asking last night when I schlepped my ass down to the Wall Street area, in the pouring rain, to a street that I didn't know even existed (11 Stone Street) to go to an art gallery that I had never heard of (Casa de Costa), to a dinner party/charity fundraiser for an organization that I knew nothing about ( I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD ). WHY? because that's what I do and who I am as "The Image Guru", also because I was asked to "represent" the dot429 website as one of their New York Brand Ambassadors. "What have I gotten myself into?" I thought to myself.
Well, I couldn't find the bloody street and I had to ask several people for directions who happened to be waiting for their buses in the messiness of last night's weather. But when I got to the Casa de Costa Art Gallery, I was immediately greeted by some familiar faces (Dara Avenius, the ebulient PR lady for the event and Steph Watts, my dot429 counterpart and TV producer/reporter/personality) but also by many not so familiar faces who I had never met before, although it was a very well appointed and stylish gathering, all cute by the way (how terribly shallow of me).
Why am I here? I spryly asked and what is I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD? "I'm so sorry, but I haven't a clue about this organization and unfortunately I didn't get a chance to do my homework on this event", I embarrassingly admitted!
But I did graciously compliment the organizers on the art gallery/living space, which was kinda' cool and I absolutely loved the Andrew Wyeth-esque country styled picnic tables all situated in a long "family style" manner. "This is a great space and thank you for inviting me" I said to our host, Nathan Manske, who turned out to be the Founder and Executive Director of I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD, of course I gravitated to the top man, who looked more like a boy, but a very handsome man-boy.
Well fast forward, some Benny Goodman "big band era" tunes, and a few glasses of wine later, we were ushered to our seats for dinner, which was delish! About 25 of us, all respected and credible professionals in the LGBT communities, ( yes, we were asked to introduce ourselves around the tables to the group and identify what we did), listened intently as Nathan gave his "why we are here" speech and explained what I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD was all about, which incidentally I found out was where Nathan was born.
Now you have to understand the reason I initially attended this benefit dinner party was because Richard Klein, the Founder of the uberly chic and very influential LGBTA (which means Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and their Allies) website dot429, asked me to represent his website alongside Steph Watts. This was a very exclusive and intimate, $250 a plate fundraiser for a cause which I knew NOTHING about, but nonetheless I acquiesced, because that's what dot429 Brand Ambassadors and image gurus do, we represent! We incite discussion, we lend support and hopefully network for the good of all parties concerned. We were there as representatives of dot429 to see how we could be involved or spread the word about I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD, hence this posting!
The short story is, I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD is a relatviely new initiative/documentary series which, and I quote, "collects and shares true LGBT stories from all over the world to send a simple yet powerful message to queer youth: you are not alone."
WOW, that truly is a POWERFUL MESSAGE and one that needs to be shared in this age of bullying and anti-gay sentiment. Although the issues of the gay communities seem to be coming to the forefront moreso now than ever before ( citing Hillary Clinton's historical speech about equal rights for the LGBT communities to the United Nations General Assembly in Geneva this past week ), there are still those individuals who feel "isolated" in their rural areas, small towns and sometimes even in large cities across the globe! Enter I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD which gives a forum and a network of comradery to those isolated souls who just want to live their lives in happiness, just a normal life like most straight people enjoy!
Hooray!!!! Now I get why I went out in last night's miserably horrible weather, all the way downtown to a street I'd never heard of, for an organization I knew nothing about....to help people....and I'm damn glad I ventured out.
But I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD could be I'M FROM EVERYWHERE! In fact, the personal accounts, from the people interviewed in this documentary, are from gay folks all over the world, saying "you are not alone". I'M FROM COLORADO SPRINGS, I'M FROM KANSAS CITY, I'M FROM GUAYAQUIL, QUAYAS, ECUADOR, I'M FROM SULPHUR, IA and on and on and on. Actual unscripted accounts and life stories from real gay people all over the globe telling stories about their childhoods, coming of age and coming out stories, their first crushes, issues with their families, their early years, their loves, relationships and encounters and many other issues which matter to them as gay human beings, proving they are definitely not alone! "We are everywhere, we are everyone's sons, daughters, fathers and mothers, hairdressers, entertainers, athletes, plumbers, yoga instructors, teachers, priests, truckers, CEOs, bikers and bankers, from all walks of life! DO YOU GET IT NOW? We are not aliens, we are YOU and you are US! We love, we laugh, we breathe, we bleed, we conquer, we live, we die... just like you... because we are you and you are us!"
A POWERFUL message which needs to be supported! So if you feel you'd like to make a generous donation to I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD, then please feel free!
Just log onto their website at: www.imfromdriftwood.com
That's all for now folks and remember, do something good for humanity and humanity will do something good for you!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Well, I couldn't find the bloody street and I had to ask several people for directions who happened to be waiting for their buses in the messiness of last night's weather. But when I got to the Casa de Costa Art Gallery, I was immediately greeted by some familiar faces (Dara Avenius, the ebulient PR lady for the event and Steph Watts, my dot429 counterpart and TV producer/reporter/personality) but also by many not so familiar faces who I had never met before, although it was a very well appointed and stylish gathering, all cute by the way (how terribly shallow of me).
Why am I here? I spryly asked and what is I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD? "I'm so sorry, but I haven't a clue about this organization and unfortunately I didn't get a chance to do my homework on this event", I embarrassingly admitted!
But I did graciously compliment the organizers on the art gallery/living space, which was kinda' cool and I absolutely loved the Andrew Wyeth-esque country styled picnic tables all situated in a long "family style" manner. "This is a great space and thank you for inviting me" I said to our host, Nathan Manske, who turned out to be the Founder and Executive Director of I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD, of course I gravitated to the top man, who looked more like a boy, but a very handsome man-boy.
Well fast forward, some Benny Goodman "big band era" tunes, and a few glasses of wine later, we were ushered to our seats for dinner, which was delish! About 25 of us, all respected and credible professionals in the LGBT communities, ( yes, we were asked to introduce ourselves around the tables to the group and identify what we did), listened intently as Nathan gave his "why we are here" speech and explained what I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD was all about, which incidentally I found out was where Nathan was born.
Now you have to understand the reason I initially attended this benefit dinner party was because Richard Klein, the Founder of the uberly chic and very influential LGBTA (which means Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and their Allies) website dot429, asked me to represent his website alongside Steph Watts. This was a very exclusive and intimate, $250 a plate fundraiser for a cause which I knew NOTHING about, but nonetheless I acquiesced, because that's what dot429 Brand Ambassadors and image gurus do, we represent! We incite discussion, we lend support and hopefully network for the good of all parties concerned. We were there as representatives of dot429 to see how we could be involved or spread the word about I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD, hence this posting!
The short story is, I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD is a relatviely new initiative/documentary series which, and I quote, "collects and shares true LGBT stories from all over the world to send a simple yet powerful message to queer youth: you are not alone."
WOW, that truly is a POWERFUL MESSAGE and one that needs to be shared in this age of bullying and anti-gay sentiment. Although the issues of the gay communities seem to be coming to the forefront moreso now than ever before ( citing Hillary Clinton's historical speech about equal rights for the LGBT communities to the United Nations General Assembly in Geneva this past week ), there are still those individuals who feel "isolated" in their rural areas, small towns and sometimes even in large cities across the globe! Enter I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD which gives a forum and a network of comradery to those isolated souls who just want to live their lives in happiness, just a normal life like most straight people enjoy!
Hooray!!!! Now I get why I went out in last night's miserably horrible weather, all the way downtown to a street I'd never heard of, for an organization I knew nothing about....to help people....and I'm damn glad I ventured out.
But I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD could be I'M FROM EVERYWHERE! In fact, the personal accounts, from the people interviewed in this documentary, are from gay folks all over the world, saying "you are not alone". I'M FROM COLORADO SPRINGS, I'M FROM KANSAS CITY, I'M FROM GUAYAQUIL, QUAYAS, ECUADOR, I'M FROM SULPHUR, IA and on and on and on. Actual unscripted accounts and life stories from real gay people all over the globe telling stories about their childhoods, coming of age and coming out stories, their first crushes, issues with their families, their early years, their loves, relationships and encounters and many other issues which matter to them as gay human beings, proving they are definitely not alone! "We are everywhere, we are everyone's sons, daughters, fathers and mothers, hairdressers, entertainers, athletes, plumbers, yoga instructors, teachers, priests, truckers, CEOs, bikers and bankers, from all walks of life! DO YOU GET IT NOW? We are not aliens, we are YOU and you are US! We love, we laugh, we breathe, we bleed, we conquer, we live, we die... just like you... because we are you and you are us!"
A POWERFUL message which needs to be supported! So if you feel you'd like to make a generous donation to I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD, then please feel free!
Just log onto their website at: www.imfromdriftwood.com
That's all for now folks and remember, do something good for humanity and humanity will do something good for you!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
THE WHITE WOLF NAMED NEWT
Now that the pack of jackels & hyenas is waning and falling by the wayside, a new, stronger, fiercer, but older predator leaps to the forefront to rip the throats out of the weak and downtrodden.
Can it be that this "white wolf named Newt" will spare the children left alone in the streets, destitute and without shelter? Me thinks not! For tis their folley they carry not the golden seeds of prosperity!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Can it be that this "white wolf named Newt" will spare the children left alone in the streets, destitute and without shelter? Me thinks not! For tis their folley they carry not the golden seeds of prosperity!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
SWEET FIX 'FM RADIO' Official Video Now on YOUTUBE!
SWEET FIX 'FM RADIO'
These boys are HOT, SEXY & DAMN GOOD MUSICIANS!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
These boys are HOT, SEXY & DAMN GOOD MUSICIANS!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Monday, December 5, 2011
I Love BILLBOARD.COM Because of Downtown Julie Brown's New Show, TMI (The Music Insider)
I love Billboard.com now because of Downtown Julie Brown's new show, TMI
(The Music Insider)
Watch her LIVE every Thursday, 3PM EST only on Billboard.com
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
http://links.mkt1459.com/servlet/MailView?ms=Mzc2NjMwNjgS1&r=MTIwMDA3MzUzNTUS1&j=MTIxNjk4NDMxS0&mt=1&rt=0
(The Music Insider)
Watch her LIVE every Thursday, 3PM EST only on Billboard.com
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
http://links.mkt1459.com/servlet/MailView?ms=Mzc2NjMwNjgS1&r=MTIwMDA3MzUzNTUS1&j=MTIxNjk4NDMxS0&mt=1&rt=0
Sunday, December 4, 2011
WHAT'S GOING ON? Video On YouTube
Dear internet puppies,
WOW! You've got to watch this video, because it literally brought me to tears. Why? Because this was once me! So I can totally relate to the anguish I see in this poor kid's face! His tears are REAL and his crying out for help is REAL, all the way down to the mispelled words on his cue cards. It's tragic that he felt the need to reach out over the internet in his plea for help and compassion
When I was a kid in the last century, I was a bit of a cliche; a smart kid who was very introspective, softspoken, a non-violent sort of child. Early in my life I was also bullied by ASSHOLES who liked to prey on my mild mannered disposition, simply because I didn't believe in violence, or aspire to be a THUG, or maybe just because I was cute and smart! They called me names, (homo, faggot, queer, even when I didn't know what those words meant) just like this kid.... Ahhh, but I had the wherewithal to endure, just like this kid seems to want to do too. But really.....bullies and bullying represent one of the ugliest aspects of humanity!
Is bullying normal?....well it has been ever since I was a kid and probably it has been throughout history. I guess it's human nature.... again the bad side of human nature, the strong preying on the weak! Is it right....HELL NO! Do kids have to take it as children?.....HELL NO, they shouldn't have to! Do many? Unfortunately YES and their lives are made miserable and sometimes unendurable, some times to the point of being suicidal, hence this kid's video, which prompted this image guru's social commentary.
BUT I DIDN'T TAKE IT FOR TOO MANY YEARS! I learnt relatively early enough in my life that my intellect, my sense of humor and my popularity with the opposite sex invariably always got me out of alot of potentially unpleasant and dangerous situations with BULLIES!
Plus I learned to excel in sports like track, gymnastics, hockey & soccer, so my physique became formidable. Plus I took some marshall arts because I decided that I wouldn't take anymore SHIT FROM ANYBODY and this was all done on my own initiative....cuz' I was just plain tired of being messed with!
But some kids simply aren't built that way, they're fragile and gentle spirits, like sparrows & doves and in the words of Lady GaGa they're "just born that way". But for some strange reason of fate they always seem to be targets for the jocks or "popular kids" who detest anyone else other than their pinhead carbon-copy selves! To me, these "popular" and "social" bullies are in fact anti-social and have probably learned the nasty habit of bullying from their parents! As parents can also sometimes DO NOTHING to shield their children from their tormenters, simply because the children were too membarrassed to tell their parents! As was my case, because I kinda' had to learn to fend for myself by participating in various sports and extra-curricular activities because I was simply too embarrassed to tell anyone. However, when I saw this video on FACEBBOOK from a friend's posting from YouTube, I was overcome with emotions from some very early traumatic experiences from BULLIES!
So my dear internet puppies remember.... we can't all be Goliath-esque..... but we certainly can learn to be David! Remember also that many of the once bullied "nerds", who took the strength that they had to acquire to overcome their school day "hell years" many times parlayed that strength into a future of success! I'm sure that Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were at one point, bullied!
So be kind to the weak and the meek, for they shall surely inherit the earth! PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdkNn3Ei-Lg&feature=share
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
WOW! You've got to watch this video, because it literally brought me to tears. Why? Because this was once me! So I can totally relate to the anguish I see in this poor kid's face! His tears are REAL and his crying out for help is REAL, all the way down to the mispelled words on his cue cards. It's tragic that he felt the need to reach out over the internet in his plea for help and compassion
When I was a kid in the last century, I was a bit of a cliche; a smart kid who was very introspective, softspoken, a non-violent sort of child. Early in my life I was also bullied by ASSHOLES who liked to prey on my mild mannered disposition, simply because I didn't believe in violence, or aspire to be a THUG, or maybe just because I was cute and smart! They called me names, (homo, faggot, queer, even when I didn't know what those words meant) just like this kid.... Ahhh, but I had the wherewithal to endure, just like this kid seems to want to do too. But really.....bullies and bullying represent one of the ugliest aspects of humanity!
Is bullying normal?....well it has been ever since I was a kid and probably it has been throughout history. I guess it's human nature.... again the bad side of human nature, the strong preying on the weak! Is it right....HELL NO! Do kids have to take it as children?.....HELL NO, they shouldn't have to! Do many? Unfortunately YES and their lives are made miserable and sometimes unendurable, some times to the point of being suicidal, hence this kid's video, which prompted this image guru's social commentary.
BUT I DIDN'T TAKE IT FOR TOO MANY YEARS! I learnt relatively early enough in my life that my intellect, my sense of humor and my popularity with the opposite sex invariably always got me out of alot of potentially unpleasant and dangerous situations with BULLIES!
Plus I learned to excel in sports like track, gymnastics, hockey & soccer, so my physique became formidable. Plus I took some marshall arts because I decided that I wouldn't take anymore SHIT FROM ANYBODY and this was all done on my own initiative....cuz' I was just plain tired of being messed with!
But some kids simply aren't built that way, they're fragile and gentle spirits, like sparrows & doves and in the words of Lady GaGa they're "just born that way". But for some strange reason of fate they always seem to be targets for the jocks or "popular kids" who detest anyone else other than their pinhead carbon-copy selves! To me, these "popular" and "social" bullies are in fact anti-social and have probably learned the nasty habit of bullying from their parents! As parents can also sometimes DO NOTHING to shield their children from their tormenters, simply because the children were too membarrassed to tell their parents! As was my case, because I kinda' had to learn to fend for myself by participating in various sports and extra-curricular activities because I was simply too embarrassed to tell anyone. However, when I saw this video on FACEBBOOK from a friend's posting from YouTube, I was overcome with emotions from some very early traumatic experiences from BULLIES!
So my dear internet puppies remember.... we can't all be Goliath-esque..... but we certainly can learn to be David! Remember also that many of the once bullied "nerds", who took the strength that they had to acquire to overcome their school day "hell years" many times parlayed that strength into a future of success! I'm sure that Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were at one point, bullied!
So be kind to the weak and the meek, for they shall surely inherit the earth! PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdkNn3Ei-Lg&feature=share
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
HonestlyNow.com 'Style On Sunday' Question Of the Day! What Kind Of Carrie Bradshaw Shoe Freak Are You?
http://honestlynow.com/q/ZCWaxS
I WANT TO KNOW!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
I WANT TO KNOW!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
MODMagazineOnline.com November-December 2011 Issue
MODMagazineOnline features the best of the best in the worlds of hair, beauty and fashion.
Check it out TODAY!
http://hairdesignertv.com/mod/
Check it out TODAY!
http://hairdesignertv.com/mod/
Image Guru Saves Under-Served Through Dance! Featured On Dot49.com
http://dot429.com/articles/2011/11/16/image-guru-saves-under-served-through-dance
I'm very proud of this feature article in 429Magazine on the dot429 website. It depicts my passion for dance and how that passion helped under-priveleged kids in the inner-cty bourroughs of New York.
My association with The Edward Morgan Ballet was brief, but it was a worthwhile experience for me!
Read on dear puppies!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
I'm very proud of this feature article in 429Magazine on the dot429 website. It depicts my passion for dance and how that passion helped under-priveleged kids in the inner-cty bourroughs of New York.
My association with The Edward Morgan Ballet was brief, but it was a worthwhile experience for me!
Read on dear puppies!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Saturday, December 3, 2011
MODMagazineOnline.com
Check out the newest issue of ModMagazineOnline.com TODAY!
See what the "best of the best" are doing and saying in the hair/beauty and fashion worlds!
Montgomery Frazier "The IMage Guru"
See what the "best of the best" are doing and saying in the hair/beauty and fashion worlds!
Montgomery Frazier "The IMage Guru"
Dr. KLEIN
http://blogs.news.sky.com/americanpie/Post:1867c5c5-5637-4d87-9059-262ca7b3a46d
Montgomery Frazier "The image Guru"
Montgomery Frazier "The image Guru"
SWEET FIX 'FM RADIO'
SWEET FIX is one of my new finds, or should I say they found me! Marco Santini, the drummer from the band, found me on a subway platform in Chelsea in Manhattan, coming home from a GMHC charity event that featured the fashions of Jean Paul Gaultier, Thom Browne, Sally LaPointe & Zang Toi. I was carrying a red book of about the legendary Diana Vreeland and Mr. Santini recognized me from a book that I happened to be featured in a few years back, entitled, 'Style File: The World's Most Elegantly Dressed' by Ike Ude, published by Harper Collins.
Marco came up to me (a little disconcerting, at first) and complimented me on my long brown velvet Etro great coat, which I had strategically thrown over my shoulders. He was extremely polite and ever so respectful (and hugely handsome too). He engaged me in a brief conversation whilst waiting for the train and inside the subway car too. After I introduced myself to him and he to me, he coyly admitted to recognizing me from that book which I had been featured in (Style File) and he graciously gave me a copy of their newest cd, 'FM RADIO'! I obviously was thrown aback, but flattered nonetheless and you know what, he found my website from Google (apparently I'm the only Image Guru named Montgomery Frazier in the world) and he emailed me the very next day! We started a form of correspondence, which led me to his group, SWEET FIX. After hearing their sound and seeing their video for 'FM RADIO' I've had a SWEET FIX-ation for the group ever since and they've been rising in viewers on YouTube for the last few weeks since our meeting. Thank you very much!
SWEET FIX reminds me of the pop boy-band groups of the early 80's! A fresh and uncluttered, yet very retro 80's sound with influences from bands like Cheap Trick, Foo Fighters, or a punk verion of The Flame, according to Mark Okon. The SWEET FIX lead singer, Tommy Walker, reminds me of a cross between Billy Idol and Keith Flint, the lead singer of The Prodigy. Marco Santini, Sweet Fix's drummer, looks like Kevin Richardson from The Backstreet Boys. But regardless of whatever influences or whomever they happen to remind me of personally, the band happens to be a very SEXY group of accomplished and talented young musicians with a penchant for COLOR...and I LOVE COLOR TOO and hot, sexy, boy-bands too!
'FM RADIO' their newest single release, is climbing on YouTube! I see a bright future for SWEET FIX.
Enjoy 'FM RADIO'.
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jCJWgpyMKY&feature=share
Marco came up to me (a little disconcerting, at first) and complimented me on my long brown velvet Etro great coat, which I had strategically thrown over my shoulders. He was extremely polite and ever so respectful (and hugely handsome too). He engaged me in a brief conversation whilst waiting for the train and inside the subway car too. After I introduced myself to him and he to me, he coyly admitted to recognizing me from that book which I had been featured in (Style File) and he graciously gave me a copy of their newest cd, 'FM RADIO'! I obviously was thrown aback, but flattered nonetheless and you know what, he found my website from Google (apparently I'm the only Image Guru named Montgomery Frazier in the world) and he emailed me the very next day! We started a form of correspondence, which led me to his group, SWEET FIX. After hearing their sound and seeing their video for 'FM RADIO' I've had a SWEET FIX-ation for the group ever since and they've been rising in viewers on YouTube for the last few weeks since our meeting. Thank you very much!
SWEET FIX reminds me of the pop boy-band groups of the early 80's! A fresh and uncluttered, yet very retro 80's sound with influences from bands like Cheap Trick, Foo Fighters, or a punk verion of The Flame, according to Mark Okon. The SWEET FIX lead singer, Tommy Walker, reminds me of a cross between Billy Idol and Keith Flint, the lead singer of The Prodigy. Marco Santini, Sweet Fix's drummer, looks like Kevin Richardson from The Backstreet Boys. But regardless of whatever influences or whomever they happen to remind me of personally, the band happens to be a very SEXY group of accomplished and talented young musicians with a penchant for COLOR...and I LOVE COLOR TOO and hot, sexy, boy-bands too!
'FM RADIO' their newest single release, is climbing on YouTube! I see a bright future for SWEET FIX.
Enjoy 'FM RADIO'.
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jCJWgpyMKY&feature=share
Gentleman Hall Rocks Guggenheim Partners Holiday Soiree
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8-m3n-QDYM&feature=email
Gentleman Hall rocked the house the other night at The Guggenheim Partners Holiday Party held at Guastavinos in New York City, emceed by that 80's-90's MTV icon, Downtown Julie Brown!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Gentleman Hall rocked the house the other night at The Guggenheim Partners Holiday Party held at Guastavinos in New York City, emceed by that 80's-90's MTV icon, Downtown Julie Brown!
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru" Scribes: ILS (International Lifestyle Studio) Presents Scot...
Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru" Scribes: ILS (International Lifestyle Studio) Presents Scot...: FERN MALLIS TO HEAD INTERNATIONAL LIFESTYLE STUDIO (ILS) ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR ILS 2012: SCOTLAND FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE contact: Jade Dr...
ILS (International Lifestyle Studio) Presents Scotland! FERN MALLIS To Head Advisory Council
FERN MALLIS TO HEAD INTERNATIONAL LIFESTYLE STUDIO (ILS) ADVISORY COUNCIL
FOR ILS 2012: SCOTLAND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
contact: Jade Dressler
news@jadedressler.com
FERN MALLIS TO HEAD INTERNATIONAL LIFESTYLE STUDIO, ADVISORY COUNCIL
ILS 2012: SCOTLAND
December 1, 2011: ILS:2012 (International Lifestyle Studio) announces the appointment of Fern Mallis as Advisory Council Chairperson for its launch event for its premier annual multimedia platform dedicated to global commerce. The core focus of ILS is to connect top designers and international creative industries through integrated events, product launches and retail experiences. The first featured event will be a high-profile runway show at Hammerstein Ballroom highlighting textiles from Scotland, on March 28, 2012.
Fern Mallis, creator and organizer ( 1993-2010) of New York Fashion Week, will advise and oversee curation for the designer phase and the inaugural launch event, the ILS 2012: Scotland runway show. The fashion show, the centerpiece of the ILS cutting-edge cultural experience, will highlight Scotland’s finest fashion and textiles manufacturers and feature an exciting roster of notable established and emerging fashion designers. This showcase will include six exclusive capsule collections made from the broad range of Scottish textiles.
ILS is the original creation of Alex Trimper and Little Rascals Creative Concepts, LLC (LRCC). LRCC has selected Fern Mallis, formerly Executive Director CFDA, and Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion, widely recognized as the originator of New York Fashion Week, for her innovative spirit and style which she will bring to the ILS initiative.
“The ILS concept speaks to one of my fashion industry visions,” says Fern Mallis, “I believe fashion is a global business and provides opportunities for designers to partner with the best textile manufacturers in the world, as every design starts with the fabric."
Confirmed Advisory Council members include Jeffrey Banks, Men's Fashion Designer and author; Ian Gerard, Founder of GenArt; Tanya Hill, VP at Publicis, Catherine Moellering, EVP, Tobe Report and Cator Sparks, EIC of Lookbooks.com.
ILS: 2012 is in strategic partnership with Textiles Scotland, an organization created to profile Scotland’s highly respected textile producers and designers. The Scottish industry has evolved over hundreds of years to utilize the latest technology in the production of sophisticated fabrics and finished goods for apparel and interiors while maintaining a worldwide reputation for quality and service. Known for its time-loved classic Shetlands, Fair Isles, Harris Tweed and Tartans, Scotland also boasts innovative production of woven fabrics, hand knits, lace, cashmere, and leathers. The ILS 2012:Scotland fashion show, produced by The King Collective, will feature video, runway and lifestyle presentations expanding beyond the event to retail partnerships where consumers can purchase the collections for Fall 2012.
“We were inspired by the cross fertilization we see in our own lives through travel, the internet and the global marketplace,” says Alex Trimper, “ILS is poised to be the lab where, each year, nations, creators and fabricators come together to create the Medici Effect!”
Stewart Roxburgh of Scottish Enterprise’s national textiles team, (www.textilescotland.co.uk) relates, ”Our goal as partner with ILS is that Scotland continues to be recognized as a significant player in the supply of innovative products and services to the textile industry. ILS’s choice of Scotland as the selected country to launch the ILS platform is perfectly in line with that goal and we are excited by the prospect of being the pioneer, a role that Scotland has played in many other fields.”
The designers being chosen by the Advisory Council will be announced early December, with manufacturer and designer collaborations and first sketches presented mid-February. VIP industry cocktail events and satellite events are planned and key sponsorships will be incorporated. For more information, a complete list of participating manufacturers, designers and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jade Dressler at news@jadedresslercom.
###
Little Rascals Creative Concepts LLC, www.littlerascalsllc.com, and ILS www.internationallifestylestudio.com (site launching December 2011) is led by The Little Rascals Team, with Alex Trimper as Executive Producer and Creative Director, and includes The King Collective, producers of the runway show, Director of Marketing, Kay Lucas; Director of Sponsorship Sales, Clark Morehouse; Social Director & Image Guru, Montgomery Frazier and Director of Public Relations and Digital Platforms, Jade Dressler.
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FOR ILS 2012: SCOTLAND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
contact: Jade Dressler
news@jadedressler.com
FERN MALLIS TO HEAD INTERNATIONAL LIFESTYLE STUDIO, ADVISORY COUNCIL
ILS 2012: SCOTLAND
December 1, 2011: ILS:2012 (International Lifestyle Studio) announces the appointment of Fern Mallis as Advisory Council Chairperson for its launch event for its premier annual multimedia platform dedicated to global commerce. The core focus of ILS is to connect top designers and international creative industries through integrated events, product launches and retail experiences. The first featured event will be a high-profile runway show at Hammerstein Ballroom highlighting textiles from Scotland, on March 28, 2012.
Fern Mallis, creator and organizer ( 1993-2010) of New York Fashion Week, will advise and oversee curation for the designer phase and the inaugural launch event, the ILS 2012: Scotland runway show. The fashion show, the centerpiece of the ILS cutting-edge cultural experience, will highlight Scotland’s finest fashion and textiles manufacturers and feature an exciting roster of notable established and emerging fashion designers. This showcase will include six exclusive capsule collections made from the broad range of Scottish textiles.
ILS is the original creation of Alex Trimper and Little Rascals Creative Concepts, LLC (LRCC). LRCC has selected Fern Mallis, formerly Executive Director CFDA, and Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion, widely recognized as the originator of New York Fashion Week, for her innovative spirit and style which she will bring to the ILS initiative.
“The ILS concept speaks to one of my fashion industry visions,” says Fern Mallis, “I believe fashion is a global business and provides opportunities for designers to partner with the best textile manufacturers in the world, as every design starts with the fabric."
Confirmed Advisory Council members include Jeffrey Banks, Men's Fashion Designer and author; Ian Gerard, Founder of GenArt; Tanya Hill, VP at Publicis, Catherine Moellering, EVP, Tobe Report and Cator Sparks, EIC of Lookbooks.com.
ILS: 2012 is in strategic partnership with Textiles Scotland, an organization created to profile Scotland’s highly respected textile producers and designers. The Scottish industry has evolved over hundreds of years to utilize the latest technology in the production of sophisticated fabrics and finished goods for apparel and interiors while maintaining a worldwide reputation for quality and service. Known for its time-loved classic Shetlands, Fair Isles, Harris Tweed and Tartans, Scotland also boasts innovative production of woven fabrics, hand knits, lace, cashmere, and leathers. The ILS 2012:Scotland fashion show, produced by The King Collective, will feature video, runway and lifestyle presentations expanding beyond the event to retail partnerships where consumers can purchase the collections for Fall 2012.
“We were inspired by the cross fertilization we see in our own lives through travel, the internet and the global marketplace,” says Alex Trimper, “ILS is poised to be the lab where, each year, nations, creators and fabricators come together to create the Medici Effect!”
Stewart Roxburgh of Scottish Enterprise’s national textiles team, (www.textilescotland.co.uk) relates, ”Our goal as partner with ILS is that Scotland continues to be recognized as a significant player in the supply of innovative products and services to the textile industry. ILS’s choice of Scotland as the selected country to launch the ILS platform is perfectly in line with that goal and we are excited by the prospect of being the pioneer, a role that Scotland has played in many other fields.”
The designers being chosen by the Advisory Council will be announced early December, with manufacturer and designer collaborations and first sketches presented mid-February. VIP industry cocktail events and satellite events are planned and key sponsorships will be incorporated. For more information, a complete list of participating manufacturers, designers and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jade Dressler at news@jadedresslercom.
###
Little Rascals Creative Concepts LLC, www.littlerascalsllc.com, and ILS www.internationallifestylestudio.com (site launching December 2011) is led by The Little Rascals Team, with Alex Trimper as Executive Producer and Creative Director, and includes The King Collective, producers of the runway show, Director of Marketing, Kay Lucas; Director of Sponsorship Sales, Clark Morehouse; Social Director & Image Guru, Montgomery Frazier and Director of Public Relations and Digital Platforms, Jade Dressler.
You have attended our events and receive our mailings.
Unsubscribe jade@jadedressler.com from this list | Forward to a friend | Update your profile
Our mailing address is:
Jade Dressler, Inc.
420 E 89th
New York, New York 10128
Add us to your address book
Copyright (C) 2011 Jade Dressler, Inc. All rights reserved.
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