Well done, Madonna. Well done.

«I am shocked and saddened by the decision made today by the Malawian court, which sentenced two innocent men to prison. As a matter of principle, I believe in equal rights for all people, no matter what their gender, race, color, religion, or sexual orientation. Today, Malawi took a giant step backward. The world is filled with pain and suffering; therefore, we must support our basic human right to love and be loved. I call upon the progressive men and women of Malawi - and around the world - to challenge this decision in the name of human dignity and equal rights for all.»

Madonna

Visit RaisingMalawi.org and add your name to Madonna's statement.

Leaving Paris

May 13, 2010

At the Bourget airport, Paris.

Coming Full Circle

Still in complete awe with the latest photoshoot for Interview magazine. Alas & Piggott's formula: no photoshop tricks, only light. And the model's legendary magnetism on camera.

What strikes us the most is the impressive resemblance to what M has given us in the past. We feel Like a Virgin in there, the debut album cover, Justify My Love, Steven Meisel's 1991 sessions... To watch these photos is to see life flashing in front of our eyes.

This is one of her best photoshoots e-v-e-r.

Check out Through The Looking Glass for a reflection on M coming full circle.

Grapes

This weekend I went South and, while enjoying the pre-Summer days in Alentejo, I felt like eating grapes. So I did. And all of a sudden, an image came into my mind: M at the 1985 American Music Awards ceremony.

The “Like a Virgin” album was 3 months old, “Material Girl” was about to be released, Madonna’s place in the pop world was being propelled to a new dimension of popularity and relevance.

And people were starting to witness some of her best features as an artist: her freshness, unpredictability and sense of style. Like coming to one of the industry’s most important award ceremonies in black leather jacket, fingerless gloves, a small teddy bear and eating grapes.

I remember being a kid and watching these photos in Bravo magazine in complete fascination.

Like she said one year earlier, in an interview for MTV: Do you think someone else could come up with this?…

Bent on Learning

As a yoga practitioner (and soon-to-be instructor), this one really made my day.

Bent on Learning is a project that offers instruction in yoga and meditation to students in grades K through 12, in New York City public schools and youth centers, as a means of reducing stress and improving concentration, self-esteem and overall health. It also includes training to public school teachers and staff in yogic techniques and exercises, so they can assist students in focusing their energies.

Being a long-time yoga practitioner, M attended the 2nd Annual Bent on Learning Benefit, on April 28th, which took place at the Puck Building, in New York City.
And to make things even better, she brought Lola along - whose style is becoming more and more interesting, as she gets older.

In some shots, Lola's similarities with M are amazing...

Gorgeous!

During the ceremony, with Lola and fellow Gwyneth Paltrow.

Back in London

April 10, 2010

At the Locanda Locatelli restaurant, London. What a gorgeous face.

20 Years of Vogue: Sue Sylvester strikes a pose

Thumbs up to the Glee team. Just flawless. Loved it!

Glee: The Power of Madonna

It's the most anticipated TV moment of the season: Glee's tribute episode to Madonna!

The whole cast dressed up in some of M's most iconic images for a TV Guide photoshoot; Oprah invited a real-life glee club to perform a cool rendition of "Vogue" (the VMAs baroque version); and Youtube's preview of "The Power of Madonna" unveils some incredible versions of M's music.

May the countdown begin!

Her Madgesty of the 00's

I'm still in complete ecstasy with this one:

Madonna was the most played artist in the UK, during the 1st decade of the new millennium, beating The Beatles and Robbie Williams!

The chart was compiled for BBC Radio 2 by music licensing body PPL and was based on airplay on TV, radio and public spaces - including pubs, clubs and retail stores - between 2000 and 2009.

M was the only female solo singer to make it to the Top 10. Here is the full list:

1. Madonna
2. The Beatles
3. Robbie Williams
4. Queen
5. Take That
6. Sugababes
7. Elton John
8. Elvis Presley
9. Abba
10. Coldplay

And to think that in 1993 they wrote ten-page articles on how her career was over...

20 Years of Vogue: Inspiration, Education

One of the things I'm mostly proud of, as a M fan, is not only the unique body of work she has built, but also her educational role. Madonna introduced the MTV generation to a whole spectrum of cultural references from Western (and later Eastern) Modern and Post-Modern cultures.

The "Vogue" video is probably her best lecture on Art History, namely the 30s period. We have Art Deco (Design), Tamara de Lempicka (Painting), Horst (Photography), Old Hollywood (Cinema) and, of course, voguing (Dance), also originally from the 30s.

Academics aside, the "Vogue" video opened the 90s decade in full style. And Madonna's nipples turned the world upside down (MTV wanted to remove the scenes, M refused).
It is one of Madonna's greatest masterpieces captured on film. Timeless.

Vogue

Director: David Fincher

Producer: Vicki Niles

Director of Photography: Pascal Lebegue

Choreography: Karole Armitage

Shot at the Burbank Studios (Burbank, CA) on February 9-10, 1990.

World premiere date: March 29, 1990 (MTV).

Check out more photos from the video Through The Looking Glass.