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Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Did Taylor Swift copy an A-list pop star's iconic look?
When Taylor Swift unveiled the burlesque artwork for her 12th studio album The Life of a Showgirl, she could be seen wearing a rhinestone bra, fringed arm bands, and a bedazzled nude thong which seemed familiar. The 35-year-old pop star might have taken inspiration from one of her idols, Britney Spears, who donned a very similar set designed by Bob Mackie for her $53.3M-grossing, 69-date Dream within a Dream Tour in 2001. The 86-year-old designer - who was a favorite of Cher and Carol Burnett - originally created The Ziegfeld Follies-inspired glittery pieces for the 1981 Las Vegas stage production Jubilee! On April 1, Julien's Auctions sold the 43-year-old Grammy winner's bra, panties, and armbands for an eye-popping $78K. The reproduction of Britney's bedazzled, low-waisted Levi's 501 medium wash jeans - designed by Corbin Struck - were sold for $2,925. In 2023, Spears posted about the time she originally met Taylor backstage at her $40.9M-grossing, 88-date Oops!... I Did It Again Tour circa 2000-2001. 'My good friend at the time was the assistant to my manager who was trying to become a manager himself,' the semi-retired pop star - who boasts 41.8M Instagram followers - wrote. 'There was a knock, and then he said, "I have a girl named Taylor who wants to come in and sing for you." I was like of course! He walks in, and she sings a beautiful song with her guitar. 'I was like, "Wow wow she's unbelievable!" We took a picture, and she then became the most iconic pop woman of our generation. Kinda cool she plays stadiums, and I prefer her videos over movies any day. She's stunning! Girl crush!' The feeling was certainly mutual as Swift gushed to GMA in 2004: 'I think Britney Spears is awesome just because she has this aura that, you know, being around her in real life people just change and she's just so just awesome that way. 'She has this aura that people just can't resist. And that's what I love about Britney Spears because she's just like nobody else and she's very different.' The 14-time Grammy winner announced Wednesday on her boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast New Heights that she will release The Life of a Showgirl on October 3. Taylor's 12-track record includes two songs - Ruin the Friendship and CANCELLED! - which many predict to be about the deterioration of her friendship with Blake Lively. The canceled 37-year-old allegedly blackmailed Swift in February by threatening to release a decade of private text messages if she didn't issue a statement of support amid her Justin Baldoni legal war. On May 30, the How Does It End singer regained the masters to her first six studio albums - Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation. Spears wrote: 'She sings a beautiful song with her guitar. I was like, "Wow wow she's unbelievable!" We took a picture, and she then became the most iconic pop woman of our generation. Kinda cool she plays stadiums, and I prefer her videos over movies any day. She's stunning! Girl crush!' The canceled 37-year-old (L, pictured in 2023) allegedly blackmailed Swift in February by threatening to release a decade of private text messages if she didn't issue a statement of support amid her Justin Baldoni legal war Billboard reported that Taylor spent around $360M to buy back her music catalog from Shamrock Capital after 'bully' Scooter Braun sold her masters to the private equity firm in 2020 (a year after buying them from Big Machine) Meanwhile, Britney will soon launch her first-ever jewelry brand, B. Tiny, and she's also said to be hands on with her fully-authorized biopic for Universal Pictures helmed by Wicked director Jon M. Chu. Spears - who recently joked about adopting 'a beautiful baby girl' - will next celebrate the 19th birthday of her son Jayden Federline on September 12 immediately followed by her son Sean Federline's 20th birthday on September 14. Last November, the Hold Me Closer hitmaker made her final $20K child support payment to second ex-husband Kevin Federline, whom she was only married to for two years before their 2007 divorce. Britney's 47-year-old former back-up dancer amassed $5M in support payments during the 17 years he had primary custody of their sons.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Did Taylor Swift copy one of Britney Spears' most iconic looks for The Life of a Showgirl?
When Taylor Swift unveiled the burlesque artwork for her 12th studio album The Life of a Showgirl, she could be seen wearing a rhinestone bra, fringed arm bands, and a bedazzled nude thong which seemed familiar. The 35-year-old pop star might have taken inspiration from one of her idols, Britney Spears, who donned a very similar set designed by Bob Mackie for her $53.3M-grossing, 69-date Dream within a Dream Tour in 2001. The 86-year-old designer - who was a favorite of Cher and Carol Burnett - originally created The Ziegfeld Follies-inspired glittery pieces for the 1981 Las Vegas stage production Jubilee! On April 1, Julien's Auctions sold the 43-year-old Grammy winner's bra, panties, and armbands for an eye-popping $78K. The reproduction of Britney's bedazzled, low-waisted Levi's 501 medium wash jeans - designed by Corbin Struck - were sold for $2,925. In 2023, Spears posted about the time she originally met Taylor backstage at her $40.9M-grossing, 88-date Oops!... I Did It Again Tour circa 2000-2001. 'My good friend at the time was the assistant to my manager who was trying to become a manager himself,' the semi-retired pop star - who boasts 41.8M Instagram followers - wrote. 'There was a knock, and then he said, "I have a girl named Taylor who wants to come in and sing for you." I was like of course! He walks in, and she sings a beautiful song with her guitar. 'I was like, "Wow wow she's unbelievable!" We took a picture, and she then became the most iconic pop woman of our generation. Kinda cool she plays stadiums, and I prefer her videos over movies any day. She's stunning! Girl crush!' The feeling was certainly mutual as Swift gushed to GMA in 2004: 'I think Britney Spears is awesome just because she has this aura that, you know, being around her in real life people just change and she's just so just awesome that way. 'She has this aura that people just can't resist. And that's what I love about Britney Spears because she's just like nobody else and she's very different.' The 14-time Grammy winner announced Wednesday on her boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast New Heights that she will release The Life of a Showgirl on October 3. Taylor's 12-track record includes two songs - Ruined the Friendship and CANCELLED! - which many predict to be about the deterioration of her friendship with Blake Lively. The canceled 37-year-old allegedly blackmailed Swift in February by threatening to release a decade of private text messages if she didn't issue a statement of support amid her Justin Baldoni legal war. On May 30, the How Does It End singer regained the masters to her first six studio albums - Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation. Spears wrote: 'She sings a beautiful song with her guitar. I was like, "Wow wow she's unbelievable!" We took a picture, and she then became the most iconic pop woman of our generation. Kinda cool she plays stadiums, and I prefer her videos over movies any day. She's stunning! Girl crush!' The feeling was certainly mutual as Swift gushed to GMA in 2004: 'I think Britney Spears is awesome just because she has this aura that, you know, being around her in real life people just change and she's just so just awesome that way' The 14-time Grammy winner announced Wednesday on her boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast New Heights that she will release The Life of a Showgirl on October 3 The canceled 37-year-old (R, pictured in 2023) allegedly blackmailed Swift in February by threatening to release a decade of private text messages if she didn't issue a statement of support amid her Justin Baldoni legal war Billboard reported that Taylor spent around $360M to buy back her music catalog from Shamrock Capital after 'bully' Scooter Braun sold her masters to the private equity firm in 2020 (a year after buying them from Big Machine) Meanwhile, Britney will soon launch her first-ever jewelry brand, B. Tiny, and she's also said to be hands on with her fully-authorized biopic for Universal Pictures helmed by Wicked director Jon M. Chu. Spears - who recently joked about adopting 'a beautiful baby girl' - will next celebrate the 19th birthday of her son Jayden Federline on September 12 immediately followed by her son Sean Federline's 20th birthday on September 14. Last November, the Hold Me Closer hitmaker made her final $20K child support payment to second ex-husband Kevin Federline, whom she was only married to for two years before their 2007 divorce. Britney's 47-year-old former back-up dancer amassed $5M in support payments during the 17 years he had primary custody of their sons.
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Cher, 79, shows off her ageless physique in TWO racy looks as she performs at Dolce and Gabbana party at lavish Via Veneto hotspot in Rome
Pop icon Cher showed off her ageless figure in two sexy looks as she performed at the Dolce and Gabbana party in Italy on Saturday. The Believe singer, 79, was a guest at the star-studded event, which was situated on Via Veneto street - known for being one of the most expensive and lavish hotspots in the city. She looked as elegant as ever in a lace black dress, which had a red built-in corset, before she later changed into a different look. Cher appeared to be singing at the high-end fashion designer's bash, and was in good spirits as she put on a show for the audience. In her lacy dress look, she donned a long black wig, with her hair in soft waves. She later changed into a blonde wig to match her khaki green two-piece, which consisted of a tailored shirt top and bottoms. Back in February, Cher's status as one of the world's most legendary performers of stage and screen shone through once again when one of her iconic costumes sold for more than two-times than originally estimated at auction. With over 200 lots up for grabs during the Julien's Auctions Bold Luxury: The Limelight Edit, based in Beverly Hills, bidding turned into a fierce battle at times. One of the highlights of the glitzy event turned out to be the Cher, stage-worn If I Could Turn Back Time costume, designed by Bob Mackie, that sparked controversy back in the day. The revealing ensemble, which was first featured in the music video for her hit 1989 song, features a black, figure-hugging bodysuit, also dubbed a catsuit, with mesh cutouts, that was often paired with a black leather jacket and knee-high boots. Originally estimated to sell for between $60,000 and $80,000, a 'heated bidding war' erupted during the exhilarating live and online auction, ultimately resulting in the Cher ensemble selling for a whopping $162,500. After debuting in the If I Could Turn Back Time music video, which was shot on board of the battleship USS Missouri, where it showed her straddling a cannon and her tattooed buttocks, the revealing number set off a wave of controversy. In fact, some military personnel condemned the video, directed by the late Marty Callner, while other family groups protested against its broadcast, because they deemed it offensive for the Navy. In the wake of those protests many television networks refused to show it due to the singer's revealing outfit, including MTV in July 1989. Cher was in high spirits as she took to the stage at the party in Rome Cher's iconic, stage-worn If I Could Turn Back Time costume just sold for a whopping $162,500, which was more than two-times than estimated at Juliens Auctions Eventually the massive music television network amended the move by allowing the video to be shown only after 9 pm, but by then Cher was already reaping the rewards of the controversy as a must see. The pop rock, or soft rock, song was written specifically for Cher by Diane Warren, who produced it in collaboration with Guy Roche. Featuring instrumentation from guitars, piano and drums, it received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who applauded its overall production and Cher's vocal performance. Some critics and fans even considered it to be a highlight of her Heart Of Stone (1989) studio album, which was the nineteenth at that point in her career. Commercially, Heart of Stone turned out to be a milestone for her when it reached number 10 in the United States, which was a first for her as a solo artist.
The Star
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Cowboy, but make it fashion: Beyonce's tour looks blend country and couture
The singer's Cowboy Carter Tour looks balance between avant-garde and high fashion. Photo: Instagram/Schiaparelli Beyonce has done it again. Her Cowboy Carter Tour is a feast for the eyes, with costumes that redefine country glam. From rhinestone-studded Western wear to high-fashion fringe and custom couture, each performance is a visual spectacle. Her wardrobe proves, once again, her unmatched ability to turn the stage into a runway. The creations are nothing short of elaborate too. Ralph Lauren, for example, crafted a look handmade in Italy by five specialised artisans. 'The full-length silhouette is embellished with 19,000 tonal Swarovski crystals, embroidered chains and crystalline fringe pieces that took more than 25 hours to complete,' the label revealed on Instagram. Loewe described its contribution as a 'futuristic, cowboy- infused ensemble'. A cowboy outfit can be much more than the usual denim. Photo: Instagram/Loewe According to the statement released, Beyonce wore the Jacron Draped Trousers and a shirt inspired by the silhouette of a traditional denim jacket, emblazoned with gold and silver foil. Read more: Music you can 'see'? Rhythm and beats are now visible through fashion The look was completed with crystal-adorned opera gloves, slouchy boots entirely covered in crystals, and a trompe l'oeil- printed bodysuit featuring custom flame and star artwork. Her couture Schiaparelli ensemble had a mesh corset decorated with satin, paired with black velvet bootcut pants and a dramatic black feather stole. Other notable brands that have dressed Beyonce so far include Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Off-White, Coperni, Mugler, Roberto Cavalli, Diesel, Moschino and Dsquared2. The Cowboy Carter Tour kicked off on April 28 and runs through July 28, with stops across cities in the US and Europe. A true fashion icon That said, Beyonce has always been a fashion icon. Whatever she wears – on stage or off – quickly becomes a pop culture moment, setting trends and dominating headlines. She even has her own fashion label, Ivy Park, offering sportswear designed for modern lifestyle. Her Renaissance World Tour in 2023 was a fashion spectacle in its own right (she wore around 148 different looks), with major luxury labels lining up to dress her in custom creations for each stop. In 2016, Beyonce was honoured with the 'Fashion Icon Award' by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Her impact on fashion extended to the screen as well. The 2020 visual album Black Is King – which she co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in – featured more than 60 outfits. Even a two-minute teaser for her 2022 song I'm That Girl showcased over a dozen ensembles. Burberry created a head-turning coat with an eagle emblazoned on the back. Photo: Instagram/Beyonce The country western roots are evident, but dressed up with glittering embellishments. Photo: Instagram/Dolce & Gabbana Read more: Was Bob Mackie misunderstood? The fashion designer has dressed icons like Cher When designer Diane Von Furstenberg took to the stage to introduce Beyonce for the CFDA award, she said that 'the image of a woman being in charge has never looked more glamorous and more desirable'. 'She is everything all women want to be and after listening to her, no woman should ever feel belittled or insecure again. Talent, heart, strength and courage,' Von Furstenberg noted. 'That is what true style is about and all of that is what Beyonce is the best example of.' In her acceptance speech, Beyonce reflected on the deeper meaning of fashion in her life. 'It's a tool for finding your own identity, expression and strength. It transcends style and is a time capsule of our greatest milestones,' she said.
New York Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
The ‘Sultan of Sequins' Gets Another Look
The designer Bob Mackie strolled through a gallery at the Soho Grand Hotel one recent afternoon while a team installed a show featuring his fashion sketches of divas like Cher, Madonna and Tina Turner, which became his blueprints for the glitzy dresses that electrified their personas on the stage. Mr. Mackie, slightly tired from his journey from California to New York but still upbeat, considered his sketch of Cher's black jeweled and black feathered outfit from the 1986 Academy Awards: 'It turned Cher into this amazing exotic odd being — she seems not real, and yet, she is.' Then he considered his drawing of Elton John in a bedazzled pink jumpsuit: 'I told Elton he could be a new age Liberace, and I guess that's kind of what he became.' But Mr. Mackie paused when he arrived at his 1991 sketch of Madonna wearing a shimmering gown that paid homage to Marilyn Monroe. He furrowed his brow at the photograph beside it, of a young pop star wearing the same dress. 'Oh god, what's her name?' asked Mr. Mackie, now 86. 'She's that new girl. Sabrina.' He meant Sabrina Carpenter, who wore the dress as a scene-stealing vintage piece to last year's MTV Video Music Awards. 'Her stylist found it for her,' he said. 'I'm not so familiar with her music, but just look at her, she's really pulling it off.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
