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Last night, after watching another boring Red Carpet Event for the SAG awards, it really made me question why talented actors and actresses whore off everything from their hair to their underwear for the privilege of borrowing something that is probably not in "their" budget--but with the right PR will make you think it could be in "yours."
I am going to piss off a few people here by telling you the truth about this phony act they call "how you can look like your favorite celebrity"--for a price.
I remember years ago co-hosting an event at Planet Hollywood with the actress Jennifer Tilly and having her burst the bubble of me thinking she must make a lot of money acting in films to be able to afford the expensive dress she had on. Jennifer and I were in the woman's restroom waiting to go onstage to introduce her new movie but there was a problem: the zipper of her dress would not go all the way up her back because she underestimated her size to the designer--the designer who offered to GIVE her FREE clothes for her press junket if she made sure to tell every reporter and press person she could "who she was wearing".
I was stunned. The Gucci couture one-of-a-kind $5000 dress she got for FREE and all she had to do was blab about it.. The one mistake I don't think her advisor told her was to be careful about who she shares this little secret with. Jennifer and I ended up bonding a lot (we both have a REAL set) which makes it difficult to wear certain designer's clothes, and we both knew that we would at some point need a buddy to go to the restroom with and help us zip up. After having a fun night of running to the restroom with my new friend Jennifer Tilly there was a part of me that was a bit pissed off about this free clothes nonsense.
How many times had I seen an outfit on an actress and thought I would invest my money with the designer in hopes of too looking like a glamorous celebrity. What a complete waste of money over the years that I had thrown to these ego maniac designers who charged naive and shallow people like me thousand of dollars on clothes that were not made with their hard working hands, but with the hands of underage young girls who worked 16 hour days in horrible factory conditions to just put food on the table for their families. I was disgusted in myself for not doing what was a tiny bit of homework on my part while the designer was boarding some 100 foot yacht in the French Riviera with their new celebrity muse of the moment dining on lobster and fine Champagne.
Well I thought those days were over of the glamorous actress trying to pretend that she spent thousands on gowns and jewels, but after watching actress after actress walk the red carpet with their crib notes on "who they were wearing" it is clear to me that this ongoing game of celebrity that makes lots of money and still gets free shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, makeup, undergarments, feminine products, hosiery, spanx, gowns, jewelry, purses etc. is still very much a Hollywood game in play.
For young girls out there that want to look like their favorite celebrity, here is some advice from your much older sister Melly.."Don't try and look or act like anyone other than who YOU are.. Be creative and conscious of your budget and remember Hollywood is a GAME that should only be played when you can afford it".
By the way, here's the rundown on what I'm wearing in the photo: the only thing I paid for-the dress; makeup-none "free"; hair-none "free"; jewelry-none "free"; Chapstick-$1.00-Walgreens.
Hi Gorgeous Lady - even without make up.
I was sure that this was not a secret. Do people believe that actors and acress's actually buy the stuff they wear. I happen to know (wink wink) that an actress does buy lots of her own stuff but for an actual event, you can get pretty lucky with lots of free stuff - lets not forget those goody bags they leave with, with trips to Aspen in them.
Anyone, even you can get free stuff if you have the guts to ask when you have an event to go to - picture of a table you are decorating will end up in a magazine - call a florist and ask for free or 1/2 off flowers - couldnt hurt to try.
Love the picture BTW
Nicole Bella Remini
If I thought it would fit me, I'd borrow your dress in a second. wow.
I love your faith in the purity of human nature, that you believed that people were just as they represented themselves. I guess it speaks to my cynical nature that I suspect a scheme.
I came to peace with this whole issue when I started to look at couture as an expensive, glamorous and fascinating hobby, like race car driving or polo or yachting. It's not really about clothes. It's more about art and how much you can pay for it. Note to self: befriend a designer.
I dunno. I'm a guy. Just a guy, and whenever I have watched some red carpet thing, I have understood when they ask, "Who are you wearing?" that it's a loaner in exhange for the "ad."
Maybe it's because I read in People magazine or something (in the what, 1970s?) that all of the jewelry was on loan. I guess I just assumed that it was ALL on loan. I think it actually used to be like that. Not any more.
Read this:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7019234/
It's happening locally, too, but on a smaller scale.
I don't know if they still do this, but watch the credits roll after the local news. They USED to say "So-and-So's wardrobe provided by [Big Name Local Clothes Horse Shop] - Hair by [Big Name Hair Person]."
I know they get to keep the hair and I bet they keep the clothes, too. Who the hell would want used anchor-person clothes? Have you noticed that Belinda Jensen has at least 25 WINTER COATS?! How many do you have? I only have one. But then again, like I said, I'm just a guy. Red Carpet is for the foyers in Jax, Nyes and Murrays.
-- Dave
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