Tom Ford - GQ Russia

What is there to say about the latest GQ Russia?

Tom Ford is obsessed with women's bottoms?

Tom Ford likes sharp suits?

Tom Ford likes to sniff fragrance strips straight from a naked woman's bum?

Yes. Yes. And yes.

So Tom Ford.

For more, see: http://www.gq.ru/

Rihanna. Blonde. Vogue UK November 2011

You know a pop star is big - uber - when it's news that she has changed her hair colour.

Behold: Rihanna - blonde.

She's the cover girl for Vogue UK November 2011 issue, and she completely pulls off a new Monroe-esque bob.

For more, see:

http://www.vogue.co.uk/magazine

She made an equally breathtaking impact on the cover of US Vogue earlier this year, debuting her fiery red locks. Knew she'd tire of them eventually. That regrowth is a killer, RiRi! I've been there.

For her British Vogue cover - her first ever cover for the mag - she wears a stunning black silk and floral-print silk shantung cocktail dress with velvet waistband, by Giorgio Armani Privé.

Makeup by MAC Cosmetics. Fashion editor: Kate Phelan. Photography by Alasdair McLellan.

Bad lip reading - very, very good!

Did you watch the Royal Wedding earlier this year?

I did. I loved it. Loved it all.

My fave part was the subtitles. Sometimes they got it slightly wrong and I will admit I found this highly amusing.

I was reminded of this when I came across this site featuring bad [yet very clever] lip reading:

http://badlipreading.tumblr.com/

Watch this gem from the site here:

And this one featuring the Prez:

This one where Buble's video gets a complete overhaul:

And this one, giving Rebecca Black's inane "Friday" even sillier lyrics:

Speaking of, have you ever misheard lyrics, singing them incorrectly for decades before finally hearing the actual lyrics? This happens to me. Often. Which have you got hilariously wrong?

'Housos': SBS show starts Monday October 24. Interview with Paul Fenech

Did you hear the hoo-haa earlier this year surrounding the new Aussie TV show 'Housos'?

Read this: http://josiesjuice.blogspot.com/2011/02/offensive-stereotypical-brilliant.html

And watch this show preview:

Get set for more of the same in the next few weeks, with a confirmation date just set for the controversial new show - to start on Monday October 24 at 10pm, on SBS.

I spoke with series creator Paul Fenech - the man also behind the equally controversial series 'Pizza' - about what to expect from 'Houss'.

Asked why this kind of humour works, Paul says: "Bogan jokes are the funniest in Oz right now, and I thought a TV show - full of trashy Aussies - would be great.

"We filmed several months ago. I visualised Shazza and Dazza - the awful Aussie couple in the show - and their mates around a housing commission community. And because we have a huge ensemble from 'Pizza' and 'Swift & Shift Couriers' it was easy to find people to play these characters," continues Paul.

I point out to Paul that some of the locations are a hop, skip, and a jump from where I live, a nice community full of lovely homes... and some, not so lovely.

An amused Paul says: "Locations were chosen just on looks; we needed crappy looking houses that looked like housing commission homes, and Sydney's West has plenty of crappy houses."

With 'A Current Affair' and 'Today Tonight' most certainly set to film stories surrounding the show's premiere, Paul is quick to give gratitude for stories like this one:

And this one:

Says Paul: "A Current Affair and Today Tonight were awesome publicity - thanks, you stooges!"

He's also likely to call social commentators - who are no doubt prepping their attack on the show - "stooges". Paul is well prepared for the negative onslaught.

"No, it won't be surprising. What a lot of TV makers and 'political' people don’t realise is that most people aren't represented in the media. So for the under-represented people, just getting a look in can be extremely satisfying for them."

Asked about the show's message, Paul says: "No, there is no real message."

"We just take the piss out of how hard it is when you’re at the bottom of the barrel in today’s Australia, but at the same time, we joke about the mentality of long-term unemployed people. Some people spend more effort on not working than just simply getting a job…"

And you can bet some Aussies - likely to be those who have a penchant for talk-back radio - will voice their 'concerns' about the show after the first ep screens. You have been warned.

'Housos' starts on Monday October 24 at 10pm, on SBS.

Photo credits: Tony Mott.

Deaf woman hears her voice for the first time

Pretty much any journo will tell you they 'hate' hearing their voice on a dictaphone when transcribing an interview.

But never have I seen someone love hearing their voice so much.

Twenty-nine year old Sloan Churman was born deaf. Until now, she has read lips up or used hearing aids. Two months ago, she received 'Envoy Medical's Esteem Implant', which uses ear drum vibrations to bring hearing back to its users.

Her husband captured her reaction on video. It's joyous and wonderful and reduced me to tears.

And puts a whole new meaning on the phrase 'not taking something for granted'.

Amazing stuff. Watch.

Dotti fashion - look at it now!

Did you know Dotti can appeal to people of, er, my vintage?

And by that, I mean: heading into the [cough] 40s?

Well, it does!

If you're around the same age as I am, you'll recall Dotti as the place with blaring music, and just as loud clothing.

My, my how Dotti has changed.

Sure, it's still stocked with fast fashion at super-good prices, but now it's a little more grown up... and stocks accessories (and has a hot campaign to go with it - check it out here).

For more, see: www.dotti.com.au

(I just checked out the site and these black wedges are onsale now... under 40 bucks!)

Gasp fashion: like or loathe?

You've read all about the controversy surrounding the Gasp fashion clothing store in Victoria.

For a backgrounder, go here:

http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/service-to-make-you-gasp-20110929-1kyta.html

And here:

http://www.melbourneweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/service-thatll-make-you-gasp/2308201.aspx

Matthew Chidgey, spokesperson behind this chain of stores - all in Victoria, with one just opened in Parramatta, NSW - said: "Our shops are packed, everyone knows us now and I can't thank her enough for what she did for us," he said of Keara O'Neil, the woman behind the storm in a teacup.

Costume designer Kitty Stuckey, who created the Kath & Kim wardrobes for Gina Riley and Jane Turner, told The Age in 2007 that Gasp was the leader in 'Zoo magazine chic' evening wear.

"There's a shop I love, because it's so nude," she said. "I can't use it. I can't put those clothes on Gina. Who's not 22. And needs to wear a bra. But I love to look. It's a shop called Gasp. And every time you look at their window display, you understand why it's called that."

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/more-gasps-as-shop-service-spat-spreads-20110930-1l07x.html#ixzz1ZUEaEUpC

And now, behold: Gasp fashion.

Like or loathe?

Comment away... don't hold back!

If the several Facebook hate pages spawned are any indication, many either passionately adore or ridicule the Gasp style. Thoughts?