“I Mean…What?!?” – Abe Gurko

THE I MEAN…WHAT?!? BEST DRESSED OF THE EVENING AWARDS…AT THE APOLLO CIRCLE BENEFIT Welcome to The Softer Side of I Mean…What?!? I was recently invited to join the Patrick McMullan family of bloggers, so I thought it would be fun to fill the Mr. Blackwell void and determine the I Mean…What?!? Best Dressed of the Evening Awards. Each week, I will select an event covered by Patrick and stick in my two cents about who were the Best Dressed of the Evening. Since I don’t get invited to these glammy evenings (hence I do not own any gowns or a… Read More »

Each season, my lovely friends at Rootstein Mannequins create an amazing exhibition of their new bodies that takes the retail design industry to a whole, new level of fabulousness. The theme of the next show is Pocahontas…Who?!? At least that’s what I am calling it since I went to see Michael and Kevin and the stunning Indian Warrior Princesses. I MEAN…WHAT?!? invites…rather…urges you to take a walk through the Rootstein Gallery when you are bopping around Chelsea. They take such pride and impeccable detail in their work, that I suggest seeing first-hand what can be done with a tremendous amount… Read More »

I loved reading today’s article by Cathy Horyn about Miss J Alexander and his new book Follow The Model. Now this is a story for the The New York Times Style Section that makes perfect sense. It has been a while since I questioned The New York Times Style Section for their questionable entries. However, today I am left scratching my head about the article, Breast-Feeding the Baby, Love the Calorie Burn. Now, let me say up front, that I consider myself to be the “uncle of the world”. Having six glorious nieces and nephews that I maintain a close… Read More »

Last night, I went to Peggy Siegal’s screening of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, which fortunately was one block from my home in West Chelsea (such a curmudgeon lately). I am curious to see how this movie will be reviewed, because it will take a certain kind of person to not let the over-the-top crazy/funny performance by Nicholas Cage get in the way of the stick up their ass. You have to sit back, relax and see the funny. Once you do that it’s a great ride. Werner Herzog did a very interesting directing job. Granted a tad… Read More »

Is it just me or is there like some weird energy going around? Maybe it’s the economy, or the loss of key Democratic states so soon after President “Change” Obama took office, proving that Americans don’t really want change. Or perhaps it is the pre-holiday blues. Hell, now that retailers are bringing Christmas in so early, why not move up those holiday doldrums, too. Anyway you slice it, this mid-season funk does not make anyone feel sexy. Introspective, yes. Sexy, no. Take the following IMW WTF Is Wrong With Me Test, (move over Rorschach or Minnesota Tests) to see if… Read More »

Last night, Bryan Bantry invited me to the special screening of Michael Jackson’s This Is It, the documentary film, directed by Kenny Ortega, based on “the making of the” This Is It Tour. “It is a must see.” Around the time of Michael’s’ passing, rumors swirled that he was in no condition to do 50 shows and endless other horrendous stories therein. With the non-stop, 24-hour-all-Michael-all-the-time, barrage of media reporting on his condition, from the pundits, people-out-of-the-woodwork, past employees, doctors and even his family members, you just didn’t know who to believe…until now. The reason to see this film (besides… Read More »

At the risk of sounding like Rachel Zoe, “Chanel is EVERYTHING”. I just love whatever Karl Lagerfeld does. Between his grand visions, over-the-top theatrics, master-talent and his taste in men (Baptiste Giabiconi), the Chanel show was the highlight of the Paris season. I loved  much of what I saw this past week. As for the “trends”, well, “the ruffle” happens to be something my friend and Icelandic Designer Steinunn Sigurd, has been doing for several seasons.   A couple of seasons ago, a Saks Fifth Avenue buyer told Steinunn, “Enough with the ruffles already”. Hmmm…bet you twenty bucks that there will… Read More »

The competition is fierce between New York, Paris, London and Milan for “most important fashion week”. It is an ever evolving process as to which city owns the top spot. Surely Paris has to be the most influential due to it’s rich history and deep fashion roots. That plus the perception that if you can make it there you can make it anywhere. Yes, New York thinks that phrase only pertains to a New York state of mind. But I am here to tell you, that ain’t true…especially in reference to fashion. New York has been trying to hold on… Read More »

Cheeks…they are all the rage. Cheeks are the new black. Everyone is getting “the cheeks”. If you don’t have “the cheeks”, then you just don’t have cheeks. The use of facial fillers such as Juvederm, Sculptra, Restylane, Radiesse, and Collagen have become the short answer to the long question, “Why must we age?” New York Magazine did an in-depth report on The New Face, which is the dire attempt to bring your old face back, the face you had when you were young, rather than the tragically obvious face-lift. Face-lifts are sooo last decade. Fillers are what’s happening, and everyone… Read More »

On the first day of Fashion Week (my true love gave to me….nah…doesn’t work) my trusting correspondent Johnna Escobedo went to the tents in search of an I Mean…What?!? moment. Now, this was the first time that I was trusting someone with such a monumental task. But, in the end…I knew my Johnna well enough to know that she would not disappoint.… Read More »