2012 Macy's Glamorama went Mad for Anglomania

Diesel Underwent went Brit at Macy's Glamorama.

By Laura Medina

Riding the massive coat tail of a riding coat of the London Olympics and, of course, Will and Kate,  Macy's Glamorama went mad for British culture.

What started out as a humble, heartfelt runway show by employees in the cafeteria to raise money for AIDS then jump-started by the late Dame Elizabeth Taylor, now is on a permanent spot on Los Angeles' local calendar.  An event not to be missed.

Especially for the Cali-Brits making sunny Southern California their home, seeing an All-American institute, such as Macy's, paying tribute to British style and fashion really touched their hearts.

Cali-British stylist, George Blodwell, said that British culture and style lent a sense of quirkiness, a sense of whimsy, and the importance of good tailoring and construction to American individualism and to the globe.

This sense of quirkiness, lending an edge to individualism, comes from using what you got then taking it to a hilt.

Well, Mr. Blodwell was dressed Cali-Brit appropriate, dashing directly from tarmac to red carpet, the chambray twill weave constructed in a sharp blazer with equally tailored but light-weight trousers kept him crisp, without breaking a sweat.

Material Girl's current spokemodel, Georgia May Jagger-yes, Mick Jagger's baby daughter-was thrilled that Hollywood celebrates her English heritage and was over-whelmed by the welcome.  She was really excited to see the duo, Karmin, perform on stage....and performed Macy's Glamorama did.

 

 Macy's Glamorama really know the breadth of British pop culture.  It is not everyday and was very touching when they paid tribute to the naughty but cheeky Benny Hill, except they turned the table around.

Instead of the naughty old, skirt-chasing man, it's a randy grandma chasing after those delicious Diesel underwear models.  Gotta love that cheeky Brit sense of humor, quirky well-done.

Alright, this is Hollywood and what Hollywood is best at...is putting on a show.  This is why Mr. Blodwell never misses Glamorama.

Instead of stoic, blank-faced models stomping up and down the runway for equally stone-faced editors and buyers,  Some of Glamorama's models were and always dancers, putting those clothes to their full-display.  The audience of stylists, press, and chic locals get to watch how the sleeves, the sheath dresses, and the pants move in full motion.  Plus, it's darn cute watching those kid models, dressed up as Mods and as Austin Powers, doing the Go-Go to the groove.

Don't forget, Macy's Glamorama is an AIDS fundraiser, using the hybrid of fashion meets performance art.  On with the fashion...

Sure looking at that night's program, there are a lot of American designers, such as Sean Combs, Nicole Richie, Rachel Roy, and Tommy Hilfilger on the bill.  These are Macy's best-sellers and their best-sellers incorporated British cable knits, shawl collars, tweed, vests, parkas, Wellie boots, and Faire Isle knit graphics for the men, accented with bowler hats, stovepipe top hats, knitted scarves, and bow ties.

British style, particularly for the men, is all about looking cool in a cold climate.  Other than tapered, form-fitting tailoring for that long, lean, and mean look, it's function over form in the rainy fog.

For the women, it's either a Mod, Mod world or a poetic Bloomsbury set, Edwardian Bohemian Intellectuals.  Nicole Richie's new collection for Macy's Impulse best exemplifies these cultural movement in British history.  The velour tunic/dress, above, was simply Mod but her flowing, kaftan sun dresses in peacock and paisley prints are decisively Bloomsbury.

Rock n' Roll leather also looms large in Nicole's Macy's Impulse collection.  Glamorama was the official runway debut for her line.  Here, she's modeling the black leather sheath dress with her signature triangle bejeweled insets with mixed-media chiffon panels, a British Boho touch.

Rachel Roy did British '70's Glam Rock for this Fall's collection-yes, we can buy this right now.  She added sexy but sensual touches of fur lapels on leather coats and jackets, and Disco easy jumpsuits.  Oh, so T. Rex, so David Bowie and "Queen's" Freddie Mercury for her femme fatale androgynousism, a counter-reaction to the American preppy Tomboy trend hitting this week's New York Fashion Week.

Hhhmmm, this yearly extravaganza always happen during normal dinner time.  By the time the show ends, people are ravenous and thirsty.

Macy's graciously served authentic traditional beef stew sliders with cheese-stuffed potato jackets and the fish and chips, food that comforted Charles Dickens back in the days...and what the modern, real Brit is eating right now-traditional Indian cuisine, puff rice, chicken, and potatoes stewed in curry, cinnamon, cardamon, and sugar (remember, the rest of the world treats sugar as a spice).

Folks nibbled on papadum, papad, and matthi, Indian pita-like bread and crunchy savory crackers speckled with black peppers.  They're a great snack accompaniment to the gin and tonic refreshments.

Guests mingled with celebrities during dinner, dessert, drinks...and the photo booth.  Amy of Karmin really enjoyed that.

Well done, well done for a job done well. 

Until now, farewell...until next year.