R.I.P. Corey Haim - 1971 - 2010

Most known for his teen heartthrob roles in 80’s hits such as Lucas, The Lost Boys, and License To Drive, Corey Haim passed this morning at 3 a.m. from a possible drug overdose. Although details from his death are still under investigation, the actor had battled a drug problem for several years. After attempting a comeback on A&E show, The Two Coreys (featuring fellow actor and friend, Corey Feldman), Haim relapsed and the show was canceled. Along with his passing comes the death of an era and yet another casualty to the ugly side of Hollywood.

Brittany Murphy, best known for her role in movies like Just Married and 8 Mile, is dead at only 32.

Actress Brittany Murphy, best known for her roles in movies like Clueless and 8 Mile, died today due to cardiac arrest. She was only 32 years old.

Brittany began her career at only 14, when she landed a leading role in the sitcom Drexell’s Class in 1991. Throughout her teen years, she starred in various sitcoms (including the short lived The Torkelsons, and it’s spin off Almost Home) and had recurring roles on teen staples such as Party of Five, Boy Meets World and Sister, Sister.

Brittany with her cast members on the set of 1995's Clueless, which made her a lovable household name.

Her first jump from the small screen to the big screen was 1995’s Clueless, in which she played Tai, the “tragically unhip” new girl at school. The role made her a lovable household name and spawned memorable catchphrases like “You’re a virgin who can’t drive”, as well as her comedic rendition of “Rollin’ with the Homies”. Post Clueless, Brittany went on to snag pivotal supporting roles in features like the Oscar-nominated Girl, Interrupted (1999) and critically acclaimed Sin City (2005). With the release of box-office smashes Just Married (2002) and Little Black Book (2004), Brittany proved that she was capable of carrying a film, and quickly became somewhat of a romantic comedy darling.

As her starpower was on the rise, Brittany was no stranger to the controversy that surrounds celebrtiy. Over the years, everything from her weight to her dating life–she briefly dated her co-star Ashton Kutcher and was involved in a series of quick engagements in her 20s–was subject to tabloid fodder. At one point, it was reported that the actress had developed a cocaine habit, to which Brittany responded: “My worst vice is caffeine. [The rumor is] really pretty darn far-fetched — it couldn’t be further from the truth.”

In recent times, though, it seemed like Brittany had overcome personal turmoil. In 2007, she married screenwriter Simon Monjack in a private Jewish ceremony in LA. Simon placed a 911 call at 8A.M. Sunday morning, after he and Brittany’s mother discovered her unconscious in the shower. Paramedics on the scene determined she was in full cardiac arrest and administered CPR but were unable to revive her. She was pronounced dead upon arrival to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. No official cause of death has been announced as of yet, but our thoughts go out to her family and friends in this difficult time.

Patrick Swayze: August 18, 1952 – September 14, 2009

Patrick Swayze, a romantic icon to a generation of young women, died on Monday at age 57 after losing his battle to pancreatic cancer.

The actor with dreamy good looks, who was best known for his role as the bad boy with dancing feet in cult classic Dirty Dancing, had been suffering quietly with the disease since 2008. Recently, Patrick had been responding well to treatment. In fact, he had been doing so well that he recently braved grueling 12-hour days to shoot his role as the lead FBI detective in A&E series The Beast. Although Swayze admitted to being exhausted after filming all day and performing his own stunts, he said that he wanted to play the role because the character “just felt right for my soul”.

Playing the lead Johnny Castle alongside Jennifer Grey in 1987’s Dirty Dancing made Swayze a household name, and an instant heartthrob to legions of fans both old and young. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find women who can’t quote the film line-for-line, including the famous “Nobody puts Baby in a corner!” moment. After Dirty Dancing catapulted him to success, Swayze’s star-meter only intensified thanks to outstanding lead performances in a wide range of films, including a romantic role in Ghost, a comedic lead in To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar, and a downright creepy (yet shockingly dynamic) performance in 2001’s Donnie Darko. In 1990, he told Entertainment Weekly: “”I don’t want to be Mr. Romantic Leading Man. I don’t want to be the Dance Dude. I don’t want to be the Action Guy. If I had to do any one of those all my life, it’d drive me crazy.” Whatever the role, Swayze’s performances were always impressive, going above-and-beyond the stereotype of the “hunky bad actor”.

Despite battling his pancreatic cancer for over 20, exhaustive months, the actor constantly remained positive, talking candidly to the media about his experiences with fatigue, thoughts on his own mortality, and experimentation with holistic treatments. Unfortunately, none of those treatments were able to save the star, who died all too soon. At the time of his death, legions of his celebrity friends and supporters released statements sharing their memories of the actor, while others such as Aston Kutcher took to Twitter to show their support. Indeed, Patrick Swayze quickly became a trending topic on Monday night, with many on Twitter pointing out the ways in which the actors’ roster of roles had impacted their lives.

Patrick Swayze is survived by his wife, Lisa, of over 30 years, and his mother. He was 57.

Enjoy Patrick Swayze’s the much-quoted, unforgettable moment of glory from classic Dirty Dancing below.

(Source)

The music world is suffering another shocking loss today– news has just broke that popular DJ AM has passed away today at the age of 36. The celebrity DJ, who narrowly escaped death less than 11 months ago after surviving a plane crash with friend Travis Barker, was found dead in his Manhattan apartment around 5:20 pm EST this afternoon. The causes of his death are not yet known, but NYPD is reporting that drug paraphernalia was found in AM’s apartment on Lafayette Street.

Born Adam Goldstein, the entertainer was known for scratching for the likes of Kate Hudson, Jennifer Lopez and Jay Z. He was contracted to spin at several prominent Las Vegas nightclubs, including Pure, and was also a co-owner of the nationally known hotspot LAX. Probably known as much for his skills in the booth as he was for his tabloid love life, DJ AM was previously engaged to Nicole Richie and dated Mandy Moore, who rushed to be by his side in September after he suffered scarring burns due to a plane crash. Beyond his love life, AM was a fixture in the fashion and sneakerhead scenes, often commenting on sneaker forums such as NikeTalk.com. He was most recently seen in a Nike commercial for the Kanye West Air Yeezy’s, alongside Mike Epps and Kobe Bryant.

Although DJ AM was reportedly bouncing back from his tragic plane crash, his apparent drug overdose seems to indicate that he had fallen back on previous addiction habits. The DJ, who often spoke candidly about his struggles in life from addiction to romance and gastric bypass surgery, will be remembered for always keeping the music bumping and the party alive. Indeed, his last Twitter post was a line from a Grandmaster Flash song: “New york, New York/ Big city of dreams/ But everything in New York ain’t always what it seems”.

Our thoughts go out to his family and friends in this difficult time.

The Breakfast Club gang breaks out of detention

Your less than stellar sixteenth birthday. A never ending detention. An over the top ditch day. The ups and downs of prom.

All of these right-of-passage experiences are undoubtedly seared in your mind, and thanks to recently deceased director John Hughes, they have been memorialized in the collective American consciousness. The auteur, directed a number of 1980s teen films that went on to set the standard for teen cinema to follow, built a celluloid world filled with the kind of realism that every teen growing up circa 1984 to 1987 could relate to. Hughes was a director with detail on the brain, paying enormous attention to everything from the dialogue his heros used, to the music they listened to. But perhaps the most meticulous attention was paid to the clothing they wore. Hughes’ characters were decked out in their 80s finest, whether it was preppy chic or new-wave geek. From Duckie’s dopey-lovable pair of creepers in Pretty in Pink to Sam’s hideous classic 80s bridesmaids’ dress in Sixteen Candles, the costuming in these films captured the importance of fashion in teen cinema.

Sam and Jake Ryan make the perfect fashion mash-up couple.

Starting with his directorial debut, 1984’s Sixteen Candles, Hughes’ fashion resonated with his teen queen audience. The awkward red-head Molly Ringwald, playing the lead of Sam in a way that can only be described as “adorable”, went on to become the obsession of every 80s teenage girl who felt out-of-place in high school. Her hobo style set Sam apart from the other cliques at school. She wore plaid knee length skirts, slashed off-the-shoulder tops and billowy floral drop-waist dresses with as much pride as she could, even if she thrifted them while the rest of the “popular” girls wore designer duds. Sam’s accessories, a straw-brimmed fedora, a slew of chunky bangles, and chain-strap handbags caused fashion waves. Soon every teenage girl who bought a ticket to the film was running to the mall immediately afterwards to find a belt just like Sam’s. The guys of Sixteen Candles weren’t to be left out either, though! The film would be nothing without brilliant turns in geekdom from Anthony C Hall, whose untucked pastel button down became the uniform for every dork-in-training throughout the 80s. And who can forget Jake Ryan! What is a 16th birthday without your very own Jake Ryan, I ask you! With his stylish fair-isle sweater vests tucked neatly into his perfectly creased Dockers, the heartthrob couldn’t have looked hotter waiting outside his red Porsche for Sam, his princess in a bad bridesmaid dress. Fashion fairy tale, much?

The Troublemaker, the Jock, the Weird Girl, the Prom Queen and the Geek all endured Saturday detention

Hughes’ next film, 1985’s The Breakfast Club, was his most famous feature to date. There was no shortage of stylistic magic in this hit, with Hughes using fashion to paint candid pictures of the high school scene. There was Andrew the jock, a young Emilio Estevez who wore his varsity jacket as if it was going out of style! Brian the geek, still Anthony C Hall (in the archetypical role that has haunted him throughout his career) in an even geekier crew neck sweater that looked like it came straight out of the Lands’ End catalog. Claire the prom queen, an effortlessly chic Molly Ringwald trying on popularity for size in a pair of diamond studs that probably blinded half the student body. John the standard troublemaker, played by Judd Nelson as a pre-cursor to the grunge movement with ripped flannel and combat boots. And let’s not leave out Allison, the psycho played to perfection by Ally Sheedy, whose’ arguably finest moment involves her simple black turtleneck and a snowstorm of dandruff. As you watched their day-long detention unfold, you realized that each of these characters dressed just like someone who went to your high school. And therein lay the brilliance of John Hughes! He outfitted his heroes so basically that anyone could relate, but as they told their respective stories you began to understand why they dressed the way they did, and more importantly why they felt the way that they did. Peep Allison’s hilarious lunch scene below for some instant laughs!

Preppy Rich Kid, Crafty Poor Girl and New Wave Nerd: Blane, Andie and Duckie

The director followed up with a more complex teen tale, my favorite Hughes flick Pretty in Pink. A fashion goldmine, the film followed a teenage love triangle of epic proportions. Going back to her poor-girl roots, Molly Ringwald was cast yet again as Andie Walsh, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who catches rich boy Blane’s eye (a babyfaced  Andrew McCarthy). But Blane has to contend with Andie’s best friend Duckie (John Cryer in a performance that in my humble opinion, has gone unparalleled for years), a new-wave heartthrob that the popular kids viewed as a “weirdo”. But for any 80’s emo-kid, Duckie was the epitome of style. His hair was perfectly coifed in a ‘do similar to Morrisey’s of The Smiths. His layering of a bright red button down with upturned collar, under a printed vest, under an oversized yellow blazer littered with pins and pocket kerchifs was sheer perfection. And his super-slick teashades? Swoon! Andie’s style was DIY based and new-wave influenced. A fan of leggings, layering, and floral print scarves, Ringwald’s character even stitched her own asymmetrical shoulder baring prom dress that many a fashionista has copied over the years! Her bowler hats, draped beaded necklaces and menswear-inspired ensembles made her a fashion icon. In fact, take one look at the hipster trends of today and you’ll get an idea of where their inspiration comes from (even if it isn’t always in the hue of pink)! This clip from the film gives you a good idea of Andie’s fashion risk-taking, Duckie’s emo-pop look, and Blane’s yuppie diggs!

and who can forget this INCREDIBLE scene of an Otis Reading channeling Duckie? Priceless!

The hip one, the yuppie girl, and the jock-geek hybrid: Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Hughes most stylish character came in the form of the Converse-skinny jean-and Rayban wearing title character in  1986’s Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. THE jokester of the decade, Ferris’ style was just as playful. A leopard vest layered under a bad-ass Memebers’ Only inspired jacket were his trademarks, along with that boyish grin. His lady friend Sloane (button-cute Mia Sara) was the funky version of a yuppie– couldn’t you see her white fringed jacket and belted shorts fitting in perfectly with Harvard hipsters and the like? And although less adventurous than Ferris, Cameron (the thinking-girl’s hottie Alan Ruck) owned his own slick updated yuppie look, consisting of his favorite jersey paired with some unlikely slacks. Fun and free spirited, these teens ditching school were the best representation of all that Hughes had worked so hard to create– a world of characters who were individuals that each and every student in the audience could relate to. Check out the infamous “museum scene” from the film below.

Hughes legacy will be long-lasting. Besides his popular teen fare, he directed other family-fun classics such as Home Alone and Uncle Buck that everyone in their 20s can quote with ease. The director set out to capture a particular moment in time, and ended up defining a generation and a genre of film. His contributions to the world of film, and fashion, cannot be overlooked and will certainly never be forgotten. We offer our condolences to his family, and pay tribute to the man who knew that “the last thing Hollywood wanted in their teen movies was teenagers”, and filled his films with them anyways!

John Hughes, prolific filmmaker and writer, passed away on August 6th, 2009 at the age of 59.

The man behind a generation, prolific director and writer John Hughes, has passed away today due to a heart attack at the age of 59.

The creator of a series of popular 1980s films, Hughes was the writer and director behind beloved teen fare such as The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Pretty in Pink.  Hughes, who started his career penning family-safe hits such as Mr. Mom for stars like Michael Keaton, became known for his films that aimed to capture the essence of the American teen experience. His directorial debut, 1984’s Sixteen Candles, garnered major accolades and first introduced America’s teenage population to an awkward redhead by the name of Molly Ringwald, an actress who would go on to become a fashion and social role model to millions of young girls. Following up his debut with similar teen-centric films, Hughes relied on trademarks such as casting the same actors in his film (the media began to refer to many of the, including Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, and Judd Nelson, as “The Brat Pack”) and incorporating pop and New Wave musical standards of the era (who can forget those few opening notes in “Don’t You Forget About Me”– not us!) to brand a type of teen romantic comedy that was not only imitated by filmmakers of the period, but is still the industry standard today. The auteur’s films consistently delivered a realistic portrayal of life for the under 18 set by including topics such as popularity, classism, parental abuse, education and most importantly the perils of teenage love, in his four pivotal films of the decade. Indeed, his most celebrated hit The Breakfast Club (the story of a group of teens from all walks of popularity and life forced to spend a Saturday in detention together) captured every detail of the high school experience with such detail–including the fashion and the music–that it became part of the modern generation’s cultural lexicon.

Hughes is survived by his wife, two sons, and four grandchildren. He will always be remembered for his influential legacy, a filmography that continues to hug on America’s heart-strings to this day.

Dash Snow: A Community Memorial at Deitch Projects

The good people over at Gradient Magazine got a preview of a very vital exhibit that has just opened at influential New York City art gallery Deitch Projects, a memorial to the recently passed multimedia artist Dash Snow. Entitled A Community Memorial, Deitch and friends and family of the artist, who died on July 13th due to a heroin overdose, are encouraging Snow’s fans to join together and publicly mourn the photographer, graffiti artist, and videographer that NY Magazine hailed as one of “Wharhol’s Children” .

Snow's photography was gritty and portrayed the Downtown scene realistically

The show will feature some of Snow’s most popular, often gritty, photographs as well as scores of unreleased Polaroids that were found in Dash’s studio.  Running from July 23rd to August 15th, the gallery has erected an open wall for fans to scribble, paint, or post art and messages in Snow’s memory. If you are in New York, make sure to stop in and get a glimpse of all Snow accomplished in his lifetime as well as pay your respects to the artist whose work made him a downtown visionary.

Dash's work was multimedia in nature, from T-shirts to photography

Dash's work often payed homage to his closest friends.

His work has been shown at prominent galleries in New York, Los Angles, and London

R.I.P Dash Snow, 1981- 2009

R.I.P. Dash Snow 1981-2009

The young art world lost a rising star last night. Dash Snow, a promising multimedia artist who was profiled in a 2007 New York Magazine cover article entitled “Warhol’s Children” passed away at the age of 27 last night, due to a heroin drug overdose.

Dash came from the prominent De Menil art collecting family, but shunned the pretentious art world, and focused more on creating art in the seedy downtown New York street scene. Known by his tag Sacer in the graffiti world, Snow was a founding member of the infamous IRAK graffiti crew, and gained prominance along with downtown artists Dan Colen and Ryan McGuinness with his gritty candid poloroid photos, sculptural work, distinctive collages, and debaucherous live installations. His art was exhibited in galleries and museums such as Deitch Projects, The Royal Academy in London, and the Whitney Museum of American Art’s 2006 Biennial “Day For Night,” and is currently featured in “Abstract America: New Painting and Sculpture” at the Saatchi Gallery in London.

According to his family, Snow had recently been in rehab, but unfortunately succumbed to the lure of addiction. He leaves behind an infant daughter, Secret. Our condolences go out to his friends and family.

Mary Farrah Leni Fawcett: February 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009

Sad, breaking news from the entertainment community this morning: actress Farrah Fawcett has passed away after losing her battle with cancer.

The veteran actress was best recognized for her role on the popular 70s television series Charlie’s Angels, in which she portrayed Jill Munroe, one of the trio of independent, glamorous private investigators. Her career spanned several decades and popular roles in both film and television series. Most  recently, the release of the TV documentary, Farrah’s Story, which followed her as she bravely faced numerous cancer treatments in the months leading up to her passing, was a remarkable success.

Fawcett’s bubbly energy, beauty, and that famous feathered hairdo made her a fashion icon who will always be remembered by viewers for years to come, most notably for her charismatic smile and the much beloved pose she struck in a tiny red bathing suit.

Farrah Fawcett was 62. Funeral arrangements are pending. M.I.S.S offers our condolences to her family and friends in this difficult time.

Eartha Kitt, the legendary singer, dancer and actress passed away today from colon cancer at the age of 81.  Most famous for her role as cat woman (to my generation), her infamous purrr made her an icon.  She was a true talent and is an inspiration for breaking new ground in an industry where she paved the way for women of color.  It’s a sad day in entertainment history today, but Ms. Kitt’s purrrr will last forever.