It’s been awhile.
I would like to start by thanking all of you who have continuously supported, and encouraged, me over this last year. There are no words that can effectively state what your loyalty has meant to me. With that being said, I would just like to let everyone know that Sirelle Carter Online will return — better than ever — Wednesday, May 1.
Happy New Year.
Although The Bible landed on my desk nearly month ago, it has taken nearly every day since then to dissect it.
Nine hundred and sixteen pages. 9-1-6!
In her Letter from the Editor, Ways of Seeing, Anna Wintour dedicates the resplendent issue to “the women who conjure up compelling images month after month.” [Her] fashion editors. And for the purpose of grasping an understanding in their importance to every issue, Wintour suggests that the reader “take a look” at Vogue: The Editor’s Eye, debuting in October.
Pop culture icon, Lady Gaga, is tabbed as the cover girl. Initially — upon learning that Gaga was selected — I was stumped. But then I gave the selection some thought, and tittered at the genius of Anna. It made so much sense.
See, when you need to sell the September cinderblock..I mean issue (..that feels like a cinderblock), who better to appoint front-and-center than Lady Gaga? Because one thing is certain, Gaga’s face could be on napkins (which, it is) and little monsters across the globe will empty the shelves.
Mad Men star Jessica Paré is the choice It Girl for the month; and NBA superstar Dwyane Wade‘s new memoir, A Father First: How My Life Became Bigger than Basketball, is among three titles featured in the Books editorial.
In Life With André, Mr. Talley cites how Vogue has galvanized fashion icons such as: Oscar de la Renta, Karl Lagerfeld, and Zac Posen over the years.
The issue is loaded with high-quality editorials. Aside from Lady Gaga, most noteworthy is Waiting In The Wings; an exclusive interview chronicling Chelsea Clinton, formulated by Jonathan Van Meter.
Blake Lively mesmerizes in a jarring pink Gucci dress, as she’s featured in the Beauty editorial. Editor Sarah Brown details of Lively being appointed as face of the new Gucci fragrance, Première.
Above all, the issue celebrates 120 years of American Vogue. And in rounding out the issue is The Vogue 120, which features a vast array notables du juor!
With presidential campaigning already well ingrained with sludge-like maneuvers, Jim Nelson’s Letter from the Editor: Pep Rally 2012 comes right on time. Lightening the somber mood, Nelson puts a much needed mordant twist on the election as only he can.
GQ‘s September issue is typically regarded as thee style issue of the year [for men]. Although using an innovative scheme, the Gentlemen’s Quarterly staff recruited some of the National Football League’s most chiseled jocks — integrated them throughout the issue — and deemed it the NFL Kick-Off 2012 issue.
Tim Tebow and Cam Newton are the September cover boys.
Some of the league’s most promising rookies, such as: Trent Richardson, Robert Griffin III, and Morris Claiborne strap on The 10 Best Coats of the Season; while Detroit Lions Pro Bowl tackle, Ndamukong Suh, is profiled in an absorbing editorial entitled, He Didn’t Mean To Hurt You. DeMarcus Ware and Victor Cruz are among various other NFL-ers featured in the issue.
Unrelated to the gridiron, Manual: GQ Endorses highlights an intriguing figure, in Nike’s Tinker Hatfield. Hatfield is labeled The Michael Jordan of Designing Jordans. A must read for the sneakerhead!
The issue rounds out with a compelling article on The Secrets and Lies of Joe Paterno; contrasted by a feature of the Vegas superclub, Marquee, The Best Night…$500,000 Can Buy.
Singer Rita Ora makes a cameo on The Punch List.
Football. Fashion. Festivities. That’s what the fall means to me. There’s something about the autumn — September, October, November — span of the year that is just exhilarating. While many countdown to the lax summer solstice, it’s the autumn moments worth seizing.
It has been many, many, and did I say.. many months since football ceased for the 2011 season. Since early 2012, men and women football adorners, nationwide, were subjected to an involuntary pigskin famine. What was only seven to eight months, felt like years. But we survived. And much like college football, which opened this past weekend with a sonic boom, the NFL looks to follow suit. The regular season kicks off tonight when the defending Super Bowl XLVI champions, the New York Giants, host their taxing rival — the Dallas Cowboys. Are you ready for some football?
Fall also serves as a sensational time of the year for fashion. Due to growingly unbearable temperatures in the summer, it’s often tough — perhaps impossible — to make wardrobe statements. And such is why the fall season is ideal for fashion. This notion will prove to be all the more definite when New York City kicks off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week tomorrow; followed by London, Milan, and Paris.
Further contributing to the essence of the season, is the festiveness of fall. Cider mills, Halloween (and haunted houses), Thanksgiving, and parades. These events are suitable to meet the needs for all members of the family, while also meeting the requisites of romance. So as we usher out the summer, let us simultaneously escort in the fall and embrace this season for the gem that it is.
And oh yea…it’s election season. -SC.
It’s official!
Earlier today, former NFL defensive star, Michael Strahan, was revealed as the new co-host of the morning talk show — alongside Kelly Ripa. The future Hall of Famer previously made several guest host appearances before being tabbed as the permanent replacement to Regis Philbin.
As a longtime viewer of Live!, I think the selection of Strahan is a grand slam. The retired jock brings a suave, yet humorous element to the show that ideally compliments Ripa’s girl next door persona.
1. Alabama: Many of the experts have casted doubts on the Crimson Tide’s ability to repeat as national champions. This is largely due to the program losing eight starters — 6 on defense — to the NFL Draft. However, the Tide enter this season boasting arguably the best offensive line in the nation. With Saint Nick roaming the sidelines for the sixth season, I see no obstacles blocking a Crimson Tide repeat.
2. Southern Cal: Senior quarterback (and Heisman favorite) Matt Barkley is as polished and poised as it gets. Paired along with Lane Kiffin — in his third season as head coach — this teacher-pupil tandem lead the Trojans from the shadows of NCAA sanctions. Returning All-American wideout, Robert Woods — and adding junior Penn State transfer, Silas Redd, to the offensive backfield — the Trojans look to don the nation’s most prolific offensive unit this season.
3. Oklahoma: It seems like an eternity since “Big Game Bob” actually won a big game. However, lead by quarterback Landry Jones (preseason Heisman candidate), this 2012 Sooners squad seems to possess a bit of promise. Wideout Kenny Stills is a bonafide playmaker who can crib it at any moment. Pairing this veteran offense with a defense lead by safety Tony Jefferson, and returning defensive coordinator, Mike Stoops, the Oklahoma Sooners are on a mission to restore greatness in Norman.
4. Louisiana State: I have a nearly impossible time fathoming the notion that losing Tyrann Mathieu doesn’t serve as a severe detriment. Nonetheless, with Les Miles in his eighth season at the helm — and the defense returning preseason All-Americans Sam Montgomery (defensive end) and Eric Reid (safety) — the Tigers will manage to overcome adversity.
5. Oregon: For the reigning Pac-12 [and Rose Bowl] champions, it’s hard to argue that the Ducks can capitalize on their 2011 campaign after losing Darron Thomas and LaMichael James. But I’ll argue it. Entering his fourth season, Chip Kelly will roll out perhaps the most talented defensive unit he has had since taking over in Eugene. And with the dynamite tailback duo of Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas in his arsenal, Kelly will keep his team in the national title mix; although the November 3rd trip to Los Angeles will arguably determine the Ducks national title hopes.
6. South Carolina: The epitome of a dark horse. Creeping behind Alabama and LSU, the Gamecocks have the talent and ability to win the SEC East. However, will their schedule play nice? In October alone, Steve Spurrier & Co. will tango with Georgia, and visit both Baton Rouge and Gainesville. Pending his health, electrifying tailback Marcus Lattimore will stake his claim for the Heisman, while sophomore defensive end, Jadeveon Clowney, wreaks havoc on opposing offenses. Lead by these two — and the Old Ball Coach — if the Gamecocks can manage to overcome their October obstacles, they’ll cruise to Atlanta in December.
7. Arkansas: The upper echelon of the SEC’s Western division is getting quite crowded. As the third top-10 squad in the division alone, the Razorbacks look to overcome losing head coach Bobby Petrino to scandal. But with the return of tailback Knile Davis (injury) and quarterback Tyler Wilson, this high-powered offense will certainly keep the national race interesting.
8. Florida State: In year three as head coach of the Seminoles, this is the season where Jimbo Fisher elevates his program to the next level. Tallahassee is a place where mediocrity is an allergen. In 2012, look for touted prospects from that top recruiting class of 2011 to become household names. Linebacker Karlos Williams and defensive lineman Tim Jernigan highlight the front seven, along with senior end Brandon Jenkins. Defensive backs Lamarcus Joyner and Nick Waisome will need to elevate their play due to the loss of Greg Reid. With the defense executing their assignments, and quarterback EJ Manuel groomed to have sensational senior season, the Seminoles should have no troubles winning the ACC.
9. West Virginia: The Mountaineers are very intriguing. As Big 12 newcomers, their high-powered offense — you know, the one that put up 70 points in the Orange Bowl against Clemson — should have a seamless transition into a conference that has adapted almost completely to the spread phenomenon. Coach Dana Holgorsen’s guys love to play for him. On the field, the Mountaineers will be lead by Heisman dark horse candidate, quarterback Geno Smith, and they will certainly look to make some noise in the Big 12.
10. Michigan State: Excluding standout tailback, Le’Veon Bell, the Spartans lose virtually their entire offense. So initially, I had zero intentions of them making this list. But then I thought about their defense. I watched some film, and let me tell you — these guys are really going to upset someone’s Saturday. Head coach Mark Dantonio and defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi (a no-brainer future head coach) motivate the unit to play every down with a chip on their shoulder. As a result, the offense will rely heavily on the play of the Spartan defense in 2012, but being lead by end William Gholston — and linebacker Max Bullough — the defense won’t let them down.
When it comes to film, I doubt there is a bigger action fiend than myself. So this past weekend, my Christmas came early with the box office release of The Expendables 2. Personally, I loved the first installment. But then again, to win my film affection, all you need is obnoxious artillery and loud vrooms and you’ve got my support.
With the sequel however, it was different. Simon West, Richard Wenk, and Sly Stallone construct a firm plot, and (for an action flick) do a sound job telling the story. It flows, there’s humor, and did I mention heavy artillery?
The film returns your favorite badasses Jason Statham, Jet Li, and the rest of the original expendables; joined by newcomers Liam Hemsworth and the invincible Chuck Norris. Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger also return in the sequel, with more prominent roles, while Jean-Claude Van Damme portrays a captivating adversary.
The Expendables 2 is 102 minutes of a must see.
If you’re like me, with the commencing of the Olympic Games, you probably expected the onslaught of Ryan Lochte billboards to take reign. Though not because of Lochte’s achievements, but because he seemed to be the face sponsors wanted to market. So it came as a complete shock when I learned that Michael Phelps has been tabbed as the newest face of Louis Vuitton.
In a recently released ad image, Phelps is displayed sitting on a luxury sofa adjacent to Larisa Latynina, the former Soviet gymnast whose Olympic medal record he broke.
The photograph was taken by Annie Leibovitz.
The August issue — the publication’s annual Age Issue — features The Dark Knight Rises vixen, Marion Cotillard, on the cover. It serves to be a modest one as it is the prequel to “The Bible.”
Vintage rocker Keith Richards, model Joan Smalls, and Italian filmmaker Ginevra Elkann are all highlighted in age related spreads.
In addition, André Leon Talley raves over his grand experience at the recent Chanel cruise show in Life With André; and English model Jacquetta Wheeler is tabbed as the August It Girl.
The Dark Knight Rises co-star, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is tabbed as the August cover boy. In it’s monthly Manual: GQ Endorses ‘The Denim Shirt’, and tabs Pharrell Williams and Mark McNairy‘s menswear collab [Bee Line for Billionaire Boys Club] as “fashion’s first supergroup.”
The 14 Most Annoying People in Your Twitter Feed is a hilarious feature that covers everyone individual from the “guy who forgets other people have access to the internet” to, well.. “your mom.”
And apparently both myself and the staff at GQ have been on the same wavelength, because I’d recently stated that I too believed this Must Be The Season of The Brits. The issue highlights the Fall 2012 fashion preview in a spread featuring various British personalities.
The issue is currently on newsstands.
Sirelle Carter Online 