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Video & Photos: Beyonce and Tina Knowles House of Dereon at Bloomingdale’s 10-28-08

Shallow Nation — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:44:27 +0000

Beyoncé Knowles and her mother Tina Knowles launched a new dress collection for their “House of Dereon” clothing line at Bloomingdale’s in New York City on October 28, 2008. See photos and video of the event at the landmark New York City department store.

The new dresses are inspired by the 1950s fashions of the forthcoming movie, Cadillac Records in which Beyonce stars as legendary singer Etta James. The movie will be released in theaters on December 5, 2008, and chronicles the life and times of groundbreaking Chicago record executive Leonard Chess who launched the careers of several music legends including Bo Diddley Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and Etta James.

“You can see now I have the same neckline I wore in one of the scenes in Etta James and some of the same materials, it’s something that’s classic and really sexy but still very ladylike,” said Beyoncé Knowles.

“Beyoncé brings the youth and she brings the rock ‘n’ roll and funk to the line and of course I’m more traditional and I think it’s a great combination,” said Tina Knowles.

Source: Beyoncé Knowles Shows Off New Clothing Line

The Knowles family launched the House of Dereon in 2006; Dereon was the maiden name of Beyonce’s grandmother Agnèz Deréon. Her married name, Agnèz Beyincé, is what inspired the singer’s first name. The collection’s tag line is “Couture. Kick. Soul,” representing the influence of three generations of the Knowles family.

Tina is the ‘couture’ thanks to her design talents, Beyonce brings the ‘kick’, while late Agnez had the ’soul’.

Beyonce is so involved with the marketing of the label she even name-checked their jeans in her latest track Single Ladies.

In the single, she sings: ‘Got me tighter than my Dereon jeans.’

Source: Family affair: Beyonce teams up with her mother to launch her fashion range in New York

Bloomingdale’s event attendees who bought a dress from their House of Deréon Dress collection received an autographed copy of the Cadillac Records soundtrack which will be released on December 2, 2008.
For additional photos see: Concrete Loop – Random Pics: Beyonce Debuts Hod Collection @ Bloomingdales

Video via Beyonce World

Video & Photos: Beyonce and Tina Knowles House of Dereon at Bloomingdale’s 10-28-08 pics pictures

Video & Photos: Alfred E. Smith Dinner John McCain Barack Obama Speeches 10-16-08

Shallow Nation — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:07:18 +0000

The night after the Final Presidential Debate, Presidential candidates Senators John McCain and Barack Obama took part in the traditional, and hilarious roasting of each other at the 2008 Alfred E. Smith Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel October 16, 2008 in New York City.

Appearing at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner is a tradition for presidential candidates, with both major nominees usually attending during the election year. The annual roast is named after the legendary four-term 1920s New York Governor who was the first first Roman Catholic and Irish-American to run for President as a major party nominee in 1928, losing to Herbert Hoover. Past dinners have featured a range of keynote speakers, including Winston Churchill. This year’s 63rd annual dinner surpassed its goal of raising $2.5 million for Catholic charities.

“They say Jack Kennedy won the [1960] election at the Al Smith Dinner,” [Smith's great-grandson and namesake] said in his office at St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centers, which features an array of Gov. Smith’s photos and an Obama bobble-head doll.

In 2004, Democrat John Kerry – a Catholic – was not invited, presumably for his pro-choice stance on abortion. As a result, President Bush also did not attend.

Source: After debate, candidates face roast at Alfred E. Smith Dinner

Barack Obama

John McCain and his wife Cindy McCain

Here are a few excerpts from the John McCain and Barack Obama speeches, both of which were very amusing. It was refreshing to see the candidates in this setting.

“I can’t shake that feeling that some people here are pulling for me,” McCain said, turning to the far side of the stage. “I’m delighted to see you here tonight, Hillary.”

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, and all others in the crowd, guffawed.

McCain added that Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton “has been hammering away with me with epithets like, ‘hero.’”

McCain said that his rival was not fazed by being called, “That one,” during the second presidential debate. “He doesn’t mind at all,” McCain said, “in fact, he even has a pet name for me: George Bush.”

In a sign of just how much the media-McCain relationship has turned, the Arizonan stated that “the press is really an independent-minded, civic-minded, non-partisan group, like ACORN.”

“It’s going to be a long, long night at MSNBC if I manage to pull this thing off,” McCain said. “I understand that Keith Olbermann has ordered up his very own ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner. They can hang it up in his padded room”

McCain introduced Obama, who at one point joked that he was confused.

“I was originally told the venue would be Yankee Stadium,” he said. “Can somebody tell me what happened to the Greek columns that I requested?”

Obama said the venue was fine, thought.

“I do love the Waldorf Astoria,” Obama said. “I hear from the doorstep you can see all the way to the Russian Tea Room.” It prompted much laughter from McCain.

Then Obama turned to the question McCain had been asking as of late: Who is the real Barack Obama?

“Contrary to the rumors you have heard, I was not born in a manger,” Obama said. “I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father Jor-El to save the planet Earth.”

Regarding his name, Obama said that “Barack is actually Swahili for ‘that one’. And I got my middle name from somebody who obviously didn’t think I’d ever run for President.”

Said the Democrat, “If I had to name my greatest strength, I guess it would be my humility. Greatest weakness, it’s possible that I’m a little too awesome.”

Obama took on another McCain criticism: the attack, earlier this election season, that he’s nothing more than a celebrity.

“I have to admit that that really hurt,” Obama said. “I got so angry about it I punched the paparazzi in the face on my way out of Spago’s. I’m serious. I even spilled my soy chai latte all over my shih tzu. It was really embarrassing.”

“One other thing,” Obama added, “I have never, not once, put lipstick on a pig or a pit bull or myself. Rudy Giuliani, that’s one for you. I mean — who would have thought that a cross-dressing mayor from New York City would have a tough time winning the Republican nomination? It’s shocking. That was a tough primary you had there, John.”

Source: Obama and McCain Yuk it Up at Al Smith Dinner
Photo credit: Getty Images North America

Video John McCain speech Alfred E. Smith Dinner October 16, 2008

Video John McCain speech continued; Video Barack Obama Speech Alfred E. Smith Dinner October 16, 2008

Via YouDecide2008 – Obama, McCain joke at the Alfred E. Smith dinner

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Video & Photos: John McCain Barack Obama Alfred E. Smith Dinner Speeches 10-16-08

Video & Photos: Tyler Perry Studios Opening Gala 10-4-08

Shallow Nation — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:07:10 +0000

The Tyler Perry Studios Opening Gala took place on October 4, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. Tyler Perry has made history, becoming the first African-American to establish his own TV and film studio. Gala attendees included numerous A-list celebrities, luminaries and living legends, including Sidney Poitier, Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Ruby Dee, Cicely Tyson, Louis Gossett, Jr., Holly Robinson Peete, Tracey Edmonds, L.A. Reid, Patti LaBelle, John Legend, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds.

Tyler Perry Studios occupies 30 acres in southwest Atlanta, and has more than 200,000 square feet of studio and office space. He will shoot his TBS sitcoms, “House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns” in the new studio. Speaking of Tyler Perry’s achievement, screen legend Sidney Poitier (pictured above with Tyler Perry) had this to say:

“I spent 56 years making movies and this is the reward that I have that means the most to me,” said Poitier, 81, the first African-American to win a Best Actor Oscar, for 1963’s Lilies of the Field.

A New Orleans native with a troubled childhood, Perry, 39, credited all of his guests with inspiring his life. Of Winfrey, who attended the celebration with longtime beau Stedman Graham and best friend Gayle King, Perry said, “She owns her life. I am learning that. I never would have shown this to people a few years ago. I was embarrassed by the success.”

As a large cast of attendants passed around champagne and tissues for the teary-eyed (who were many), Perry shared his rags-to-riches story over a large video screen that eventually gave way to a live singer and band delivering “The Impossible Dream,” followed by a fireworks display. Mary J. Blige, Patti Labelle and Gladys Knight also treated guests to separate performances.

Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight

At one point, Perry unveiled a special surprise for veteran trailblazers Poitier, Dee and Tyson: each now has a soundstage named after him and her.

Sidney Poitier

“Is this my wall?” joked Poitier – as Winfrey dissolved into tears.

Sidney Poitier and Oprah Winfrey

All joking aside, it was Will Smith who best summed up Perry’s accomplishment and the tide of change taking place in America today.

Will Smith and Sidney Poitier

“This is an American first, and the first in the universe,” said the I Am Legend star. “There is something happening in America and in the world that’s powerful. He is not letting anyone get in his way.

“Those are the wonderfully naïve, arrogant, humble, powerfully American concepts that make things powerful in this country. It’s big.”

Source: Tyler Perry Makes History – & Oprah Is There!

See also: Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith at Tyler Perry’s Studio Opening (ET’s Kevin Frazier report and video)

Photo credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images North America

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Video Tyler Perry Studios Opening Gala – Atlanta, GA October 4, 2008 – Red carpet interviews

Ruby Dee

Ruby Dee and Tyler Perry

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Will Smith and Tyler Perry

Video & Photos: Tyler Perry Studios Opening Gala 10-4-08 pics pictures

Photos: Beyonce Honored at Miami Children’s Hospital 2008 Diamond Ball 10-4-08

Shallow Nation — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:01:56 +0000

Beyonce was honored for her charitable work at the Miami Children’s Hospital 2008 Diamond Ball and Private Concert at the American Airlines Arena on October 4, 2008. Although Beyonce did not perform at the concert, the amazing 7-year-old piano prodigy Ethan Bortnick did perform and dedicated a song to her. Watch video here.

Beyonce Knowles, disco legend Gloria Gaynor and the “King of Motown” Smokey Robinson were among the stars who came out in support of the Miami Children’s Hospital Diamond Ball & Private Concert at the American Airlines Arena on Saturday. Knowles was inducted into the International Pediatric Hall of Fame for her efforts in Hurricane Katrina relief and evacuees in the Houston area.

[...]

Beyonce with Ethan Bortnick

Among the performers was 7-year old piano-playing prodigy Ethan Bortnick, who has performed with the likes of Nelly Furtado and Sheryl Crow and also has appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Oprah”. Tonight, he was playing alongside the stars, including on Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”

Knowles, who looked ravishing in a floor-length red dress, took the stage to accept the award but did not perform. She looked on as Bortnick, whose brother was treated at Miami Childen’s Hospital for heart defect, dedicated a musical number to the pop star.

Source: Beyonce Among Stars Who Headlined Miami Children’s Hospital Diamond Ball

Photo credit: Getty Images North America

Here is video of piano prodigy Ethan Bortnick and Gloria Gaynor performing “I Will Survive” at the 2008 Diamond Ball Private Concert

This video of Ethan Bortnick’s appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno reveals his remarkable musical genius.

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Photos: Beyonce Honored at Miami Children’s Hospital 2008 Diamond Ball 10-4-08

Video & Photos: Calvin Klein 40th Anniversary Party at the High Line 9-7-08

Shallow Nation — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:18:01 +0000

Legendary design house Calvin Klein’s 40th anniversary party took place at the High Line in New York City on September 7, 2008. The party drew numerous celebrities–including Halle Berry, Eva Mendes, Kimora Lee Simmons, Claire Danes, Leighton Meester, Natasha Bedingfield, Naomi Watts, Paula Patton, Estelle, Rosario Dawson–and was held in a remarkable setting, at New York City’s High Line in a structure specially designed by John Pawson with a light installation by artist James Turrell.

New York’s High Line has traveled from freight rail to potential public park (I think I can, I think I can…) in the past eight decades, but it’s most surprising use came on Sunday night when it hosted Calvin Klein’s 40th anniversary party. Three stories into the open air over Tenth and Eleventh Avenues, the long field of weeds that has overtaken the more typical New York asphalt landscape greeted the fashion elite and red carpet celebrities including David Schwimmer and Kevin Bacon.

Calvin Klein, the legendary design company, celebrated its anniversary with the week’s must-go party thrown on the West-side freight rail line that closed in 1980 and has since been the terrain of urban explorers and preservationists. The southern leg of the line is set to open by the year’s end as an aerial park, and a second leg will follow in 2009. But the future of the third leg, where Calvin Klein assembled the fashion world’s elite on Sunday night, remains unsure as developers wrangle with economics.

The rail line was built in the 1930s as a Robert Moses project, running roughly from the Javits Center to Canal Street. It’s now a weedy patch of rail tracks that is often unnoticed from the street.

[...]

The enticing outdoors seemed to lure guests away from James Turrell, the famous light artist whose “Two Blues 2008” installation was on view in a building specially constructed for the occasion. Mr. Turrell was intended to be a highlight of the seminal party with his instillation — a large rectangular blue light whose depths appear infinite. But the artist seemed unsure of the whole scene. “I don’t know, actually,” he said, when I asked how his collaboration with Calvin Klein came about. Then he looked around at the handful of people chatting in front of his art, and wondered, “I thought I was coming to a fashion thing.” He left a half-hour later, but Francisco Costa, Calvin Klein’s designer, raved, ”He is magical…spiritual. I just want to jump in” to his light installation.

Source: Calvin Klein’s High Line

Calvin Klein 40th anniversary tribute video

Video & Photos: Calvin Klein 40th Anniversary Party at the High Line 9-7-08 – pictures

Video & Photos: “The Women” Los Angeles Premiere 9-4-08

Shallow Nation — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:05:12 +0000

The Los Angeles premiere of the The Women took place at the Mann Village Theatre in Westwood, California on September 4, 2008. Attending the A-list premiere were cast members Meg Ryan, Jada Pinkett Smith, with her husband Will Smith, Debra Messing, Eva Mendes, Annette Bening with her husband, Warren Beatty, Candice Bergen, Cloris Leachman and Debi Mazar.

(L-R) Jada Pinkett Smith, Annette Benning, Debra Messing, Meg Ryan, Eva Mendes

The Women–a remake of George Cukor’s classic 1939 film (a screen adaptation of the 1936 play by Clare Boothe Luce)–is a comedy about Manhattan socialites and is directed by Diane English and produced by Picturehouse Entertainment. The movie will be in theaters on September 12, 2008.

(L-R) Candice Bergen, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Cloris Leachman, Eva Mendes and Debi Mazar

During the press conference at the movie’s premiere, cast member Annette Benning made headlines with her remarks about Republican Vice Presidential candidate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

“I think it’s exciting to see a woman chosen to be on a major ticket,” Bening said. “But the idea that people, who voted for Hillary, who tend to be Democrats, would change and vote for McCain because of Sarah Palin seems to me bizarre.”

She admitted that there are some women who probably would move into Palin’s camp because they want to vote for a woman.

“I find that an odd idea because, of course, Sarah Palin’s politics are to the right of McCain’s. She’s incredibly conservative and I think it’s fair to say she’s more conservative than John McCain. So whether she will rally more conservative people to get out there and vote, I don’t know. But most of the people I know that were interested in voting for Hillary are voting for Obama.”

Bening will be voting for Obama. So will her costars in the new movie — Meg Ryan, Cloris Leachman, Debra Messing — as well as director Diane English.

Source: Republican politics ‘bizarre’ to liberal actress Bening

(L-R) Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Annette Benning and Warren Beatty

Photo credit: WireImage, Flynet Pictures, Getty Images North America

AP video report on “The Women” Los Angeles premiere

The Women 2008 Trailer

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Video & Photos: “The Women” Los Angeles Premiere 9-4-08

Photos: Tyra Banks Harper’s Bazaar Magazine September 2008 Celebration

Shallow Nation — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:17:54 +0000

Tyra Banks celebrated the Harper’s Bazaar Magazine September 2008 fashion issue in New York City on September 3, 2008. Tyra Banks is on the cover of the magazine and featured in a photo spread in which she pays homage to Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama. Rachel Zoe and Rachel Roy also attended the Harper’s Bazaar party.

Photo credit: Harper’s Bazaar

Photos: Tyra Banks Harper’s Bazaar Magazine September 2008 Celebration