If you can’t hear her coming from miles away, you can certainly see her. Lady Gaga and an assortment of costume changes are on their way to the Queen City. Charlotte is one of the many stops for Lady Gaga’s “Monster Tour,” which will be held at Time Warner Cable Arena at 8 p.m. on Sept. 18.  Get ready to “Just Dance” with Gaga and her multiple outfit changes. You’ll experience a plethora of extremely original and quite interesting costumes. But, just remember … just because something is original doesn’t make it a hit!

Here we take a look at some past looks.

These studs turned out to be a total dud for Lady Gaga at the Monster Ball in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For Gaga, it’s boring and dull. It lacks that special something that she’s notorious for bringing on stage. Not to mention, the two-piece set does nothing for her gorgeous figure. Black leather and studs are so last year. Come on Gaga. It’s a definite miss. (Photo Credit: MSN Celebrity)

White is the color of innocence … but she’s not fooling us. Lady Gaga looks slinky and sexy in this detailed white mini dress. The contrast of the midnight black lashes against the stark white dress creates a sultry look for Gaga. Sexy, short and to the point. It’s a hit. (Photo Credit: Buzzfoto.com)

Lady Gaga, didn’t your mommy ever tell you to keep your pants on? Here the superstar was photographed with pants on during a dress rehearsal (Oh the horror!), so she decided she needed to change things up before the performance. She took matters into her own hands and wore the same outfit again — this time, without pants. The pattern is plain ugly. Whether it’s a onesy or pants, it looks like the pattern of a Dutch grandmother’s plate set. The hat tops it off … if only she had some wooden shoes. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.  (Photo Credit: PerezHilton.com)

Last week's cover story — penned by yours truly! — profiled people in the Charlotte area whose rental homes are decorated funky, fresh and eclectic. (Yes, I know I'm late posting this.)

For example, Kymm Mclean's home is full of color, with yellow-painted walls of the reading room with Christmas balls hanging from the ceiling. Scooter Arnold's mother-in-law suite, small but quaint, is reminiscent of the 1950s, and his collection of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia hardly overwhelms at all.

And fashion designer Lore Emelio's small house in Dilworth doubles as her studio, where she designs her hats, bow ties and other accessories from her line.

In fact, when we went to check out her place, fabric was hanging against a wall that would be utilized for her fall collection. But I can't say any more about that. (Here's a shot of her front showroom, which used to be her living room. Photography by Ashley Goodwin.)

So you should definitely check out this story here. And not only because I wrote it — although that is a pretty big deal, if you ask me — but also because you may garner some ideas to decorate your own place. After all, just because you rent doesn't mean your home can't be fabulous.

Have you ever been to Snug Harbor on a Thursday night? Shiprocked is an interesting party, to say the least. The mix of people in that spot is crazy, and sometimes the outfits are even crazier.

Intern Victoria presents to you a brief photo gallery of the kicks she spotted last night at Snug.

Slideshow SnugHarborShoes

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SnugHarborShoes

By Kimberly Lawson

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I love color. I love the way a bright fuchsia dress can make you stand out in the crowd. I love the way accents of yellow can add life to a black and white print dress. It's a simple concept, wearing bright colors to brighten your existence, but many people are just too comfortable in neutrals. I can understand though ... dark colors make us feel safe, just another person blending in with the crowd.

But bright colors and intricate accents were both major players in last night's fashion show at the Catwalk for a Cause, an event benefiting the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation, held at the River Run Country Club. Proceeds from the silent auction and raffle also went toward the foundation, which plans to use the money to supply backpacks for children in need. (On a side note, the items up for raffle and auction were REALLY great items — think designer samples, gift certificates, beauty products, jewelry— props to all the sponsors who donated!)

The outfits from the runway were courtesy of Lavendar Boutique, Bella Ropa and Dot's Women's Wear. Here are some shots.

By Nicole Pietrantonio

Are the 1940s giving the 1980s trends of last season a run for their money? According to three local designers, spring 2010 is bringing back swanky 1940s apparel with sleek lines and Audrey Hepburn-inspired styles. Sassy-chic is redefined with pencil skirts and peep-toe inspirations, classic of the that era.

Here, each designer weighs in on what aspect of the '40s you can expect to see in her collection — everything from full-brim hats, form-fitting clothes and chunky accessories.

Charlotte fashion designer Lore Emelio, who attended Parsons Fashion design school and went on to work at prominent fashion house Ralph Lauren, has been struck hard by the designs of the 1940s. She is approaching spring “with fit and flair influences from the 1940s,” along with “late Victorian references in the hats of the Lore Emelio collection.”

Speaking of hats, Emelio has matched up some fun accessories to compliment her 1940s-inspired line. “A woven straw full-brim sun hat that exudes full-on glamour is an exceptionally sophisticated and simple piece that can't help but make a statement. It both adds mystery to the wearer and elevates any outfit,” said Emelio. In the shoe department, “strappy Espadrilles” echo the shoe styles of the working woman in the late 1940s.

In agreement to the 1940s spring fever, Amy Lynn Kirchen’s 2010 Haute Couture Spring/Summer Collection is motivated by post-world war designs of the late 1940s — feminine lines, narrow skirts, and breathable linens. Kirchen, the designer behind ALK Fashion, said she will embody “some basic designs from the 1940s era with a twist of modern edge.”

“I have several 'evening' dresses that range from chic cocktail dresses to elegant haute couture designs, and I have designed a few 'mini' dresses for daytime wear that are sexy, stylish and fun,” said Kirchen.

Kirchen’s accessory line is just as reminiscent of the era as her evening and daytime attire. “Simple clutch purses, chunky accessories and heels in bright metallics will be hot this spring,” said Kirchen.

Designer Melissa Davis of Foxx Skynz by Design is also drawn to the 1940s. Davis was the winner of the Up & Coming Fashion Designer of the Year award in 2006 from BTE-TV. Now catering to a diverse range of Charlotte clients Davis stated that she is drawn to the '40s. "That era has clean lines and classic silhouettes that flatter almost any body shape," she said. "That mixed with some trends from the '60s and '80s creates a garment that is both striking and flattering on the individual.”

Some expectations of the daytime wear from the Davis collection are “knit wrap dresses and halter tops with flirty skirts. [I] love these pieces because they are both flattering and distinctive. The shapes work with the strengths of a woman's body and the signature long wrap sashes further direct attention to those more desirable areas.”

• From Foxx Skynz Designs

Have you seen my fab cover story in this week's issue? Yes, friends, fashion gets the cover this week, and it's about time, no? I chatted up local fashion designer Cigi Guzman, creator of The Flock, as she gushed about her upcoming event Public Photo Shoot Project. Here's an excerpt:

At last September's Charlotte N.C. Fashion Week (think New York Fashion Week on a much, much smaller scale), Guzman did something a little unorthodox: Instead of contracting too-thin-for-their-own-good models from an agency, she asked average-looking (but incredibly interesting) people in the Charlotte community -- like Jody Sullivan, owner of The Breakfast Club; Brian Bouwman, a local furniture designer; and Tonia Bendickson, anchor for WBTV news -- to walk her designs down the catwalk.

The stunt at Charlotte N.C. Fashion Week wouldn't be the only unorthodox move we'd see from this budding designer. Last October, Guzman orchestrated the first ever Public Photo Shoot Project ... right smack in the middle of Uptown Charlotte. Held at the corner of Trade and Tryon streets, the Public Photo Shoot Project was an opportunity for regular citizens, regardless of their size, style or look, to model pieces from The Flock and have their photos taken by a professional photographer. Guzman worked with photographer Sara Renee that day, styling people in her signature simplistic clothing and accessorizing as she saw fit -- and 58 regular joes became models. The photos were then used in The Flock's advertising and marketing campaigns and also given to the models for their personal use.

How's that for straying away from the stereotypical elitism associated with the fashion industry?

That's part of the reason why Guzman says she created The Flock in 2004 -- to distance herself from the typical fashion diva mindset. "I was getting sick of looking at these ads of absolutely beautiful people," she says. "I know how to use Photoshop. I know what it takes to make things look perfect. And these people didn't speak to me -- they didn't feel real to me. And so I wanted to create a line that embodied everybody, like all shapes, sizes, every walk of life."

With the spring collection of The Flock ready to be unveiled, Guzman has decided to host another Public Photo Shoot Project. This time, she's collaborating with local photographer (and Creative Loafing contributor) Jasiatic to present the project on Feb. 21 at Dilworth Neighborhood Grille. Starting at 6 p.m., Charlotteans, with or without professional modeling experience, who have signed up on the PPSP site (www.publicphotoshootproject.com) and paid their $20 modeling fee (which ensures the time slot, styling, the sitting fee and two professionally edited photos) will get the chance to rock one of the "five must-have pieces" from the spring collection of The Flock. The model will be styled by Guzman (and her second-in-command stylist/intern Chanel Price) then photographed; about a week later, the photos will be released to participants at a photo release party.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

Blogs are always telling you what you SHOULD get your woman for Valentine's Day. Hell, my own suggestion this year was handmade jewelry.

But InventorSpot.com lists 11 items you definitely DO NOT want to give your lady love as a token of your affection. And believe me fellas ... you do NOT want to pick up ANY of these items, no matter how much it might turn you on to see her sporting it. Need I remind you that lingerie should be sexy and make the woman FEEL sexy, too?

Ew. Ugh. Yuck. BlecH. <---- is my response to below photo, no. 11 on the list, the Dead Rat Thong. EEWWWWW!!!!

See the rest of the list (with photos, however disturbing they may be) here.