Sir ARI GOLD ~ Spirit, Flesh, Sparkle

Sir Ari Gold

is certain to

'Sparkle'

at the

Atlanta Pride

stage this week. I got turned on to Ari Gold about four years ago through his music videos which played regularly on the LogoTV Network. The music was great and well, Ari was easy on the eyes. So, with that said, you can imagine my excitement when I read in

Project Q

that Ari Gold was to headline Pride! I wasted no time in contacting him for a "chat".

We chatted about the things that matter most to Sir Ari Gold: his music & LBGT rights. And if you're not familiar with his music, Gold describes it as a mixture of R&B, dance, soul and pop. [

I describe it as fabulous.

]

I asked Sir Ari Gold how he came to choose Atlanta Pride and learned that we chose him! He said: The Pride Committee approached me. I've done about fifty Prides but I have never done Atlanta. I'm excited to come. I hear Atlanta has a love of music.

What can we expect on Sunday October 9th?

I want people to get a good feeling of what I do. I'll perform songs from the new album

Between the Spirit & the Flesh

. I'm bringing dancers along with me so we'll take a journey with my sets. I like to give a little theater...

You made a choice to be openly gay. Will you talk about that?

I think it stems from being an

artist and not really being famous nor rich but its more about being able to write and sing about the things I'm passionate about. I couldn't justify in my head being 'out' in my public and private life and not having that be a part of what I do. I need to write about the things I see every day from the perspective of a gay man - that's a big part  of my life...

How did folks react at first to your lyrics and content?

I came into resistance from the industry. Unfortunately many of them were gay themselves who told me I should go into the closet or that I won't sell records.

You are an active supporter of gay/civil rights and anti-bullying. Tell me about [your]

It Gets Better

video.

I read

Dan Savage's

column religiously. Its amusing and informative. I saw a call for those videos so I did one. That too got a great response! Whenever I can use my platform to propell acceptance to move LBGT people forward, I try and do so. [

WATCH VIDEO

]

When I asked Sir Ari Gold about his musical inspirations he laughed a little because he gets asked this loaded question all the time. He answered as concisely as possible since his influences are multi-layered and  cross generational:

[At first] I loved and worshiped many great artists in the 80's like Michael Jackson, Madonna and George Michael. However, as I did my research, I fell in love with the 70's and artists like Sylvester, Chaka Khan and  Johnny Hideway.  And of course, I'm influenced by 90's.

The videos for

Human, Make My Body Rock

and

Wave of You

are some of my favorites. They're beautifully artistic. Sir Ari Gold describes the sexy

Make My Body Rock

video as "a True Blood meets Mad Men deconstruction of heterosexual marriage and a heterosexist economy." His

Wave of You

video was a collaboration between Ari and director Guy Guido and serves as an homage to the "iconic" body of work of the late photographer Herb Ritts.

Currently, Sir Ari Gold is promoting his new album, the critically acclaimed,

Between the Spirit & the Flesh.

The second single to be released,

Sparkle

, features the vocals of

Sarah Dash

. The song serves as a "self-empowerment" anthem and "a rallying cry against all bullies" as described by Sir Ari.

When I asked if he'd ever consider doing a full concert in Atlanta Ari enthusiastically answered, "I would love to!" In the meantime, you can enjoy Sir Ari Gold on Pride Sunday, October 9th at the

Coca-Cola Stage

at 6:15. [

I know I'll be there... not missing this one!!

]

BTW, and if you're wondering why the "Sir"... Ari was knighted by the

Imperial Court of New York

...

fashionado

Atlanta COTILLION~10 Years of Gay Royalty

There seems to be a charity fundraiser or two or three every week in Atlanta, yet, only a very small number stand out as different, unique and creative. The

Atlanta Cotillion

for

AID Atlanta

has embodies all three characteristics, plus a fourth: longevity.

Congratulations, Atlanta Cotillion for offering a different way of fundraising, through a creative means in the most unique of endeavors. "10 years of Royalty" speaks loudly of your success and commitment to the Atlanta community.

So, what is the Atlanta Cotillion?

In their words:

Annually, a group of gentlemen from the Atlanta gay community participate as “debutantes” in a unique fundraising concept to benefit HIV/AIDS charities.  Each participant is given a financial goal; how they reach and, almost always, exceed that goal depends on their creativity, resources and passion for helping those affected by HIV/AIDS.  Since 2002 the Atlanta Cotillion has not only donated over $750,000, but has also become one of the single largest donors of unrestricted funds to AID Atlanta, the largest AIDS service organization in the southeast.

After months of creative individual fundraising efforts, the Atlanta Cotillion social season culminates in the lively and entertaining

Atlanta Cotillion Ball

. In keeping to tradition the escorted debutantes are presented on stage to celebrate their fundraising successes.  As the highlight of the evening, the debutante who has raised the most funds is crowned Queen of the Atlanta Cotillion Ball.  Now in its ninth year in this format, the Atlanta Cotillion Ball is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in Atlanta and has achieved national awareness.

[caption id="attachment_9999" align="aligncenter" width="382" caption="The reigning Cotillion Queen who raised $15K, Ava VonSeco. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Cotillion."]

[/caption]

The six dedicated gentlemen turned "Debutantes" making a significant difference in fundraising for an important cause are: 

John Ford

(Chardonnay Chenine d'Asti)

; 

Tim Hobby

(Lotta Pusse')

; 

JD Kellum

(Jacqueline D'Bouvier VonSeco)

; 

Jesse Rhodes

(Gabriella Sofia "Sophie" Isabel)

; 

Ric Sosa

(Sofia Santana “GiGi” de la Gorgonzola-Gonzalez)

; 

John Weathers

("McCray Iona "Mona" Fitzjohn"

)

Cotillion X

takes places on Saturday, September 17 at

The Foundry at Puritan Mill.

For information on all things Cotillion, visit their

AIDAtlanta

website. Maybe you'll get inspired to attend! Look for a recap and photogallery later next week!

fashionado

澳門 Macau Baby!

VEGAS

No, Macau baby!

Macau, a former Portuguese colony, thrives on a booming economy of gambling and tourism. Its one of two "special administrative regions" in China - Hong Kong being the other.

The "turbojet" was a speedy one hour ride from Hong Kong to Macau. Riding in "super-class" had its perks, like snack service and being the first passengers to exit upon docking. You still need to go through customs and unfortunately that was a timely, crowded mess.

Miss Macau, as we dubbed her, was poised elegantly at the entrance of the Wynn Hotel and Casino where she greeted guests with a gleaming smile.

The lower level of the Wynn Hotel, in high-end chic Vegas style, hosted designer showrooms from Dior, Miu Miu, Gucci, Prada and more...

Macau's Portuguese origins were most evident at the center of town.

One of the most popular sites at Macau was this facade... The Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral...

I believe this was a fashion shoot rather than a wedding shoot as the photographer's cap read

"fuck the paparazzi"...

The weather got stormy on the return trip to Hong Kong making the turbojet ride not as pleasurable. Thank goodness it was only an hour long!

fashionado

New York New York

I have always loved New York.

The abundance of art, fashion and shopping sets New York City not only apart from any other place in the U.S. but also sets trends nationally and beyond.

There is an incomparable energy that exists in NYC that filters through everyone, residents and visitors alike.

Now there is one more (major) reason to love the entire state of New York: Same-Sex Marriage.

This is a victory not just for gays but for the nation as we move towards equality. New York is the 6th state to sign the bill.

CLICK Here to read CNN story & watch CNN Video, AndersonCooper

reports.

There are so many songs about the fabulousness of NY and this oldie is one of my favorites. [Perhaps reveals a little bit about myself.]

Sing it

Nina Hagen!

fashionado

The Happiest Place on Earth!

Alright, so lets get the bitchiness out of the way first... If you have a strong aversion to 1) crowds and 2) small children, do not go to Disney World

OR

just get over it and have a blast. (Seriously, I can't recall the last time I had so much fun wearing just a t-shirt, shorts and sneakers.)

In 1973, my family and I went to Disney World for the first time and its fair to say that the Magic Kingdom was, well,

magical

and it still is. The fun I had inspired me to tell you about it.

My family has been returning to Disney every year since '73 ... me... not so much... I accepted the large crowds and walked around the strollers and didn't worry about anything at all. I rode every attraction.

TIP

: If you get to the Magic Kingdom when it opens in the morning and hit the attractions, you'll have almost no wait time. Really! Leave the shopping for later, ride first.

Impeccable landscaping throughout the grounds. Creeping fig topiaries like this can be found everywhere.

Love Splash Mountain! Sit in the front seat and you are sure to get soaked! That's my cousin Stephanie next to me and my sister, Miriam, behind us. Sports fans, check out Miriam's blog:

A Fishy Situation

.

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow of the Pirates of the Caribbean. Not really, but a damn good look alike!

The Haunted Mansion.

My favorite ride still is Space Mountain!

The Electrical Parade at 9pm is a million-sparkling-light extravaganza.

Cinderella's Castle transforms at night through amazing saturations of color.

The Happiest Place on Earth!!

fashionado

Paris London Miami

Mark and Brett are tres chic!

They recently moved to the fashionable Notting Hill area in West London after living fabulously in Paris. I recently caught up with them at their "vacation" home in historic Coral Gables, Florida.

First... the quick backstory!

Mark and I met and became instant friends while working together at Nordstrom some thirteen years ago in Atlanta. I was with Mark the night he met Brett. They've been together ever since.

Brett is an business executive with an international firm and is the left brain thinker of the relationship. While Mark, an architectural designer, is the right brain creative force. Together, they are a perfect balance of intellect and intuition - and they both have style, grace and charm. In Paris, their place was on the sophisticated Champs-Élysées.

The view, from their balcony, of the Arc de Triomphe was so close that you could almost touch it! After five years in Paris, they moved to London as Brett's business territories shifted.

While spending [my] Christmas in Miami I visited with Mark and Brett and got inspired to do this story after touring the gorgeous home they just bought. To be honest, I saw it at Thanksgiving during a very brief visit with Mark. This time around, I had an all day catch-up with them which included dinner at the well known Havana Harry's.

The entrance to the 1926 home built by famed architect Robert Law Weed was stacked with 250 moving boxes which had just arrived from London two days prior to my visit.

One of several varieties of heliconia that grace the property. The landscape will undoubtedly change and evolve to grandeur as Mark has the greenest thumb I've ever seen.

The house itself is undergoing a transformation as it has some fixer-upper characteristics! For example, check out the new french doors... every window and door has been replaced, upgraded and modernized by Mark and Brett.

Mark has many creative outlets, like knitting, gardening and antiquing. You should see his impressive collection of Lu Ray pastel dinnerware. Mosaic tiling is another hobby. This fabulous planter is just one of many works of art by my multi-talented transatlantic amigo. Mark creates them out of broken tiles and upon his return to London he's going to take a workshop with a Parisian artisan who'll teach him to make them from glass.

The living room. Remember, two days before this picture, all boxes, everywhere.

Mark, his brother Kenneth and I, picked Brett up at Miami International a couple of days before Christmas. Brett had one very special [and fragile] carry on luggage. A surprise for Mark of the most exquisite glass ornaments he picked up in Finland.

Mark in his office.

I miss Mark and Brett terribly, though I am happy their lives are so complete. Plus having friends living

abroad is a nice bonus. I'll be seeing them while in London this Spring and will be sure to tell you about their place in Notting Hill, which by the way, opens up to the private Rosemead Gardens. The same gardens in the Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant movie, Notting Hill.

This is a Winter view of their London place taken by Mark in early December, 1010:

fashionado

TOP Fashion Blogs / Made the Top 100 ~thank You!

fashionado

Earlier this week I was honored to learn that fashionado made the Top 100 list of the world's top fashion bloggers by a NYC based social media/marketing firm, Sparkah.com

They contacted me through a tweet- a very appropriate method I thought! Thank you to Sparkah.com for noticing and a

big thank you to YOU, for the continued support of fashionado!

Here are highlights of the Sparkah feature:

"We’ve compiled a Top 100 list of “sales generators” for our fashion industry clients. These are the top niche fashion bloggers globally. They have influence beyond well known magazines for the following reasons:

1. Writers from well known print publications do not have an open dialogue with their readers.

2. Writers from well known print publications do not build a rapport with their readers.

3. Writers from well known print publications do not have personal influence over their readers. They don’t let their readers into their personal Facebook account. They don’t let their readers see their personal photos on Facebook. And they certainly don’t do any drunk sexting with their readership on some random post Taco Tuesday 2am flurry.

4. Bloggers Do.

5. If you get a blogger to cover your line, you’re not just reaching into their fanbase, you’re reaching through to their friends (THINK: clickable links to your online store that go to each of their 350av Facebook friends. This means top 100×350=350,000 Facebook impressions. If you had to pay for that, any idea how much it would cost? SEE: Facebook Marketing Strategies ).

BONUS. continued: If You had to choose between taking a 

news anchor to a $200 lunch vs a non-celebrity blogger, who would you choose?

We recommend that you follow all of them. Get to know them. Pitch them. In truth, the buyers at Nordstrom’s read their blogs more than the hipster magazines. Their blogs get comments. Magazines don’t."

For the entire story, CLICK HERE!

fashionado