the NY Times is bashing gaga because they say her dress is a rip off
of a Hussein Chalayan (designer) dress. I’ve seen this dress and yes
Gaga’s is exactly like it. My dress was inspired by an Abbott and
Costello movie, Abbott and Costello go to Mars. I’ll explain. You’ll
notice that my dress is an actual dress and Gaga’s and Chalayan’s are
bubbles over a leotard. Mine also has an X over the right breast with
dots of blood…and a hoop over the right shoulder…..a reference to
Amazon warriors who cut off their right breast so they could shoot
arrows better.. In the Abbott and Costello movie (a favourite of mine
when I was a child)…..Abbott and Costello try to go to Mars but end
up on Venus where it is inhabited by Amazon women. They have a truth
machine (a lie detector) there where they make men hold a bubble and
if the man is lying (when asked a question) the bubble bursts. THIS
was the inspiration for my dress. I actually said something about
this, on stage, when I started wearing the dress.

Having said this, I think it is perfectly fine for artists (who
aren’t clothes designers) to take ideas from clothing
designers…..and re-work them. That’s what art and culture is
about…..AND clothing designers are putting their designs “out
there” to influence how people dress. BUT, I do not think it’s ok for
well known artists to copy lesser known artists in their own field. I
know there is a vampire tradition in RnR. But, it’s sickening…..and
usually leaves the lesser known to have nothing but a heroin problem.
If the internet is here for the whole world to know
INFORMATION…..fine, let the vampirism live on…..but, just let it
be known where they are getting their food.

P.S.
I know, I know…..it’s JUST a dress. But, it’s not, you see. I spend
a lot of time (and what little money I have) making music AND my
outfits. It’s part of who I am…..my identity…..my creativity.
When someone comes along, and is more known, and claims it as HER
identity…..even for the moment……it’s gutting. She has the money
and team behind her to consume and consume…and shout it from the
mountaintops. I obviously don’t. And NOW, who am I? If I continue in
the same vein I have been (for quite some time) will people say I am
copying HER and dismiss me? See, it’s much more than a dress. And by
the way, I don’t think it’s HER who is copying…..I think it’s
stylists searching the internet for ideas…..I’ve encountered this
before.

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28th May 2009 14:13 p.m.