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Prism Onlineby Teal Good

Gotten Over the `80s Yet?

No time to gloat, they'll be back by fall. Designers touting the "wholly modern" essence of this season's style seem to be avoiding the relentless march of the retro, but it is inevitable that they return to the days of New Wave and asymmetrical hair. W, the fashion magazine to end all fashion magazines, even predicts the influence of Madonna's early style. So drag the crinolines out of the back of your closet. Cyndi Lauper can't be far behind.

Fashion Fascism

Being an arbiter of style must be tough. While it used to be enough to market a couture line, a ready to wear line, and a perfume or five, hyperdesigners like Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, and the ubiquitous Calvin Klein are blowing the curve. Begin with Kaiser Karl's four regular clothing labels. Talk about an over-achiever. Ralph Lauren has recently hopped back into the saddle with a new jeans line, a new splinter fragrance (Polo Sport for Women), and a new line of house paint. In colors like Golden Retriever, Overalls, and Rowboat, the Country Paint Collection "heralds a new dimension in home design," including Safari and Sport. Klein, for his part, is setting his sights on the European market in an effort to become a "master global brand." Whether jackboots will be included for fall remains to be seen.

Vamp? Hot Chocolate? Hard Candy?

On the edge of your seat awaiting the crowning of the hot new color for fall? If your nails can't wait, head over to your nearest Urban Decay retailer, where you can dress in colors representing the decline and fall of industrial civilization. "No Pink" is the company motto, and with colors like Asphyxia, Oilslick and Uzi the look is less than half the cost of a bottle of Chanel's Vamp, you can look like death for less.

MAC Media

The marketing minds at Makeup Art Cosmetics (MAC) have revealed their new model, and she is the lovely, but most unlikely, k.d. lang. Glamour-puss RuPaul raised millions for charity by representing the line, but the relentlessly un-maquillaged (and un-capitalized-ed.) lang seems an odd choice to promote lipstick. Maybe the new color is nude.

Alternot

Did you know the ultimate benefactor of MAC's success is makeup giant Estee Lauder? While the design decisions are still made by Frank Toscan, the bean-counters of big business are not as far away as you might have imagined. Once again, the so-called alternative may not be so much of an alternative after all.

The Perfect Martini

by Mister Lucky

1. Before leaving for the office, place the best gin your paycheck allows in the icebox, along with a bottle of Noilly Prat or other fine vermouth. A glass pitcher and stemmed glasses should rest in the freezer compartment. Why not make fresh ice while you're in there?
2. Upon your return home, put some Henry Mancini on the ol' Hi-Fi and fill up the pitcher with ice. Pour about a capful of vermouth over the ice and coat well with an iced tea spoon, or, better yet, a glass stirring rod.
3. Place your cocktail strainer (or a wooden spoon in a pinch) over the pitcher and strain. The old vermouth goes down the sink.
4. Now pour in your gin. Stir gently but briskly. Rough treatment might excite you, but it bruises a dry martini. Taste is not affected, but since a martini is a treat for all of the senses, the eyes should be let in on the fun.
5. If you notice, our ice is melting. Quick! Strain the nectar into stemmed cocktail glasses. Garnish with lemon, olive, onion or serve au natural. Check for unsightly and diluting specks of ice and serve.

Note: There is no such thing as a vodka martini. There may be a vodka/vermouth drink that you enjoy, but it is NOT a martini.

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