Watching the Grammys red carpet — with my eyes peeled for Snooki, whose stylist borrowed my swear rings — I was reminded that I went to the Grammys in 2003, when they were held at Madison Square Garden. I wore a very tight unlabeled vintage dress that might have been by Giorgio di Sant’ Angelo. Or not.
At home before the show.
The shoes are ones my mother gave me. She bought them in Las Vegas in the ’80s and only wore them once after someone teased her about the rhinestones on the heels. I still have the shoes. I still have the dress too, but I got it dry-cleaned at some craptacular place and it came back even tighter than it was. I’ve been scared to try it on.
Naturally, I still have the t-shirt I got that night.
Bad iPhone photo.
One thing I no longer have is my short 2003 hair.
My eye makeup was a little drag-queeny, but I like it. Speaking of dressing in drag, or at least not like oneself, I was intrigued to see a red-hooded Lady Gaga hit the red carpet tonight with a fellow dressed like the Pope. Then I was horrified to see that Gaga was wearing blackface. Finally, I realized it was not a too-tan Gaga but Nicki Minaj. What a relief! While I adore Nicki, I think this is a sign she should go in a different style direction. Passing for Lady Gaga in racist makeup is not the look.
Anyway, back to 2003 — that was the year that Norah Jones swept the Grammys, snagging five awards. I’ve got nothing against Norah Jones. I enjoyed her when I saw her perform at Cyndi Lauper’s benefit concert at the Beacon Theatre in December. Beautiful voice. But in 2003, her Come Away With Me took Album of the Year over Home by the Dixie Chicks; The Eminem Show by Eminem; Nellyville by Nelly; and The Rising by Bruce Springsteen. Give me a break, y’all!
You went to the freakin’ Grammys??? So jealous! And I love that outfit. I can totally understand why you’d be scared to try it on now. That thing is FORM fitting! 🙂 PS: Something tells me you’d still fit into it and look fantastic. Bitch.
There was some serious dry-cleaning shrinkage going on there. I’m afeard!
Those pictures of Nicki are kind of scary but I love the Pope date outfit.
The Pope needs to date more often.
Ha! Yes, he does look very smart with a babe on his arm, doesn’t he?
I forgot to say that your makeup reminds me of Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange. And I love the tight dress and your Mom’s shoes. What a shame that someone teased her about the rhinestones!
I lurrrrve this dress of yours. It’s total bombshell. Rawr.
Vintage all the way! Couldn’t be more glamorous.
It is pretty awesome that Snooki borrowed your rings. I hope you get pictures if she wore them.
I love that dress and shoes – and I really like your 2003 hair. Very Liza Minelli. 🙂
LOL — http://wendybrandes.com/blog/2007/09/life-is-not-cabaret-stop-calling-me-old-chum/
What a stunning dress, and so awesome you got to go to the Grammys! I like your shorter hair here — kind of reminds me of actress Lana Parilla’s hair.
OMG! That is a gorgeous dress and you wore it so well! You look lovely!
I think you look stunningly beautiful!! Doesn’t look like drag makeup to me. Beautiful darling absolutley beautiful.
Marti
Wowza! That is one hot outfit! Maybe you can have a panel added to makeup for the shrinkage? Such a shame to let it languish!
XXX
Suzanne
It is almost shameful how excited I am about the thought of Snooki with swear rings.
Looks like she didn’t wear them.
Love that you wore vintage and WENDY! You still have the t-shirt! You are hilarious!
Oh Nicki… that performance was too chaotic. Did she even really sing? It looked like a bit of yelping over the pre-recorded vocals. Sigh.
You said it all about Minaj. I love her guts, but . . . .
You look brillo in this dress and shoes, I really admire your decolletage! Wish I had some of my owns.
Looking good, writing good. Way to go WendyB, now and 2003!