CLAIRE LONDON: Like a Machine

YOUR GOING TO BE HEARING THIS NAME, so thank me now for putting you on first. Then you can take claims on spreading the word to your friends first (its okay, I wont tell.)

Claire London

Is one of New York City's finest, diverse, mysterious, touching, intellectual singer/ song writers in the business. Her sound is eclectic mix of rock and roll, blues with a sprinkling of R&B. Her voice; that of no limitation unique, raspy, provocative and powerful.

Her debut C.D. "Like A Machine" will be released soon for the whole world to read. I replace read with hear for the album, unfolds like the telling of an extremely personal tale. Miss Claire London as the protagonist; the reluctant hero herself. This is her diary, her life and we are now bystanders enthralled with the exceptionally honest lyrics and our own life relations to her words.

"Color Me" is the debut single / video off  "Like a Machine" and sets the story of heart break and the lifeless spirit left to pick up the pieces. Its riveting and relatable, as she sings

"Its so cold here, as we unfold here
Now we are reckless, abandoned,
and broke here.
I am colorless this way.
All that's left is black and grey now/
So wont you color me, Please color me
Yea, color me.
And I don't want to fade away now,
So wont you color me, Please color me,
come on and Color me"

In the song you feel the story of a girl who once flourished in all the colors of life; has now had the floor knocked out from under her, finding herself fading reluctantly into the darkness. Wanting to not lose herself, as she has obviously lost another- the partial color in her world.
Through "Like a Machine" Claire will dive deeper into the feelings and ramifications of this broken trust, as she battles on, like a machine, into finding clarity, acceptance, and forgiveness.

She is a powerhouse and a role model to be had. A fighter. The kind of musician we need to hear in our own times of weakness as she turns her heartache into her own power.

Please visit www.clairelondon.com
for a listen and free download of Color me as well as "Basket Case"
while I will keep you updated on her upcoming releases and shows.

She will be  playing At

 Angels and Kings, in NYC LES
Monday, March 7th  from 8 - 11pm.

And check out her official C.Dutchie piece, "Like a Machine" available at my online store, or upon request.

10 Looks for Spring Continued...

9. Bright Gold: C.Dutchie loves gold!!! We have a huge array of Golden embelished pieces, all gold pieces and so on. This is one look Im totally excited about and ready for. Rock out with Gold and Black, or shine with an all gold piece.

10:Flirty Florals: Whats more floral then a C.Dutchie flower?!? You can wear a flower print, with a flower or wear your piece on its own and hit two trends, just depends on which piece you choose.

Let C.Dutchie help you with "People Magazines" 10 styles for Spring!

The newest issue of People Magazines Style edition, gives you a look a the ultimate spring style guide. While all the new trends for spring are HOT, they can be hard on the wallet, and well....not every look works on every person.

This is where C.Dutchie can help. With influences from clothing, location and the arts our products can help keep you in style without breaking the bank. Giver you a unique take on each suggested look, with versatility to help make it your own.

According to the style Mag. The Ten Must Haves are:

1. Bright Colors: (And since C.Dutchies pieces are hand painted with a variety of colors and textures, we definitely have a piece for you to brighten up your look.)

2.Thick Heels: (well Maybe C.Dutchie cant help you  in the shoe department, but certainly you can find something to match your purchase of this trend)

3.Colorful Stripes : (Like fruit stripped gum, lame joke) We have a few pieces already made with this look and anything can be custom made with the colors you want to see. It isn't easy for everyone to wear stripes (horizontal is not a girls best friend!) But with a hair piece you don't have to worry about looking wider with this hard to wear look.
4.Envelope Bags: Again though we don't make bags, C.Dutchie has plenty of pieces to help pull the look together. Our pieces can also be attached or clipped to the new "it" bag to give it that extra flare, and even bring two of these looks into one (two birds one stone kind thing.)

5. Sleeveless Jackets: add a piece at the closing of your jacket...hey why not?

6.Sexy Snake Skin: Our piece "3 minutes" is the perfect piece for this look, not only are the petals of this Dutchie made with fuax snakeskin material. I have created a snake made of rhinestones and beading slithering across the flower to make more of a statement. Not everyone can wear snakeskin pants (or may want to) but the "3 minutes" Dutchie can give you the look with versatility on how you wear it, in your hair, attached to your bag, pined to your jacket or clipped to your hat.

7.Modern Whites: With delicate details, clean lines, white is the color few dare wear head to toe. But C.Dutchie has numerous pieces based around the color white to pull off this trend or even add to it. You can wear all white without it having to be your wedding day.

Truely inspiring...

WAYS TO WEAR YOUR DUTCHIE

Besides the obvious hair piece; there are numerous ways to wear your Dutchie, even in the dead of winter.

Lets say your going out for the night....in this cold weather; You want to look fashionable but still be warm for the long lines outside clubs, or the walk from the train or even just standing to get a taxi. So you throw on a hat.
With this comes the two main hat issues.

1. Hat Hair!
2. Keeping your hat on inside to avoid the hat hair situation, leaving you sweaty and uncomfortable.

So here's the C.Dutchie Solution.

Order a Dutchie (Flower clip) and a chain link band (sold separate) and place the chain around your hat (yes, we can do exact measurements.)

Now Clip your flower onto the side, or wherever preferred on the chain. You have now taken your hat fwd in fashion, and amped up your look.

Lastly, when you get in doors, un-clip the flower, take off your hat, and clip in the flower to fix the "hat hair situation" you may even take the chain link headband and wear that too, just clip your flower on.

Problem solved: One Dutchie flower has now gotten you through the cold, given you an edge and hide your hat hair.

As you can see in the above pictures:

The first is a look you'd wear (Minus the coat-its cold out) and one of my hats.
The second: The hat now attached with the chain link and dutchie flower.
The third, the removal of the flower ready to be placed in your hair. On the side, on a ponytail, or side braid, that option is yours.

There are more functions to my pieces then you'd think....stayed tuned for more "Ways To Wear Your Dutchie."

Hold it Against Me Video Review

Britney Video Breakdown:

So I know there is a lot of buzz today about Brit's video premiere last night, from the bad, the good and the plain mean.

Was HIAM the BEST Britney video of all time? Probally not. Was it the most technologically foward? Id say so. The graphics and use of dancers, lighting, props was extreme, bold and left an impression. The concept (though Britney has done similar before) centered on the many sides of Britney, that at times, are at war with one and other. As well as being at war with the media. Many say, "Weve seen the whole behind the lens, britney hiding from the pap's before" But this is where I interpret a difference in HIAM's concept. I found there to be 3 sides of britney shown; the larger then life (depicted with a wedding gown over sized Spears at the center of a camera mob;) The feisty no holding back Britney depicted with the red sequin top and red lips, talking into the mic's; and the last Britney wearing something purple, which Im guessing represents the hell ridden Britney that still remains under the care of her father.


The fight scene between the last two took place as the larger then life Britney, exploded with color all over the montitors showing her old videos and news paper clips. At the end of this scene, it looked like all the Brit's had canceled themselves out until the screen cap of Britney's toes starting to wiggle and a 4th Britney appeared to
 the audience. This last Britney I would say represented our girl at this present state; and taking her throne. Her best look, wearing a black leather, lace, corset, strapless dress-thing, with gold emelishment, and a hot gold necklace. When this Britney appeared we got to see her longest dance number of the video (which was rumored to be a huge dance production) and yet was edited with so many cuts along with the beat, that we never got to see what we all wanted; Britney Spears, Princess of Pop, taking us back to the preformer we fell in love with, and then stoned. It didnt help to stop the rumors of her using a body double for dance routines etc, a case that her team strongly deneys except when Britney had to fight herself; in which case, yes a double was used.

Regarless we must remember a few things:

1. Britney's Knee is no more. She has never danced the same since she blew it out and had surgery during her onyx hotel tour, or making her "outrageous" video with Snoop Dog. She has always suffered with her knee and Im guessing after a few world tours; her pop leg became her damn stank leg.

2.Britneys been through hell and back. Know thats a truth. And shes still here, still standing, working hard, and making amazing videos and music. This video has set the bar for the album and in future videos I hope to see more of britneys inner being, personal feelings and continueous dance work. (Though I am sure I wont get much insight into Britney, since she never interview or speaks to the press - but lets hope the girl can get some of her rights back by proving shes pulled it together.)

For all the Haters:
1. Britney looked great, Finally a weave worth weaving! Britney I hope you took those home with you. The face shots of her in the giant wedding dress, showed her true natural beauty. A mix between her "Everytime" And "Lucky" videos.
2. Britneys body looked great, shes obviously been working out and staying in shape.
3.Britney is Britney; hate on hater, hate away.....this is the princess of pop, love  her, hate her....either way youll be watching her.

AND LASTLY

Britney remains true to herself:
1. Britney wants to be a bride and is gonna wear a wedding gown as many times as possible in her life.
2.Britney loves to play multiple Britneys. Ususally with different color hair. So I am sure we will be seeing this theme in future videos.
3. Britney's look aint changing. She invented short shorts, with belly shirts and she will rep. that to  her dying day.

So with that I give HIAM, 4 1/2 stars because...she brought it, she looked great, she upp'd  her video bar, and shes dancing the best that she can.

Holler at your grl Brit.

MINI MILA'S in store now.

 "Mila Mini" has just been added to the store; click the link and cop that mini.

"Hold it Against Me Premiere"

Tonight....the LONG awaited...14 day promo first video from Ms. Britney Spears premieres on Mtv and Britney Spears website.
(EKKKKKKK, enter hopeful girl squeal!)
Not only will the full video first been seen today, it will be introduced by Jersey Shores Pauly D. (Its HIAM teeee Shirt time Baby) and followed by an all new episode of The Jersey Shore. HOLLA. Now that's how you get those ratings.

Anyone who knows me, knows this: I have 100% supported Britney through the years. I was even on Mtv's Britney "For the Record" After show, defending my girl Brit. I have a deeper connection to  her after her media induced ride through crazy town, and up rise from  hell. Ive been there, Maybe not with 400 cameras...But suffering from mental illnesses myself, I understand that each has their own breaking point; and the strength and courage it takes to change your ways, and climb back to the top.

Circus was a killer album, the title track could only be sung by Britney herself....because her life is literally a media Circus. There were tender moments on the C.D. - club bangers....but I will say that I never thought "Blackout" got the credit it deserved (maybe her handlers feel its better we black that time period of her life out, showing this by putting Radar on both Circus and Blackout.)
Gimme More, is one of my favorite songs to come on in a club. The entire C.D. was sexy, beat induced, made you want to get up and dance or at least see Britney do her moves. But at that time, she wasn't able to do those moves...and the C.D. didn't do as well as her others.

I was able to see the Circus tour Twice, The first show I saw, Britney looked uncomfortable in her skin. Dancing but holding back; Not  the girl who tore her trench off back in the day at the Mtv movie awards.  And I guess its to be expected, with a life under the control of her father (really now? Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan...I think Brit's earned her own rights back by now-she pulled off a world tour, has taken care of her children and stayed out of the media as much as she can.) But the second time I was fortunate to see the show, she looked like she was having fun, getting into it, getting down and flickering that spark that made us all fall in love with her in the first place.

So for the "Hold it against Me Video" Here is my wish list
1. Great Hair (Britney Ill lend you  my weave please)
2.No holds bar dance routine, at least 15 seconds where the song...breaks....it....down.
3.Costume, inspiration for me. Flatter clothes on her body.
4.Something deeper, something that shows the ever protected Britneys soul or persona.
5. A whole lot of "I guess Britneys Back" status updates, tweets and Blogs.

This is the C.Dutchie take on Femme Fatale, innocent and hard hitting. The one of a kind is available in the C.Dutchie Store and has to go to a real Britney fan; its only fair!

Happy Viewing!

"The Leah"

Who doesn't love Glee? No seriously....anyone out there? Glee is like the feel good show of the century, even on your worst days the hour escape filled with remakes of modern day favorites is sure to make anyone smile. Think last weeks "Bills, Bills, Bills." sang by all guys and giving Beyonce and her crew a run for their money. (Yes In  my Ipod mix of rap, R&B, britney, Cee Lo and Adele there are quite a few glee numbers....I'm proud to admit that.)

Either way the show has taken home numerous awards, taken unknowns and made then breakout stars and those stars have now taken on much needed stylists.

Leah Michelle has slimmed down (though I thought she looked great before) and taken on a stylist; bringing the fresh and youthful looks down the red carpet. Her dresses are the kind I would wear. With a similar lack of boobage, I love her plunging necklines, use of color and fun flirty style.
However I do think that me and "Finn" would be a way better couple.

One of the first looks I noticed on her road to standing out, was the inspiration for "The Leah." Nude has been and will continue to be one of the trendiest colors of the season and spring, and as we've seen Green is finally making its way to the new black (well maybe not that far, but Angelina Jolie and Mila Kunis both rocked Emerald Green at a recent red carpet.) I love the mixture of the two and "The Leah" ended up being one of the most time consuming pieces Ive made.

though the picture of "The Leah" is slightly distorted, and the color slightly off from the actual piece, the essence of this dress can be seen clearly.  With a Nude or blush dress, or even a white tee shirt; This piece will stand out in both dark and light hair and work for those who still don't believe that they can wear green (You can do it!!! start small.)

Worst Grammy's Fashion Yet?

Award season is in the air, artists are on that creative tip and yet the Grammys ended up being somber display of...just bad taste.
I look for inspiration from these highly acclaimed designers, beautiful gowns and trends; I have found it to be of great pleasure to bring my own take on the styles of the red carpet to my pieces. But where am I going to draw from on this past award show?
Scrambled egg flower?
Gold sequins? Which seemed to be the look of the night (on Kim Kardashian; looking all J- Lo circa 2002, as well as among a few others.) But been there done that, C. Dutchie practically invented the gold sequin, and has numerous pieces to prove so.
Rhianna's performance dress was pretty, appropriate fire red theme...but ended up being a disheveled  version of the Mila dress from the SAGS. Snookie stepped it up, looking slimmer and added some "jersey glam" but the shoulder pads on the shoulders did nothing for her frame. So the search continues....Katy Perry, well a bra and a bottom really isn't a dress though I did like her performance and the wedding video to coincide with it. (Stay together Katy and Russell)


and that leaves me with just one, the best dressed, the always gorgeous Jennifer Lopez.

She looks flawless. Her legs more toned then EVER (attributed to her working with my fave, Tracy Anderson in the last month.) I mean we all know that shed look good in a brown paper bag, but this dress which to me looks like various cuts of broken glass (obviously the material less dangerous I love the symbolic nature of broken mirrors in general.) is the perfect "don't let a breeze blow" mini. The studded shoes and bag to die...and to think the mother of two is blowing the younger girls out of the water. This is how its done ladies, staying true to your own style, taking a risk and remembering that fashion should be fun, even with the return to Joan Rivers on the Fashion Police.

I'm going to see what I can use to pay homage to this dress in one of my next pieces, its just a matter of what materials wont set off metal detectors or be a safety hazard.

Well played Ms. Lo.

"The Scar- Jo"

This piece, "The Scar-Jo" just had to be made. Even though she wore this dress ages ago, it has continuously popped up in all the fashion magazines, and style shows recently. This has always been my favorite dress that shes worn. I'm a lover of lace, and Emerald Green as a color (its hard to pull green off, most can wear Emerald however.) Her hair is the perfect shade of champagne blonde (and trust me I know blonde....don't get me started) and her minimal accessories make it a perfectly put together look.

But like most of these dresses, I could probably only afford about an inch of the dress. So I figured why not do my own affordable take on the dress, bring the same contrast and beauty and make it so I don't need a red carpet to wear it.

What do you think? Justice served? I think so this piece is one of my new fave's. Regular Dutchie size and shape and ready to be worn.

And then there was the Grammy's.

I personally love award shows, especially in music. You get a chance to see the artists that made your I-pod for the year and hear their hits as they've never been heard before, in collaboration with unusual pairing of artists.
HOWEVER, the grammys has this tendency to nominate from a select pool of artists, throw in a random and a old timer and at the end of the night its usually the old timer (who's song you may have never heard once over the course of the year) that gets the grand prize; Best Album.
Honestly, I don't know anything about Arcade Fire. Sorry, booo..,I'm a whore, get over it. But as far as I'm concerned (and I am VERY concerned) Eminem and Lady Gaga were robbed of this.

A year ago I didn't know who Lady Gaga even was. But she came out with hit after hit, collaborations and a social stand in society. You can play her entire album and not have to skip over a song. Her ballads are beautiful, reminding us that under that Egg lies a very talented young lady who has revolutionized music in a very short period. Though her new song may as well be Madonna, few have done for music what Gaga has in such a short time frame; or ever.

BIASED ALERT:

Eminem is the fucking MAN. Maybe its because I see myself in him. Maybe its because I feel his pain, struggle and heart. Or maybe its just because I have ears...but Recovery in my less then humble opinion should have won album of the year. Eminem is who I grew up on, the sound track to my summers and the greatest story teller of all time. (Yep, I said it) Recovery to me was not only about Eminems personal struggle, but a symbol for our times and the ramifications of fame on an individual soul. The rise, the praise, the greed, the fear, the fall and if were lucky the glory of overcoming the demons. If your like me you root for people, people who you've seen on top of the world and lose it because of the times. Because we make celebrities believe they are godly, untouchable and then we stone them down and exploit their human flaws.
"Love the Way you lie" makes you burn inside
"Space Bound" reminds us that were all walking the same walk.
"Not afraid" an anthem to overcome yourself, something I NEEDED and that could only come from Em.

And then the performance. Em killed it, Rhianna sounded a little off (looked like her ear mic wasn't working) and then came Dre (looking nervous at first and like "damn this is where I belong" by the end) The song "I Need a Doctor" should just have taken the grammy for best song, listen to the lyrics. This is the true tale, lyrical mastery of real "I have our back forever" friendship. It reminds us that at the bottom, you will always have that one person still fighting to get you above ground. Beautiful, profound and the Doc is in.

The song "I need you now" can suck it. I'm so sick of hearing it on all movie soundtracks and commercials. Why wasn't "Soldier of Love" nominated? Sades album would also be pick of the year for me, and she a usual grammy favorite was ignored. I mean it took the girl like 8 years to make a new album can we get a lil something something for her?

And with that I look for inspiration for my next piece, Gaga inspired Egg flower anyone???

Ha, as if. But I would like to see her in a giant dutchie flower!

So ill leave you with this a lil video I took at the Yankee Stadium concert with Em and Jay...and some extra guests.

"The Mila Flower."

Im so happy with the results, I had to make some mini's too!

"The Mila"

If you watched the SAG awards this year, or even just the after coverage then you were sure to catch my favorite outfit of the evening on actress Mila Kunis (up for a supporting nod for Black Swan)

The dress, an Alexander McQueen matched Mila's youth and beauty perfectly. Her hair and make up looked flawless; and C.Dutchie has no choice but to use this as inspiration for my next piece "The Mila."

I tried to incorperate the entire essence of the outfit, all the hair, makeup and fabric into my own interpretation and the flower has quickly become my new favorite.

A short introduction

They say starting is the hardest part; thats how its been for me and this Blog! This blog isn't only going to be about my business, C. Dutchie but I will be sharing very intimate moments of my life, my need for self exploration and bringing awareness to mental health issues both personally and nation wide.

I will also cover my line, the stories behind each piece and the destiny guided path which brought me to harness my creativity into something I believe in and love doing.
But I will be taking my time, spreading out issues over time and posts. So first Id like to introduce pieces from my line and the stories behind them.