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Monday, May 21, 2012

CULTURE

Back Again: Boy George

Boy George

Boy George: January, 1982 (Photo by Michael Grecco/Getty Images) and April, 2010 (Photo by Stefania D'Alessandro/Getty Images)

To predict where fashion trends are headed, it is often wise to check the Billboard charts—for the style of both the music itself and of the artists behind it.

Case in point: For the artist/producer/DJ Mark Ronson, whose personal style is so influential, fame has led to fashion collaborations with brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Gucci, for whom the avid sneakerhead created limited edition kicks. 

Somebody To Love MeMark Ronson's latest album, and third studio recording with his band, Mark Ronson and the Business Intl., is called “Record Collection,” and it sets its sights firmly on the period of the mid-'80s. There are clear musical nods to Duran Duran, Naked Eyes, Heaven 17, Thomas Dolby and Human League. But no other band seems to have captured Mark Ronson’s attention more than Boy George and Culture Club, with its unique combination of New Wave,

The "Somebody To Love Me" video (via YouTube)

 American Soul and Jamaican Reggae that seem to mirror the multiple genres and sounds in Mark Ronson's new album, "Record Collection." Boy George himself even appears on the record, providing vocals on the song “Somebody to Love Me,” along with the lead singer of the band Miike Snow, Andrew Wyatt. In the fascinating video for "Somebody to Love Me," what appears to be vintage Culture Club footage is actually newly staged clips starring the model/actress Diane Kruger as Boy George. 

 Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. and Boy George, "Somebody To Love Me" (via YouTube)


Also this fall, electronica duo Glide & Swerve released a new single, Pentonville Blues, featuring the vocals of Boy George.

Famous New York DJ and rock performer, Miss Guy, had the opportunity to work with the "Karma Chameleon" singer a few years ago: “He's a genius songwriter, but I think he often gets overlooked [as a songwriter] because of his [controversial] image. He is a great lyricist and comes up with such sweet melodies. His voice is such a perfect pop voice. The Culture Club sound has always seemed fresh and modern. I like all of their records but of course, the first two, "Kissing To Be Clever" and "Colour By Numbers,", are my favorites, and the ones I've always played songs from when I DJ.”

Borrowing from Boy George; Spring 2011 Collections

  • Comme Des Garcons Homme Plus Menswear

    Photo Credit: Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images

  • Junya Watanabe

    Photo Credit: Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images

  • Balenciaga

    Photo Credit: Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images

The mid-'80s have certainly played a role in recent fashion trends, and Boy George's fashion definitely seems to be a muse. Rei Kawakubo included some gender-bending looks in her men's spring /summer 11 Comme des Garçons show and Nicholas Ghesquiere has touched upon a similar sensibility with his latest women’s fashion collection for Balenciaga. After his presentation, Ghesquiere was quoted as saying “It’s about individuality” and no one was more of an individual than Boy George in his time.

On eBay, where sales of "Boy George" memorabilia are up 10 percent in a recent 30-day period (12/8/10-1/6/11) compared to a 30-day period six months prior, a search for "Boy George" turns up Boy George vintage albums, posters, Boy George signed photos and concert tees. Here's a bit of what we found.

 

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9d0bfaff-a448-4862-82e7-ba0d2243b300 Sat, 15 Jan 2011 11:50:40 PST Sat, 15 Jan 2011 11:50:40 PST
Gayle
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Why is Boy George always given sole credit for the writing of the Culture Club songs, which I agree were great. There were three other members of Culture Club, Jon Moss, Roy Hay and Mikey Craig, who contributed a lot to the sound of the band and the songs. I think it's criminal how they are ignored and their names never mentioned or the contributions ever credited. It takes more than makeup and a nice hat to write good songs.

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