The last time I became all ghostly as a burn victim on All Hallows Eve was two years in the past. Angels and vampires were cliché in my book— I wanted something more visceral than stereotypes. My gifted guy did a marvelous job with the ghastliness of my makeup; he also helped me carve Miss Pussy Pumpkin with perfection. What wonderful memory that was. Ever since I moved thousands of miles away upon graduation, my guy and I had no longer felt the need to celebrate the spooky tail end of October without each other. So in the course of All Hallows Eve last night, I spent my time alone in my apartment by doing something un-Halloween and that was to watch and clumsily dance to Goldfrapp live at Somerset House:
This was one of my favourite numbers out of all— a gutsy, ‘cock-tease’ take of the classic “Yes Sir, I can Boogie.” The performance is dated five years ago, the same year I discovered the band and their half-swaggering, half-ethereal sound. Only recently, Alison Goldfrapp has come up with the heavy 70s-laden Seventh Tree and a bohemian-piratey appearance as a silent homage to one of Vivienne Westwood’s older collection. I must say that I quite not like both the record (save for one or two numbers) and her new look. I am more loyal toward their older materials, especially Felt Mountain and Black Cherry, and the way Ms. Goldfrapp had dressed herself (without the assistance of anyone whose portfolio may have included Dazed and Confused) inspires me. She was sexy and all glam in the guttural sort with her sparkly heels, magician’s hat and signature little black dresses.
I especially love the outfit that Ms. Goldfrapp was obsessed with at one point in time— the whole black shebang with the mini skirt, puffy-sleeved shirt and soldier’s hat. The soldier’s hat became her trademark circa the emergence of pageboy hats in clubs and malls. No one really followed her path in style and I was surprised. I mean, she definitely was more Alice before Gwen Stefani took a tacky spin with the classic tale by adorning tutus and tall hats too. The soldier/ air hostess hat was too unconventional perhaps but I love it. Perhaps I’m back in love with it too because it’s unconventional. Now if only I can get my hands on one, I would even wear it during my own lectures with some Goldfrapp pride.
