Meet The Man (and see his work) Behind Fergie's LEGO Dress.

If you've been on the internet or have seen the news this week, chances are you caught a glimpse of The Black Eyed Peas' Fergie and her fun LEGO dress worn during the 24th Annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Nickelodeon held last Saturday.




The heavily blogged about LEGO dress is a hoot, but hardly impressive when compared to other work by the same designer. The dress was created by Michael Schmidt Studios of Los Angeles and New York. You may not now his name, but you certainly know his work. He's been designing for musical legends like Tina Turner, Cher, Deborah Harry, Joan Jett, Iggy Pop, Steven Tyler and Grace Jones since the late 1980's. He was even nominated for an Emmy Award for Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program, "Cher... At The Mirage" in 1991.


above: Michael's chain maille and crystal designs for Cher and Tina Turner in 1986 and 1989.

More in demand than ever, Michael continues to design for today's popular entertainers like Madonna, Lady Gaga, Dita Von Teese, Rihanna, Brittany Spears and the Chrome Hearts brand. Often working with lots of Swarovski crystals, snake-like imagery and scales, corsets and chain maille, Michael produces sexy, body conscious clothes for concert tours, award shows and other appearances.



above: Michael Schmidt's designs for Lady Gaga, photos by David LaChapelle

Michael has also made several forays into the world of interior design. Projects include the installation of a massive bamboo 'Wave' construction at the restaurant Simon At The Palms, Palms Casino, Las Vegas. Another creation is a knotted rope curtain for the lobby of the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, CA, woven from more than a mile of white cotton rope. Past projects include designing the VIP rooms of the Palladium nightclub in NYC, featuring the installation of black leather floors upon which silver studs spelled out the lyrics to the classic Iggy Pop song 'Nightclubbing' in Braille.

His costume and accessory designs are nothing short of body sculpture and last year the PMCA (Pasadena Museum of California Arts) featured much of his work in their California Design Biennial: Action/Reaction exhibit.



above: Rihanna wears his denim-printed metal mesh shorts on the cover of last month's Rolling Stone


FERGIE
Working with stylists B. Ackerlund, Schmidt as also created other memorable outfits for Fergie. Hand-sewn snake scale and Swarovski studded body suits and boots for her 2010 appearance on American Idol Gives Back, chromed body armored catsuits, even a vacuum-formed and chromed corset:







MADONNA
Some of his pieces designed for Madonna's 2008-2009 world tour:





DITA VON TEESE
Designs for Dita Von Teese include Swarovski Crystals soldered onto aviator glasses and the Swarovski crystal-embellished outfit and accessories worn in her Opium Den show:






CHROME HEARTS
Michael has created sterling silver and diamond jewelry, accessories and mesh clothes for rock n' roll luxe brand Chrome Hearts:




Designer Michael Schmidt amongst a retrospective of his work at PMCA:

photos: Scott Nathan, Christopher Polk, Steve LaNasa, Steven Meisel, Laurie Stark, Mark Seliger and Shawn Smith
stylists: Arianne Phillips, B. Ackerlund


Michael Schmidt Studios

A Talented Mom Designs An iPad App. Drum Roll Please....

Imani Powell-Razat, a designer/illustrator by trade (see Spye Design Studio) is also a mom who has designed and created an entertaining and informative application for the iPad that is a multicultural celebration of the world's drums.


above: Imani Powell-Razat of Spye Design and her son, Orion, playing with his iPad



Drum Circle Kids is a colorfully animated app that allows your child to engage in and create unique jam sessions by tapping five colorfully animated drummers that represent various types of drums found throughout the world.



The American Trap Set, Caribbean Steel Pan, Chinese Drum, Cuban Conga and the West African Djembe (with more drums to come) can be easily turned on and off with the tap of a finger and combined for dozens of possible musical and sound combinations.



Adding to the fun, is the possibility of discovering ambient sounds hidden in the scenery.



In the learn section, kids can swipe from one drum to the next and touch to play each drum while learning fun drum facts.


Intended for toddlers, age 18 month +
Buy it in the itunes store here

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