Inaugural Salute To Fashion shows convergence of music and style

GRAMMY.com
Chuck Crisafulli

Being a GRAMMY-level superstar isn't just about sounding good — it's about looking good too. The connection between hot music and fine style was made very clear up on the specially built fashion runway inside Hollywood's Boulevard 3 nightclub where, on Thursday night, models in musician-designed clothes strutted to the beat as part of the first-ever GRAMMY Salute To Fashion.

The evening was presented by The Recording Academy in partnership with In Style magazine, and showcased the spring collections of clothing lines designed by Beyoncé, Sean Combs, Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson and Justin Timberlake. Following through on the evening's high-style feel, make-up artists were provided by CoverGirl cosmetics, hair styling was courtesy of Paul Mitchell hair care products, jewelry was provided by Le Vian, and the shoes worn were from the collection of designer Steve Madden.

GRAMMY-winning producer and Recording Academy Chair Jimmy Jam served as a good-natured host for the night and, though he pointed out that he was not much of a model, still looked extremely fashionable in a loose black suit and matching fedora. Whenever Jam appeared on stage, he was accompanied by models wearing some striking pieces from the new GRAMMY Brand line of high-end casual wear. GRAMMY Brand clothing and accessories are currently available in luxury boutiques across the country, and proceeds from sales of the GRAMMY Brand support the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares charities. "Music and fashion have always gone together," said Jam. "Just check out what happens on the red carpet at the GRAMMYs."

Jam turned the stage over to In Style fashion director Hal Rubinstein, who had curated the night's show. After a quick shout-out to his hometown, Super Bowl-winning New York Giants, Rubinstein announced that the guiding fashion principle for the night was to present "clothes that you can dance in." With that, the lights dimmed, the music pumped, and the show began.

Out first were models in pieces from Jennifer Lopez's justsweet line, who definitely looked dancefloor-ready in a variety of short, playful dresses that favored simple cuts and bold colors. Next out was Jay-Z's Rocawear, which ranged from the upscale street look of jeans and hoodies to the nightclub elegance of party dresses and tailored suits.

The William Rast line, co-designed by Justin Timberlake and partner Trace Ayala, looked ready to go nightclubbing — the women in skintight jeans and body-hugging tank tops and the men in baggy jeans and tailored T-shirts. And Jessica Simpson's Jessica Simpson Collection would have definitely made an impression on any dancefloor with daring, patterned bikinis from the swimwear part of Simpson's line. Sean "Diddy"

Combs' Sean John line was represented by a number of silky, satiny, high-style minidresses, and the fashion show came to a close showcasing Beyoncé's House of Dereon line, which mixed elegance and electric colors in a variety of floor-length gowns and dresses.

Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow made an appearance on stage (looking dapper in a softly draped suit and open-collared dress shirt) and introduced a short film presentation of great GRAMMY moments. Of this year's 50th anniversary for the GRAMMYs, Portnow said "It's a milestone — but we're just getting started."

The evening ended, fittingly, with some live, stylish music as GRAMMY nominee Rihanna took to the runway to deliver a charged set of her songs. Working with a four-piece band, a pair of back-up singers and a team of dancers, the singe — in black cocktail dress and knee-high boots — strutted confidently through performances of the pulsing "Pon De Replay" and the revved up "Breakin' Dishes." She quieted things down a bit to deliver a heartfelt, mostly acoustic version of "Hate That I Love You," but got the crowd fired up all over again with high-energy deliveries of her hits "Don't Stop The Music" and "Shut Up And Drive."

Rihanna closed out the Salute To Fashion evening with an outstanding performance of "Umbrella," the song that's earned her GRAMMY nominations for Record Of The Year and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (Jay-Z is featured on the recorded track, and the song itself is also a contender in the Song Of The Year songwriters' award category). With dancers twirling designer umbrellas, and a beaming Rihanna working the runway right through to the song's final notes, the evening ended the way it had begun — with style.