The Szish Dish: A Rockin' VMA Red Carpet
Sept. 1, 2006 — -- No matter where you are, the pumping, bumping, thumping beat of the MTV Video Music Awards will find you.
To wit, after melting in the sweltering August-in-Miami heat for the last two VMA romps -- and despite the fact that summer's biggest party was finally taking place in my hometown of New York City this year -- I rebelled, hanging up the Szish Dish hat to chill out at the Parker Palm Springs, my favorite spot in the universe.
Yet somehow, while sipping lemonade, succumbing to shiatsu, and drooling over the Jonathan Adler decor, I had visions of Justin Timberlake, Jessica Simpson, Christina Aguilera and yes, even Diddy, dancing in my head.
The VMA mantra "Anything can happen" seemed to echo from every palm tree.
I couldn't look at a coconut without thinking of Lil' Kim's uh, memorable, ensembles from red carpets past.
Even in paradise, the VMAs found me.
Thus, I bring you the Szish Dish -- not live from the red carpet, but live from a galaxy far, far away from the MTV silver moon man.
Leave it to the Big Apple to bring out the best in the often questionably clad members of the music community.
Compared to years past -- where T-shirts, gaudy white suits (complete with matching hats), and skimpy slips of slinky fabrics were considered carpet worthy -- the sartorial offerings at Radio City Music Hall were considerably more sophisticated.
Now, that is not to say the word "disaster" could not be used to describe certain ensembles, but the Szish Dish sends out a round of applause for the many whose fashion choices were right on key.
Madonna and Gwen Stefani have dabbled in the past, but Christina has embraced the look and made it her own, as evidenced in her music, in her videos, and -- looking as if she'd just stepped out of a George Hurrell photograph -- in her dazzling Versace gown on the red carpet.
