Conde Nast's Fashion Rocks 2005 show effectively kicked off New York City's Fall Fashion Week on Thursday, September 8, 2005. A 2 hour television special of this year's concert was broadcast on CBS television Friday, September 9. In addition to abundant tributes to the fashion world, the show provided multiple appeals to support the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The hosts for the event were Sugar Ray's lead vocalist Mark McGrath, with model good looks, and Poppy Montgomery, star of the TV series Without a Trace. Musical performances ranged across genres including Latin, pop, hip hop, and classic rock. The well heeled crowd filling Radio City Music Hall enthusiasticall embraced the onstage performers. Among the highlights:
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David Bowie and Arcade Fire - Initially Bowie took the stage solo to perform his classic "Life On Mars." Decked out for the song with black eye and bandaged hand, he surely sent many fans to the Internet searching for word on recent injuries to the beloved star. Fortunately, when he again took the stage with critics' favorites Arcade Fire, all signs of injury were gone. Arcade Fire's vibrant embrace of violin, accordion, and field drum in their idiosyncratic take on rock enthralled the audience.
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Rob Thomas and Joss Stone - Early in the show Rob Thomas performed his latest hit "This Is How a Heart Breaks," but it was his later return to duet with barefoot 18-year old bluesy soul wonder Joss Stone to perform "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" that stopped the show. The obvious performing chemistry between the pair was a pleasure to watch.
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Shakira - The Colombian superstar electrified the audience with her confident, sexually alluring performance of "La Tortura." The Spanish language was no barrier to the universal appeal of her music. Visit the ShakiraMedia site for a clip of her performance.
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Alicia Keys - She looked stunning as always and demonstrated her poise as one of the top r&b performers today. It was a busy night for Keys as she appeared in both the BET Telethon and multi-network Shelter From the Storm Hurricane Katrina benefits.
- Billy Idol and Lisa Marie Presley - Although a bit of a letdown, Billy Idol still looked like a wonder of nature performing "White Wedding" to close the show with Lisa Marie Presley as his bride decked out in black.
Destiny's Child's much ballyhooed final television performance was underwhelming, and Gwen Stefani, solo, and in a set with Pharrell and Diddy, seemed to be lacking in enthusiasm for being onstage. Overall, however, it was a good night of music from a number of pop's most fashionable performers.
Visit the Fashion Rocks Official Site for an outstanding slide show from the event.
