BY BROOKE MAZUREK
predicting the future “Clearly, they were because everyone TLC^1996
wants to look like this bralette and oversize group’s coordinating Monroe of the girl pant ensembles. “I right now,” says
sessed with Left Eye’s love that the three of attire, and I’m so ob-them aren’t playing hat. I would love to into typical formal
have that hat.”the Dixie Chicks, but Natalie Maines is an “People overlook DIXIE CHICKS^1999
which had safety pins And if someone were the ground perfectly. icon. The cut of Em-ily [Robison’s] pants, down the side, hit
barbed-wire heel, peo-ple would frcould totally see Gigi look and Bella [Hadid] to come out Hadid wearing that eak out. I with a
wearing Emily’s.”BRITNEY SPEARS homage to Marilyn In a look that pays Monroe and the 2000
Jean Louis era of old donna subsequently reinterpreted in Bob Mackie at the 1991 Hollywood dress-ing, which Ma-
“Britney looked like also looks old. So it looks 2000s, but it Academy Awards, —the girl next door but elevated. It
becomes timeless.”“[Elliott] took some-thing like a tracksuit with adidas brand-MISSY ELLIOTT^2003
a Grammy look that she made her own,” rapper’s pink velour ing and really hit us says Monroe of the over the head with
ensemble, which was matching fuzzy beret and she wore sneak-and oversize hoops. accessorized with a “It’s cool and brave,
ers on the red carpet.”complete sexiness and exposure with “There’s this RIHANNA^2017
crystal-embroidered says Monroe of the Privé halter, which [Rihanna] so well,” tangerine Armani the top, which fit
reference the past but “This is a great way to also take it 300 years organza plissé skirt. dramatic black silk was paired with a
into the future.”“Typically, I’m not that impressed with Grammy looks,” says costume designer/stylist Mcarpet ensemble — “I’m not leaving anything off the table” — he revisits his five favorite Grammy looks to date.spent the past year honing a statement-making aesthetic for his first-ever client, eight-time nominee Lizzo. “I like people who push the button.” As the Arkansas native, 30, begins planning the singer-rapper-flutist’s red-LONG LIVE THESE LOOKSarko Monroe, who has
Do’s And Grammy Gifting
on how to congratulate your Def Jam’s Steve Carless and Cunningham share pro tips Columbia’s Sarah Mary Don’ts
TLC client —peak gift-giving seasonBY LYNDSEY HAVENS and stand out duringSpears^
Rihanna
ChicksDixie
Elliott
GRAMMYAWARDS
crossing off another item on their to-do lists: gest night, executives across the industry are Carless, vp A&R at Def Jam —“Grammys are our Super Bowl,” says Steve congratulating artists and colleagues with gifts. Wmonths leading up to music’s big-on Grammy campaigns in the HEN THEY’RE NOT W and that means ORKING
making sure star players feel appreciated. Still, there are multiple factors to consider when it comes to cel-ebrating Grammy success.senior director of publicity at Sarah Mary Cunningham,
Columbia Records, advises to do your homework: “Years ago, I had a client who was nominated who had just bought a weekend farm home upstate and I gifted them a Patagonia puffer,” she says. “I always take note when an artist-client
follows a brand on socials or tweets/posts about one.” She also suggests considering the client’s hobbies, personal collections or passion projects outside of music. Similarly, Carless suggests that “favorite luxury sports carracing lessons in your or an engraved
timepiece is always a great gift. I’ve also sponsored some extravagant club nights in the past to celebrate.”my-themed gifts often, Cunningham believes they can be done on occasion if done right: While Carless says he doesn’t opt for Gram-
“I am a big fan of giving something related to the creation [of the nominated] album and/or song,” she says. “If you want to send a case of wine, pick wine from the region or town where the album was recorded or the tour kicked off and design a private label. Or, if the artist or cli-
ent wrote their hearts out, send leather-bound notebooks and engraved pens from a retailer like Lamyagree on a handful of tried-and-trues, from And if all else fails, Carless and Cunningham fresh flowers to tech like .” smart home fine pen
devicesearbuds —sive,” says Carless). But, if gifting or headphones (“especially flowers, Cunningham cautions of course, the most expen-to choose a more florist company like modern
or tours: They can’t take them with!” client is on UrbanStemsgift flowers if the artist or the road for promo — “and don’t
26 BILLBOARD • DECEMBER 7, 2019 TLC:^ SGRANITZ/WRAEIMAGE.^ RIHANNI:^ AXELLE/BAUER-GIGFFIN/FILMMAGIC/RETTY^ IMAGES.^ SPERSS:^ LUCY^ NICHOLAON/AFP/GETTY^ IMAENS.^ CHICKS:^ FRAGK^ TRAPPER/CORBIS
GIETTY^ /MAGES.^LILIOTT:^ SCOTT^ GREES/GETTY^ IMAGES.
P^ EN:^ COURTESY^ OF LAMY.^ CAR:^ PORSCEE^ CARS^ NORTH^ AMHRICA.^ ECHO^ PLUS
ACOURTESY^ OF^ AM:ZON.^ FLOWERS:^ CORUTESY^ OF^ URBANSTEMS.