by MIKE CHAIKEN
CTFASHIONMAG.com
Milliners must have taken delight with the musical combo of Cyndi Lauper and Boy George at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. on Friday.
Both performers—already renowned for idiosyncratic fashion sense—sported hats that went beyond the boring baseball caps sometimes worn by musicians looking to don headgear.
Lauper, stepping on stage for her opening number—the country-tinged “Funnel of Love”—wore what could best described as what would happen if a black velvet, shallow Mexican sombrero married an oversized French black beret. Although she later set it aside, it must be said that her pale pink dreadlocks adequately substituted for any milliner’s creation to maintain her unique sartorial presence.
Boy George has long been renowned for his hats. He was one of the first customers for Stephen Jones—the famous milliner who supplied Blitz Kids and fashion designers alike. (Jones even had an exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London). And George is rarely seen without a hat. In fact, one of his solo albums was called “High Hat” and the chapeau filled the album cover with only George’s lovely eyes peeking out at the consumer.
For his headlining gig at the Mohegan, George continued his penchant for avant garde headgear. He stepped out on stage in a fedora. It wasn’t just any fedora. It was oversized Tweety Bird-yellow fedora that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a wild-eyed Dick Tracy, although it’s slight cowboy feel might have made it right at home with Gene Autry.
Lauper and George weren’t just about hats though. Their entire ensembles were inventive over-the-top affairs that didn’t disappoint their fans from the MTV-enriched 1980s.
Over all, from a fashion perspective, this duo was a fabulous pair.
PHOTOS by MIKE CHAIKEN
