Post by Sugarmama on Jan 12, 2008 23:49:31 GMT -5
Even stars starstruck by latest GM offerings at auto fashion show
By MIKE HOUSEHOLDER, Associated Press Writer
Story Created: Jan 12, 2008 at 7:33 PM EST
Story Updated: Jan 12, 2008 at 10:14 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — Kid Rock strutted around the stage with a guitar slung over his back.
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Kid Rock joins Maroon 5, Blige at GM Style event in Detroit
NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon eased a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 down the runway, flanked by leggy models.
This was far from your everyday fashion show.
Equal parts automotive exhibition, runway gala and concert, Saturday night's GM Style show was unlike most fashion events.
Rock was joined on the bill by Grammy-winning R&B songstress Mary J. Blige and pop hitmakers Maroon 5, but the cars were the stars of this show.
While the performers did their thing, General Motors Corp. was giving the stylish set a first look at the Corvette, the E85 Hot Rod and Camaro convertible concepts as well as 16 other offerings.
Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine summed up the reason his group agreed to appear at GM Style.
"When they asked us to play this, they said: 'There will be hot girls and cars,' and we said 'Yes!'"
Held in a football field-size, climate-controlled pavilion on the Detroit River, just east of GM's global headquarters, GM Style came on the eve of the opening of the North American International Auto Show's press preview days.
Blige, who celebrated her 37th birthday a day earlier with a surprise dinner with her father at a Detroit restaurant, strolled into the interview area ahead of the event in an ensemble that included knee-high Alexander McQueen boots.
"I've seen the cars, and they are off the chain," Blige said of the evening's vehicle lineup.
Rock, born Robert Ritchie in nearby Romeo, Mich., was similarly impressed with GM's vehicle collection. He owns a 1962 Impala among other vintage autos, but said his everyday vehicle is a Cadillac Escalade.
Rock wore a sweat shirt with "Detroit" emblazoned on the front "so I can remember where I'm at."
His Made in Detroit fashion line was shown at GM style, as were looks by Kevan Hall and the William Rast Denim Collection by Justin Timberlake.
GM executives mingled during the pre-show period with the likes of Gordon, retired NFL star running back Jerome Bettis and actor and singer Nick Cannon in a cramped cocktail area.
Hundreds of people dressed in casual chic sipped mixed drinks and munched finger food as an oversized clock counted down to the beginning of the night's festivities.
GM Style kicked off with Blige walking purposefully the length of the runway all the while belting out her new hit "Just Fine." When she reached the end of the runway, she waved hello to those in the front row — GM CEO Rick Wagoner and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, among others.
Following closely behind Blige was a vintage 1953 Chevrolet Corvette and models sporting the latest from Marciano.
Blige gave the crowd two more songs, and male models sporting hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons Argyle Culture collection made their way down the catwalk. Simmons himself appeared at the end of Blige's set to slap hands with his models and receive a warm ovation from the crowd.
As the opening guitar riff of Maroon 5's performance began, six sunglasses-wearing models dressed in Mark Zunino assembled before Levine and the band, then headed down the runway followed closely behind by a shiny Saturn Astra Tuner concept.
Rock closed the show with an eclectic set that included everything from his own hits to a surprise rap duet with Run DMC legend the Rev. Run to a Detroit-inspired medley that included covers of hits by Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Eminem and even The Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud To Beg."
In most fashion shows, the designer ends the show by walking down the runway to applause, and GM Style was no different — except that in this case the designer was Ed Welburn, GM's vice president of design.
By MIKE HOUSEHOLDER, Associated Press Writer
Story Created: Jan 12, 2008 at 7:33 PM EST
Story Updated: Jan 12, 2008 at 10:14 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — Kid Rock strutted around the stage with a guitar slung over his back.
Related ContentDetroit auto show's gleam tries to trump economic groans
Tata's $2,500 car could bring ownership within reach of millions
Mach 5 from "Speed Racer" on display at Detroit auto show
Workers putting finishing touches on Detroit auto show setup
Kid Rock joins Maroon 5, Blige at GM Style event in Detroit
NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon eased a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 down the runway, flanked by leggy models.
This was far from your everyday fashion show.
Equal parts automotive exhibition, runway gala and concert, Saturday night's GM Style show was unlike most fashion events.
Rock was joined on the bill by Grammy-winning R&B songstress Mary J. Blige and pop hitmakers Maroon 5, but the cars were the stars of this show.
While the performers did their thing, General Motors Corp. was giving the stylish set a first look at the Corvette, the E85 Hot Rod and Camaro convertible concepts as well as 16 other offerings.
Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine summed up the reason his group agreed to appear at GM Style.
"When they asked us to play this, they said: 'There will be hot girls and cars,' and we said 'Yes!'"
Held in a football field-size, climate-controlled pavilion on the Detroit River, just east of GM's global headquarters, GM Style came on the eve of the opening of the North American International Auto Show's press preview days.
Blige, who celebrated her 37th birthday a day earlier with a surprise dinner with her father at a Detroit restaurant, strolled into the interview area ahead of the event in an ensemble that included knee-high Alexander McQueen boots.
"I've seen the cars, and they are off the chain," Blige said of the evening's vehicle lineup.
Rock, born Robert Ritchie in nearby Romeo, Mich., was similarly impressed with GM's vehicle collection. He owns a 1962 Impala among other vintage autos, but said his everyday vehicle is a Cadillac Escalade.
Rock wore a sweat shirt with "Detroit" emblazoned on the front "so I can remember where I'm at."
His Made in Detroit fashion line was shown at GM style, as were looks by Kevan Hall and the William Rast Denim Collection by Justin Timberlake.
GM executives mingled during the pre-show period with the likes of Gordon, retired NFL star running back Jerome Bettis and actor and singer Nick Cannon in a cramped cocktail area.
Hundreds of people dressed in casual chic sipped mixed drinks and munched finger food as an oversized clock counted down to the beginning of the night's festivities.
GM Style kicked off with Blige walking purposefully the length of the runway all the while belting out her new hit "Just Fine." When she reached the end of the runway, she waved hello to those in the front row — GM CEO Rick Wagoner and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, among others.
Following closely behind Blige was a vintage 1953 Chevrolet Corvette and models sporting the latest from Marciano.
Blige gave the crowd two more songs, and male models sporting hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons Argyle Culture collection made their way down the catwalk. Simmons himself appeared at the end of Blige's set to slap hands with his models and receive a warm ovation from the crowd.
As the opening guitar riff of Maroon 5's performance began, six sunglasses-wearing models dressed in Mark Zunino assembled before Levine and the band, then headed down the runway followed closely behind by a shiny Saturn Astra Tuner concept.
Rock closed the show with an eclectic set that included everything from his own hits to a surprise rap duet with Run DMC legend the Rev. Run to a Detroit-inspired medley that included covers of hits by Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Eminem and even The Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud To Beg."
In most fashion shows, the designer ends the show by walking down the runway to applause, and GM Style was no different — except that in this case the designer was Ed Welburn, GM's vice president of design.
