Notes From The City: An Abundant Life

The first word that came to my mind to describe the Artist, Model, Singer, Songwriter, Actor and Fashionista Aaron Paul is phenomenal. I met Aaron at City Opera Thrift Store during a special evening they host annually titled "Divas Shop For City Opera" because when I first saw him I thought he was fabulous. He is not only extremely attractive, but there is something attracting about him, a certain something that not everyone has and that only the most memorable performers do. You feel drawn into his orbit, intrigued and interested and also in a very lovely and wonderful way welcomed into the presence of someone you feel intensely is truly great. After I introduced myself I told him that I absolutely loved what he was wearing - a man who is stylish and not run of the mill is rare to find, and he was wearing one of my favorite colors of electric blue sprinkled throughout his attire like stardust. I was enchanted, and because I only had a short amount of time to stay that evening because I had an appointment somewhere else, I asked him if I could take his photograph and follow up about a blog post.

He got in touch with me soon after, and that began a lovely getting to know you season that involved some very lovely parties and events to launch his newest single. He also invited me to his video launch party where I met Montgomery Frazier, the Image Guru who has been a stylist for the stars for years and is one of my own personal icons since I first found out how powerful music and fashion working together could be. I've been a long time fan of MTV and rock and pop videos, all the way back to the time when I first saw a very young David Bowie's early cinematic creations. Those performances of the greats over the years changed my life in ways that it's not easy to describe - music is powerful and music videos bring the music to life in ways that hit every sense and sensibility, and to meet a stylist like Montgomery Frazier who created not only the looks for the videos but for the stars themselves was a breathtaking moment. The very way that each one of us views the world has something to do with how Montgomery Frazier has styled it, and the things that we aspire to have very much to do with the way he has helped us envision our lives. In Aaron's new video and his new single "Fashion" Montgomery Frazier plays a pivotal role. Throughout the song which is a marvelously danceable and mixable mix of music and fashionably iconic moments, Montgomery's voice is heard speaking his signature statements and commenting on the action. At the end when Aaron and Montgomery face off for the last time, there is a very special seemingly off the record discussion between them that brings us right into their world, creating a feeling of camaraderie in their adventures. Aaron has the last word as he tells Montgomery, the guru of fashion gurus that this is Aaron's song, and it is, but with Montgomery along for the ride we can all have so much fun.

Aaron Paul is one of those rare performers who is able to create groundbreaking work while still giving a nod and a wink to those amazing performers who have gone before him. He is his own phenomenon but there are so many shades and tones in his presence that bring back the history of rock and pop and bring it into the new days we're living in. And indeed the great George Wayne who I was also honored to meet at one of Aaron's fabulous and fashionable evenings named Aaron to his Downtown 100 and has given him his seal of approval. It was Simon Cowell who discovered Aaron, and helped launch him to super-stardom when he brought him into the UK boy band Apart as its front man. After performing with them for several years and achieving worldwide fame, Aaron moved to New York City from his native London and began a critically acclaimed career as a Solo Artist, Host and Author, as well as earning his badge as one of Us Weekly's Magazine Fashion Cops because of his expertise as a host and stylist.

Aaron also brings joy with him, something so important for these days we're living in now, a joie de vivre that is contagious and that overflows into the room around him wherever he is. On the night of his video release party, though it was a rainy night outside, inside was such a beautiful party because of the light-filled and delightful energy he brings with him. It made me think back to my early days in New York City, going to clubs that made everything seem possible and that the world around was glittering with gold. Aaron Paul is a superstar, and it's exciting to have been a part of this journey. I wish him all the best as he flashes forward into the future.

Aaron Paul

Resident Diva
At Divas Shop For City Opera
With Photographer And Makeup And Hair Consultant
Joseph Boggess

At City Opera Thrift Store

New York City
www.aaronpaulmusic.com