Tag Archives: adriana lima

Tactician's Vanity

The 2011 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show aired on CBS last night and WOW what quality television programming.  Like seriously.  The $12 million ‘marketing marvel’ is aired in more than 180 countries and features the worlds top models (36) wearing intimate apparel.  The show featured hard-hitting musical performances from Jay-Z and Kanye West,  Maroon 5, and Nicki Minaj.  “It’s one giant PR stunt” that was held in New York, and helps Victoria’s Secret “put our [their] brand in front of millions of people around the world during the crucial holiday period.”  And it works, as Victoria’s Secret raked in $5.5 billion in net sales last year.  Australian model and new mother Miranda Kerr sported the most expensive digs in the form of a $2.5 million Fantasy Treasure Bra—designed by London Jewelers and embellished with nearly 3,400 stones including 142 carats of diamond.  As is the new trend in these Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows, a recent mother was given the honor of wearing the coveted Fantasy Bra, last year being Adriana Lima.  Indeed most of the lingerie giant‘s top models are now mothers including Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum, Kate Moss, Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio.  With all that ridiculously good television going on it was hard to catch the fact that there were also musical performances.  Were there?  I had no idea.  Since analyzing the temperament of models wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense let’s take a look at burgeoning dynamic duo Jay-Z and Kanye West.

Shawn Corey Carter was born into poverty on the streets of Brooklyn December 4, 1969.  Today his net worth is estimated at over 450$ million.  An extremely talented rapper and musician, HOVA has 11 number one records, being beat out only by The Beatles.  Music however, is definitely not Carter’s only talent.  Indeed Carter is a very successful and renowned entrepreneur: he was President/CEO of Def Jam Records for several years, he has founded multiple corporations including Roc-A-Fella Records and Rocawear, finally he is co-owner of a variety of organizations including the 40/40 Club and the New Jersey Nets.  Whether it be music, fashion, food, or just cold hard business; Jigga clearly knows how to get sh*t done.  A self-admitted former crack dealer, Shawn Carter clearly will use any means or ‘tools’ necessary to be successful.  A brilliant Crafter Artisan from the streets, Carter knows that the most important things in life are ‘a gift and a curse’.

Kanye Omari West was born June 08, 1977 in Atlanta Georgia.  The Chi-town native is characterized by his flamboyantly loud personality, outrageous fashion sense, and skills as a music producer.  Indeed it was Kanye’s beat-making prowess that got his foot in the industry door.  However once his foot was in the door, his mouth did the rest.  The rapper’s flashy personality may come across as a bit egotistical, but also made him a powerful media darling, and helped propel his career to what it is today.  Kanye’s uncensored attitude has indeed gotten him in trouble: when he claimed that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people,” or his infamous mic-snatching incident with Taylor Swift.  In fact if at any point during the day you want to hear exactly what Kanye West is thinking about, you can check out his highly utilized twitter account, or even his website.  Although the guy may come off as a bit brazen or overconfident: at the end of the day Kanye West, a blazing Performer Artisan, simply wants to entertain his audience.

Quote1.png Shoot for the stars, so if you fall you land on a cloud.Quote2.png

Kanye West

Quote1.png I will not lose, for even in defeat, there’s a valuable lesson learned, so it evens up for me.Quote2.png

Shawn Carter