Content area
Full Text
SHE IS the most trend-savvy appropriator in American pop culture today, an artful borrower whose nod of approval is directly linked to the country's cash registers, and a thief in chic clothing who repackages fashion fads and sells them to mall kids and city nits alike. And she's here.
The Blond Ambition tour pulls into the New York metro area tonight. And, as Madonna Summer unofficially kicks off, fans will get the chance to see in person, if not up close, the latest top-knotted, funnel-chested incarnation of the singing sensation.
While fashion cynics argue whether the blond-braided Madonna looks more like Barbara Eden of "I Dream of Jeannie" or Jean Kasem, the living cartoon character who is married to radio's Casey, some young women already have adopted the new hairstyle. Given her track record - remember crosses and underwear as outerwear? - kiddie cone bras cannot be far behind.
During her 100-minute concert, Madonna plays all her fashion roles with aplomb, energy up and trends akimbo. She progresses from home girl to the sleekly glamorous Horst-esque vision of "Vogue" to the chanteusey doozie of "Dick Tracy," belting Stephen Sondheim show tunes from atop a piano. For "Holiday," her early dance hit, she's in polka dot hip-hugger flares, the current pants rage in trend-happy England. And for "Material Girl," Madonna reverts from silk purse to sow's ear in a sequin-embroidered bathrobe and a headful of pink foam curlers, just to...