On the VMAs, Chris Hansen, Milan Fashion Week

Every Outfit

The hosts begin with Chelsea Fairless's viral DIY Cheshire cat land art project created with her mother, followed by a detailed breakdown of the MTV Video Music Awards, highlighting

Key takeaways

• Chelsea Fairless helped her mother construct a massive Cheshire cat land art piece using moss strips and reflective tape on a fallen redwood log in Northern California.
• Madonna opened the VMAs with a Confessions II medley featuring Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, Debbie Mazur, and Seth Rogen, later winning multiple awards including Artist of the Year.

Main topics

• DIY Land Art & Family Creative Projects
• MTV Video Music Awards Performances & Red Carpet Looks

Notable quotes

"Land art is so beautiful. It's so ephemeral and so... Cool."

Conclusion

The episode balances lighthearted fashion commentary with sharp cultural

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:00) For many of us, going further isn't a choice. It's a feeling we can't ignore because ambition has a way of outgrowing where it began. Speaker 1 (0:11) Turning dreams into direction. Speaker 1 (0:17) Every journey brings us closer to the life we imagine. Speaker 1 (0:23) So, where will your journey take you? Etihad. Beyond borders. Speaker 1 (0:44) Breakdown. beautiful gown. Speaker 3 (0:53) Hi, I'm Lauren Garoni. And I'm Chelsea Fairless. And welcome back to the Every Outfit Podcast. Chelsea, how are you doing? I'm good. Happy to be home. That's right. You went up to Humboldt this past weekend. I know a little bit of what went on only because I saw on Instagram that you did Speaker 2 (1:12) some outdoor art, let's say. Yeah, I visited my parents in Northern California and maybe A week before my trip, my mom called me and was like, I have a project that I need you to help me with. And normally when she says something like that, it's like, you have to help me clean out the garage or something to that effect. This time it was like, you have to help me create this piece of land art. Basically, she has been driving by this massive redwood log. Like, I guess some redwood tree was deemed unsafe by the county, so they... chopped part of it off and left it by the side of the road. Why? They took most of the tree Speaker 3 (1:54) with them and then left this hunk of redwood. Speaker 2 (1:58) I have no idea why, but apparently my mom has been driving by this log every single day and has harbored these deep fantasies about turning it into a Cheshire cat. I don't want to Speaker 3 (2:08) be conspiratorial, but do you think your mother- paid the guys that cut the redwood down to leave that chunk of redwood so she could make this Cheshire Cat land art. Speaker 2 (2:20) I do not think that is likely. But yeah, so she had this whole plan. She did a whole like study basically, like a mock-up on a smaller log of what she wanted to do. And she basically, what? This is sounding very familiar. This Speaker 3 (2:37) is where I get it from. Yeah, this is your mother's version of a deck. She's like, I've made a miniature Cheshire cat. This is what we're going to do. Speaker 2 (2:46) Totally. And basically what she did is she cut strips of moss and wrapped them around the log to create the striped effect. that the Cheshire Cat is known for. And then to make the face, she basically used like reflective tape to create the teeth. And then those like circular reflective things to create the eyes. No offense, but it seems like your mom had quite the plan. What did she need you for exactly? She needed my aunt and I to help recreate this on the actual log because the log was huge, Lauren. Like the log was the size of this room. I don't know if it really comes across in photographs, but it was a massive. massive log. And we basically had to take these like strips of moss, which we gathered from the forest and use staple guns to staple them to the log. And then I made the ears out of like sticks, basically sticks and moss. I truly felt like I was like one of the girls from Yellow Jackets. You know, it seems like something they would do out in the wilderness. More as a sacrifice. But Speaker 3 (3:47) yeah, this was to bring a smile, I assume, to people driving by it day in and day out. Yeah, Speaker 2 (3:53) she wanted to do it for children in the neighborhood, which is funny because like when the sun goes down, when you just see the reflective eyes and the teeth, like it's actually terrifying. No offense to your lovely mother, but. Seeing the photo Speaker 3 (4:08) in Speaker 2 (4:09) daylight, Speaker 3 (4:09) it's a little spooky. But Speaker 2 (4:12) I was very happy to help her execute her vision. It's fun doing a creative project like that that is just for fun, that has no stakes, that's just for the love of doing it. Is this Speaker 3 (4:24) referencing that we have monetized every hobby we've ever had, essentially? Yeah, Speaker 2 (4:30) and it's stupid to do that. And that's why land art is so beautiful. It's so ephemeral and so... Cool. And my mom doesn't typically do stuff like this, but she is a gardener, which I guess is its own form of land art when you think about it. But she's always been a creative person. She's always wrote poetry. She actually put together a program of Mary Oliver poems at her local Unitarian church a couple of years ago that seemed very cool. So she's always doing something fun and creative, which I admire her for. Yes, your mother Speaker 3 (5:02) is a lovely, lovely, sweet person, as is my mother. It's a little confusing how they made such bitches. Speaker 2 (5:09) Yeah. And I'm sure for you, this kind of stuff is so foreign. Like, I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where making land art with your family is not, like, super outside the norm. Speaker 3 (5:21) Yes, in the words of Carrie Bradshaw, I'm a bona fide city girl. Yeah, Paul was like, I can't wait to take Morty to go camping. And I was like... I'll see you guys when you get back, whatever that is. I think that would be a good experience for you, Lauren. Connect with nature. Okay, here's my issue with camping outdoors. It's not the daytime. I'm fine with the daytime. I'm fine with the campfire and the cooking and all that. Why must we sleep in a tent on the ground, though? You realize our ancestors, like, lived out there, right? I don't know. I think mine just have always lived in some form of brick and mortar homes, whether it be Italy or the Lower Speaker 2 (5:59) East Side or New Jersey. Speaker 2 (6:03) Look, you can go glamping. And I will say, although I did grow up in the country and I grew up camping a lot, as an adult, I am more comfortable with glamping. I've only done it once. I did it in Australia years ago. Tat said, we're going camping. And it was a full glamping situation where the tent had a shower and a toilet inside it, which was incredible. But you could do something like that. Okay. Just saying. Maybe we should do that Speaker 3 (6:29) together. Maybe the next every outfit team building trip is glamping. Actually, maybe I'm scared to do that with you. How did the Every Outfit podcast come to an end? Chelsea took Lauren camping and that was that. They Speaker 2 (6:44) never spoke again. Once Lauren realized that she was glamping and had no cell phone reception, she had a full-blown nervous breakdown. She ran into the forest and never came back. Anyway. Thank you to everyone that left lovely comments about my mother's Cheshire cat land art. It brought a smile to my face and to her face as well. Aw. She was shocked that it went viral. Speaker 2 (7:14) I don't think she thought this would end up on the internet. Speaker 3 (7:17) Who would? What other would? Speaker 2 (7:20) And that's a sensible response. Totally. Speaker 3 (7:24) It's like when I tell my mom about hate comments that we get about me for this podcast and she just started laughing in my face. She was like, that's silly. And I was like, you know what? That's actually probably the appropriate Speaker 2 (7:35) reaction. All right. Shall we move on to stuff that happened this week? Yes. Evidently, the VMAs happened. Did you watch them or did you just watch clips? Speaker 3 (7:46) Yes, I did not watch it live. I watched it how it was meant to be consumed, which is in 20 clips on YouTube the morning after. No, I disagree. I find Speaker 2 (7:57) watching the VMAs that way to be so unsatisfying. I'm here for the full show. I'm a purist. I know you are. And Speaker 3 (8:04) perhaps you did watch the VMAs the way they're meant to be watched as an elder millennial, which is at a gay bar. Yeah, Speaker 2 (8:12) I was so excited about Madonna opening the VMAs that I was like, I have to see this with a crowd. And the Abbey was screening it, which was super fun. The Abbey, of course, also recently had that wonderful event where Madonna DJed. So a lot of people showed up in their merch ready to celebrate Mother Madonna. Speaker 3 (8:35) I will tell you what I did see live, which was our local Channel 9 news station, which for those of you who don't live in Los Angeles, is our hooiest local news station. They were covering the red carpet. Speaker 2 (8:48) Yeah, there was no pre-show on MTV. They literally just played Harry Potter. Well, yeah, the show aired on CBS, right? But also on MTV, which I guess still exists, but... maybe doesn't have original programming. I don't understand. I only know this because I saw whoever was manning the TV at the Abbey. We saw the part where you see the whole cable. The Speaker 3 (9:15) guide. Yeah, guide come Speaker 2 (9:16) up. Speaker 3 (9:17) It's like football, football, football, MTV. So Snoop Dogg hosted, which I was unaware of until I started watching clips of it. Speaker 2 (9:27) Yeah, he hosted. Honestly, I wasn't paying. that close attention to his jokes and stuff. I was mostly looking at the performances. Well, let me fill Speaker 3 (9:37) you in. During his opening monologue, he got the crowd to say back to him, deez nuts. Okay. That was basically his opening monologue. Sounds like something he would do. Okay, shall we get into the performances? Most importantly, Madonna. Yes. Speaker 2 (9:54) Madonna did a medley. of songs from Confessions 2. She did Bring Your Love, the duet with Sabrina Carpenter. Of which Sabrina Carpenter came out. And was kind of dressed like a Sabrina Carpenter version of like erotica era Madonna. Like she had the beret and everything. I mean, I think Sabrina Speaker 3 (10:17) Carpenter just loves a beret in general. Speaker 2 (10:20) Then there was a brief interlude of some other song that she didn't really perform. I forget what. And then it went into the Danceteria remix with Charli XCX. Which was great. We got Speaker 3 (10:32) Charli XCX, Debbie Mazur. I spotted Tony Ward, which is one of my Speaker 2 (10:37) favorite Madonna boyfriends. Totally. I think those were the two most exciting cameos. Like when Debbie Mazur came out of the bathroom stall with Madonna, like everyone in the bar screamed. That got the biggest reaction all night was seeing her. Speaker 3 (10:52) Yeah. I will say there were several things that happened during the MTV Awards that I and you deeply care about, but I'm not sure if anyone in the audience gave a shit. Like, do you think the people in the audience care that Speaker 2 (11:07) Debbie Mazur came out? It's for the Madonna fans. And yes, we care. No, Speaker 3 (11:12) no, no, not you. But I mean the like 20 year olds that are in the audience watching the MTV. music awards as they're happening. Well, Speaker 2 (11:21) who cares what they think? They're getting Sabrina Carpenter and Charlie XCX. So like, what more do they need? Speaker 3 (11:29) We use our phones for everything at this point, but did you know that you can use it for some sexy me time? I think you know what time it is. It's time for a Dipsy ad. Dipsy is the number one app for erotic audio stories created by women for everyone. With Dipsy, your fantasies are safe. Just don't forget to use your headphones, or in my case, be really careful about what you were last listening to on your phone when it pairs with your car. 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Right now, Dipsy is giving our listeners their first week free and then 25 % off after that when you sign up at dipsystories.com slash outfit. This is an exclusive offer for our podcast listeners. Go to dipsystories.com slash outfit for your first week free, then 25 % off. That's D-I-P-S-E-A stories.com slash Speaker 2 (13:02) outfit. Speaker 2 (13:05) I will say there were so many people that we didn't really fully get to see everyone that was on stage with Madonna. Like I heard that Gabrielle and Julia Fox were also on stage, but I didn't see them. Seth Rogen was randomly there. Okay, that's what I wanted to ask Speaker 3 (13:22) you because I was watching the performance and the camera starts to pan out, but I was like, is that Seth Rogen or is that just a fabulous otter who looks like Seth Rogen? Speaker 2 (13:33) No, that was Seth Rogen. And you know, every time Madonna... does a performance of Danceteria, someone deeply random has to be there. Like in the music video, it was Benedict Cumberbatch. Yeah, exactly. This time it was Seth Rogen. Although Speaker 3 (13:48) now that I think about it, the connection makes sense because there's going to be a plot line in season two of the studio that is going to fictionalize Madonna's attempt to make a biopic about her life with Julia Garner. We should mention Julia Garner, who seems to be Madonna's tether at this point, was all Yeah. Speaker 2 (14:07) Another person who was in the dance interior scene was the owner of the Abbey, who is like a serial entrepreneur who owns like half of Fire Island, some crazy huge resort in Puerto Vallarta. He owns some like telehealth company where like gay guys get prep, basically. you know, and has like millions and millions and millions of dollars. Where's the three-part Netflix documentary about this man? They may be making one because there were cameras at the Abbey and it's because he appeared in the Danceteria performance. Then he came straight to the Abbey and I don't know, he was filmed like walking into the bar and then he kissed all of his five boyfriends on the lips. So he's Speaker 3 (14:55) a Speaker 2 (14:55) gay Hugh Hefner Speaker 3 (14:56) is what you're telling me. He's a gay Speaker 2 (14:57) Hugh Hefner and they all live in the same house together. Speaker 3 (15:00) Oh, okay. Scratch the three-part Netflix documentary. This is a reality show. Totally. I wonder if Speaker 2 (15:06) this is being pitched to someone. Right. And he's filming, he's funding his own sizzle reel. I would think so. Although, cannot confirm, but... truly a show that I would watch. I'm fascinated by this man. Getting back to Madonna, Speaker 3 (15:20) she won multiple awards. Her speeches were giving kind of drunk aunt at your wedding vibes. Like when she won, what was it? The dancing award? It's whatever award Troye Sivan and Charli XCX presented to her that she didn't even know what the award was for. And then she bullied them to stand next to her while she accepted the award. For a second, I was like, is she going to make out with both of them? When she won the award with Sabrina Carpenter, she took that time to throw Sabrina Carpenter's team under the bus by telling all of us that she could not reach anyone in Sabrina Carpenter's team. So she just directly DM Speaker 2 (16:02) Sabrina Carpenter to collaborate together. She said they took five days to respond to an email. And after that point, she was just like, fuck it, I'm DMing her. Which makes sense. But like Madonna also did a lot of like stand up comedy during her various like acceptance speeches. Like during one of them, she was like, I would like to thank my fingers because I can always count on them. Yes. And then during another one, she did this whole physical comedy bit where she pantomimed pulling like a laser pointer out of her ass. which was a reference to the Confessions 2 film, right? Because remember that opened with like all of those lasers? But I don't think like the crowd understood that. Speaker 3 (16:45) Oh no, they didn't watch all 12 Speaker 2 (16:47) minutes of the Confessions 2 short film? I think if they had done the vagina lasers on stage, maybe that would have come through more. I don't know. I think the Speaker 3 (16:57) vast majority of people who were in the audience were waiting for Young Lean or someone. Speaker 2 (17:01) That would be cool of them. I kind of doubt it. I think they're waiting to hear Ray sing the Where the Hell is My Husband song. You're probably Speaker 3 (17:09) right. The Gen Alpha, younger Gen Z audience that was there that night is like, I want to hear the artist perform my favorite TikTok sound song. Like, Speaker 2 (17:18) young Lean is unusually cool to be performing at the VMAs. Did Speaker 3 (17:23) you know that he was dating an Arquette daughter? No. His girlfriend, and I'm sorry, I'm blanking on her name. She is Rosanna Arquette's daughter. Oh, that's cool. Speaker 2 (17:32) His performance was really incredible. Speaker 3 (17:35) That, Speaker 2 (17:35) I'm sorry, was the best of the night. I love Madonna. I loved her performance, but that was one of the best performances I've ever seen at the VMAs, period. Well, it was a recreation of the music video. Yes, a recreation of one of the scenes in the music video. which really lent itself to a live performance. Speaker 3 (17:55) Although, was he singing or rapping much? The power of that performance really falls on all of those dancers that are surrounding him doing that amazing choreography. Sure, but like half the people that perform at the VMAs can barely sing. I mean, that is the one thing that has probably remained true throughout the history of the VMAs. No one Speaker 2 (18:17) is singing live. Also, I want to note that that was choreographed by this guy named Damien Jalet, who also did Madonna's Confessions 2 video. So this man is a genius. We bow down to him. Do we know if he won an MTV award? I don't Speaker 3 (18:34) think there is an award for choreography. I feel at one point when the VMAs were very powerful, there was, but it was sort of announced during the red carpet. If you remember, there was a time where the MTV Music Video Awards had their own Speaker 2 (18:50) version of the shmemies. Speaker 3 (18:51) Right. Speaker 2 (18:52) But I also do think that the VMAs, like, are rigged now. Speaker 3 (18:55) Oh, you think? I was about to say, yeah, they're just inventing Speaker 2 (19:00) awards now. They gave Madonna three awards for showing up, which, to be fair, she deserved. She had one of the best videos of the year, her and Young Lean. Those were the videos of the year, in my opinion. Right. She won Artist of the Year. Yeah. But Taylor Swift, randomly, won Video of the Year for, I always forget, The Life of Ophelia, The Fate of Ophelia. Oh, don't look at me. I don't know. For that video. Can Speaker 3 (19:26) we talk about the new award of the evening that was given to her by, I guess, her best friend Dakota Johnson, which was the Artist Director Honor. Not to be confused with an art director. This is an artist director, which evidently recognizes music artists whose work behind the camera has pushed creative Speaker 2 (19:47) boundaries and advanced visual storytelling. This Speaker 3 (19:50) is clearly an award made for Taylor Swift or made up for for Taylor Swift because what other musician is directing their own music Speaker 2 (20:00) videos other than her? I'm trying to think about that. I'm sure someone is, but certainly not enough people to necessitate an award. Speaker 3 (20:08) No, and it's very clear that she is platforming her next era, which is being a writer and film director. Because remember, she's making that movie. Right. I like that Dakota Johnson explained that she is, what was it? She is an architect of emotional landscapes. Is she coming for Law Roach in his architecture career? Speaker 3 (20:33) I mean, artist-director does sound so similar to image architects. Speaker 3 (20:40) Once again, this episode is sponsored by The RealReal. If you've listened to our podcast for any amount of time, you know we love The RealReal. We discuss it on mic, off mic, and scrolling their app occupies a great deal of our waking hours. I feel like I've unlocked the ultimate RealReal hack, which is selling my clothes that I no longer wear and using the credits from those sales to buy new designer pieces on the RealReal that I've been coveting. And when you sell with the RealReal, they do everything for you. From photography and copywriting to shipping, pricing, and customer service, so you can sit back and get paid. I can attest, all I did was put a few things on a rack and a lovely RealReal sales assistant came to my house and picked up everything. And before I knew it, my items had sold. With over 42 million fashion lovers on the RealReal, your items will sell fast. The RealReal makes it so easy. Resale is what they do, so you have more time to do you. And if you're anything like us, that extra time you have is spent on the RealReal app, harding new obsessions. I've said it once, but I'll say it again. The RealReal is the most trusted name in authenticated luxury resale. With over 10,000 new arrivals daily, no one does resale like the RealReal. And now get $25 off your first purchase when you go to Speaker 2 (21:53) the Speaker 3 (21:53) RealReal. That's therealreal.com slash outfit to get your $25 off. Start shopping now at therealreal.com slash outfit. Speaker 2 (22:03) During the show, Taylor also premiered the music video for her new single, Patient Zero, which is on the extended edition of the Life of the Showgirl. Life of Speaker 3 (22:15) a Showgirl? Life of a Speaker 2 (22:16) Showgirl. Encore is what this is. I Speaker 3 (22:20) don't understand. Why can't she just release an EP? Why is she addicted to creating multiple iterations of one album? So the sales Speaker 2 (22:29) and the streams continue to... break records. Oh, Speaker 3 (22:33) this is like, this is some nerd shit, but every couple of