We want it that way: Fashioning a new Backstreet look

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Feb 18, 2001 Source: Start Tribune Submitted By: Nicksphotographer Show the Backstreet Boys' new look to fashion experts and -- yikes! -- the opinions start coming. Loud and clear. "Kevin needs to cut his hair. " "Howie's handsome but he looks like a burnout. " "Nick's hair is '80s in a bad way. " "A. J. doesn't deserve to have tattoos. " "Brian looks like a bad version of a businessman. " We asked three Twin Cities-based pros -- hair stylist Aimee Holmes, fashion stylist Gwen Leeds and graphic artist/rocker Kii Arens -- to assess the Boys' sense of style. In short: "There is no style here," said Leeds, who has worked with Prince and other music acts. "They look like Taco Bell prizes," said Arens, known for his shaved head and louder-than-Elton outfits. "They're trying to be fashionable," said Holmes, who has flaming magenta locks and tons of tattoos. "The long hair is more rebellious. But they look like they came off Jenny Jones' show 'Please Give My Boyfriend a Makeover. '" So the trio of fashionistas went about re-dressing the Backstreet Boys. Leeds brought magazines featuring new duds from famous designers. Then our panelists kicked around ideas about hair and outfits. Artist Matt LeFebvre listened to their suggestions and -- voila! -- a new and better Backstreet. Our panelists created a consistent mod image for the Backstreet Boys with plenty of individual touches to define their separate personalities. The look, in contrasting shades of crimson and cranberry, is streamlined with sleeker lines and thin-soled shoes. The cut of Nick's suit conceals his doughy figure, while Kevin's short leather jacket accents his height. Brian retains his conservative image while A. J. still has a street vibe with a hipper feel. The panelists rejected his various styles of headgear in favor of a short red-dyed do, and opted for glasses with smaller frames. For Nick's hair, our fashionistas suggested something short and spiky -- colored Billy Idol white -- and recommended that Brian brush his hair back. The clippers came out to sculpt Kevin's old Farrah Fawcett-like do, and the panelists urged that he shave, leaving only a soul patch. For Howie, the choice was a short hairdo with texture and a chocolate brown color -- plus a waxing of his eyebrows. "We're modernizing them and making them cool," stylist Gwen Leeds said. However, rocker/designer Kii Arens had a dissenting opinion: "Do the music world a favor and dress them in body bags. " Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: johnanz http://imrdsoacha.gov.co/silvitra-120mg-qrms Submitted by: JimmiXzS eGDXZT http://www.FyLitCl7Pf7kjQdDUOLQOuaxTXbj5iNG.com Submitted by: Bradley I5EwcC http://www.FyLitCl7Pf7kjQdDUOLQOuaxTXbj5iNG.com Submitted by: ficmtsjed HviibT , [url=http://wtcqwlbnunbc.com/]wtcqwlbnunbc[/url], [link=http://diyayjtwckrb.com/]diyayjtwckrb[/link], http://svlzidtrmztx.com/ Submitted by: qgwtfenv tsqffu , [url=http://ogtbidblltrv.com/]ogtbidblltrv[/url], [link=http://fkootpjdtjva.com/]fkootpjdtjva[/link], http://ttywfvocbzjv.com/ Submitted by: Sara I'll see if I can manage this just for fun. I do have a gaitur that my dad got me when I turned 20. He is trying so hard to teach, and how to tune the gaitur. I never seem to remember. Poor dad, he wants his daughter to play so bad, well so do I, I have always wanted to learn how to play gaitur. My sweet fiance9 is a gaiturist and he also teach gaitur to kids, so if they can learn so can I Some how Oh dear! Thanks girl! Submitted by: ppionerka Submitted by: utilizera Submitted by: nikelir Submitted by: Halz Click here to see more comments. Comment on this item. Next Item: Boy band veterans, Backstreet Boys, will color the Palace 'Black & Blue' Prev Item: For pop performers, style is substance -- and songs may come last