Madonna used own furniture in 'W.E.' to keep cost down

Madonna is so hands-on with the production of 'W.E.' she's delivering her own furniture to the set. Madge is directing the film, which tracks a young, married New Yorker (Abbie Cornish) who's obsessed with the story of King Edward VIII's abdication.
'W.E.' started shooting in London in July, and sources said Madonna - who is reportedly financing the picture herself - saved cash by bringing her own furniture from her house across the pond to use on the set.
Her rep wouldn't confirm the furniture move but said she was involved in 'all aspects' of the movie. In June, Madonna acknowledged its high cost to Interview: 'Once I started casting and planning and working with my production designer, I went, 'Oh, [bleep], I wrote a script about a bunch of rich people. That's going to be great for the budget.'
Filming has now moved to New York, particularly around Sotheby's, where Cornish's character works.

From the New York Post

UK Magazines: Look

UK magazine Look (30 August issue) featured Madonna's birthday outfit as one of hottest celebrity dresses of the week - click on the article to enlarge.

Madonna denies Malawian access to adopted girl

Pop superstar Madonna will not allow a man who claims to be the biological father of her adopted Malawian daughter to see the four-year-old, a South African newspaper reported on Sunday.
James Kambewa, 26, who is working as a waiter in Durban, had hoped to meet Mercy whom the wealthy star adopted last year but Madonna's spokeswoman Barbara Charone said the child's father was not known.
'The extended family members had no knowledge of a father. The village leadership had no knowledge of a father....the mother was raped and left,. the Sunday Times quoted Charone as saying.
Mercy was controversially adopted from an orphanage by the 52-year-old pop star after the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned a lower court that blocked the placement. She is Madonna's second adopted Malawian child.
'There was a three-week window between the oral arguments (in court) and the decision, when the man could have made his claim. Again nothing,' said Charone.
'Moreover, the Ministry of Gender has recommended that it would be in the child's best interest not to engage with anyone claiming to be a parent or guardian.'
The court listed Mercy's biological father as unknown and said that she was born in January 2006 to a 14-year-old mother who died days after giving birth.
Kambewa vowed last year to fight the adoption bid, saying media reports had alerted him to the child whom he thought had also died with her mother, with whom he said he had a relationship. The age of consent in Malawi is 14.
He told the Sunday Times earlier this month that he was happy the star was looking after Mercy but hoped to meet her one day.

From AFP Via Yahoo! News

UK Magazines: star

The 23 August issue of star magazine features these pictures of Madonna and her children on the set of W.E in London earlier this month. Click to enlarge.

Madonna's Malawi birthday letter

This email letter was sent from Madonna about the notes and donations people had sent to her to celebrate her birthday and Raising Malawi.

For more information or to donate visit www.raisingmalawi.org

Madonna Catches W.E. Actress Out

Madonna caught out an actress on the set of her new movie 'W.E.' who couldn't speak a foreign language despite claiming she knew four.
British actress Annabelle Wallis - who plays a role in the movie about the relationship between King Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson - claimed to be fluent in four languages, but was caught out on the set of the movie by Madonna, who is directing the project.
Annabelle told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: 'Madonna asked me to read in the foreign parts in rehearsals, before those parts had been cast.'
'I was stumbling over every word and it soon became clear that I may have been exaggerating slightly when I wrote that I was fluent on my CV.'
'When you are being directed by your idol, it is not the best time to be caught out but she was actually really great about it.'

From contactmusic.com

South African Magazines: YOU

The current edition of South African magazine YOU (26 August issue) features Madonna and Lourdes as the cover stars - and a two-page article inside about Lourdes new career with Material Girl. Click on the images to enlarge.

Thanks to Willi

Dance for a chance to meet Madonna

Dancers in New York City have the chance to audition for Madonna for the Material Girl Launch in September. The auditions take place in New York City tomorrow (Thursday 26 August). For full details on the competition read the flyer below.

If fans cannot make the live audition they also have the chance to submit a video audition - visit www.materialgirlcollection.com for more information.

Madonna in a clean exclusive fashion story

Dolce&Gabbana's official website Swide.com have published a previously unseen shot from the fall-winter campaign shot by Steven Klein:

You thought you saw and read the full Madonna for Dolce&Gabbana fall-winter story, thanks to Swide check out a very special episode. Beautifully dressed and following the Italian family theme of the campaign, la Donna is giving her lowdown on how to wear unique tailored clothing at all occasions even the most unexpected ones. Indeed, you never know who will ring at the door while you are tidying up the house. Always prepared, always glamorous, as shown by Madonna, femininity and sensuality do not belong to specific time slots: it is a permanent state of dressing.

Photo credits: Steven Klein for Dolce&Gabbana.

Thanks to Jauregui

Madonna shot Miu Miu's A/W'10 Campaign Video

According to model Gina Lapina, she was booked, alongside fellow Miu Miu 'faces' Lindsey Wixson, Siri Tollerød, and Daphne Groeneveld to front the label's A/W'10 campaign with legendary fashion photography team Mert Atlas and Marcus Pigott. So far, so normal fashion industry bizznizz.
The next part is not normal. The next part is likely a slightly bizarre cheese-induced dream sequence. Here's what happened: MADONNA strolls into the studio to say Hi to her BFFs Mert 'n' Marc, who are in the process of filming a behind-the-scenes video of the photoshoot. Madge, as you will recall, is a erm, extraordinary film director, and VOLUNTEERS TO FILM THE VIDEO HERSELF.
'We were supposed to shoot a video, so Madonna said she wanted to direct it' recalls Lapina, who says the photographers told the billionairess superstar that 'she could do it but they weren't going to pay her and she started laughing. She put on her iPod and taught us moves and we shot the video for two hours.'

From graziadaily.co.uk

Madonna gets caught in London downpour

Madonna got caught in one of London's heavy rain showers on Sunday while on location for W.E as these pictures on the Daily Mail website show.

Dolce & Gabbana window display in Las Vegas

madonnalicious reader Patrick took this picture of a Madonna window display at the Dolce & Gabbana store in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace in the Forum Shops.

German Magazines: Grazia

The latest edition of the German version of Grazia magazine features this article illustrated with a picture of Madonna and Lourdes attending the Shoreditch House birthday party. Click on the article to enlarge.

Thanks to Kirsten

German Magazines: In Touch

German magazine In Touch (19 August issue) features this small piece about Madonna and Richard Branson's passenger spaceship. Click to enlarge.

Thanks to Kirsten

Madonna graffiti artwork in Athens

madonnalicious reader Marisadra snapped these pictures of some Madonna graffiti artwork on the streets of Athens in Greece.

UK Press: Metro

UK city newspaper the Metro published this new picture of Madonna and Jesus taking a late-night stroll in London - click on the image to enlarge.

Madonna faces Material Girl lawsuit

Madonna is being sued over the rights to use the 'Material Girl' name for the trendy juniors clothing line that she designed with daughter Lourdes. Apparel manufacturer LA Triumph slapped the superstar with a lawsuit Thursday, claiming that it had been marketing clothes under the 'Material Girl' brand since 1997.
'Our client and its predecessor have been continually selling similar clothes in similar retail outlets at similar price points under their Material Girl brand since at least 1997 and Madonna and her newfound company do not have the right to trade in the same space under this brand,' said an attorney for the company in a statement, alleging that their client faces 'a risk of being subsumed by Madonna’s profile, obvious worldwide notoriety' and massive marketing campaign.
Madonna’s much-buzzed-about Material Girl collection, fronted by Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen, launched at Macy’s earlier this month. Madonna has not yet commented.

From People.com

Glee: Britney/Brittany

Britney Spears has been tweeting from the set of the Britney themed episode of Glee. This time she included pictures of the recreation of Madonna and Britney's Me Against The Music video - this time with Britney playing Madonna's role.

Pictured below with Glee cast member Heather Morris - Britney also added in a tweet....'All my Gleekers in the crowd, grab a partner take it down'.

Wanted: Australian fans for Vogue flashmob

Australian fans in Sydney have the opportunity to take part in a flashmob recreation of Glee's Sue Sylvester's version of Madonna's Vogue:

SAY CHEESE is back at The Forum on Saturday September 4th, which of course means we're shooting a flash mob dance video starring the delicious JOYCE MAYNGE and choreographed by DAVID OLSEN!
We're taking over another Sydney landmark with a performance of SUE SYLVESTER's version of MADONNA's 'VOGUE.'
It's the 21st anniversary of the song's release, so if you've been voguing since 1989 then come along and join in the fun.
You'll be able to 'let your body move to the music' no matter what your dance ability, so come along to the rehearsal and join in the fun!

ONE REHEARSAL:
Tuesday 24 August
8:30pm - 9:50pm
Fitness First, Darlinghurst
(Upstairs from Duffy Bros Supermarket)
63 Oxford Street, Sydney

PERFORMANCE:
Thursday August 26th - around 6:30pm
Location will be advised at rehearsal

Vote: Most Elegant Woman

Fans can vote for Madonna (at her birthday party at Shoreditch House last week) in Hello! magazines online poll to find the Most Elegant Woman of the week.

To vote for Madonna visit hellomagazine.com/vote/mostelegantwoman - please note fans can vote once every 15 minutes.

Thanks to Alex

Dutch Magazines: Grazia

The Dutch version of Grazia magazine (11-17 August issue) featured this picture of Madonna and Taylor Momson on the Material Girl advertising campaign set as one of the 'must-see' celebrity pictures of the week. Click to enlarge.

Belgian Magazines: Blik

Belgian magazine Blik (11 August issue) features these pictures of Madonna working on the 'W.E.' film location in the South of France while her children enjoy time away from the set in Paris. Click on the article to enlarge.

Liz Smith: Will Lady Gaga Play Lady Madonna?

US writer (and long-time Madonna supporter) Liz Smith has written about her thoughts on the Lady Gaga / Madonna comparisons that the press seem to be constantly publishing, and the rumours that Lady Gaga would play Madonna on film:

'What the hell kind of name is Lady Gaga, anyway?!'
That was Madonna, squaring off with Lady G. on 'Saturday Night Live' last year, in a segment that should have been much funnier than it was. Both stars did the best they could with the material, but the real sport was simply seeing the two of them together – The Empress of Pop and the current Queen.
The media is constantly comparing M and G. And naturally placing Madonna in the 'envious older star' category and Gaga as the 'image-snatching copycat.' But even so, fans of both are dying for the singers to collaborate on something.
'Sources' say there could be a video pairing, like the one Madonna did with Britney Spears and Gaga did with Beyoncé. (Although it might be best if Gaga didn’t kiss Madonna at any point. It’s sort of a pop music urban legend that Madonna and Britney’s kiss at the MTV Awards was the beginning of Britney’s downfall. It was supposed to be Madonna 'passing the torch,' but the joke is 'she sucked the life from her!')
Now, a video or a song is always possible between M and G, but the next bit of gossip? Don’t dress and let’s consider the saltshaker. There’s a rumor that Madonna is planning her own biopic and that she’s chosen Gaga to interpret her life.
Ahhhh....first of all, Madonna is one of those always-looking-ahead kind of people. She just turned a youthful 52, and I doubt she’s thinking in terms of biopics or autobiographies. (When she turned 50, I asked her if she’d ever retire. She said, 'I will when you do, Liz!' So we agreed to be the last gals standing at the rodeo.)
Second, she’s deep into her directing project – the movie about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, 'W.E.' This has consumed her more totally than anything she has ever attempted. Music, videos, her past life, her 'rivals' are the last thing on her mind.
Third? Gaga has already been so closely associated with lifting many aspects of Madonna’s image, I don’t think she’d play into that by playing M onscreen.
But stranger things have happened in showbiz (Sly Stallone’s big comeback in 'The Expendables!') so we never say never.

To read more from Liz Smith visit www.wowowow.com/culture/liz-smith

German Magazines: Grazia, Life And Style and OK!

Three German magazines, Grazia, Life And Style and OK!, all featured pictures of Madonna on the set of W.E in London with Lourdes, David and Mercy.

Click on the articles to enlarge.

Thanks to Kirsten

UK Press: Metro

UK city newspaper the Metro also featured a small mention of Madonna's birthday party at Shoreditch House, London. Click on the article to enlarge.

Madonna: A Ron Galella Photo Celebration

Billboard.com have put together a look back at Madonna through the lens of famed paparazzo Ron Galella:

Famed veteran paparazzo Ron Galella has been shooting Madonna for over 20 years, capturing her rise from pop starlet to superstar in the '80s and just about every one of her many reinventions ever since. To celebrate Madge's birthday on Aug. 16, we're taking a look back at her life in the limelight by having Galella himself take us on a guided tour through some of his special snaps among the hundreds he's taken of the Material Girl and her famous friends.

To view the pictures and read Ron's comments visit www.billboard.com

Video: Madonna's Birthday Party

POPSUGAR.tv have published this video clip of Madonna, Jesus and Lourdes arriving at Shoreditch House for Madonna's birthday party on Saturday 14 August.

Madonna Turns 52 With Low Key Bash

Madonna kept celebrations for her 52nd birthday low key on Saturday - choosing to party in London with her daughter Lourdes.
The queen of pop took time out of filming her new movie, W.E., to enjoy an early celebration at London's trendy Shoreditch House - two days before her birthday on Monday.
The Material Girl was accompanied by her daughter, 14, and boyfriend Jesus Luz - who had reportedly sourced the venue earlier in the day.
Madonna is said to have dined with her friends and family in a private room before the party moved to the club's rooftop pool, where revellers enjoyed canapes of scallops, calamari, crayfish and quails' eggs, according to the Daily Mail.

From contactmusic.com

UK Press: Daily Express

UK newspaper the Daily Express published this picture today of Madonna attending an early birthday party at Shoreditch House in London on Saturday evening.

Happy Birthday Madonna!

madonnalicious and all our readers wish Madonna a very Happy Birthday today!

UK Magazines: Elle

Fashion stylist Arianne Phillips is interviewed by Kerry Potter for the September 2010 issue of Elle magazine. As fans will know Arianne has worked with Madonna since 1998 and has produced many great looks for both albums and tours.

Arianne is currently working on Madonna's new film W.E in London - sourcing and creating the costumes for the film. Click on the article to enlarge.

UK Magazines: Elle

The UK version of Elle magazine (September 2010 issue) features news of two Madonna-related books that are due for release later this year. The first is a photography book by Tom Munro, which features Madonna on the cover and a foreword written by her, and a book by Madonna's early style inspiration Maripol.

Dolce & Gabbana Campaign Hits Magazines

The new Dolce & Gabbana advertising campaign for AW10-11 has hit the September issues (that are in stores now) of some fashion magazines. The UK version of Elle magazine features two double-page spreads of the adverts.

MDG display at Berlin Aiport

Madonna's MDG sunglasses range are on full display at this shop at Schönefeld Airport in Berlin, Germany in these pictures taken by madonnalicious reader Franky.

Madonna artwork on the streets of Basel

madonnalicious reader Franky snapped this picture of some Madonna artwork on the walls of Basel.

UK Magazines: Look

A recent issue of UK magazine Look featured this one-page article about how Lady Gaga may have been 'inspired' by some of Madonna's previous looks!

Events: Chicago and Los Angeles Parties

More parties are being held on Saturday 15 August to celebrate Madonna's upcoming birthday - below are flyers for two events in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Click on the flyers for more information.

UK Magazines: Look

The Material Girl campaign photoshoot was featured as 'this week's fashion moment' in the 09 August issue of UK magazine Look - click to enlarge.

UK Press: Metro

UK city newspaper the Metro published this new picture today of Madonna, David and Mercy while on the W.E location in London. Click to enlarge.

Events: Madonnarama in East Atlanta

UK Magazines: Grazia

The Material Girl campaign shoot is also featured in the current edition of UK Grazia magazine (09 August issue) - click on the article to enlarge.

Madonna back on the road in 2011?

A Portuguese newspaper is reporting today that Madonna may tour in 2011.

Arthur Fogel, the president of Live Nation is reported to have confirmed that Madonna will tour in 2011 despite the fact that she will have no new material to tour with. A new album would be expected in 2012.

To read the original article visit www.cmjornal.xl.pt

Thanks to Valdemar

UK Magazines: star

The 09 August issue of star magazine features this two-page article about Madonna and Lourdes shooting the Material Girl campaign with Taylor Momson.

German Magazines: Grazia

The latest issue of the German version of Grazia magazine features this one-page article about the Material Girl collection. Click on the article to enlarge.

Thanks to Kirsten

Madonna power helps at Macy's

Macy's delivered a July fireworks show for investors yesterday - with a little help from Madonna.
The nation's biggest department store reported a better-than-expected 7.3-percent increase in July same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year.
While other retailers, including rival JC Penney, were singing the back-to-school blues with sluggish monthly sales reports, Macy's CEO Terry Lundgren said the season is 'off to a great start.'
Lundgren cited the 'phenomenal launch' of the new 'Material Girl' fashion line, designed by Madonna and her 13-year-old daughter, Lourdes. Aimed at teenage girls, the 1980s-inspired line will include clothing, shoes, handbags and jewelry.
On Tuesday, Macy's launched the collection at the company's flagship store on Herald Square with a performance by pop star Taylor Momsen, who drew throngs of girls dressed up like Madonna. Macy's shares yesterday rose 34 cents, or 1.8 percent, to $19.78.

From NYPOST.com

Material Girl in Philadelphia

madonnalicious reader FernandoQ88 has shared these pictures he took of the window displays in Philadelphia of the Material Girl clothing line.

Events: New York City Madonna Birthday Bash

Vote: Five Most Iconic Musicians

CNN's new arts and culture show 'icon,' in conjunction with music magazine 'Songlines,' has shortlisted 20 globally renowned musicians from the past 50 years. Vote for your favorite artists and we'll reveal the top five in 'icon's' interactive gallery at cnn.com/icon when our music show airs on August 25.

To vote for Madonna visit edition.cnn.com/icon.music.vote

Thanks to ljh

More pictures from the Material Girl launch

Here are some further pictures from the launch of the Material Girl collection at Macy's New York City yesterday (Tuesday 03 August). The Material Girl poster girl Taylor Momson performed later in the evening for selected fans.

Photos: Kent Miller Studios/Macy's, Inc.

Material Girl: Launch Day Pictures

The Material Girl Facebook and Twitter page are constantly being updating today with pictures from the launch day events at Macy's in New York City.

Fans lined up on the pink carpet waiting for the doors to open at 10:00am and enjoyed the cupcakes sent by Madonna and Lourdes!