Glamorama

Glamorama is a 1998 novel by American writer Bret Easton Ellis. Glamorama is set in and satirizes the 1990s, specifically celebrity culture and consumerism. Time describes the novel as "a screed against models and celebrity."

Development

Ellis wanted to write a Stephen King-style ghost story novel, which would eventually become Lunar Park; finding it difficult at the time, he began work on the other novel which he had in mind. This was a Robert Ludlum-style thriller, with the intention of using one of his own vapid characters who lack insight as the narrator.

Literary devices, plot, and themes

The novel is a satire of modern celebrity culture; this is reflected in its premise, which features models-turned-terrorists. A character remarks, "basically, everyone was a sociopath...and all the girls' hair was chignoned." The novel plays upon the conspiracy thriller conceit of someone "behind all the awful events", to dramatize the revelation of a world of random horror. The lack of resolution contributes to Ellis' artistic effect. The obsession with beauty is reflected in consistent namedropping; this satirizes (the main character) Victor's obsession with looks, and perhaps is indicative of the author's own attraction to glamor.

Glamorama (Macy's)

Glamorama is an annual fashion event taking place in Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, featuring top American and international fashion designers and celebrities. The fashion show has been sponsored by Dayton-Hudson Corporation, Target Corporation, The May Department Stores Company and Macy's, Inc. during its history.

Glamorama debuted under Dayton's as A Cause for Applause in Minneapolis in 1992 and became known as Fash Bash in 1995. The Dayton's stores were renamed Marshall Field's in 2001 and sold to the May Company in 2004. The show was renamed Glamorama in 2003. In 2005, the May Company was acquired by Federated Department Stores which rebranded the Marshall Field's stores as Macy's in 2006.

Past performers have included Robin Thicke, Cyndi Lauper, MC Hammer, Queen Latifah, Ellen DeGeneres, Brooke Shields, Ryan Seacrest, Cee-lo Green, Big & Rich, Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, B-52’s, Wayne Newton, Pussycat Dolls, Ne-Yo, Macy Gray, Bruno Mars, Sheryl Crow, and Jason Derulo.