It Was Three Parts Filler Without the Full Monty

The avalanche of hype that preceded the VH1 fashion and music awards, telecast Tuesday night, was so enormous that it almost guaranteed that the actual event would be disappointing.

The video music channel that softly rocks for a 25-to-44-year-old demographic group had every right to push their own show, but they did it so relentlessly, in their regular programming and in spots aired so often you’d think the tapes would have worn out, that their efforts reached a point of diminishing returns. The first line of defense would have been reaching for the remote. But the promotional onslaught prompted a less logical course of action--talking to the TV. “All right already! If I smile and say I’m really, really excited about the fashion awards, will you please shut up?”

The idea of fashion and pop music being natural bedfellows is not a foolish one. One only has to go back in contemporary music history to when Elvis was alive and the Rolling Stones were young for examples of rock’s visual component. So two years ago, the VH1 awards show was created to recognize the work of previously unsung stylists and the performers they dress, including designers and models as significant citizens of the fashion world.

But with only nine awards to bestow in a two-hour program, there had to be a lot of padding. (There should have been 10 awards, but the best fashion photography prize was scrapped when winner Steven Meisel didn’t show up.) The best of the filler was live performances by the Stones and Fiona Apple and taped comedy skits tinged with a welcome tone of irreverence.

In parodies of a sleazy model’s agent and a self-loving fashion photographer who excelled at recognizing sexy women but didn’t bother with technical stuff like lighting and darkroom technique, the jokes weren’t too “inside” to understand. Video montages that introduced each nominee were skillfully done, strong images that made clear why these individuals were being saluted for their style.

The evening’s most serious segment, a tribute to Gianni Versace, was also a high point. An emotional Demi Moore introduced a short runway parade of the designer’s last couture collection. The simple, dignified presentation honored the slain designer, and showed those unfamiliar with his work the sort of knockout gowns that made his reputation.

Who Looked Amazing: Moore, in a black Versace couture gown; Courtney Love, in a shirred pink Versace dress with a pretty, softly waved hairdo. Each time co-host Ashley Judd came onstage, she wore a vintage gown from a different decade. The ‘20s, ‘30s, and ‘60s were good years. The ‘40s and ‘50s, less so. Rita Watnick, whose Lily store in Beverly Hills is the source for vintage gowns for many celebrities said, “Seeing the vintage designs on her showed the reference points that have become the elements of modern design.” Co-host Harry Connick Jr.’s simple dark Gucci suit graciously yielded the spotlight to Judd. Although the TV audience saw only a full frontal view of Jim Carrey wearing just an impressively large fig leaf, a friend who attended the taping in New York on Friday night viewed the full moon, so to speak. “Carrey’s in very good shape,” she judged.

Who Needed a Mirror: Apple, in an anti-fashion ensemble of transparent black T-shirt over a sad little bra, with a lavender scarf tied around the hips of her trousers. Claudia Schiffer, the great Teutonic goddess, mixed cultural metaphors with an English schoolgirl’s hairdo and a Chinese dress meant for a smaller woman.

The Winners: Best women’s designer: John Galliano. Best men’s designer: Helmut Lang. Best secondary line: Versus by Donatella Versace. Best new designer: Narcisco Rodriguez. Best personal style: Courtney Love and Will Smith. Most stylish video: Fiona Apple. Male model of the year: Charley Speed. Female model of the year: Karen Elson.