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Tara Lipinski on Her Custom Kentucky Derby Wardrobe: ‘This Year I’m Stepping Things Up’

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Tara Lipinski and her fashionable sidekick Johnny Weir have already hit the Kentucky Derby (the stylish duo is covering this weekend’s festivities down in Louisville for NBC), and we have all the scoop on the Olympic figure skater’s debut outfit, plus her Saturday dress, both of which she had custom made by Project Runway designer Kate Pankoke!

Tara Lipinski Kentucky Derby WardrobeCourtesy Tara Lipinski

“This is my second time to the Derby, and this year I wanted to step things up and take some chances with my looks,” Lipinski told PEOPLE. “I have always been a Project Runway fan and when the idea came up to collaborate with all-star Kate Pankoke in designing both my Friday and Saturday dresses I was beyond ecstatic.”

Surprisingly, the fashionable TV commentator has never had a dress designed for her, so she loved collaborating with the designer. “It was such a fun process. It took me back to my ice skating days — don’t worry, there are no sequins.”

Tara Lipinski Kentucky Derby WardrobeCourtesy Tara Lipinski

Lipinski and Pankoke worked closely on every aspect of the two dresses, from inspiration boards to sketches.

“We wanted two completely different looks for each day,” Lipinski shared. “One of my favorite first steps was browsing the color chart to find colors that would work. For Friday, I wanted a ’60s inspired look, and we both felt yellow would be an on-trend color to use.”

Tara Lipinski Kentucky Derby WardrobeCourtesy Tara Lipinski

As for her Saturday outfit, it’s inspired by a design Audrey Hepburn wore in Sabrina.

“I wanted the rest of the dress to remain simple and clean where the focus was all on the fit,” she explained. “We found a beautiful water color fabric and the moment we saw it we knew it was the one.”

Tara Lipinski Kentucky Derby WardrobeCourtesy Tara Lipinski

Once the designs and fabrics were finalized, Lipinski met with Pankoke for measurements.

“I was traveling for the next couple weeks so it definitely took some planning to get these cross-country dresses done and ready to fit,” she said. “I could see the designs coming to life.”

Tara Lipinski Kentucky Derby WardrobeCourtesy Tara Lipinski

And since no Derby look would be complete without some eye-catching, jaw-dropping head gear, Lipinski also designed a fascinator with Pankoke for the event! “I got the idea from a runway look,” she shared of the pink-and-yellow creation.

Tara Lipinski Kentucky Derby WardrobeCourtesy Tara Lipinski

So how did Day one turn out? We’d say Lipinski is off to a very fashionable start. Her low-cut yellow mini played up her blonde waves and she coordinated her pink pout perfectly with her fascinator. See the colorful look below.

Tara Lipinski Kentucky Derby WardrobeTasos Katopodis/Getty

For her part, Pankoke said she was “fan-girling so hard,” at the opportunity to design for the the Olympian.

“Tara is so sweet and supportive,” she added. “She really let me have creative freedom with both of the looks, which means so much to me as an artist. On a personal level, I have had so much fun getting to know her and working with her.”

So what should you be on the lookout for Saturday? Lipinkski plans to experiment with hair chalk so let’s home for some colorful tresses. (Also be Johnny Weir’s hat game is bound to be epic (we wonder how he’ll top last years!).

Tara Lipinski Kentucky Derby WardrobeCourtesy Tara Lipinski

What do you think of Lipinski’s Kentucky Derby outfits? Sound off below.

RELATED VIDEO: Tara Lipinski: Me Speaking Russian in Sochi Is ‘Probably Going to be a Disaster’

–Brittany Talarico

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Artist

Dee-1 Calls Raheem DeVaughn To “Purify My Eyes”

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Fresh off his Breakfast Club appearance after having “Lines Drawn” with help from Billboard and successfully migrating From The Hood To Harvard, NOLA native Dee-1 taps Soul singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn for “Purify My Eyes.” Continuing his theme of counter-culture centered messaging the timely track, which was produced by Anonymous, urges listeners to replace images of corruption and cynicism with lifegiving content to reprogram our thinking for the better.

“This is easily one the most important songs I have ever done because it provides Hip-Hop with a solution-based perspective meant to combat some of the problems we face as a culture. It’s honest, raw, and transparent. I’ve been friends with Raheem Devaughn for a long time, so to finally collaborate on a song feels great. When I played the record for him, he fell in love with it and instantly added his parts; which took the song to another level,” say’s the David Found His Slingshot author in a exclusive statement to Medium Creative Agency.

Award-winning rapper. educator, host, activist, business owner, and keynote speaker are synonymous with Louisiana’s Dee-1. The Nasir “Nas” Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University is a Billboard Top 10 charting, game-changing MC with a persona to match his penmanship. He’s transitioned from being a middle school math teacher in The Boot to a Hip-Hop heavyweight with much more to accomplish. He has released 10 albums and 21 projects thus far in his career.

Dee-1’s music is part of a bigger lifestyle movement called Mission Vision, which centers around three core principles: Be Real. Be Righteous. Be Relevant. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence Award,” highlighting his community activism and commitment to inspiring the youth. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on “The Manhattan Project,” but he lost to Michelle Obama. Later that year, Dee was appointed to the “Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys” by Governor John Bel Edwards, making him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become a governor’s appointee.

After addressing critics and fans alike in the official music video for the Danny Beats-produced single for “Lines Drawn” and following his viral interview on Sway In The Morning centered around industry hypocrisy, Emmy-nominated educator turned entertainer Dee-1 released his latest project to date From The Hood To Harvard. The 8-track body of work includes guest features from Skyy Brooks as well as P3RK and is anchored by supporting records “Impostor Syndrome” & “Dr. Freshh.”

Stream “Purify My Eyes” on your DSP of choice below and watch Dee-1‘s interview with The Breakfast Club | HERE.

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Chelsea Pastel Releases Motivative New Single “Price Going Up”

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To celebrate “Greener” pastures, following the announcement of her joining Kid Cudi’s ‘Insano World Tour,’ Cleveland native Chelsea Pastel releases the Cassius G-produced single “Price Going Up.” Marking CP’s explosive entrance into 2024, the empowering anthem resonates with anybody pushing forward with resilience and determination. With infectious beats and powerful vocals, she asserts her presence as a rising star to watch. Setting the stage for an exciting year ahead, the brand-new track is a bold declaration of Chelsea’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

“I jumped off that porch, I’m not going back to that house and I mean just that. I’m never looking back. I took a leap of faith and where I land is where I’m staying,” says the talented triple threat in a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about her latest release.

Born and bred in Forest City, Chelsea found her passion for music early on, which led her to enroll in the Cleveland School of Arts. After graduating, Chelsea begin to make a name for herself throughout the Midwest and beyond. Her unique sonic style, catchy hooks, and lyrical prowess have earned her the title of Cleveland’s Next Up talent.

Apart from accolades, which include spotlight spots regionally on WKYC and Dirty Glove Bastard as well as national recognition on top-tier entertainment networks like BET, Chelsea is a self-taught instrumentalist who often handles her production, writing, and engineering. Her unique brand of ballads can be best classified as a fusion of Rap and Pop with a touch of Rock accented by old-school flavor.

Press play on “Price Going Up” on your DSP of choice below and watch the visual for “Greener” | HERE via Pastel Productions LLC / Vydia.

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Music

Chill Vibes and Sultry Melodies: Exploring iazY’s Latest Release “Pink Leaf”

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Hailing from the vibrant city of Irvine, the rising artist iazY is making waves with her latest single, “Pink Leaf,” released under her own label, iazY Music Ent. This track, produced by The Real Mapa and engineered by Troy “R8dio” Johnson, introduces listeners to iazY’s signature sound—a fusion of Urban pop rock melodies.

iazY shared her motivation behind crafting “Pink Leaf,” revealing, “I just had this vision of just a chill vibe, something for my ladies.” This intention shines through in the song’s laid-back groove and sultry lyrics, creating an irresistible atmosphere that invites listeners to unwind and groove along.

What sets “Pink Leaf” apart for iazY is not only its sound but also the emotions it evokes. She explains, “I think just how the song sounds and how it makes me feel. It just puts me in that ‘have fun chill’ vibe.” With its catchy hooks and lush production, “Pink Leaf” effortlessly captures iazY’s essence as an artist, marking a milestone in her musical journey.

As iazY continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of genres and infectious energy, fans eagerly anticipate upcoming shows and releases. To stay updated on iazY’s latest endeavors, follow her on Instagram @iazyofficial and keep an ear out for future announcements from iazY Music Ent.

Visit iazyMusic.com

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