Greta Garbo never did like attention. For the last fifty years of her life, she refused to make any films and shunned most of public life. She never married but seemed to make time for a series of purported romances with a slew of ladies, including bi socialite Mercedes de Acosta. I wonder who wore the beret in that relationship.

This month marks the centennial of Garbo's birth and the gorgeous Ninotchka is getting the attention her birthday deserves. Turner Classic Movies is showing her movies all month long as well as premiering a new documentary which takes us inside the diva's East Side pad. Even though she retired at 36, the bitch didn't skimp and decorated with "paintings and exquisite antiques."

Other new loot includes a coffee table book and Warner's compilation of her best films on DVD, including Grand Hotel and Anna Karenina.

Also this month the US Post Office, as they've done with Marilyn and Jimmy Dean, will issue Garbo her very own stamp. For someone who wanted to be "left alone" all her life, people will now be licking her ass for years to come.

Kate Bush is the iconic singer who simply vanished from the face of pop music more than 10 years ago. Today her fans are saying their prayers; she releases a double album entitled Ariel in November.

Bush's cult following is akin to Tori Amos and Bjork, two women who note Ms. Bush as a musical influence. Before Bush there was no cultish, mythical figure in music. Our icons were disco divas(Donna Summer), singer-songwriters(Joni Mitchell), grand stage dames (Judy Garland), and R&B songstresses(Diana Ross). Ms. Bush made it acceptable to be a little strange. And gay men loved her for it.

Her records are unique and experimental and every one of them critically hailed. Most women in rock today have been influenced by her and even Colplay's Chris Martin said he tried to capture the rhythm of her hit Running Up That Hill on his band's latest single, Speed of Sound. We cannot wait for return.

George Nelson was the creative director for Herman Miller from 1946-1972. During this time he created some of modern furniture's classics: Marshmallow sofa, the Nelson platform bench and the first L-shaped desk. However, it is his series of wall clocks that we adore.
Ideal for any setting, traditional or modern, the Nelson Spindle Clock is attention grabbing. The arms are beautiful walnut and the face plate is bold brass. Perfect above a television, mantel, or as a standout piece alone on a wall, the clock is a classic that is only getting better with age.

It is just the right mix of attitude and style, class and function.

Billie Ray Martin should have been a big star. In the mid-nineties, after the demise of the critically adored Electribe 101, Ms. Martin struck gold withe the UK top ten record Your Loving Arms, a song which cracked the US Top 40 and reached #1 on the Billboard Dance chart.

Martin has never captured the success of that early record, which is a shame, since her albums have gotten consistently stronger. Her voice is of the same intensity as Aretha Franklin and that is even more impressive when you realize it is coming from a small German woman. Calling London her home once again Billie launches a new club night Wednesday called Komputerliebe, downstairs at 43 South Molton.

Like Boy George before her, Billie is now embracing djing and promises electronic music for the connoisseur. Those in London should check it out. Those not lucky enough to attend should rediscover Martin's back catalog.

We were thrilled on Sunday night when ultra glam Gwen Stefani arrived at the MTV Video Music Awards in a gorgeous leopard print gown. We were even more thrilled when Lindsay Lohan showed up in a not as gorgeous though very similar leopard gown. Who looked better, the platinum blonde bombshell or the skinny disheveled mess? Let us know what you think. We still cannot shake the thoughts of a possible catfight. Once again our money would be on Gwen, because she is down with Eve and Dre.

Tilda Swinton is an avant garde fashion muse, an actress too cool for the A-list, and newest gay icon on the block. The NY Times Style Magazine,T, put the 44 year old on the cover of the women's fashion issue this past weekend and in doing so solidified her status as one of this generation's greatest chameleons alongside Bjork and Madonna.

Her movie roles have been as unique as the actress herself. She played a man in Orlando, a troubled mother of a homosexual son in The Deep End, and is about to play the white witch in the Chronicles of Narnia.

She plays the role of muse with equal intensity and has been saluted by Viktor and Rolf, Hussein Chalayan, and Stefano Pilati. The NYT's photo-shoot, shot by Raymond Meier, captures her versatility and wonder perfectly.