Originally posted by Fashion Wire Daily NY July 18@ 2003
Madonna Needs 'Fearlessly Elegant' Khakis! This Duo Will Make 'Em
By Karin Nelson
It's a toss-up as to who's more excited for the Madonna Gap ads to bow: the company execs who scored a pop culture coup in securing the uber star -- along with Missy Elliott -- for their new "Customized" campaign, or Michael & Hushi, the East Village design duo who were enlisted to Madonna-fy the basic khakis and cords for the shoot.
"It's really exciting to be involved in something that will be so memorable," gushes Michael Sears, who, along with partner Hushi Mortezaie, have been crafting Vegas-style punk gear for the likes of Lil' Kim and Britney Spears for close to a decade now. "We dress fearlessly elegant women," says Sears.
Having already dressed The Material Girl -- most recently in some 1940s silk jersey tops and ruched pants for her European tour -- Michael & Hushi were an obvious choice for stylist Arianne Phillips, who needed to customize the basic Gap goods just right.
"She's Madonna - she can't just wear anything," says Sears. With that in mind, the two inlayed a thick row of safety pins down the legs, tuxedo-pant style, painted art deco clouds on the top and bottom and studded the garments with rhinestones.
"It's all done in an organized way - it's not haphazard. It's kind of like 'You can do this, too, to your basics.'"
But, being realistic, there is a chance that their customized creations, in all their studded glory, may end up on the cutting room floor. "Yeah, I know," sighs Sears. "But it's alright, this isn't everything."
The television ads, directed by music video guru Paul Hunter, and print ads, shot by fashion photographer Regan Cameron, break July 27.
so you never know
- doing gap adverts definatly shows loss of interest in fashion in my eyes. hello, kacki conformity!
Brit-nay shall be thrilled.... 
Is Madonna blond again? 
