Madonna celebrates the release of her new CD, “Hard Candy” with a performance at Roseland Ballroom, Wednesday, April 30, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

With Madonna’s new album Hard Candy in the stores, her Madgesty shows us that she still has the style and moves that she did back in the day when she was writhing around on the stage in a wedding gown at the MTV VMAs.

Sure, her whole new sporty glam look isn’t the most inventive look she has had, but I think Madonna has the right to do whatever she wants at this point in her career. She’s like a quadzillionaire. Although, I am lovin’ those fierce lace up boots.

And of course, Maddy knows what she’s doing with her career. She jumped on that whole Justin Timberlake/Timbaland bromance bandwagon to introduce herself to a new audience and keep herself changing with the times, but not losing her identity. She has a different sound, but her voice is still as distinct as those days of “Lucky Star.”

Madonna and Justin Timberlake perform their “4 Minute” duet (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

I am really diggin’ J.T.’s white blazer with the black detailing, but he really needs to stop with the neck scarves. From him to that guy who is walking down Market Street listening to his iPod to the guy serving me my latte - EVERYONE is wearing a neck scarf. I officially have neck scarf fatigue.

But this picture kind of makes up for it…

AP Photo/Evan Agostini

Wow. Madonna’s arms a monstrous. They are so muscular that it is scary.

Do you want to know what our Olympians will be wearing this year?

Well, here’s the answer….

U.S. Olympic team boxer Deontay Wilder, left, models a Ralph Lauren designed village wear outfit, while U.S. Olympic team rower Giuseppe Lanzone models a Ralph Lauren designed closing ceremonies outfit during a photo session in New York Tuesday April 29, 2008. Polo Ralph Lauren is the official outfitter to the Olympic and Paralympic teams this year, replacing the Canadian brand Roots, which had done the athletes’ looks for the 2006 Games. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Wilder (left) and U.S. Olympic track & field team member Brianna Glenn (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Whoa. These looks are the epitome of Ralph Lauren classic Americana! Everyone looks so preppy! It’s like everyone’s name should be Brad and Chad. It looks like they should be playing croquet, enjoying mid-afternoon mint juleps under a willow tree at their Hamptons home.

I like all that white - it’s very summery. Even so, I hate being wearing all white. It makes me look bloated and I always manage to spill stain-inducing food when I wear light colored clothing.

On the plus side, wearing white is good because you don’t run the fear of getting white deodorant streaks when you put the shirt on.

God bless America. God bless the Olympics. And God bless Ralph Lauren for bringing classic style to the games.

Loafer socks, 2 pack, $14.50 at Banana Republic

I have issues with going sockless with shoes. Maybe it’s the risk of athlete’s foot or the fact that I don’t like to have my feet bound in an odor-inducing incubus. In all honesty, I think it’s kind of nasty.

So when I found these loafer socks a couple of years ago at Banana Republic I rejoiced. Finally, a pair of socks that gives the illusion that I am not wearing any socks at all. And just because they are called “loafer socks,” it doesn’t mean that you have to wear them with loafers - I wear them with everything from my new Vans boat shoes to my Calvin Klein lace ups.

Nonetheless, these socks are the best - especially for the spring and summer season. Plus, they lower the risk of stinky feet disorder. Then again, people just have a chronic case of this, so it can’t be avoided.

Photo credit: Randy Brooke

Designer: Ronnie E. Escalante Jr. (from Bulacan Philippines by way of San Francisco) gets his BFA in Fashion Design.

Inspiration: Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni.

My interpretation: Adhering to Mr. Escalante’s inspiration, I saw the looks of a dark glamorous Queen floating down the runway. It was majorly fierce, dramatic and red carpet ready.

He’s a winner! Escalante was the second recepient of the coveted Rucci internship, sharing the crown with Alyssa Prentice. I even saw Rucci get really excited when he saw the gown pictured above.

Gowns galore: In a show that was bursting at the seams with sportswear, Escalante’s evening wear gave the audience something new to “ooh” and “aah” at. The gowns were spectacular and watching them gave a gorgeous jolt of ferocious delight.

Overall critique: Even though the collection was composed of a simple black palette, the strength of the collection is as dominant as the uprising that the “Queen of the Iceni” led.

Photo credit: Randy Brooke

Designer: Claiming Moutain View, CA and Centennial, CO as her native cities, Alyssa Prentice gives us her collection for her BFA in Fashion Design.

Inspiration: Geometry

My interpretation: Sleek, calm, cool and collected. Suitable for a no-fuss lady who knows how to look good with fabulously minimalist style. Set to the backdrop of a neutral color palette, the inspiration of geometry certainly shines through with flawless lines and and congruent angles. And P.S. I loved the chunky bangle bracelets.

It has to be good if Rucci noticed her: Alyssa Prentice was one of the two students chosen to be taken under the wing of designer extraordinaire, Ralph Rucci - I can see why.

Overall critique: Who knew that Geometry could be so brilliantly stylish?

Photo credit: Randy Brooke

Designer: Sook-yeoung Kwon from Seoul South Korea. BFA in Fashion and Textile Design.

Inspiration: Young culture and music.

My interpretation: Miss Kwon pretty much hit the nail on the head with this one. Her rebellious B-girl meets “Mad Max” collection certainly defines a techno-grunge youth culture.

M.I.A. would be proud: Dance hall electronica denizen, M.I.A. is the first thing I thought of as soon as the first look stepped out on to the runway. I could totally see her rocking this urban glam mix of straight jacket-like coats, shocking stripes and funky fresh furs.

Overall critique: Urban hipster coolness to the 10th power.

Photo credit: Randy Brooke

Designers: The dynamic duo of Eric Steven Tan representing Jakarta, Indonesia/Singapore (BFA in Menswear Design) and Katrina Noelle Cordiale representing Truckee/Orinda (BFA Textile Design).

Inspiration: Prisoners of war.

My interpretation: It was very “Vagabond in the Hamptons.” The funky play on plaid (which I loved) and the third world jailhouse prints were apparent results from the designers’ inspiration.

He’s a tramp: The mix-matchy patterns worked to the collection’s advantage. They kept it simple, but didn’t go over the top, which gave wearble tramp-chic pieces.

Stop smirking: The model pictured above did his job fairly well - but he needed to stop smirking. He has this “look at me, I’m cute” smirk that never left his face with each look he showcased down the runway. Sometimes, it took the focus off of the garment. At one point, he winked at Ralph Rucci. Tyson Beckford would not be happy about that.

Overall critique: These prints and tailored pieces give “prisoners of war” some stylish flair.

Photo credit: Randy Brooke

Designer: Jesse Wardlow, a Livermore/Petaluma native with a BFA in Fashion Design under her belt.

Inspiration: Sketches and 1960s mod kids.

My interpretation: I don’t really see an obvious translation of mod here, but I trust the designer enough to believe it’s some where in the collection. I was getting the impression of a haystack honey (please note the use of hay twigs) that reads foreign language fashion mags while milking a cow.

The pleated hometown girl: The color palette is springy and fresh with a hometown girl feeling flowing through it’s veins. Each garment had strategic details - pleats, tucks, drapes, folds - all of them gave interesting shapes that were fun and flirty.

Overall critique: A funky romp in the hay for the All-American girl.

Designer: Queena Hsiao-Jung Liu, Tawain native with a BFA in Fashion and Knitwear Design.

Inspiration: Work of Antoni Gaudi and Josep Maria Jujol.

My interpretation: Bohemian style urban knitster style, dipped in rich, yet funky blueberry tones.

Is this too Maude? Sure, some of the garments may be suitable for the androgynous Maude of retro “Nick at Nite” television - but they are constructed with such modern sensibility that they don’t look too retro. They have contemporary style that translates to all type of women.

Overall critique: The boho-chic style makes erases all comparisons to retirement home knitting circle.

Designers: Another collaborative collection from Liina Gruener (BFA Fashion Design) and Marjorie Cox (BFA Textile Design).

Inspiration: Gruener: Fairy tales, “Alice in Wonderland” and Tim Burton. Cox: Magnified lace and sidewalks.

My interpretation: Fairy tales? Check. Alice in Wonderland? Check. Tim Burton? Check. Magnified lace and sidewalks? Check and check. My interpretation of this storybook collection doesn’t stray too far away from the designers’.

Is this too silly? Despite having dresses that resemble a more stylish version of those high-haired ladies from that crazy polygamist compound, no, this collection isn’t too silly. I know that their inspiration is coming from a good place. This is straight up conceptual and avant garde. I don’t think you are supposed to have an uptight approach to these cardboard cut-out garments and ceramic accessories.

Overall critique They were like living dolls out of some warped fantasy land. If they wanted to convey a feeling of Tim Burton, they certainly achieved it.