Let me get on this before the whole blogosphere hops on. I was perusing last night and I found this image that made my heart jump of jubilation, literally. It's my adopted mother, editor-of-the-world, a.k.a., editor-in-chief of American Vogue, Anna Wintour. I mean can you say thank you, no, really. There she is hiding in her eponymous dark Chanel sunglasses, impeccably outfitted in what seems to be a Chanel suit (or it might be Oscar?, or Balenciaga?, if you know let me know), parting her way into some hot event. I mean can you say "Aura!!!!"
According to their website, Industrie is a biannual magazine that is "dedicated to presenting an independent, in-depth look at the fashion industry. Going behind the scenes to chronicle the personalities, stories and defining moments in the world of fashion". It's also worth mentioning that "Industrie aims to shift focus away from current collections and trends and provide a considered insight into the culture of fashion. Industrie documents the individuals who influence fashion (hence Anna on the cover, duh!) and critically examines the idea who shapes it". In my humble opinion, I don't think the industry needs more "How to wear", "trend obsessed", "DYI" type of magazines because there are plenty of them. So a publication the focuses on the individuals who make things happen, say, behind a fashion house or a magazine is a sweet and much needed proposal, and putting Anna on the cover, is not a bad idea, actually a very smart move on their part.
I don't know what this magazine entails, but I hope it has little to do with those blurry white and black pictures they have on their website. I mean I don't just want to buy a photobook 'cause I can do that myself, I want the "in-depth" shit they promised. What I hope to see though are those names on the coverlines such as Natalie Massenet from net-a-porter.com; two of my favorite stylists, Panos Yiapanis and Katie Grand; Mr. Demarchelier and top models, Alesandria Ambrosio, Lara Stone and Daria Werbowy.
I can already envision a sea of folks running to the newstands and getting an issue just because Anna is on the cover, not knowing what the hell the magazine is about, though it clearly states on the front, most people don't read it anyways, right? I must confess that I don't always read the coverlines, I just go straight for the editorials. Can't blame me. Photo via fashiongonerogue.com
The editors over at the NY Times have created an interactive timeline in remembrance of the late Alexander Mcqueen. This timeline done as a nostalgic tribute synthesis the pivotal points of his often troubled life and macabre presentations that have permeably impacted the industry and challenged our notions of fashion. The timeline illustrates Mcqueen's humble beginnings in London, his father, for those who may come this as a surprise, was a cab driver and his mother was a social science teacher, his training at Savile Row at 16 years young and his very first collection in October 1993. This one will foreshadowed what was to come of Mcqueen's later collections, "(models) walked the runway with their middle finger extended, and their dresses were hand-painted to appear as if they were covered with blood", notes the Times. I can already imagine the expressions of concern, disgust or even of joy from the attendees when they saw these models wearing such pompous creations. Excluding Vivienne Westwood, I don't think british designers had such iconoclastic, off-the-norm, perspectives on fashion. Thus I can vaguely envision the faces on the front-row, probably somebody was like, are you serious? Who the hell would wear that? An extravagant lady by the name of Isabella Blow, a british fashion editor, would buy his whole first graduate collection (Central St. Martins) in 1994 and subsequently put Mcqueen in a platform where he would eventually dazzle, disappoint, infuriate, enchant and inspire a whole generation of fashion followers. So I guess the question was answered. Furthermore, the timeline continues on and touches on those iconic moments that we remember so vividly. One of those moments was his rather controversial Spring 1995 collection, where he introduced the "bumster" pants, which hugged a women's hip and revealed a much indecorous back cleave. This blatant exhibition of women's privates seemed like a tasteless approach to innovative fashion, and it will later translate into their counterparts when men on the urban/underground scene started to sport such trend, revealing boxer shorts puffing out or flashing a designer's logo emblazon on the front of their underwear. But after all, the "bumster" will later become of the most influential garments of the decade and it seems to still be relevant today. It only takes a pass-through a frequently attended teen spot and one will witness boys walking around in sagging pants showing their derriere and some will take it to new heights (or lows, I should say), by letting their pants sag down to almost below their knees which disables them to walk correctly, wobbling down a sidewalk was never in fashion. I'm not going to sound fake and state that I never worn baggy jeans, because I still do and I don't see anything wrong with that, but it's a different story wearing baggy jeans and letting them sag so low that it makes one looks like a duck. I love men with protruding asses, but I don't get turn on when I see men with sagging jeans displaying no sense of style. Ladies, I'm totally aware that wearing underwear as outwear is one of the biggest trends for this season, but one must reckon that fashion trends are at times reclusive, they don't work for everybody, what works for one may not work for someone else and vice-versa, so that choice would be ultimately made once one takes a look in the mirror and honestly accepts what works for one respectably. (For inspiration I recommend take a look at collections from Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, and Jean Paul Gaultier) This taut timeline also notes Mcqueen's stint at the couture house of Givenchy starting in 1996, succeeding John Galliano as the creative director. His brief tenure at Givenchy was rocky to say the least, though he dazzled the crowds with his innovative designs, Mcqueen lacked the maturity to hold such coveted position. By that time I guess folks were already aware of Mcqueen's less cordial ways, but when he called Hubert de Givenchy's archives irrelevant, infuriating the french and their rich history of fashion, rebuking his work and all things Mcqueen. Let's pretend for a moment this happens today. Some lesser-known foreign designer came to take over Ralph Lauren (for some odd reason) and then telling the press that his clothes are made for country rednecks. Not only this man would be fired from Lauren, but he will stupidly hurt any future business plans in America and earn a reputation of an ignorant, closed-minded pig, to say the least. I firmly stand on the idea that people are free of expressing themselves in any art form, in this case fashion, but then making unnecessary, biased, ignorant comments with no base on such respectable entities in the industry is suicidal. If I wanted the best for these people I would tell them to bite their tongue and just think before opening their mouths. Mcqueen would exit the house of Givenchy in 2001, and then branch out on his on, but the biggest slap on the face move was when Mcqueen sold his label to the Gucci Group. Pow! ( LVMH is one the biggest luxury goods conglomerates in the world and Gucci Group is one of it's biggest rivals. LVMH owns part of Givenchy, get it?) Then there was the introduction of "My Queen" fragrance in 2005; the collaboration with Puma on the same year (which is still running); the more affordable diffusion line McQ, which ranges from sport jackets, sneakers to women's accessories; his collaboration with Target in January 2009 in efforts to familiarize the American consumers with his name; to his last much acclaimed Spring/Summer show titled "Plato's Atlantis" which featured models in reptilian, otherworldly short dresses, alien-esque facial features, and shoes that resembled an armadillo, a UFO, and the titanic ship. His last collection shown on March 9, 2010, which was said to be %80 completed by the time of his death which was showed to an exclusive group of editors during Paris Fashion Week, was inspired by 15th century Byzantine paintings. The loss of his loyal supporter and mentor Isabella Blow in April 2007 and his mother in Feb 2 of this year was perhaps such an unbearable tough blow to his heart and psyche, that led him to take his own life on Feb 11. Surprisingly enough, the day before the burial of his mother. I have briefly expressed my thoughts on the situation in a previous post, but I don't think it's enough stressed the magnitude of this loss. On Feb 11, we not only lost a designer, but a visionare, an illusionist, that through his work he taught us all respectively that fashion is not superficial, but it's a concise exploration and understanding of the creative and sublime aesthetics of life. Check out the timeline here. Below is a video done by the Gucci Group as a tribute.
Just a few days ago I got a voicemail form one of my good friend and fellow fashion blogger Ashley to be featured on her blog for a segment dubbed "A Guys Point of View", where I give my outlook on fashion and whatnot. I couldn't answered her call because I was at the movie theater with a friend watching "Clash of The Titans", but when we got out I call her back and I gladly accepted. We set up a time, she came over and we got things goings, she previously told me she wanted to interview me outside and I was ok with that, but I never expected to be so windy that day, ugh. We walked to this little park right across from my place and I spotted this ragged wooden bench that looked familiar. After we barely got done with the first question, we started noticing mother nature was not helping; we started quivering, we experienced difficulty talking, it was not a very comfortable situation, so we dashed back to my house, grabbed her a jacket and for myself as well and we got back on it (noticed how in the intro I was only wearing a shirt, then while I was sitting on the bench I appeared with a jacket on).
If you haven't noticed yet, I was slightly sick, my allergies were getting the best of me, the wind was causing tears to form and drop down my face, but I think I managed. I think because I was a bit under the weather, I couldn't really formulate the answers that I wanted, not trying to sound snobby nor know-it-all smart-ass but I wanted to hit every part of the question, I wanted to keep it short and sweet, but also give an insightful and concrete respond. The questions were practical and easy, nothing out of the ordinary, but after watching the video I looked a bit lost, and sort of stumbled with my words. I guess at that time I had so many ideas running through my head, while trying to sort them all out and express them in a coherent form. Surprisingly, this clip sort of brings a fresh inner-perspective on my speaking skills, I always thought my writing abilities are far better than my speaking abilities, and I still believe that applies to most people, but it's not a question that it's a bit challenging at times for me to speak proper english though I try and I hope people get what I'm saying.
I'm taking this as a learning experience, it was fun being interview by a friend who I known for about four years. I can only hope next time I'm being interview I give more eloquent and straight forward answers. And don't forget follow me on twitter @jimmydelastyle
So I opened my e-mail just a few days ago and guess what I found.
At first I was a bit confused but then when I saw who the sender was I immediately knew what it was all about. The kids at Project Stitch Studio over at West Potomac Academy located in Alexandria, Virginia, are gearing up for their annual fashion show where they'll showcase their senior collections. They show will also feature DC prominent designers; Emorej Couture, Kim Troung and Sam Mintha from Ugglee (beauty is in the eye of the beholder). I'll sure be there, and I only hope the buzz about the show does justice to the garments I'll be seeing down the runway. And I'll obviously write my review on it. The flyer certainly looks like a magazine cover and Summer, the model featured, looks beautiful in this black deep-v neck long sleeve dress, props to the people who made this flyer hot. So don't forget, mark your calendars and if you happen to live around DC, Maryland and Virginia, come and support these talented kids, see you there... ...front row bloggers (hint, hint, wink)
If I was a 40 year old man who does not know shit nothing about fashion and happens to pick up an issue of the April issue of Vogue Italia and flip through the pages and stop at this editorial call "Shrink to Fit", photographed by Steven Meisel and styled by Karl Templer, the first thoughts that would come to mind would be...
...I guess the message to women here is to glue their hair, rip their clothes, wear too-small tops and pair socks with everything.
But thank God I know a thing or two about fashion and I hope women out there who follow fashion or even read Vogue Italia have the abilities to differentiate between reality from fantasy, an editorial to a real life setting. In other words I hope I don't see girls walking on U street with something similar to this unless your name is Gaga or Erykah Badu.
Now let's tighten up our belts. If I was a non-fashion person, even worse close-minded individual, ignorant, with no formal education, living in a third world country, not demeaning those progressive people who I had the chance to meet who descent from such countries. Matter of fact, I come from one, so no hard feelings here. But my point is if I was not exposed or posses such skills to fathom art, in a form of fashion, or in this case an editorial that displays fashion in an unconventional form, I would hate this pictures at first glance. But after a second look and truly understanding the meaning behind this story, I see the light and beauty in it. Hope you too.
I have been attempting to post men related-threads, but unfortunately I haven't found anything blog-worthy enough that inspired to do so...until now. I don't exactly know when I heard of Hercules but the first time I saw it resting along it's competitors on the magazine stands at Georgetown's Barnes and Nobles, it caught my eye not only for the title but for the cover as well. That was their issue n.7 (fall/winter 2009) and it featured one of my favorites, the ethereal Iris Strubegger shot by Paola Kudacki. When I noticed it, I couldn't help but latch onto it, flip through it and peep its content. I didn't purchase it for some odd reason, probably because my friend who I was with that day kept nagging that he wanted to leave, so I said let's go and I came back by myself. That cover not only conveyed a powerful message, but the title, taken from a mythological figure leaves a first-timer wondering what is this magazine entails. The fact that it was placed among all these other fashion magazines it hinted that it had at least some type of fashion content. By the time I closed it, I was pleasantly surprised.
This biannual men's fashion magazine based in Barcelona, Spain started in October 2006 by David Vivirido, who is the co-editor-in-chief and fashion director and Francesco Sourigues, co-editor-in-chief and creative director aims to "offer(s) a different point of view, for a reader that knows how to appreciate the best things in life. Tailored to man conscious of style, culture and the social life around him. Hercules is about feeling good, looking good, challenging yourself and living in the present" according to their site.
The 2010 Spring/Summer issue n.8, is imbued by Brazil's tropical and exotic attitude; the colors, culture, texture, places, people, and of course, fashion. The cover above photographed by Giampaolo Sgura features Fred Latsch and the beautiful Gracie Carvalho, who you may have seen in recent DKNY campaigns, Teen Vogue, or Gap ads. I wish this young lady descendent from Sao Paulo would be embrace more by the industry. I believe she posses the talent to pose for major publications and walk for big fashion houses. I hope to see her in Vogue someday, and I mean that in the most realistic tone. The photo chosen to be the cover looks not only refreshing but it also has a subtle sexual connotation, which always sells. If we're talking about the model secretly exposing/covering her breast, it does not look vulgar, instead it sends an ambiguous message to a wider readership. Let's say straight men who don't necessarily religiously follow fashion may be seduced into picking up an issue. And that folks, is a smart sales tactic. Moreover, I love this blur vision of the ocean on the background, and the bold fonts do pop, though most might not understand its meaning, it just sounds good saying it, "tutti frutti", which reminds me of some kind of candy I sued to indulge in when I was younger. I'm not fully confident, but I think the guy is wearing a Bottega Veneta suit...or it might be Gucci. Regardless, he's still part of a sexay! cover.
A preview of issue n.8, so hot.
This picture was posted on Hercules' blog, as a preview of this issue. This black and white shot with all these amazing fully exposed half-tanned asses I would frame it and hang it up on my bathroom..seriously.
A little nipple exposure never hurt anyone, come on.
I love the fact that Hercules has a strong photographic content, as well as fashion. I seen a few magazines who might have a strong fashion content but the pictures look dubious. I think a great photographer can take a magazine to new heights, say, Mario Testino shooting the covers for Vogue, or Terry Richardson shooting an accessories editorial, don't necessarily take Vogue to new, even higher, unreachable levels (more than where it already is), but it gives the magazine a sense of empowerment and exclusivity. Thus they only work with the top photographers in the industry, so it's understandable. I wish more publications would take more responsibility for their photos, nobody likes mediocracy. Moving on, this first clutch of pictures below, are part of "Que Bueno, Que Rico, Que Lindo" an editorial shot by Giampolo Sgura, reminds me of some catalogue from the 80's. It's like watching a gay, brazilian episode of Baywatch (I know the show it's not 80's but get the idea) through a tv that is blindingly colorful. In this editorial, one picture that caught my eye was this second one, with the guy wearing a white Fiorucci tank with a blonde lady on the front that looks like Bridget Nelson sipping on some drink. I just love it (I didn't know what the hell was Fiorucci but according to wikipedia, it was an Italian fashion label founded by Elio Fiorucci in 1967, it also notes that Fiorucci introduced the monokini and the thong from Brazil, so now it makes perfect sense the choice for this brand for this shoot).
sapphires as earrings?...
I just love this tribal print on this shirt, I think it's Dries Van Noten...
I didn't really noticed it at first, but once you take a second look at this picture, and deviate away your eyes from his body towards what's he's touching, makes this picture so genius, thanks to Nacho Alegre.
Now let's get to the good part. When I saw this editorial below shot by Giampalo Sgura, featuring one of my long time favorites Evandro Soldati, it sort of brought back nostalgic memories of hearing stories of people having fantasies with a man in uniform. I don't exactly know if it's the uniform itself, or the man in it, but there is something erotic about that idea. I personally don't have one, but I can see the sexual connotation in it. The use of a sailor, or any other armed forces type is an idea that has been played in several magazines for a while now, but I like the nonchalant, bad-boy, playful twist they integrated in this editorial. And as you probably noticed, I stole the tittle of this editorial, but it caught your attention, so I'm good.
My knowledge of the music industry is not vast, though it's still greater than football, but I'd still like to give my two cents on the topic. I wanted to post this a while back, but since I'm a horrible blogger, and I obviously have time management issues, I'm delayed and I'm posting this now. However, I'm still preparing post topics in advance so your noisy behinds come back to still blog. Hey! you can't blame me, I just want what every blogger out there wants; hits, views, gifts, comments, money and subscribers/followers. But yeah I still like music and stuff
It was around 2:00 in the morning, I was laying next to my friend on his bed and I couldn't go to sleep, he then suggested to turn the T.V on. I kept surfing the channels and I stop at MTV Jams. They were playing assorted music videos, but most of them were repetitive, so I changed the channel, a few minutes later I change it back to the aforemetioned channel and I see Shakira making out laying on the ground with this man with no shirt on, who at first I was not completely clear of his identity. Then I'm like, is that Rafael Nadal? The tennis player? The video itself reaffirmed my doubt. Yes, that was him (btw I do follow the sport). Frankly speaking, I was a lil' shocked. The world has grown to become accustomed to see Shakira in her videos with little clothes on, not leaving much to the imagination, and hypnotizing men by seductively moving her hips from side to side. But this time, I felt she had more things going at once that probably made me stop and continue to watch the rest of the video. I guess the decadent background gave me a different perspective and then there was Nadal with no shirt on looking hot and everything. The guy is hot, let's clear this out the way, not only his butt is amazing but his upper body as well. Just imagine him approaching you like a matador with a up-to-no-good smirk donning nothing but jeans while he's making you surrender to the ground with just his presence then he steals a kiss from you. I guess Shakira did not only score a #1 hit song (I hope) but also a hunk. She managed to give us flesh, and this time it wasn't hers.
While wrapping this post up, I find this guy on facebook, his name is Lee Pierre Zillions, whose work truly speaks for itself. I found this image of Nicki on one of his albums and I thought it would befit this post. I love his way with pencil. His shadowing skills are flawless and his eye for art is inevitably good. I sensed that from the first glimpse of his work. I can relate to him in a deeper level. Before I got into fashion I was submerged in art, and well I still do, but even more back then, it was sort of an outlet for me to get things out and express myself without saying a word, it was my confidante, my soulmate, my supporter. Not to sound stereotypical but it's refreshing to see young black men excel in other things besides basketball and rap, and still be crazy good at it. I'm glad I found him and I thank him for letting me post this image here. Hopefully Lee would let me post more of his work on this blog (hint, hint). You can find more of him on his blog, and here.
OK, now let's get to Nicki. But first and foremost, I'm a big hip-hop/rap fan, besides all this controversies and backlash this genre of music has suffered, I still see the art in it. I view some of these men and women as lyricist, poets, and sometimes survivors or victims of their own community who only manifest what they seen or lived. It's this aspect of this type of music that I appreciate, though sometimes, I don't necessarily completely fathom every single word that's coming out their tamed mouths, but I still enjoy the beats and rhythm. Matter of fact, whenever I feel down I listen to hip-hop. It sort of gives me enough confidence and energy to keep me going through my day. So I guess I sympathize with 50 C. and company. Furthermore, I'm feeling Nicki's vibe. I like her attitude and style of being, representing for the "weaker" gender, while making her counterparts bow to her presence. At the beginning, when I first heard her name I was not fully sold on this young lady from NY sporting a pink wig and self-titled the "(black) Barbie". But then I started hearing her music popping online and on TV -- then I started believing. There is no question here she has talent, she has this way with words, a talent I wish I would master sometime. It reminds me a bit to Missy, who I love, but I feel Nicki's form is catchier, wittier, and posses a tough approach, without loosing a feminine appeal. I think that has been part of her successful ascend to a position where she can pull of music videos like this one above.
When I first saw it in it's entirely, it sort of reminded me of Rihanna's "Hard" ft. Young Jeezy. I though both videos had a militant approach, but Rihanna's choice of fashion was above Nicki's. It's obvious that Rihanna's team know a thing or two about fashion and I assume they done enough research on the subject, so the best fittings designers' garbs were selected for her to display/give free ad. And it all worked for me, it contained great musical content, while it revealed Rihanna's eccentric love for fashion. I feel in this video Nicki still gave enough Nicki, is that rawness that she depicts on the videos and images I see she's feature on. I love the beat, it's sticky, and to me it sounds new, you might disagree since you might have a more extensive knowledge of music history but there is something about this that I enjoy. Sean Garrett who wrote and is feature in this song looks to me like a hot chocolate bar melting in the desert. I know it might sound ludicrous, but this man, not only being musically talented, he has this sex-appeal that I like, I don't know if it's his swagger or style of voice, but I'm attracted to that type of guys, but anyways..I just feel this video has strong elements that are definitely going to place Nicki in a higher platform, whether some may like it or not.
The 2010 spring/summer edition of i-D magazine, themed "The Home is Where the Heart Is" features three covers with three girls of the moment, this one above features Freja Beja Erichsen, photographed by Emma Summerton and styled by fashion director Edward Enninful. The other two covers can be seen here (I like Natalia Vodianova's cover but I'm going to use it in a future post for a different reason). This cover certainly reminds of a lemonade ad campaign, I don't exactly remember where I seen it, but it looks dope as hell. Freja is one of those models who are as versatile as a chameleon, she can effortlessly change directions with her look, and I feel that's one of the reason so many designers like her. They can put her on the most beautiful dress and high heels and send her out the runway, though her walk is not as fierce as Natasha Poly's she still sells the garment, or they can either edge her out and dress her in a leather jacket and baggy jeans, rocking a pompadour and she gets the shot. I think she's quite underrated but I still want to se her in Vogue more often no matter what she's wearing.
The photographs below just exemplifies what's I'm referring to. There she is wearing the Miu Miu collared shirt with all these sunflowers and naked women printed all over it, playing with a toothpick on her mouth and rocking the pompadour hairdo that we seen in the mens runway this season. On the next picture, I think she's wearing LV with curls and the last one she's wearing that crystals Prada dress that you're probably tired of seeing since it has been shot in every magazine by now, but seriously, that's one of those iconic shots that she's probably going to frame and hang in her hallway, and when she's like 50 she's going to look back and say "Even with my eyes being covered by my hair, I still sold that dam Prada dress"...And I love her tat "float" on her neck, just makes me want to get one, but then I'll get fired.
Then there was this editorial featuring Abbey Lee Kershaw shot again by Emma Summerton and styled by Charlotte Stockdale that looks as good as drinking Sobe after great sex. I mean these shots are on a different level. I just wonder how the whole thought process was developed between these two. "OK, for this editorial let's make her look like a combination between a slutty astro girl and Kate Moss and airbrush her in gold and put her in some Mcqueen titanic shoes, and let's call it a day."
Posts
