Lenny Kravitz

Personally I think he should be the male prototype. I've been obsessed with this man since I was seven years old, and it has only enhanced with age. He's like fine wine; he only gets better with age.

Winter 2008-'09 Men's Fashion

I've noticed there's been two interlocking consistent themes in men's fashion for the winter season. It seems as if draping isn't limited to women clothing any more. With designers such as Jeremy Scott, Marc Jacobs, Stefano Pilati, Bernhard Willhelm, Gareth Pugh, Raf Simons and Henrik Vibskov producing garments with mass oversize draping, you can see where Kurt Cobain's grunge era meets Givenchy's edgy classicism.
The look for men this season can be called "grunge chic" the oxymoron of this category is as attention grabbing as the class suggests. Look out fashion students it seems as if women's wear training can now be applied to menswear.
Below I've featured some looks from what has been gracing the backs of New York fashion forward men.

Dead Animals as pets?

More like carpets on their backs. Seems like the status of a fur has trickled its way down to the glamored up wanna-Be's. I wished I had a bucket of pigs blood to stain their fake furs with. Fur once stood for wealth, now with faux-fur, and fur being made out of the same materials used for some carpets; it's no wonder the essence of owning a fur has become derogatory. The manner by which I've seen fur being handled and referred to as, is hilarious to me. For this season faux-fur has blessed many runways, and has found it's way into Urban Outfitters and H&M. Not only is faux being sold in companies suh as UO and H&M, but they're in the Givenchy boutiques, Christian Dior's fall 2008's couture line as well as many others.
Are we being environmental friendly, or have we just become more cynical by knowing the price of everything and the value of none? Has society's influence been re-placed on a pedestal for the lost ones to look up to and try to mimic?

My Playlist

So by whatever means you use to get your music, you should definitely retrieve Kings of Leon's new album. This record is amazing from cover to cover.

Let's Talk

So le ghetto has found its way to Perry and Bleeker street. If you're familiar with the neighborhood, you'll know that Marc by Marc Jacobs mens, womens and accessories are located in the area. So I guess the method of selling your brand is mentioning it in a hip-hop song.
That's a key note for my future endeavours.

Rebellion?

Fashion use to be my air, but it seems like I've withdrawn from the idea of it because of a category I've been labeled under.
So have I become a conformist under this rebellious image?
Have I went against my idea of self-expression to better feed my disgust of labels? I recently went through a batch of photographs of myself and I've come to realize that I was creating my own garments; and now everything I wear is factory made, so in a sense have I not become like them? Regular?

New York

With so many different cultures residing in New York, each person has their own perspective on New York, I'm using a series of photography to share my point of view.

A.D.D

I just realized that the reason for our generation's short attention span is primarily media-based. With shows like Family Guy, it seems almost impossible for this generation to pay attention to anything for more than 3mins.
Have you ever sat down to watch an episode of Family Guy? It has so much shit in just one episode, it boggles my mind to see how defective people's attention has become.

self service

It seems as if humans have gravitated towards a dependent sort of attitude in relation to each other. There's a complex ideology of this concept. How is it that we depend on each other for things like our style, interests and dislikes; but on the flip side of things most marriages end in divorce because of a lack of dependence/trust in their spouse.
It seems as if the mistress way of life of life is more productive. Mistresses are not required to split responsibilities or subjected to their lovers. In this day and time marriages are the relationships that don't last.
The direction I'm taking is not as direct as I mentioned, what I'm truly speaking of is Style vs. Fashion. A trend is a mistress way of life, very flighty and sometimes doesn't last very long, she's appealing to the eyes and she is taken on by the involved fashionable group. The marrying kind is style, she's well grounded, very consistent and if her marriage lasts, that's because she acts like the mistress, has some twists and turns, spices things up, and isn't afraid to be the town's gossip. When style is the individual's own, it's always progressing and she my dear lives by her vows, to love and to hold and not even death can tear them apart.

VOLTAIRE

Witty sarcasm over dry humor by old men: they remind me of a time period when people held a level of intelligence without university. I'm aware that this was ahead of my time, but I grew up with a grandmother that became my time machine, she constantly transported me to the "good ol' days." A time where books were read as opposed to the video games of this generation that's a limitation of a once concentrated attention span. My question now lies; is intelligence truly based on the level of education one has reached? Or is it the development of one's mind in terms of mere common sense?
It seems as if all the reading is done by only the artistic minded. And if this is the case, has the technbological advancement of our time dumbed us down?I cannot stress this enough but if we don't better ourselves, this generation might just be the last. Religion preaches of the end time; scientists speak of the deterioration of the ozone layer. If two kinds who constantly challenge eachother's theories/beliefs can come to a common agreement of an analogy then how can it be a lie?

2008

I don't know if it's the fact that it's a leap year why people seem to have lept out of their sanity. I wished it was a genius sort of madness as that of Newton or Jacobs. However it's just plain crazy; cloned with the same sort of abstractness of the originator. And then my mind boggles at the usage of "originator", who determines that? I feel like us calling someone an "originator" is like saying Christopher Columbus "discovered" America; as if there wasn't people living here when he embarked.

Christian Louboutin

Have you strolled down the main floor of Barneys recently? Christian Louboutin consumes the majority of the shoes floor. Louboutin's red sole can be seen on the feet of socialites, supermodels, to the glamour girls strolling down fifth avenue.
The Fashion Institute of Technology dedicated it's museum halls to the man with the "red sole" for an exhibit earlier this year. Oprah Winfrey dedicated a segment of her show to introduce Louboutin's line to her eighth million viewers.
What I love most about Christian is the fact that he's such a simple man, even in the complexity by which his mind works. The man doesn't own a television and he rarely reads magazines. You can find him on his vespa strolling the streets of Jean-Jacques Rousseau where his boutique is located.
Louboutin's direction is always a concept gravitated upon by shoemakers everywhere, you can find knockoff versions of his work in places such as aldo, ninewest and even last year Burberry borrowed his idea for their gladiator heel.
The red sole price ranges from $495 flats to his $7500 mondrian inspired heel for YSL.
If I must say so myself Louboutin has revolutionized the stiletto.

An Ideal

A work conversation led me to think of our idealization of undeserving idols. I started thinking that we should never get too close to our idols, because the closer we get the more we realize how flawed and humane they are; and that realization eventually leads to disappointment and the dimness of what once gave them spotlight in our eyes.
I think a pedestal is created not to place them above, but instead to put them in a place where we can't inspect them keenly; in order to come to terms with the reality that they are quite ordinary except for that one aspect that we highlighted so greatly that we neglected everything else that came in the package.

A new State

Could it be that the age of new has come to an abrupt halt?
So I was sitting here thinking that perhaps the reason people are constantly referring to the past, as it pertains to music, fashion and art is because of a halt in creativity. I recently brought this theory to a fellow philosopher, and he responded "great minds think alike." I had to step back to think of the recycled quote, and I came to a realization that that was a lazy excuse. Could it be that technology has made us dumb? Or has it just made us lazy?

A Lost Summer Love: EDITORIAL

Lost summer loves who feel ever-present. Emmanuel is unsure of whether her image is just a figment of his imagination or is she real?







The men's look we're hoping for this fall, is a very resort look, but this will be a city streets trend as opposed to the last sail before winter.

08-18-08 Quote

"Style is an expression of individualism mixed with character. Fashion is something that comes after style."-John Fairchild

Factory Girl

"They annoy me with their pathetic wanna be glamour chic lifestyles, in my opinion they're a bunch of sad girls who seen factory girl too many times and think they're Edie Sedgwick."- The lovely Monroe Locoaster(Alexis)
I don't think I could've said it any better, I'm not directly attacking the pop culture or Andy Warhol's factory, but I find it remotely sad that this generation is feeding into a drug infested lifestyle of the past as their inspiration. It kinda makes me think, that this has to be the end of a dying age. When there's nothing being created in the now, then that's a sign of a finale.
I wished I had a teleportation sewing machine, so I'd be ions ahead of these crabcakes.

The Dali Exhibit

What can I say, except Salvador Dali perfected the surrealist movement in art. I can't say I've seen a surrealist painting that's as detailed or such great execution of oil on canvas. At the moment there's a Dali exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art(MOMA) on 53rd and 5th avenue; it features his film and paintings. Dali's first film "Un Chien Andalou" established Avant-Garde as an artform and is currently a part of the exhibit.
On a random friday evening at 4pm when it's free, go check out the exhibit it ends on September 15.

FUCK ANDY WARHOL

So I realized that this is gonna cause some controversy. But what the hell did Andy Warhol really do? You're idolizing a man that fucking silk-screened, and made porn in a factory painted silver?
Are you serious? And then you have his one line non-sense in frames, duplicated a million times over. "And then in the future everybody could be famous for 15minutes." or "Pretty will get you pretty far." Are u fucking kidding me? See I never paid attention to Andy Warhol because I couldn't find any value in his art. I'm never one to criticize an art form, but what I am criticizing is these "fans" of his that are so surfaced that they couldn't get a cup of water if it rained.

HIPSTERS

So a re-revolution of what's already been revolutionized. Can you grab the concept I'm trying to get across your mindless understanding?
So I've come to the conclusion that people are fucking illiterate these days, I thought that it was only our president, but apparently the whole god dam nation is bonkers.
Have you seen these robots strolling the streets these days? I thought cloning was illegal, so why do we allow these "HIPSTERS" to walk the street so carelessly.
It bothers me to see the lack of originality being so heavily embraced by a whole generation.
And this is cool? I thought cool was suppose to be something that is different, and I thought different was something that was done by a small group; and different was never cool. Or it ended up being cool after the person died; as sad as that may sound. So it seems like different died so this lopsided degenerate of a concept is the closest thing they could compare to bring to the spotlight.

New Faces

With legs that are fuel efficient; this model has alot of mileage left for her to become one of the next greats. Her name is Petey, and the name alone makes her capable of pulling off any looks presented to her.
I had the wonderful opportunity to work with her, and I must say that she holds no punches when it comes to the architecture of getting the task at hand accomplished. She's very passionate about her art; and as much as people say that modelling is just looking pretty and taking a good picture, it's way more complex than that.
She's a city girl to the tee, a blank canvas many may call her when they see her without make-up, however it's all in her favor because the girl can wear a potato sack and make it look fashion forward.

Back to Basics

The drug market was at its peak in the 80's, cocaine was being shipped in by tons, crack was it's diluted form and could be found in the slums all over the States. Could it be the drugs that contributed to the horrible fashion sense of the hipsters at that time? And with such horrible fashion, why are we re-visiting this era now?
What's to look forward to?
Apparently the new twist in fashion is that it keeps going backwards.
Classicism isn't a trend it's the alpha and omega of fashion. I'm hoping that fashion forecasters are seing what I'm seing and hoping for. Classic looks are the only way to resurrect fashion; because it's an immortal entity. Summer dresses were always neutral tones, spring was for prints, fall was for layering and winter was for black. The simplicity of fashion got crossed with a gene that's infecting the blood line. Hopefully this revived concept can purify my world again.

Constitutional Monarchy

It seems as if with our freedom of speech, we've enslaved ourselves in silent protests. I did create this blog to address fashion. However I realized that the politics of this country has poured over into the world of Fashion.
We seem to speak our minds by wearing t-shirts with messages as opposed to opening our mouths to speak.Through the ages Fashion has been the reflection of a country's economic state. During the depression garments were produced with cheaper materials and less fabric in order to ration. During the Vietnam War, the hippie movement developed. The garments were basically rags, and this was their form of protest.
In 2008 we're facing a recession, and this could've been avoided if we hadn't elected a cowboy to govern this country and do so for two elective terms.
Peace signs have become a seal worn by Americans as some kind of message to the government. I admit it's tattooed in my skin; however my voice doesn't really count because I'm not a citizen of the "land of opportunities."
The country with the loudest mouths has been silenced in their "democracy."
Taxation without representation is illegal; and we're currently not being represented, so the government is violating the laws they constructed.

FALL for a new season

This season has become a little bit more put together, a little cleaner: I think the word I'm looking for is CLASSIC. I am happy about this direction, because as much as this "originality" concept was a driving force and an excuse to sell hideous clothing. I think the true Fashion Forward individuals didn't get caught up in this mess of a trend.
This season; designers have been paying homage to Yves Saint Laurent. And I know his name is becoming quite repetitive in the last couple entries I've made. However where respect is due, repetition could never be redundant.
For Fall 2008, we will see alot of Blazers, some with shoulder pads, alot of shear dresses, and patented leather, whether it be in a classic pump, some gladiator boots, or suicide heels. The Ivy-League look has become a unisex concept and has produced alot of Oxford slip-ons for women, wingtips and Cardigans with stripes and Patches as emblems.
This fall is something to look forward to, so if you were one of those fools that got caught up in the 80's trend of spandex and all these hideous remnant's from the 80's, please hurry to your local dumpyard and burn these items, so that nobody else will wear them AGAIN!

Androgyny? or De-Feminism

Is the female gender's strength being measured by how manly they dress?
Androgyny was always a concept I embraced in Fashion. When Yves Saint Laurent made a whole show about women of strength, materialized the whole deal for me.
However until earlier this morning I never thought what the reason for androgyny being so widely embraced in the business world. I realized that men were always considered the stronger of the two and women were “emotional” and in order to match the two or at least create an image of equality women had to conform to a manly façade. “Look the part” they say. Women for centuries were subjected to this ideal, and whenever one of them went against that ideology, they were labeled as “butches”. The term butch, doesn’t necessarily refer to a lesbian with manly characteristics, it’s a woman taking on a manly image.
Today, we embrace androgyny like New York’s polluted air. However whether your androgynous characteristics is to be accepted in the business world or just to show variety in your fashion sense; androgyny is the sexiest concept ever to grace the Fashion World.

FASHION. The new crack?

Could this be the newest trend in Fashion? Over the years grunge has made an appearance on runways with layered looks that mimic that of Kurt Kobain as well as Perry Ellis by Marc Jacobs in 1992.
I must say, fashion seems to be the new crack. The same addiction that was once savored for drug-addicts has switched drug of choice into something that's wearable.
So the question in motion is, what's the next thing in Fashion? With looks that are tribal influence as well as the ever re-used layered look, what are these Fashion junkies going to look like for the fall?

DAI-ly DANCER

Dainene Baldwin, better off known as Dai is the embodiment of an individual. She bursts with personality that immediately grabs the attention of everyone around her. She's a dancer by profession but the girl is multi-talented. When I asked her what she wants to do? She replied, "I'm not saying I wanna do it all, but I dabble in it all...everyone should sparkle."
Her style is uncategorized, she mixes in pop colors with vintage wear polished over with her own touches. The girl has sex appeal, and when I asked what inspires her, she responded, "PRINCE, as crazy as that sounds to say a person inspires me, but he is raunchy, his performances get me opened." What can I say the girl doesn't miss a word.
You can find her on tour with Lil Mama, to the backstreets of Soho, the sidewalks are her runway; so watch out world!

NUDITY: Art or Pornography?

So the question is in constant rotation...When does nudity become pornographic in its content?
Picasso's Les Demoiselles D'Avignon which translates to the prostitutes of Avignon street consists of naked women in Picasso's impressionistic distorted manner against a wall or perhaps a building. This painting is hung in the Museum of Modern Art here in New York where it's in high regards for it's contribution to the art community; and obviously because it's the Great Picasso's work.
However, on the other hand R.C Horsch's photography is considered to be pornographic. His work is bondage themed, with nude bodies in cages, a bit raunchy at times. But is raunchy necessarily pornographic? Personally I prefer Horsch's work to Picasso' not because I am a photographer, but because eventhough it's more in your face, it has so much more laying under the surface.
My question is, where does the separation become fact and who determines that?

Marc Jacobs

So I've recently noticed people's obsession with Marc Jacobs. I admit the man's a creative genius, however people have seem to lose sight of the Marc behind the Perry Ellis' Kurt Cobain inspired line that got him fired in 1993. I think it's beautiful that his career has heightened since then, however I am one of those old-hearted fans.
I loved the grunge era, and I still transfer some of those elements into my daily routine, I think an oversize sweater should be an essential for every female, and fashion forward male.
I must admit, Marc Jacobs has become a penthouse, get-a-way home and household name, with his own labels as well as being the Creative Director at Louis Vuitton. However, I'm standing in the back of his show hoping that he won't forget where he's coming from, and incorporate some of this grunge background in his future endeavours.
For the Spring 2008 Marc by Marc Jacobs for Men featured a knitted Cardigan, that should've been a women's item, because I purchased it. And it gave the female form a certain contour that although it was draggy, it still showed that there's a female under there.
The rules of fashion say that short people shouldn't wear lenghty clothing because it makes them look shorter. However, in street wear fashion that rule has it's exceptions.
Keep in mind my fashion forward individuals, although there's rules to fashion, don't be subjected by them. Bend them if need be, because individuals are never collective.

Re-revolution of the pantsuit

Yves Saint Laurent, the father of androgyny would be proud of this years fall collections. The pants-suit seem to have made an extravagant comeback, with looks ranging from the wide leg high waist to the boot cut low rise to mid-waist skinnies. The pants suit gallivanting on runways ranging from Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, D&G, Derek Lam and the new YSL, would make Laurent smile in his grave.

Yves Saint Laurent

Boy by Band of Outsiders

Derek Lam

Dolce & Gabbana

Artist of the Month

Our choice for this month, and our first artist feature; is Kingdom.
Kingdom is a DJ from Brooklyn, New York. His sound is club/hip-hop with a dash of electro. He's an up and coming artist, and his stage presence is amazing. When Kingdom takes the stage, it's all his, he dances and his energy is mesmerizing.
His logo is a diamond cube embedded with himself as a cartoon character.
Kingdom has hosted parties all over the states and has spilled over in the United Kingdom. Go pick up his second volume mixtape.




This was initially suppose to be a single feature, but somewhere in mid-stream, Robot developed a fascination with Lady Gaga. So we decided to make this a double feature.
The 22 year old upper east side native, is a dance-pop phenomenon with a look that's futuristic-glam. She's not only a performer, but she also designs most of her outfits. This girl is THE fag-hag, with muses ranging from Cyndi Lauper to Andy Warhol.
She's a very talented individual, and she learned piano at the age of four, by ear; and wrote her first ballad at 13yrs old. She writes songs for the Pussy Cat Dolls, and has been asked to write for a series of Interscope artists.
When asked about fame, Gaga says, “The Fame is about how anyone can feel famous,” she explains. “Pop culture is art. It doesn’t make you cool to hate pop culture, so I embraced it and you hear it all over The Fame. But, it’s a sharable fame. I want to invite you all to the party. I want people to feel a part of this lifestyle.”