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.”

In my bag

There are certain items that should always be in every female purse. Foundation is a must; I personally prefer a mineral based foundation, because it doesn't clog your pores as much as a liquid based one would. Eyeliner to lift the eyes, a gel eyeliner has a more satin feel, and it lasts all day. Moisturizer is necessary to give the face a glow from the inside. A blush to give contour to the cheeks. Lipstick to get lip attention, or a conditioner for shine as well as to make your lips kissable. Now the law of attraction are through the sense of smell, so dash on some perfume ladies, and remember subtly is the best seduction tactic.

Euro-men or Ameri-men

European men maintain their charm in fine suits, women to adorn their arm and wine to savor each moment. Je ne sais coi reeks on them like the cologne they apply so diligently. Europe pays attention to men's fashion, which could be the primary reason they're eye candy; and I have a sweet tooth. I was watching Alfie just the other day, and Jude Law gave me insight on the Euro-man's way of life. Clothes tailored to perfection and ready to wear for Euro-men are like the polo button-ups that American men wear on a daily basis.
American men are more concerned about comfort as opposed to trends. Slacks and a blazer are just about how dressy an American man is willing to go. Khakis are more the everyday look for the Ameri-man, he doesn't put much thought into what to wear or how it fits his body type. It's a clear choice for me, the Euro-man is a lover, he thinks about his appearances and as shallow as that maybe, I'm floating at this level with no fear of drowning in the depth that everyone wants to swim in.

EURO-man




AMERI-man

Retro vs. Vintage?

Is there really a difference between the two? And if there is what is the difference.

VS.

Originality

Can originality ever be overdone?
This is a question I'm forever phased with, when people like Andre Leon Talley of Vogue wears floor-length capes, he's very exaggerated, simplicity is a thing of last century. It seems to me that Andre Leon's motto is "the bigger the better." After all the man is bigger than life, as he stands at 6'4 and 310pounds.
Heatherette's Richie Rich's exaggerated make-up and the use of Amanda Le pore(the tranny) on his runways, are a bit what can I say? Heatherette-esque, their style is incomprehensible, and unable to duplicate.
Michael Alig who's known for throwing the best underground club parties, has a certain a look that I would call a fashionable clown. He's a risk taker, in every sense of the word and he isn't concerned about what's the new trend, or what's fashion; because he sets his own rules.
Let me go very underground and refer to Akeem Bazar of Brooklyn New York, who is very club-kid meets thrift. The man wears a dress and a wig, and hey that's just what he does; from the ghetto neighbourhoods to the trendy tribeca; Akeem will wear whatever he feels like.
The question is then left, can originality reach a peak to where it becomes tacky? You tell me.