Gianfranco Ferre

GENIUS!!!

I haven't gotten to the article, but I was fixated by the cover of this month's W Magazine, starring Amy Adams.

Talking Heads

David Byrne of the Talking Heads is back and collaborating with Brian Eno on a new tour. David Byrne, is a genius in every realm he has ventured in, and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of him. He's not afraid to go out on a limb, he takes great risks, and they always seem to pay off. In April of this year Byrne performed at the AIDS benefit in a pink tutu. With that kind of courage, and "I don't give a fuck attitude" it's no wonder he's still an icon.

Without Sanctuary: Lynching in America

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The clarity of these pictures aren't that great, but it's just a peak at the mindstate of the United States between 1860-1960. The lynching of black men, being sent across the country as post cards. Innocent black men hung high on ropes hanging from trees of their own making. "Souvenirs" are what they call the photos of the murders of innocent men.

Butterfly Blue

If you enjoy Live Jazz and the great taste of Soul Food with a Caribbean Kick, then this is the place for you. Butterfly Blue, is a small cozy restaurant/bar in Harlem, it's located on 150th street and Amsterdam Avenue. Yes I have been doing alot of cultural pieces on Harlem, so check it out.
There's a happy hour drinks special between 6-9pm, and the drinks are amazing

Taste of Harlem

Triple shot latte, a pen overflowing with words waiting to be dispersed on paper. All sorts of artists and thinkers sit at the society cafe on the corner of 114th and Frederick Douglas Boulevard. The ambience alone was the selling theme for me. Cafeteria-esque wooden tables are located right in centre of the cafe, light jazz playing in the background, the chef and the servers move in unison within clear sight. The owner comes over and speaks to me, as if he knew that I was a tourist to this side of town, he then gives me some insight on the cultural background of Harlem. He happened to be the owner of a night club called 67 Orange, which is located exactly a block away on 113th street.

The man with Sole

British shoe designer, Nicholas Kirkwood, is showing up and putting on a show. His designs are impeccable, and not to mention the sole, it's like walking on cloud nine and causing a traffic jam doing so. Kirkwood has blessed Rodarte with their "Punk Duchess" shoe line, worked on Belstaff and Phillip Lim's 2008 Spring collection, and continues to wow shoe lovers with his decadent designs. He's been called the Da Vinci of shoes, so need I say more?

The state of Fashion

As I sat down to brunch with a pen-pal, we endeavoured in a conversation of the present state of fashion. The theatrics at Christopher Kane, Comme de Garcons and Galliano were some of the names brought up. Where is the line being drawn? I've been an avid fan of "style" and I feel like fashion has come to a point where there is no line being drawn as far as what's wearable and what's just a show. I took a gander at the RTW trends and even that's a bit over the top. What happened to the simple chic that graced the backs of old hollywood starlets? The house of Chanel that's known for it's classicism has become Crazy (for a lack of a better word). I feel like experimenting in fashion is key in order to set yourself apart, but I feel like it's come to a point where designers have just thrown every, and anything together just for an "effect."

Minimal

There's one element that never goes out of style, and that is classicism. This season, for Milan Fashion Week Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein gave us this clean palette, but didn't forget that shapes are a key element to giving an edge to classic looks. Raf Simons at Jil Sander is an utter genius, the color palette was magnificent, and the contour more dynamic than mount Everest. Tomas Maier at Bottega Venetta incorporated menswear in s/s09 womens ready-to-wear and it was brilliant.

New Givenchy Ad

So I was concerned of how Givenchy would progress considering the strong statement they made in their fall/winter 08 collection. I feel like they've taken the high road by not drifting too far from the statement they made in 08. Here's an image of the spring ad.

michael kors

He utterly bores me. I was looking at his collection for spring 09 and I must say he gives a bad name to american designers. Often times there's a comment made of his classic looks, but in reality I find this to be boring, and an utter lack of originality. Yes I'm feeling a bit like a cynic and it just amazes me how the lack of progression or edge is the consistent theme in his designs. Images won't be posted, because people don't read enough, and by me giving you visual it's almost as if I'm promoting this bore.

Haute Dior

I think this is the best Giselle Bundchen ever looked

The Anti-Christ?

Hello Kitty is the anti-christ!!!! Screamed the drunken image of myself. This cartoon characterize cat is everywhere. There's a MAC line dedicated to her, there's images of her everywhere and a vodka all for this little bitch. She's cute I must admit, but she's the biggest collaborator of 08/09. She's recognized in every culture, without regards to religion, sex or social status.

My weekly "touching base" with my dad led to something quite exciting. Apparently as we speak they're filming for the upcoming film Coco avant Chanel in the streets of Paris.

Clemence Poesy, this French actress(Harry Potter and the goblet of Fire) is the girl of the moment. She made her mark as a model being the spokesperson for Chloe's fragrance. Now you'll find her gracing the front rows at Fashion Week,photographed with Karl Lagerfield; rumors are she's his new muse.

Grace Jones' New Single

Season of the Damned

Robot brought to my attention the other day of the signs to look for when the end of the world is to come, the twins will fall and people will be lovers of darkness rather than light.
This season, we've gotten a hit of it, and I guess that I too will be damned, because Givenchy's Fall/Winter collection gave me chills, John Galliano's Couture line had me on the edge of my seat. And Stefano Pilati's homage to YSL, well that was just in a class of its own.
So let's take a gander at this passing season in fashion. The damned, the mourning the exoticism of it all.

Rodarte

Let's talk about the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte. Their Punk Duchess collection is definitely a sight to see.

Courtney Love: ELLE UK

"There's so much aggression and anger there. If I wasn't able to turn that VENOM into art, I'd be dead. If I'm not making MUSIC, I'm a toxic person to be around."-Courtney Love.




PHOTOGRAPHY by Jan Walters

Holey Tac(ky)-tics

So I'm left with the question when do we call it trashy and when is it trendy? Because with the state of fashion being the way it is, nothing surprises me. I respect goth-glam, and even some aspects of grunge, but when you begin to look like an overworked and underpaid prostitute then that's where the line should be drawn. I posted a bulletin on lookbook.nu for photos of this new trend, and this is what I received. There's definitely a fine line between glam and trash, and I've seen some people overtly crossing that line. Grunge doesn't necessarily mean straight out the garbage, as a fashion trend it definitely requires some polishing. Not because you're a fan of the "trend" or lifestyle of Courtney Love & Kurt Cobain, doesn't mean that you have to look drugged up.