Who's afraid of the dark? After watching and reading some of these favorites from ASMALLMAGAZINE's Creepy Culture Guide of the best scary movies, books and plays, I certainly am. Hold your breath and enjoy…with a trusted friend nearby. And of course NPR put together a killer Halloween music list too. Happy Halloween!
More Halloween spirit from the window designers over at Bergdorf Goodman! These scenes were created over the weekend, and they're huge in scale, creepy, and exceptionally dramatic and glam. The windows are decorated in varying motifs from Sleeping Beauty to technology and dressed in many of Designer favorites including: Oscar de la Renta, Matthew Williamson, Alberta Ferretti, Lanvin, Yohji Yamamoto, Alexander McQueen, Giambattista Valli, CD Greene, Naeem Kahn, Gryphon, Badgley Mischka and Loro Piana. See them all here.
Get ready for Kate Moss' new Christmas collection for British retailer TopShop which is sure to fly off the shelves as quickly as her others. This 2009 collection launches today and it presents an assortment of luxurious yet sophisticated oriental-inspired pieces for day and evening festive wear, along with an exclusive lingerie preview online. Check it out!
Just in time to get into the spirit of Halloween, the amazing Tim Burton created an inspired shoot for Harper's Bazaar as his retrospective at New York's Museum of Modern Art approaches. From Beetlejuice to Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride, Sweeney Todd and the upcoming Alice in Wonderland, Burton never disappoints with his unique & creative vision.
Sometimes things are just too wonderfully weird not to pass on. Case in point: film, & fashion icon Brigitte Bardot. Once the epitome of the 1960's sex kitten, and now a reclusive animal activist, apparently Brigitte recorded a few tracks in her day. The "music" not withstanding, the outfit is to die for, oui? "Un météorite m'a percé le cœur Vous, sur la terre, vous avez des docteurs Contact Contact Il me faut une transfusion de mercure J'en ai tant perdu par cette blessu..."
Italian designer Massimiliano Della Monaca created this shoe-shaped bathtub, covered with precious glass to form unique mosaics, the tubs can be custom-made to your taste. The water falls above the bather's head and massages the shoulders as it flows into the basin. And lucky you, it costs "just" $17,000! For more creative tubs check out this link here.
I can't help posting items from The Satorialist, especially when he captures people like this. As Scott says: "One of my favorite encounters on this tour was my driver in San Francisco. As you can see he was very elegant and practically oozed self-confidence, dignity and pride in his work. I love people who show pride in their work, regardless of the job. This man's car was spotless, his shoes were shined and he knew exactly where he was going. He wasn't dressed like that for me, he had no idea who I was, this was just another day and just another ride done in his own stylish way. I've said this so many times before, and recently in the intro of my book. Even though this blog is about fashion I don't really think about fashion when I look at this photo. I think about how he is communicating his sense of pride and self-worth; not by how expensive his clothes are but by how he wears his clothes, his posture and his politeness. This man is pure style." Amen.
Lest anyone miss the hoopla of “Fashion Rocks,” it’s back, at least in South America. For its fourth international iteration, the fashion show-concert hybrid is now rocking out Rio de Janiero with "Oi Fashion Rocks" featuring Mariah Carey, P Diddy, Estelle, Ja Rule, Ciara alongside designers Givenchy, Calvin Klein, Versace and a host of local artists and designers.
This is a good follow up to the previous post about The Clash, as I thank England for producing arguably the best rock'n'roll bands ever!! Consistently, British music dominates pop music without ever seeming like they’re trying. From the initial British Invasion (1964-1966), to the second (New Wave of the 1980's), to the latter half of the 2000s which includes the incredible voices of Amy Winehouse, Duffy and Adele. There are just too many artists to list in too many genres which speaks to the incredible track record coming out of the larger scope of the UK (and no, I have not forgotten about Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd or Ireland's U2), but I'll list a few favorites, old & new, here: The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Zombies, The Who, David Bowie, The Smiths, Sex Pistols, Elvis Costello, The Clash, The Specials, The Cure, Queen, Stone Roses, Charlatans UK, The Verve, Blur, Radiohead, Massive attack, Oasis, Pulp, Coldplay, Suede, Bloc Party, The Streets, Arctic Monkeys, The Kooks, etc, etc, etc.
If you are fan of iconic rock bands, you might like this collection of sneakers from Converse. The latest to be released is in honor of the 30th anniversary of The Clash's epic album "London Calling", Converse will be releasing a new collection of High Top Chuck Taylor's in January 2010. Other recent collaborations in the "Converse Music Shoes" collection include The Ramones, Blondie, AC/DC, The Grateful Dead, Black Sabbath and The Who. Rock (or walk) on.
Another month, another International Fashion Week. So long New York, London, Paris and Milan. Now it's time for Tokyo! A relatively new comer, Japan only started running the shows in 2005, as it currently runs from Oct 19-Oct 25, including 48 maisons and 51 brands. For all coverage & reviews, visit WWD.
Before she was Princess of Monaco, she was Grace Kelly: Hollywood star and style icon. Last night, her image lit up Beverly Hill's Rodeo Drive as Princess Grace received an award from the Rodeo Walk of Style for her contributions to fashion and entertainment. (Honored along with the Princess was French jeweler Cartier.) When I look back at old Grace Kelly photos, or watch her in To Catch a Thief or Dial M for Murder, I think of her scarves, pearls, shirt dresses, flats, perfect hair...very Audrey Hepburn really...but blond!
Stella McCartney has made a fabulously fun collection for Gap Kids which includes a little version of the Sgt. Pepper Jacket. It hits stores November 2, with sizes for newborns up to 12-year-olds and prices range from $14 for wool tights up to $128 for a military jacket. Some pieces are cheap, miniature versions of McCartney's ready-to-wear pieces, such as a gray sweater dress with a leopard on it, skinny gray jeans with ankle zippers, and a gray cable-knit cardigan dress. And that military jacket is very spring 2009 Balmain. So this is a very fashion-forward collection. So seize the opportunity to dress up & possible humiliate your child, for which they will thank you for down the road.
Halloween is right around the corner and I don't know what is more amusing...witnessing the abundant sexed up versions of nearly every female costume OR this new website: SpoiledRottenDoggies.com, which encourages you & your dog to wear matching costumes. Considering I live in NY, I will in no way be surprised to see a dog dressed up as a pirate or a cheerleader. In fact, I expect it ;)
Finally...Tom Ford is returning to Womenswear! Years after his incredible collections for Gucci & YSL, Ford is seeking financial backing to extend past his current menswear, accessories, and fragrance under his own label. Sources are reporting that a collection could launch as early as fall 2010, but Ford insists it all depends on when they get their financing. Someone back this man immediately, please!
From NPR today, an interesting article "How Photographers Created Rock And Roll" which explores the influence photographers have had over the years. "Johnny Cash gives the camera "the bird." John Lennon sports a New York City tank top on a high-rise rooftop. Kurt Cobain clutches his hair and weeps backstage. On the album cover of London Calling, Paul Simonon of the Clash famously raises his guitar on stage to smash it. These are the iconic photographs that have created our vision of rock 'n' roll. We know the rockers, but who took the photos?"
For those of us Cary Grant fans, a new book entitled "Les images d'une vie" explores his effortless & timeless style. Though not yet available in the US, you can buy it in Europe on Amazon.fr or on Colette's website (which is all kinds of fun to explore in itself...seriously, turn up your speakers).
C'est Manifique! First it was announced Rodarte would do a collection, now French Couture designer Jean Paul Gaultier will be the newest designer to create a collection for Target. The JPG collection will be available in 250 Target stores and Target.com for a limited time starting March 7th through April 11th.
From todays NY Times: "Colombian-born fashion photographer Ruven Afanador has built a remarkable career out of capturing the raw and impassioned beauty of his subjects. His latest book, an homage to the women of flamenco entitled "Mil Besos" — 1,000 kisses, in Spanish — is perhaps his most powerful work yet. The women in these images, dressed in all-black Galliano, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, their eyes rimmed in inky kohl, emerge from Mr. Afanador's imagination, inspired by the fantastic tales told to him as a child." An exhibition of photographs from the book runs from Oct. 29 to Dec. 12 at Throckmorton Fine Art, 145 East 57th Street.
I fear little girls everywhere are about to develop very expensive taste! Shoe designer extraordinaire Christian Louboutin has teamed up with Mattel to create 3 customized Barbie dolls, which were inspired by Nefertiti and Marilyn Monroe. Louboutin has already created Barbie-pink shoes with his signature red soles which premiered at Barbie's birthday earlier this year, which will be followed by three dolls: a jewel-thief-themed doll,a safari-themed Barbie and the final one, which is designed to go to the Cannes Film Festival, will be up for sale in May. For the price of $150, each doll will come with four pairs of Barbie-size Louboutin heels and the doll itself will be packaged in Louboutin shoe boxes. A diary titled "My Year in Paris with Christian Louboutin" will come with the first released doll, but will also be sold separately for $40.
Is there really that big of a demand for fragrances that everyone suddenly needs to jump on the bandwagon? Well...yes and no. Yes, it is lucrative, no, I don't care to smell like Fergie. J-Lo, Diddy, Sarah Jessica Parker, Britney Spears, The Beckhams, etc., have all launched a line or two or five, and according to WWD both Demi Moore and Fergie are launching fragrances too. Really? I smell....tackiness & failure. So do yourself a favor and stick with the classics like Chanel or Houbigant or Givenchy, because they have lasted throughout the decades for a reason, and it wasn't for sickly sweet scents and ugly bottles.
If you still haven't watched the new TV sensation sweeping the nation, otherwise known as Glee, then what are you waiting for? As the NY Times describes it, the show (From Ryan Murphy, the creator of Nip/Tuck) is “Election” with music, “Bring It On” meets “High School Musical,” or even a lunchroom version of “The Breakfast Club.” And while not everyone may be a fan of showtunes, there is a definitive geeky quality to it that is sure to win you over in the end, and with a brilliantly talented cast and guest stars like Kristin Chenoweth, it is like having a little slice of broadway in the comfort of your home. Catch up online on the show site or on Hulu.
A few fantastic photo spreads in upcoming November issues! First up, W Magazine "Art Issue" starring the fabulous Linda Evangelista posing as saint and sinner by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan & shot by PierPaolo Ferrari. But even better (and least for those of us Law & Order fans) is Harper's Baazar mix of fashion and the long running crime drama with Canadian model turned actress Noot Seear posing alongside the show's cast for the "Crimes Against Fashion spread." Fantastic!
Paris held its 15th World Chocolate Fair on Tuesday, featuring a fashion show with ensembles made from the tasty treat. French celebrities clad in candy took to the runway to benefit a children's charity. Which of these styles are mouthwatering? And which are, as the French say for 'ugly,' moche? Either way, I suspect they had a serious melting issue...
November’s disastrous Vogue cover may be overexposed, awkward, and appear as if the various actresses of the upcoming film "Nine" were photoshopped in after, but here....proof! Vogue TV video of them dragging their couture through the ocean and walking on sand in Christian Louboutin's. Check out the all star cast.
After that last, sad RL post it is time for something a little happier! Stella McCartney put on the most positive show of Fashion Week, and like Chanel, even though this was a week ago, it is certainly still worth sharing.
Shame on the Ralph Lauren team! As if it wasn't bad enough this horrifically photoshopped, distorted image actually hit ad pages, and it took them forever to retract & apologize for it, it now turns out the model herself, Filippa Hamilton, was fired for "her inability to meet the obligations under her contract" with RL, or as the 23 year old model says "they said I was overweight and I couldn't fit in their clothes anymore." At 5' 10" and 120 pounds? What!? Boo!
François Nars is coming out with a new book fittingly titled "15×15" for the brand's 15th anniversary (available in November for a limited time). The book will combine creative director Nars' two favorite things: photography and make-up. Inside, there are photographs of celebrities carefully chosen by Nars because "I wanted people who reflected my taste, friends and people I admired for their look and talent. I love the way Marc (Jacobs) looks, but also what he is and does. I tried to pick people not just for looks, but for talent."
This is so typically Kanye West. After repeatedly bragging about his supposed fashion genius and designing sneakers for LV and Nike, Kanye has been talking up his yet-to-be release clothing line, Pastelle. After years of "anticipation", photos finally hit the Web late yesterday of the nearly forgotten collection. But wait..a few hours later an update that Pastelle will not be coming out. Ever. That said, Mr. West will release a collection under his own name in the near future. Stay tuned.
Where Motown ends and soul begins, or whether they are one in the same, is really not my place to say. But this genre has seen some of the greatest voices ever recorded and this list could become very long indeed. So here is just a slice of some timeless soul tracks here on Music Mondays, and if you are in the mood for a modern version, hit up Raphael Saadiq or Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings immediately!
Though the Chanel show happened last week, the footage of the fun, country themed show cannot be left out here! Karl Lagerfeld gave another great collection that has us all clamoring for more. And for my friends in Shanghai, it was just announced that a Chanel boutique will finally be opening there on Dec. 3, where it will stage a fashion show for a luxury pre-fall collection and open an art-filled 5,160-square-foot space.
Are you ready? The new ads for Jimmy Choo's shoe & accessory line at H&M have been revealed, along with the prices. Stay tuned for this limited collection in your area next month.
Receiving some of the best reviews from Paris, the remarkable John Galliano produced a gorgeous show yesterday (which can currently be watched on his website, linked above). Sometimes it takes an extra-special talent to remind everyone how unique an experience a great show can be in real time, which Galliano did by conjuring up a magical scenario on a laser-lit runway, upon which floating bubbles descended amid the steady stream of models wearing one of his best collections in a long time. (This show ties with Alexander McQueen for show of Spring 2010!)
Live From New York, It's Barneys Holiday Windows! Barneys has picked a theme for its holiday windows, and it's going with "Have a Witty Holiday." In this case, "witty" means "Saturday Night Live-themed." The windows will feature tableaux of memorable moments from the show. There will be figures of Tina Fey as a crossbow-toting Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler behind the Weekend Update desk alongside classic SNL characters like Gilda Radner's Roseanne Roseannadanna and The Coneheads. Personally, I am hoping for a nod to Maya Rudolph's amazing turn as Donatella Versace (and can't find the video for anywhere!)
We lost another great fashion photographer today as Irving Penn, one of the 20th century’s most prolific and influential photographers of fashion and the famous, whose signature blend of classical elegance and cool minimalism was recognizable to magazine readers and museum goers worldwide, died Wednesday morning at his home in Manhattan. For more on his life read here.
Apparently Halloween came early this year at the Vivienne Westwood show. There was some seriously strange hair and makeup at her S/S 2010 RTW show in Paris, which though entertaining, may have distracted from the clothes. Also true to form was Ms. V voicing her anti-consumerism and pro-green beliefs via the runway through various signs and slogans. Visit her website for more.
Even if you are not a huge fashion fan, I am posting links to two shows here from Alexander McQueen & Louis Vuitton because they were both so innovative. But as every year, McQueen outdid everyone, even LV's giant afro wigs, in part to his unique staging and in part by his out of control 10+ inch shoes truly never seen on a runway before. Wow!
This photos are too original not to share...Viktor & Rolf debuted one of the strangest couture collections in Paris this week. The Dutch duo put on one of their most extravagant shows in seasons, a truly couture experiment, inspired by the “credit crunch,” which led them to cut through heavy layers of tulle to create mind-boggling sculptural effects. Ummm...ok.
Scarlett Johansson proved she is indeed a bubbly blonde in a new campaign for Moët & Chandon, when she was named their first celebrity ambassador last month. Says the company: "She, like Moët, has a magical story to tell and makes people dream." The campaign was shot by renowned photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, and as for Scarlett, the lucky girl will have free champagne forever now!
I never understood those who claim "I don't like Rap," because I don't believe anyone can dislike an entire genre, not when there is so much talent out there. (Though if one is strictly going off of what they hear on the radio, I may understand this more ;). Some artists are a given such as Biggie or Jay-Z (FYI, I highly recommend his new album) but I am hopelessly devoted to the late 80's/early 90's that brought us the incredible sounds of A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Digable Planets, The Pharcyde, Public Enemy, NWA, Beastie Boys,etc. Of course there are still good & innovative artists out there from Jurassic 5, Blackalicious, The Streets, Common, The Roots, Kid Cudi, and on and on...but today is for flashbacks.
In a seemingly ridiculous move, Emanuel Ungaro decided to appoint train wreck Lindsay Lohan as artistic adviser for the French label last month to give the aging brand the equivalent of “electric shock treatment.” LL? Really? Someone is about to be fired because the show did not go over well in Paris today. At least not with the critics. “PAS possible,” said Fabien Baron, the noted French art director shortly after the show. “Call the fashion police!” Or even better put by the NY Times: "Ms. Lohan’s arrival at a 45-year-old Paris house known for $1,500 dresses and a tradition of couture craftsmanship is entirely different, something akin to a McDonald’s fry cook taking the reins of a three-star Michelin restaurant." Then again, a little controversy can go a long way.
For fans of Jack White (White Stripes), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and The Edge (U2), the documentary "It Might Get Loud" may very well be musical bliss. Filmmaker David Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) explores the history of the electric guitar, focusing on the careers and styles of these legendary artists.
Not only is the First Lady of France, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, killing it with her fashion savvy lately, but she has gorgeous vocals to match. This model-musician has really championed the Jackie O style, causing a sensation wherever she goes, but her personal style is really reflected in her music. Try to resist it!
Louis Vuitton is about to get even more popular on Wednesday October 7th when LV will be letting their "friends" watch the show live from their Facebook page. This speaks to the trend of designers making their shows much more accessible which is wonderful! The catch? Rise and shine early because the Paris show will air live at 8:30am in NYC.
Though Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig's new Broadway play, "A Steady Rain", is breaking ticket sales records, as is James Gandolfini's "God of Carnage", we shall see what happens now that Green Day is literally rocking Broadway. “American Idiot” is a rock opera drawn largely from Green Day’s multiplatinum 2004 album of the same name and featuring 21 songs from the band. And while the band does not appear in the show, “American Idiot,” which formally opened Wednesday night, has already caused considerable buzz because of Green Day’s international fame and the show’s creative team, mainly several players behind the hit “Spring Awakening,” which won the Tony Award for best musical in 2007.
Thursday marked the great standoff between Balmain and Balenciaga, two storied couture houses that have both — in very different ways — gone pop with new designers. According to fashion critics, Nicolas Ghesquière (Balenciaga) came out on top. “Urban, but with authenticity and rusticity,” as described Mr. Ghesquière, which makes for interesting, if not entirely wearable clothes. Check them out here.
