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VidFlip: I.T POST #5

2009-08-19T21:20:00.016-05:00

I.T. POST #5 from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo.

Nearly "3 years young," I.T Post is a gratis publication curated by photographer Kwannam Chu, helped put together with a team devoted to the power of print in aims to unite young and new talents and offer fashion followers something fresh and exclusive, tells Chu.

"My position [as curator] is more like a creative director/editor," says publisher of the We Could Grow Up Together. "What I try to do as a curator is create a platform for [individuals sharing] the same vision and aesthetics," he says. And I.T. comes through.

Issue #5 makes the most of its dimensions, making a pop page and after page. The opening and closing of the magazine have a series of cohesive graphic images and photos similar to ACNE Paper's introduction and ending but with art/photos solely from contributors. The details in variety, order, layout and even paper type create distinctive definition for I.T's identity and content.

The feature editorial photographed by Daniel Sannwald with 3-D art by Ralph Bonilla and stylings by Lotta Aspenberg is one of the more memorable editorials this year by far. You've seen "3-D art" in editorials for titles such as W, Purple and Self-Service for a while now, and somehow Evolution eclipses any recent attempt by the major titles with a slickly woven 30-page ed' that amounts to more than just its elements of photography and design.

Looks composed with Junya Watanabe, ACNE, Alexander McQueen pieces by stylist Yi Guo on Siri and Sofi, just as those by Ann Demuelemeester, Raf Simons, and N. Hollywood styled by Lotta Aspenberg in Evolution consistently relate a young, sophisticated, never-too-flashy or over-styled look.

First flip through the large-format, glossy, it's hard to ignore I.T's established connection with advertisers less seen in high profile, international magazines. Advertisements and inserts from Alexander McQueen, Tsumori Chisato, Commes des Garçons and Hysteric Glamour are woven seamlessly in and along with content, setting a new standard for both up and coming, and established publications. It's a less obvious, less intrusive placement than say American Vogue SAKS inserts, Man About Town's showcases plus interviews or Vogue Hommes Japan promos along the feature editorials.

All in all I.T Post comes recommended for any fashion reading devotee looking for something refreshing, unpretentious and far from the blitz of tired tactics used to keep and attract readers. It is also recommended for those who couldn't give fuck about the fashion, want something for the coffee table or something to get lost in just by looking. With little text, mostly blurbs, copy in I.T is used mostly for identification purposes, leaving all the bullshit out about what's "hot" and why. I.T serves the art up raw and harbors "a place where talents can be who they are", Chu says. So take it or leave it because after all — you couldn't pay a dime for it if you wanted to!

Global distribution coming soon; expect to pay by then. Clue word on the next issue: FANTASIA.

This post wouldn't be possible without the help of Samantha at Search and Smoke.

Fall of Fashion

2009-07-04T10:23:00.044-05:00

Fashion took a swift and in sync fall out of my mind with the retails sales dive. The drib in consumer purchase brought drab collections as the focus was to sell, seLL, SELL. The industry's response was sending out long-lasting, "classic", mostly minimal luxury pieces and more tired, repeated trends; this — in combination with the sex-sells plot issues from Dazed and Confused, V Magazine, S Magazine and everyone else — made me feel like such a tool as a fashion follower. What exactly is it that I'm a fan of here? I'm feeling like a victim being as bored as I am. Lot of mediocrity.

The flagrant days of artistic expression on the catwalks have contracted as high fashion's concern is keeping the money coming in. You've heard it over and over now: days of excess are behind us (again), and minimal's making a sensical, synchronized return and I'm, like, ...yawn.

I'm even more bored by everyone's trying to "too obviously" and "too literally" bring 'em back. For men in 2010: more single-color-toned suits, more shear, more transparent techno-fabrics, more body conscious lines, sleeveless blazers and short-shorts? More? (I know I sound like I'm hating on everything but you know, there's exceptions.) Several houses and designers like Mihara Yasuhiro have taken an approach where they make the most interesting of basic pieces with signature twists as a response to economic influence but, frankly, I hate to be reminded. (Those double-rolled... or shorts over shorts look (?) though...... !) Best attempt seemed to be "doing you" for some truly talented designers, duh. And Calvin Klein's is of course sure feeling comfortable on playing a mix of the trends and own traditionalism.

Maybe I've been following fashion long enough to predict and spot trends, have my personal aesthetic fall out of line with designers as I've matured and just become a bit jaded by the biz. The appreciable thing about the ill economy are the refresh clicks. As pressure's on business: labels/designers file for bankruptcy, heads in personnel resign, magazines go under, ad tactics change — all making room for fresh ideas, new and experimental combinations, new takes and an overall different approach to all sides of the industry.

Maybe it'll all happen for it's own good. Or maybe all this is me projecting my own personal situation in ways.. but Truth is things are always changing; we're dealing with a shock and everyone's had some lessons learned, so everyone's wants to steady the helm. Quite honestly, we've all got a part in it. Think of where you're spending, who you're supporting and improve fashion's taste factor often right where it begins: the street.

VidFlip: Vogue Hommes No. 2

2009-06-20T00:59:00.000-05:00

mondblog VidFlip: Vogue Hommes Japan No. 2 from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo.

Vogue Hommes Japan Issue No. I was no disappointment. Finishing the first flip through the premiere issue, you pretty much know it was a must-have and that you’d probably got a new favorite mag in your hands.. that you likely can’t read. The cover was so obviously foreign, so definitely refreshing and Hedi Slimane's photography, Nicola Formichetti's styling and the altogether moment in men's fashion seemed in sync with Ash in “Samurai Fiction.”

With last year's American presidential election gaining international attention and the last superpower falling into deeper debt/shit, one could’ve spotted the American trend just as Luis Venegas' decided on an all-American Electric Youth! Issue, Vogue Hommes Japan's staff drafted the The Americas issue's editorial calendar and Raf Simons sent down red, white and blue color-blocked suit.

To say the least, the issue is better than good. Department pages make references to designers like Romain Kremer, Bernhard Willhelm and Mihara Yasuhiro, and tell on Gang Gang Dance, Ricardi Tisci and American designers Tim Hamilton, Robert Geller and Patrik Ervell. Shun Watanabe styles the proclaimed "It Boys" Simon Nessman, Matvey Lykov, Jethro Cave along with, of course, one or two very exposed others and the Venetia Scott’s photography and Alister Mackie styling combination steals best editorial with simple, steel portraiture of some numb, resilient Euro-looking youth clad in — what else but — stars and stripes.

The "Go West, Young Man" ed' shot by Slimane, styled by Formichetti had its moments with Hood By Air masking and the captures of a brazen bald eagle and limp American flag waving somewhere up above. The main detraction was the modeling; it was — truthfully — awkward, amateur and came with no sense of personality. Some were, in fact, kind-of candid shots but their with all the options they had, why they had to put so many... dull, dead shots must be beyond me. It seemed the number of photos on the 28-page spread also diluted the series and elements just didn't seem to align well enough to leave too grande of an impression.

The "Generation Soul The Season 09" casting, though, was, man, so tight. Marcus Lloyd and Saleiu Jalloh from red alongside DNA's Marcel Castenmiller made a harmony in Josh Olins' studio shoot. Other models in the shoot, Shih Han, Ali Mehrabian and VNY's Robert, struck some effortless looks and poses in N.Hoolywood, Raf Simons, KTZ, Commes des Garçons Plus Homme, Damir Doma, Maison Martin Margiela, Number (N)ine and damn.. Patrik Ervell, Marc by Marc, John Lawrence Sullivan, Thom Browne.. I mean, fuck. What’s good? What’s there.

The minimal print design associated with many men's magazines isn't too exciting but still not at all offensive. Set designs by Gary Card, though, are some of the more striking visual appeals The Americas issue had to offer. The Tim Burton-inspired looking hands cradling designer scents is somewhere at the top of my list for shortest, most memorable editorials featuring zero models.

One strange, can’t help but notice promotion made its way as an editorial in Vogue Hommes Japan. My guess is Dior Homme paid for the six-page advertisement/editorial styled by Shun Watanabe and shot by Karim Sadli. The clothes looked better than ever before, and I was surprised to see something mildly hot help in heat up the issue. With sinking sales and dips in advertising, we'll likely be seeing the likes of these promotional editorials in other fashion publications. I still can’t decide if I mind. Guess not too much.

Well, check out the ‘flip and enjoy. And if someone finds the editorial feature on Raf Simons' Art List, please forward it my way. I'm missing out on so much not with Vogue Hommes Japan not knowing Japanese.

VIDFLIPS COMING SOON

2009-04-23T23:59:00.005-05:00

VidFlip: RUSSH #25

2009-04-14T17:01:00.010-05:00

mondblog VidFlip: RUSSH #25 from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo.

Heard of Russh? — the Australian monthly publication for young women, cousin to Teen Vogue and Nylon. If it were the cousin of Nylon, references to houses such as Givenchy, Balmain and Rick Owens would definitely make Paris Vogue the influential sexy, single aunt to the down under publication. A good counterpart comparison would be its the "edgier" side of a magazine like the Italian Flair publication.

The first issue of Russh I’d ever obtained was in the summer of 2007 in Los Angeles not far from the sidewalk of stars at a newsstand where the pavement was hot, the breeze was cool and trannies on the street hit on you with no shame. What first grabbed me about Russh were the several candid, backstage photos of the girls (then a lot of Lily, Sasha, Tanya, Agyness and so on) throughout the entire magazine. The girls were fresh, the tips were spot on and trendy pulled of well. This in sum with the several Australian brands unbeknownst to an American sure spiced it up.

Shopping tips on how to “pinch the look” and numerous shot-outs to its advertisers in this issue filled the issue. Brands like Willow and Kate Sylvester find themselves in several of the editorial shots while also in the thick of the ad pages. The relationship between the content and advertising was a little too obvious in this issue but every magazine has got their loyalties. In a tough time for ad sales, publications have got to give reason to advertisers to hold on tight and ride out the economic ups and downs.

Design in the magazine is simplistic, minimalistic. Just about all text is in black ink, headlines in a bold serif'd type giving it a "tabloid"-like look said friend Alexandra felt. No daring or bold designs here — no bad design either.

The editorials —highly feminine, pretty girly, you could say — are sexy and quite distinct from editorials in Nylon, Teen Vogue or Seventeen. Strange and sophisticated references in issue #25, like those of Veruschka and Syd Barrett, also help give the publication an identity perceptibly different from other teen ‘zines.

The cost of clothing pieces in the “pinch the look” department pages do make one wonder, though. Who at a young age is really affording that $110 Tigerlily zip-up-the-middle one-piece and the $400 silence is golden slashed leather top? It’s a clue the magazines aims for a diverse (yet mostly young) age demographic and for reasons of taste, it can sometimes do a magazine better.
The content inside is consistently young and fresh, just like its models and features on designers like Christopher Kane and those at Preen make for a simple, enjoyable read for those outside the young age group. If you happen to dig it, look it for out on newsstands and bookstores, it’s popularity is beginning to spread and with good reason. Just wish I’d known of the Karlie cover last issue — damn.

VidFlip: V Magazine #57

2009-04-05T12:04:00.029-05:00

mondblog VidFlip: V Magazine, Issue 57 from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo.

V's Spring Preview issue takes a step up from its predecessor. In at about the same weight as V56, what makes V57

dazzle is the delivery of Nick Night's photo shoot with Lily Donaldson held at SHOWstudio. The live photo shoot was

a thrill to watch as Donaldson struck pose after pose, leap after leap in those highly coveted heels and her Sam (McKnight) styled hair.

Visions of Donaldson wearing all Balenciaga, Lanvin, Maison Martin Margiela to that

sole Jil Sander earring, were ripped and rendered on painted cardboard sheets giving the editorial the

entrancing and complimentary contrast needed to pull of a great studio shoot. You've got to see it for yourself.

The biggest bummer of the issue is the one and only new shot of Grace Jones on the inside. Following her cover-

moment on Dazed and Confused last year, I was hoping for a gripping Grace fashion editorial but instead there were

rehashed file photos such as past promotional shots and album covers. Talk about a disappointment.

Though the strange and cinematic editorial featuring the likes of Abbey Lee, Catherine McNeil, Eniko Mihalik and Andrés

Velencoso grew on me, after an initial reaction of, What the fuck? I was stirred by the unexampled

shoot begging me to question why I did or didn't like certain photos; I liked that I was challenged — I concluded

I really was a fan of the Sebastian Faena concept shoot.

Thanks again to V for always bringing a variety of conceptions in glamour, style and grace.

What's going at Interview?

2009-04-03T13:26:00.013-05:00

The fall of the year 2008 — Interview awoke refreshed and restated as the crystal
ball of pop when one of GQ's most stylish men Glenn O'Brien and former creative
director of Vogue Paris Fabien Baron became editorial directors just as Karl Templer
had come in as new creative director for the Brant Publications magazine. Several
other changes like a new features editor and new talent director also came in and
the fruits were sweet. Their premier starred Kate Moss as covergirl, included a very
memorable Maison Martin Margiela editorial, featured Stefano Pilati and Woody Allen
interviews and came thick, perfect-bound and chock-full of ad confidence with its Prada,
Burberry, Y-3, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs, Versace, Miu Miu and other
double-page-spreads preceding department pages. It was the sexier, more fit and interesting
cousin of the American publication Vogue, and at a bargain of a new subscription price,
it was almost silly if you hadn't caught wind on the magazine's updates and subscribed.

This month: everyone expected a new look, sure not to disappoint, as the Parisian design
duo Mathias Augustyniak and Michael Amzalag compromising M/M Paris took over as creative
directors upon Fabien Baron leaving Interview with Karl Templer in this January. (Some
think control, some think sales figures — I'm hoping new magazine collaboration, though I might
be feeling a W or American Vogue mind-boggle for the fun of it.) The new look includes a 70's-inspired
title type, Zac Efron on the cover and an inside look that struggling with itself: one part of M/M Paris'
progressive, one part still the Interview we know and like — and it's underwhelming. The past two
covers featured actresses Mary-Kate Olsen and Lindsay Lohan, so the young one trend
was no surprise, but really — the future? Don't push things on us now, Interview
— you hadn't like that before. (Recent previous title lines were "It's New, Pussy!,"
"La Lohan," and simple headlines like "James Franco by Gus Van Sant."

The look would undoubtedly settle and further intrigue one would assume, their creative
direction for Vogue Paris and Purple in the past has been brilliant. But while content
continues inspiring design — there might be something to worry about if your focus is a mix
of rebranding and to selling issues as advertising is down across most markets.

What if you don't have any content? Because freelancers are going without pay?

According to a recent WWD article, contributors to Andy Warhol's Interview are claiming
e-mails and phone calls have gone unanswered regarding payments since Glenn O'Brien
and Fabien Baron's takeover, leaving writers in the dark about their pay in bleak times.
Referring to a thread on the discussion boards of mediabistro.com titled "Interview
Magazine = “not paying right now,” WWD reports one user's comment: “As of today [Feb. 11],
I checked my invoice status with them and was told ‘funds are tight’ and that all the
writers will be paid, but ‘not right now," posted herecomestheend.

The following are a list of good points made in the thread but not published in the WWD article:

wordy-guy: "Interview is notoriously slow in paying their work for hire people.
However, having been through the remuneration routine many times with the
magazine myself, I would advise you not to fret too much. True, times are
tough and the bosses are well paid, but Interview's circulation is higher than ever,
and nothing I have seen indicatesthey are close to going out of business. Every
time I work for Interview, it takes longer than I think it should to get paid, and
the payroll department never seems to have any sense of urgency about the issue."

RockinRonD: "DO NOT succumb to Interview's heinous payment policies simply because it's Interview."

Contributor herecomestheend: "I don't want to fracture my relations with the
publication, but I certainly won't work for free. I'll keep checking in. As well as
talking to other freelancers for the magazine to encourage them to bitch about it,
as well."

mel79: "'I'd reply to their "not right now" email with a firm reminder of the
payment terms of your contract and a not-so- subtle hint that you intend
to be a squeaky wheel."

But things since then seem to be changing as writer Nina Green took advice
from the forum, then soon got her pay: "I took [the] advice and wrote a letter to the
Chief Financial Officer Deborah Belucci at Interview, and I picked-up my
check today."

Interview's negotiations and writer transactions have made a theatre in the pop
culture mag-Media circles, and one would hope no one begs for a Zac Efron-encore
but we've definitely subscribed in for the exciting and surprising year for Interview,
that's for sure.

Raise your hand if you're interested in Interview VidFlips.

VidFlip: POP, Winter 2009

2009-03-26T00:29:00.019-05:00

mondblog VidFlip: POP Winter '09 from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo

It's buh-bye to winter, what's up to spring — I had second thoughts about posting one more winter issue or starting off

the season with spring, but Katie Grand's last issue at POP should be shared with everyone. It makes for a smooth

transition as the winter issue features spring collections from Junya Watanabe and Giles Deacon.

Nevermind the Drew Barrymore cover. (I guess?)

Katie Grand gives the Giles' luke-warm SS/09 collection a styling (on Jessica Stam, Magdalena Frackowiak and

others) that's had me take a second, third and fourth look at the collection. Paper shirts and paper skirts? I

can almost hear the crunch, the crinkle, and I like it.

I can't not mention the sick job Natasha Vojnovic pulling a Bowie wearing only the Dolce and Gabbana cruise

collection. Katie Grande does it again. But it's the last time she does it for POP. Grand now moves on as editor-in-

chief of the new "edgy," unlike-the-rest Condé Naste publication titled "LOVE." The jump-off icon issue blazes a

nude Beth Ditto shot by Mert & Marcus with an art aesthetic certainly relatable to POP.

But POP isn't going anywhere. “We are working hard on a complete revamp of the magazine to provide a broader

point of view, focusing also on art, contemporary culture and the globalization of all things Pop related,” the new

editor-in-chief Dasha Zhukova told WWD. And so expect a big turn with the 21st issue of POP as her friend and new

artistic director Olympia Scarry will help to "stamp" a re-invented identity to the 8-year old London glossy. Will it be

fit or will it just flop — we won't find out for another five months...

The Man of 2009

2009-03-03T23:54:00.019-06:00

The economy’s stalled but menswear clothing still finds itself in forward fashion — still adapting, still surprising — much unlike the winter womenswear collections of the new season.

For 2009’s spring, Bernhard Willhelm showcases a collection dressing men for our much needed renaissance. Willhelm does a do up in menswear vocabulary, introducing doublets and jerkins paired with voluminous bloussoned shorts cinching at the leg, flowing from the waist — all topped off with those every-season-must-have Willhelm leather high-top sneakers. It’s an MC Solaar bumpin’ Shakespeare clad for an anonymous sex club romp. He’s got his going-out-underwear underneath it all and while you can tease his dress, he doesn’t really give a fuck because no other man comprehends the more fluid erotic economies of when people’s professional lives are in the slumps.

One of the more notable rebirths of the fall/winter season came in a different way. At the Missoni Homme label designs and styling were modernized for a look reliant on its signature knitwear, but styled for a much more mysterious Missoni man. If the previous seasons were a bit unsexy, this time bikers boots, peeping thumbs, soft-layered pieces and slim trousers could make no one resist. In combination with hypnotic, abstract and fractured deep blues and reds, olive green and browns — the collection made for a hard, confident, young man you want to unwrap and have on your side when all the shit goes down. The Missoni man looks new, cool, calm and confident — for forever. Favorite piece had to be those slightly distressed, deep but bright blue jeans with a slight shine under the catwalk lights.

While some shed skin, others armored to weather through the worst — as they did at Prada.
Miuccia Prada suited for man for the dark, stark winter for the near future. While the previous fall/collection connected the fragility of the male identity with his attire, this season’s toughened to roughen aesthetic includes leather stud-adorned pants, shirts, jackets, shoes. One of the subtler and more arresting pieces was the black leather headband with chain-linked studded tassels suited for some fearless feat by the Prada outsider. Call it “dark,” call it “edgy,” but not at all “gawthic.”

Much of the same concepts of strength, protection and survival were found in the young Londoner Gareth Pugh’s collection. Pugh never fails to test the conventionalism of wearability as if to beg, don’t stop dreaming! Through the nightmares reaching the bright side — while others designers focused on how to sell — Gareth dressed the more intrepid, imaginative hero you know parties from London to New York, Tokyo and then back. High shoulders, signature patent leather patterns, prickly-coated coats and sharp angles (done better than Dior Homme) enveloped the risen dead characters of our buoyant hopes.
We might suffer now, but the growing pains come with devoted development. Less work, less money — yes — but what fruits could be a healthy change for many.

“In the 19th century, leisure was seen to be the place where we would realize our humanity, where we could come into our own,” said Benjamin Kline Hunnicutt, a Professor of Leisure Studies at the University of Iowa. “Now, leisure is suspect. It becomes suspect after the Great Depression after the Second World War,” wrote Shaila Dewan in a The New York TImes article titled “Will Furloughs Change America’s Workaholic Culture?”

Hunnicut goes on to explain that leisure time in our societies are seen as a “woman’s domain,” because handling a 40+ hour week is what a real man does. Pff. Men tend to believe “…if you don’t center your life on a job, you can’t lay claim to your masculinity,” claims Professor Hunnicut.

So that lost masculinity might be what's up with skirts catching on in the runway... and high heels on the streets. As long as its something different from the now, something somewhat new.. we're dying to have it.

RAF SIMONS FW0910

2009-03-03T22:22:00.000-06:00

VidFlip: 10 MEN, Issue 16

2009-03-02T17:30:00.001-06:00

MONDBLOG VidFlip: 10 MEN, Issue 16 from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo.

10 Men improves issue by issue, keeping design and topics fresh and creative. The publication's updated their
web site to include TEN TV, a TEN blog, a showcase of all past covers and, of course, those nasty little rumours they drop. The
cover designs alter slightly about every year, which I like, because the magazine has been evolving, improving at a great pace.
The in-house writings are sometimes a little too much of that cheeky English humor for my friends and I (in America), and while
the all-Givenchy editorial is appropos, the all-Prada feature made the styling of the shoot TOO easy; we don't need to see what
we saw come off the runway again. We want you to refresh us with looks we might have not imagined. But, feature topics are what
you should be on top with if you wish to the happenings around modern menswear. I'll def be looking forward to issue 17,
my 10th issue, which has just begun to hit the shelves.

VidFlip: Zoo Magazine #21

2009-02-20T02:14:00.001-06:00

VidFlip: Zoo Magazine, #21 from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo.

This will be a memorable one.
The issue's so thick it jostled all over the place.


Wearing a dress from the Maison Martin Margiela Artisan collection, Alana Zimmerman
gasps at the state of fashion as people grasp on the fact there are certain things people can
and can't afford. Now feel the hangover, people.

Read about the "troubling" signs around the mens and womenswear shows in New York
from [again] The New York Times. Guy Trebay's detais in his diary on what he describes as the
"artifical urgency" and the recession's effects on New York Fashion Week here.

For my Austrian party people:

2009-02-12T11:30:00.002-06:00

Can't attend? Still — check out one of the few stores whose stock I've always got my eye on.

My bet is that visiting the store might be an experience worth telling. So if you go, let us know!

The taste is impeccable at PARK.

VidFlip: i-D magazine, The Beautiful Issue

2009-02-10T10:12:00.001-06:00

MONDBLOG VidFlip: i-D, The Beautiful Issue from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo.


i-D is onto the track with cover girl Eniko Mihalik gracing 2009's first issue — The Beautiful Issue.
While the month of January is over, you've got to still have a glance at the fresh-faced models and striking SS09 clothing stuffed inside:
Gareth Pugh, Raf Simons, Chanel, Maison Martin Margiela, Fendi and more more more.  

Chuckling, Calvin Klein bearing cover boy Boyd Holbrook and a nude Anne Vyalitsyna make an annual February men's issue
I hope to be delivering to you soon. So stay tuned — next VidFlip is with the one and only German Zoo Magazine with Alana
Zimmer on the cover, Ash and Cole on the inside.

It's all ready to go; also coming are new issues of Pop and V — it's just that Vimeo allows one HD upload per week.
Maybe somebody'll gift me Vimeo Plus for V-Day? Maybe not, also.

It's a Make or Break Season, says The New York Times

2009-02-06T00:17:00.000-06:00

Learn about how McDonald's is helping make Duckie Brown's upcoming fashion show possible from The New York Times..

Eric Wilson's "The Make or Break Season" article for The Times' spades into how
the age of the young designer may be coming to a close due to the recent economic downturn.

I apologize for bringing up the subject of $$$ and the recession repeatedly — but it's real, people, shit's
fucked up all around everyone. I don't really care if what I say sounds cliché. And more people will
continue to lose their jobs and no one really knows when it might get better, so watch your money,
know who you're supporting. It matters.

VidFlip: V Magazine #56

2009-02-02T16:00:00.001-06:00

MONDBLOG VidFlip: V Magazine #56 from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo.

When I first caught site of the cover of the recent V issue I was honestly a bit confused. The site of Beyoncé Knowles,
or Sasha Fierce — I get confused, had a very sobering effect on me unlike the fourteen intoxicating covers hailing Daria
Werbowy, Lara Stone, Naomi Campbell, Eniko Mahlik and other new and fav faces.

And you would've thought that a cover star like Beyoncé would've at least fattened up the issue (she was making Coco dance
in Home Depot instead), but the spring preview just about matched my last year's butt-bearing Giselle fall preview
issue — which, may I mention — marked another time V Magazine shrunk its height (but hey, dropped the price!).
Advertising is down in the many media mediums so my guess was fashion magazines might have to sell more sex, generate
more gasps and tactfully find a way to appeal to a more financially conscious consumer. Ads, a main staple in any fashion magazine's identity,
were a bit lackluster. Neither Chanel or Prada sought to buying one of the opening ad spreads. Nor are Dior
or Givenchy ads anywhere to be found. They were maybe waiting to buy the space in the just out spring issue with
cover star Grace Jones. (Soon to come!)

How V went at it this issue was with a lead Steven Miesel editorial titled "Dogging" — British slang for doing the dirty
in public — whose styling and modeling performances were muted by the raunch and night-vision photo treatment. It can
get your attention at times, but its sometimes hard to focus on the clothes or appreciate their colors, textures and the
overall luxury of the high-price fashion mixed in with brands Ksubi, Converse and Diesel . Still, the editorial begged to question:
how far is too far; is blatant, nana-peaking leg spreading the en vogue or am I all of a sudden out of touch? It's a good question. My friend Samantha and I conclude
it's all really based on the taste level. This one's taste — well, I wouldn't want to yuck your yum so I'll let you decide.
The photos to me are what might be if Ryan McGinley chose the spots for the party moments of
Paris Hilton and Britney Spears to evolve and never cease. When you reach the last page of it, you're not begging for too much more.
Still, the issue comes with some great shots with Kim Noorda, Heidi Mount, Lakshmi Menon
and an articles on the openly transgendered fashion model Teri Toye. You've got to check it our for
yourself. VidFlip and enjoy. (And don't forget you can head over to my Vimeo and watch it in much higher definition!)

VidFlip: Arena Homme + WINTER/SPRING 09

2009-01-22T11:54:00.000-06:00

Arena Homme + WINTER/SPRING 09 from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo.

I apologize for the lack of updates — I'll be posting more VidFlips during busy times hoping you may forgive me..

I'm a little hard on myself so I'll try to do what appeases you all.

This season's Arena Homme + sells the sex in a time where hardly anything else is selling. You can judge it for yourself. The Arena Homme + is thick — but that's not the case for the latest issues of Dazed & Confused, Interview, Details and i-D.

Magazines are thinning up due to the downturn in advertising but I hope the issue causes publications step it up if they expect anyone to be snagging issues off the newstands. Raunchy issue of V Magazine coming to VidFlip coming up; we all need some more inspiring women's fashion 'round here. So stay tuned!

Sale Rec: Boutique Reborn's 50% Off

2009-01-12T22:06:00.000-06:00

BOUTIQUE REBORN

Meet a Model: Ashley StymestVidflip: Vogue Hommes International

2009-01-05T02:11:00.002-06:00

You're likely to know a thing or two about Ash Stymest of MODELS 1. Since in demand by Hedi Slimane himself, Stymest has quickly since then made rounds through big British mags: i-D, Dazed and Confused to Arena Homme Plus, Another Man; become cover star of Electric Youth!, Vogue Hommes Japan's premiere issue and was one of the first and few males to walk Balenciaga menswear down the runway of the SS09 show. Stymest comes in after the established edgy, tattooed, guy-you-might-know aesthetic worn down by the very-exposed Josh Beech and Cole Mohr. None of that takes away from the Brit's look or skill. I'd almost venture out to say Stymest does a thing or two better than Mohr or Beech but ultimately it's hard to compare any two models when the variables of photographers, creative directors and others on set are taken into consideration. I hate to even lump all these individuals in one post out of my respect for their work but it is undeniable that their appeal to the school-gate fetished menswear scene 10 MEN'S Claudia Croft claims has helped "[relegate] all other aesthetics to cheese-ball status" in the BOYS TO MEN article of issue 16.

More is left to be said about these lean, lanky, pale with the promise of youth look on today's runways. Croft claims these "skinny boys" with the "aching romance, unrequited lust and fumbling experience of a teenager" have got their days tallied because they lack "the one thing we all need right now": confidence. The world's muddled politicians, global economic instability in this "post-boom" era call a crave to something "tougher," "more resilient," and "more optimistic," claims Croft. It seems the 10 MEN's office has got a big hankering for the muscle-y men types that I've got nothing against, but what I do have is a problem with Croft's argument.

Call it confidence out of naïveté, but its still confidence. Part of Ash's charm, I believe, is the fact he's got a look that LOOKS like he's just been plucked out of southeast London. He skates, he bikes, he plays drums — tell me if that's doesn't carry the confidence of youth people would love to escape to.
Maybe I could relate to Ash better than Claudia Croft, therefore like him better, because of my own age and interests.. or maybe she’s more vexed by the "Bambi-eyed boys" donning swimwear as oppose to her "honed hunks" than I really know. But I do know that she’s really making it seem as if the 10 MEN mag crew are the ones you fear leering at you in the gym.

For now — check out the interview with model cohort Tyler Riggs at Pony Ryder, check out the Ash and Eliza Show Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 and enjoy this VidFlip of the premiere issue of Vogue Hommes Japan. It includes photography by Hedi Slimane, Sølve Sundsø, Daniel Sannwald, Nan Goldin, styling by Nicola Formichetti, Shun Watanable and work by many other talents that helped make the premiere issue a must-have. I was (so) lucky enough to get it as a birthday gift.

VidFlip: Vogue Hommes Japan, Issue 1 from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo.

VidFlip: L'Officiel Hommes, Issue 12

2008-12-22T00:20:00.002-06:00

L'OFFICIEL HOMMES, Issue 12 from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo.

While not totally new, I found L'Officiel's issue 12 to be relevant enough (and certainly good enough) to wrap up the sportswear theme. Most of the magazine comes shot and styled by former Jil Sander designer Milan Vukmirovic, with the exception of the Moto Cross editorial shot by Nick Clements. Some of the visuals tend to be more literal of the sport sense but all inspiring, nonetheless. Enjoy.

Shopping is a Sport

2008-12-17T01:09:00.000-06:00

Check out the pieces — buy one, some or none.

More importantly, become inspired.

Complex Geometries Sad Rainbow Sweatshirt, $139 @ CG webstore

Marjan Pejoski leggings, 29,500kr (Icelandic) @ Kron Kron

Balenciaga knit dress, £440 @ Browns Fashion

Henrik Vibskov drop crotch jersey sweatpants, $249 @ Boutique Reborn

Football leggings, $62 @ The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

YMC wrestling boot tennis shoes, $60 @ Gargyle

Bless baseball cap with attached scarf/hood, $499 @ Boutique Reborn

Kokon To Zai embroidered track pants, $289 @ Farfetch

Miu Miu sequined bomber jacket, $3,135 @ Net-A-Porter

Miu Miu over the knee socks, $289 @ Net-A-Porter

Fad-3 shirt, ¥15,750 @ Alley Company

Antipodium hole-in-one bodysuit, $139 @ MyCatwalk

La March Merveille green jeans, ¥15,000 @ Alley Company

Where Sports Meets Fashion

2008-12-13T14:18:00.000-06:00

The blatant sportswear influence in Miuccia Prada's Miu Miu FW0809 collection — color-blocked jumpsuits, long-sleeve netted onesies and track jackets worn with cone-shaped heels and bright skullcaps — made some mixed reactions amongst friends and peers in the "fashion community," but I knew Miuccia's athletic expression in the hardly wearable clothes would serve as inspiration to me and many others.

The influence in design and function of sport is actually quite pragmatic and refreshing, two elements I'd believe to be necessary for selling clothes at a time when 1) economy's in the dump and 2) retail sales are down, way down. And while maybe none of the aforementioned designers' collections are exactly

"wearable," looks from designers like Raf Simons sleek, slim silhouettes for men, Balenciaga's austere, architectural forms and Undercover's spacey, tailored outerwear could be, has been, styled in sporty fashion in magazines. The look is more than believable, it's a reality. A sexy one at that.

And thank be to independent designers like Romain Kremer and Louis Goldin who on their own have integrated the aesthetics of sport making the surreal sleek linebacker-chic a reality on the runway. In them lies fashion's actual optimism; their exploratory trips on what's possible and "impossible" makes dreams played out in editorials and from your closets onto the streets.

Maybe you buy this, maybe you don't, but this is the first set of three posts dedicated to you finding an inspiration, or at least appreciation, for what's sporty in fashion. On the next update, find store items — new, vintage, slightly pricey and those comparatively cheap — from a list of international shipping stores.

There's so much to look to!

Ad Review: Wrangler "We Are Animals" by Ryan McGinley

2008-11-30T00:40:00.000-06:00

The reviews have remained mix but what's your ultimate opinion on the campaign as the season runs its end?

Would you, do you, why wouldn't you — wear Wranglers? Did the ad speak to you at all? Was it just the McGinley name?

Shop the American brand Wrangler alongside names like Cheap Monday, Religion and Dsquared at HouseRocker.com.

And did the model's stare in the first photo make you think Lara Stone? Yeah, me too.

photos courtesy of adsoftheworld

The Year's Wrapping Up

2008-11-28T02:08:00.000-06:00

VidFlip: Oak Zine Issue 2

2008-11-16T18:13:00.000-06:00

VidFlip: Oakzine Issue 2 from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo.


Flipping through my friend Jessica's latest Gap Press Milan/New York SS09 prêt-à-porter issue,
I found OAK (alongside Aloha Rag) featured for their choice store stocks of designer clothing.
Since late last year the New York shop has been putting together a publication titled Oakzine,
whose goal is to "create an inspiration collective of fashion, art and music" by "represent[ing]
these elements through [their] visual vocabulary."

While my other friend Alexandra was in New York some several weeks back, she brought back
issue 2 of Oakzine. So I share it with you.

There's a couple few hours left in Oak's outerwear sale but otherwise, they've fall collection
items at 20-30% off. Not to mention their warehouse items at 75%.
The new Alexander Wang resort and Bernhard Willhelm collections have just recently arrived and Oak
has just re-stocked on Complex Geometries FW0809, so feel free to check them out yourself the
'site: oaknyc.com.

About Complex Geometries Video, plus interview with designer Clayton Evans

2008-11-13T11:23:00.001-06:00

About a Label: Complex Geometries from Raymond Navarro on Vimeo.

Light, easy to move designs with versatility in mind stay quite well defines the Complex Geometries aesthetic.
The collection “inspired by the culture of mobility, exploring the pragmatics and aesthetics of travel” has pieces
ranging from draped, dyed tees and dresses to scarfed-tops and hooded jackets. They’ve just recently put up
their SS09 collection up on their website, so you can check it out for yourself. Photos accompanied with a short
video by Jason Last featuring the soon-to-come collection shows off the springwear pretty damn well. With the
help of friendly Adam DeKeyser at CG, I was able to get some questions to the designer Clayton Evans about the
FW0809 collection, his latest SS09 collection and the direction of Complex Geometries.

Tell us about the inspiration behind the collection.
The theme for fall was “Sex of the Ancients”. To be honest, the title came first and we TRIED to
figure out what it meant. So we pulled in all sorts of elements relating to sex and gender in the past.

There seemed to bit an element of bondage and "binding" along with
traditional Japanese costumesilhouettes;is this fair to say?
The binding and bondage elements are related to the sexual theme, in probably the most literal way.
The Japanese elements are more removed from their origin, referencing other styles that
reference Japanese silhouettes. Kind of like the game “Broken Telephone” where you whisper
something to the person next to you and they pass it down the line until the final message has nothing to
do with the original.

It seems you've got a much larger collection this coming spring. How has the
process of making a collectionbecome more efficient over the last couple years?
Well, it definitely gets easier as the style because more and more defined. And having a great team helps
things to get done faster (and better and more creatively). We also reissued a dozen of the strongest unisex t-shirt
styles from previous collections.

Are there any prospects of CG expanding the line to include — to say, shoes, underwear or denim?
Shoes, yes. Very soon, we hope. That's always a problem when we come to the end of the collection and realize
that we just can't find the footwear that adds the "write" [or right] punctuation to the statement. There's often denim
in the collection, but I don't think we'd ever do a “denim collection” per se. When we use denim, its for a specific reason,
not just to fit into a defined market. And underwear, its possible. I'm more interested in the way people use their clothing
to communicate, and underwear doesn't really communicate much except in intimate circumstances. If we were exploring
that kind of communication in a collection, we'd try a few pieces, but not just as a way to pump up sales

There's a much-flattering juxtaposition between pieces the SS09 collection involving
fabrics,fits and color. What can you tell about the fabrics used?
We try to balance every element in a collection. So, for every smooth and shiny surface, we try to have
a soft and rumpled one to contrast. There are garment dyed cotton jerseys, PU coated linens, washed
silks and shiny nylons.

Are there any traditions when it comes to the ethic of Complex Geometries design?
Lots of playing around. When we make a sample, we try it on every way we possibly can. Its that kind of experimentation
that leads to new ideas.

Is there anything you could tell us about the audience(s) you try to reach? Is there a person,
or persons, CG has in mind when designing?
No, not really. Diversity is what we aspire to.

How much direct response to you get about your clothing and designs from buyers? Have there been any notable
compliments and/or clues recently that what you're doing is "right" — "with-it," yet still forward?
Sales certainly are the most notable compliments. You know you're doing something right when fashionable consumers are still
excitedto buy the same styles season after season. It was new enough to catch their attention and strong enough to maintain it.

Watch a LIVE photoshoot!

2008-11-09T21:46:00.000-06:00

World-renowned photographer Nick Knight photographs model Lily Donaldson
wearing the big house names, styled by Jonathan Kaye. See untouched
photos mere moments after the shutter sounds, then wait to see what makes it in
V Magazine's January/February issue.

The photoshoot starts at 11 am, UK time. Goes on for days.
Learn more about the  shoot brought to you by SHOWstudio at their blog.

UPDATE: They've uploaded highlights!

On Tour: CLEMENS en AUGUST

2008-11-04T17:15:00.000-06:00

A sleek, stury postcard invite tells me the Clemens en August tour arrived today at the Chelsea Art Museum in New York.
The German label wins our attention is the sell ethic of the designer Alexander Brenninkmeijer; 
for the past few years, Brenninkmeijer has only sold the line in museums and art galleries around
the world,  for a few days at a time. With the valued customer in mind, he manages
to cut the middleman to save buyers big dollars; "I thought it would be a good idea to go
on tour so we would be able to cut out that high retail margin," Brenninkmeijer told the New York
Times. With limited availability, short show stints in selective metropolitan areas — if its possible
for you can attend the Clemens en August tour, you  most definitely should. If not to buy or
window shop, one should support the very idea of collections on tour. Imagine your favorite
designers touring the world, bring their collection directly in front of your eyes.

See where the Clemens en August show moves to next at the Clemens en August site.

And please tell — who would you ideally to see on tour?

And it is me, or is the dude-model on the Clemens en August site stoned or something?


source info: nytimes, front row

Store Spotlight: Ashtray (w/ Interview!)

2008-10-30T15:40:00.000-05:00


ASHTRAY, a clothing store based in Orebro, Sweden, blends independent designers
with larger brands to get a electic and “rousing” collection. The store’s goal is to
“create a venue for people with a genuine interest in clothes,” which I believe they’ve
already accomplished.
ASHTRAY carries some of the latest, most praise-worthy collections from Swedish designers
and has aspirations of carrying more international brands in the seasons to come. If
shipping costs ever strained your thoughts on purchases from abroad, ASHTRAY offers
free shipping worldwide and is tax-free to EU customers. Unheard of if you ask me.

The team at ASHTRAY was cool enough to reply to a few questions via e-mail so be
sure to at least check ‘em out at ashtray.se.

How many people make the ASHTRAY family and how long has it been around?

We are four persons behind ASHTRAY. We started up with two when we started up the

store November 2007. Our online shop was released in February 2008.

What's been the most positive aspect of change at Ashtray since opening?

When we first opened up our online shop, the majority of our customers were from

Denmark and Sweden. Today, people from all over the world shop at ASHTRAY,

which is very positive.

Tell some thing about your customers.

While most of our customers are aware of designers’ background, some shop here

pretty much because they like to buy good-looking clothes. It is the shoppers who

are interested in knowing the "story" behind the clothes really inspire us.

Who in the fashion industry might you all find particularly inspiring?

There are a few names out there. Besides our labels, there are brands like BLESS,

Giuliano Fujiwara, Number Nine, Rick Owens, Damir Doma and Patrik Soderstam

(to name a few.)

Does the store have any projects in the work? Any parties or collaborations?

Yes, we’re working on some projects right now but we can’t reveal any details at

this stage. We’ve done collaboration with art galleries, agencies and some

designers in the past, which we hope to see more of in the future. The store is

just a small part of the ASHTRAY company.

Your store “editorial” shoot was executed pretty well. Tell us about that.

The editorial was a fun project that we did the last second with some of our

friends, actually. We plan to shoot some new photos soon, which will be up in December.

Are there any prospects of an ASHTRAY clothing line?

No.

Are there any magazines you have placed around the store\?

We have Livraison mag and fanzines from Cederteg Publishing. There are also some

magazines in our ground store, which we unfortunately don’t display, online but we’ll

probably extend our magazine selection next season, online and in-store.

What new lines have you picked up? What’s coming in the future?

Our latest received designers lines are HEDERUS, The Local Firm and So Last Season.

We’re in fact the only retailer chosen to distribute So Last Season. In the future we hope

to offer more international designers.

And what's the most surprising place you've ever had to ship an item?

It was to Macau, which is a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China.

Macau is located 65 kilometers west of Hong Kong and is commonly known as

“Asia’s Las Vegas.” We had never heard of Macau before that, and had to “Google” it to get

to know where it was located.

The item shipped was an A Bug Collection tee, whose shipping costs matched the tee cost.

Not a good bargain for us, but it was a fun surprise to have a customer from Macau — a place

that we didn’t know existed.

photographer: emma arvida byström

stylist: ylva fred

make-up: fanny sandberg

models:

rasmus/kid of tomorrow, eddie/kid of tomorrow, olivia/mikas, david , miranda, einar

Bblessing 1-Day Halloween Sale, 30th of October

2008-10-29T17:20:00.000-05:00

Best sale I've seen around — 30% off Bblessing's entire winter collection this Thursday, October 30, in-store only. From 1 to 10pm, find Raf Simons, Patrik Ervell, Rag & Bone, Surface to Air, the in-house Bblessing brand and more at great discounts at Bblessing's 181 Orchard St. (NYC) location.
Can't make it? Shop the collection (without the discount, sadly) at bblessing.com.

VidFlip: 10 MEN

2008-10-23T15:52:00.000-05:00

WATCH THE HI-QUALITY VIDEO HERE (HERE)

Shapes & Forms

2008-10-21T00:02:00.000-05:00

From hats, belts, skirts and coats… Shoes, vests, pants...

and did you see those Louis Vuitton curved hairpieces?

Every piece of clothing has taken new and odd shapes this fall/winter season.

The truth is, the aspect in design for these striking, sometimes odd,

garments is always 'round; it’s just fun to focus on the scores of forms,

figures and silhouettes here and now.

And les’ not forget, one of the main forms for the fall was the “nude”

body itself. Bodysuits and comparable tight-figured silhouettes

ruled both the men and women’s runways for the current season.

You can’t not find a field to play in all the choices of sexy, playful,

exaggerative or structured forms all out there.

Meet a Model: Flo Gennaro

2008-10-05T23:54:00.001-05:00

Flo Gennaro's is everywhere she should be before people start dropping her name like its Alyona or Iekeliene. The Supreme Model Management star has got some South American brand name deals under her belt, and also a new cover shot on Qvest. She was shot for TopShop alongside Iekeliene Stange and Egle Tvirbutaite by Emma Summerton earlier this year and her photos have made their way into fashion mags Amica and V.
Don't get us started on the number of big shows she's walked within the past year (Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Louise Goldin, Ann Demeulemeester...) because you'll feel you should've seen this rising star coming long before. (She's been on V's radar for a while!)
Find her photos on style.com: here.

M-M-MMMargiela

2008-10-03T01:00:00.000-05:00

A fellow fashion follower expressed about the this year’s Maison Martin Margiela fall collection with two words and one grimaced face: “It’s ugly,” she said. And while you could argue it is… “ugly,” its disputable that this same ugliness is just the right ugly we need in fashion. The designs are conceptual, dramatic, unforgettable and undeniably fresh — is that not what makes most collections successful?

Designer Martin Margiela preps us with a vision we’d probably start getting used to now, so 15 years down the line we’re comfortable with idea of wigs on our shoulders, body conscious nude bodysuits and plastic-bag bathing suits, because it’ll probably take that long for the mainstream to get pick up the fashion concepts. Today’s ragged and unfinished works can find trail sources of inspiration to 80s Margiela collections; who knows, we might owe the inspiration behind body conscious, architecturally protective wear of the future to today’s Margiela collections.

This Monday marked the 20th anniversary of the Margiela house, started up by the then 31-year old, former Jean Paul Gaultier assistant, Belgian designer of the Antwerp 6 Martin Margiela — that doesn’t mean there’s any planned celebration, though. In fact, there’s been a lot of recent chatter about Margiela actually planning his leave of the house. The New York Times article, "Fashion's Invisible Man," delves into the elusive Mr. Margiela’s actual role at MMM and troubles with creative control.

Shop MMM men and womenswear at Browns, Net-A-Porter and The Corner.

Let's Trip/Shop!

2008-09-30T21:23:00.000-05:00

New seasons, new shipments and a few newly introduced stores.

North, South, Western or Eastern hemisphere?

Noooo mattterrrr, we got you covered with finding all the right designers, labels and brands everywhere.

Dunderdon Vendela flannel jacket $219
Nicholas Morley Last Tribe skirt $233
Orphan light denim Jodhpurs $189

Marjan Pejoski black leather studded jacket 123,900 Kr
Eley Kishimoto zoom-plaid mohair coat 93,900 Kr
Siv Støldal "High Visibility" reflective cardigan 16,900 Kr

Jil Sander marble hooded jacket £779
Rick owens leather funnel jacket £1525
Satyenkumar contrast shirt £195Bernhard Willhelm for Linda Farrow facemask sunglasses £75
Maison Martin Margiela sci-fi sunglasses £275

Kornerd button boatneck jumper AUD$220
Maise black 'Texas' dress AUD$310

April 77 Torpedo 'Apollo Program' shirt ￥10,500
John Lawrence Sullivan glossy coated denim jeans ￥33,600
Cheap Monday 'Sport' denim track pants ￥8,400

VidFlip Episode IV: V Man

2008-09-18T23:44:00.000-05:00

VMAN goes quarterly with their 11th issue this fall. Hedi Slimane shoots VMAN

Ford's model search winner Petey Wright (styled by Nicola Formichetti) for the

cover of the international mag. Five years after its inception, VMAN's delivers a

solid issue featuring faces Simon Nessman, Lucien Thompkins, Andrés Velencoso,

presenting clothing from this fall's Comme Des Garçons, Prada, Dior Homme,

Raf Simons and an ed shot by Karl Lagerfield, styled by Gareth Pugh. And for sure

chill with with cover star (and professional wrestler) Petey Wright at models.com

before or after you check out VMAN.com.

Store Spotlight: b STORE London

2008-09-11T09:32:00.000-05:00

b STORE — awarded ‘Shop of the Year’ at the British Fashion Awards — is an independent boutique stocking designs for a customer base that “prefers the idea and subtlety of emerging fashion,” rather than big labels, houses and brands. Located in Savile, this boutique with “old skool service” with a “congenial environment” carries their own line of clothing and footwear alongside names like Bernhard Wilhelm, Damir Doma, Ute Ploier, Siv Stodal and Bless.

opening ceremony sheepskin wedge £219
rosie 2 black and blue heel £189
bliss 3 patent leather slips £169
ute ploier physical oversized knit £315
ute ploier power knitted hood £125
xtra-long nylon baracuda bomber £245
green checkered biker zip jacket £215

Giving You Face

2008-09-05T20:33:00.000-05:00

Accessories designer Solomon Chase and American artist David Toro have teamed up diversify the fahttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifces of all you know with their aptly titled project named “FACE.” The project seeks to explore temporary facial adornment as “practical accessories and self-expression,” say David and Solomon. The two seek to transform what they consider “the most important part of our outer selves” in ways not possible with “makeup or even cosmetic surgery,” say D&S.
Bindis with random patterns, images, smiley faces and even hair along with glow-in-the-dark eyebrows are unlike any collection of any sort. The appropriation of the bindi as a fashion accessory takes me back to the keffiyeh sometime last year, which was found politically controversial by some... (...mostly the same pundits who criticized Rachel Rayfor for wearing one in a Dunkin Donuts commercial.)
But if you want to take it there, what’s your take on the appropriation of cultural artifacts? I figure it's something like someone wearing a Television t-shirt and having never heard the band to some people, right?

To learn more about FACE, read an interview with Solomon Chase and David Toro at dazeddigital.com. Visit faceprojects to see more work from Chase and Toro.

Comme Collaborating

2008-09-03T00:22:00.000-05:00

Moving from one collaboration to another — today Louis Vuitton will unveil a collection of leather accessories designed by Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons in the three-month LV/CDG combo store located in Tokyo’s Aoyama high-fashion shopping district. The occasion celebrates 30 years of LV in Japan, according to WWD.

The partnership came to light after conversation between Jacobs and Adrian Joffe, Kawakubo’s husband, and president of Comme des Garçons International according to reports. Marc Jacobs, artistic director of Louis Vuitton, admires the Japanese label and is wholehearted on the joint venture with CDG, chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton Yves Carcelle told The Moment.

Kawakubo described her designs as ‘party’ bags to the NYT: a monogram bags — one with multiple slender handles, a Papillon bags with animal-shaped charms dangling on, two small evening purses with long leather handles, and two tweaked iconic LV designs from the ‘70s — the Petit Marceau and the Sac 2 Poches — nostalgic references to the bags on display when Vuitton first opened up in Japan.

In a prepared statement released to the NYT, Jacobs said, “I find it wonderful to think that 30 years ago, this immense talent, someone who has inspired so many others, was inspired by Louis Vuitton.”

This, of course, isn’t the only European collaboration CDG has aligned with this coming season — the worldwide Swedish fashion line H&M will debut the fruit of an affair to remember this 13th of November.
The men and women’s collection is “pure Comme des Garçons,” Kawakubo told W Magazine.

Comme des Garçons — meaning “like boy” — offers a “mostly black and with Japanese tomboy airs,” that includes “a range of tailored jackets, many deconstructed, along with cropped pants, baggy shorts and a variety of skirts in stretch wool,” reports W. Polkadot and color-blocked shirts for men and a “showpiece” dress with “dense Victorian ruffles,” altogether with a unisex scent completes a cohesive collection that’ll be sure to have people lining up outside the stores… to auction it on eBay for those of us with no H&M in close proximity. All good!
Nonetheless, Comme Des Garçons broadens horizons amongst fashion fan demographics this fall and share promise for more surprises in the label’s 40th anniversary in 2009.

(I've come to find many of H&M's images have been requested blogs to remove collection photos. Check out their website to scope 'em out. Or look the collection up at Selectivism.)

Looking Forward To:Lanvin x Acne Capsule Collection

2008-08-31T16:49:00.000-05:00

Alber Elbaz, collaborating with the Swedish design firm ACNE (Ambition to Create Novel Expressions) on a 28-piece denim collection, sought to “go back to a product that has a dream to it,” he’d told The Daily. The head designer at Lanvin wanted to craft “desirable denim, from raincoats, tuxedos, corsets, and shrugs,” he explained to style.com in Paris at the Blue Soirée in the Hôtel de Crillon salon, where London DJ team Horse Meat Disco spun some tunes for the transvestites, Parisian A-listers, models and more gathered to celebrate the collaboration.
The purpose of the partnership wasn’t about “signing hardcore contracts,” he said, rather about something mutually fun and creative with the “young, energetic, sexy Swedes” Elbaz detailed to The Daily. (See ‘em for yourself.)
The Lanvin x Acne denim capsule collection will have a line of jeans ranging from $550 to $650, coats running $1,200 to $1,500 and jewelry and handbags upwards of $1,500 and more. Find pieces at Barney's and Bergdorf Goodman this November.
And while the guys get the short end of the stick on number of pieces from the collaboration, there’s these sick all-denim high-tops from the capsule collection at Sarah/Colette's blog will make the want of many. ...Lanvin and Acne, did you really see them screwing this up?

Continuing with:FW/0809 Menswear

2008-08-28T12:05:00.000-05:00

For the past couple of years, everyone has been talking about the exciting world of menswear and while I do see publicating pushing the envelope with styling, dressing — I can't say I'm all too sure men are ready to take it to the imagined extent of designers. And with this sorta neo-dandyism arising (perhaps from conservative recession-driven dressing), who knows — things could implode on the whole thing.. menswear might not be the creative, imaginative field designers like Ute Ploier, Miuccia Prada and Mihara Yasuhiro have expanded it to be. At the same time, I've come to appreciate NY fashion week more with independents designer in menswear like The Cast, Robert Geller, Thom Browne and store brands Opening Ceremony, Bblessing. And on the other side of the globe, I don't believe there's a thing that could stop the creative momentum in modern Tokyo's menswear.. SS/09 collections leave me hopeful but for now I'd rather much look forward to the parting from the sweltearing heat and imagine all that fall/winter has to show.

Pause for: FW/0809 Faves

2008-08-25T23:14:00.000-05:00

Who were your faves for the fall/winter?
What are your opinions on the above looks?

Who was underwhelming, who best surprised you?
Wanna know — let's talk.

Distinctively Prada:FW/0809 Womenswear Collection

2008-08-20T01:15:00.000-05:00

“You’ve got to go all the way,” Miuccia Prada told Cathy Horyn of the New York Times, speaking of the flagrant use of lace in the new Fall/Winter 0809 Prada collection. The bold and daring Prada did just that, went all the way, with a fabric she, get this! —“hate[s]” (according to Lisa Armstrong at The Times.) The models emerged head to toe (dress, coat, shirt, bodysuit…) in lace.. distinctively sexy and still intelligent and sophisticated — still the distinguishable Prada woman.

The music (dark, menacing and glorious, like the theme song to some notorious, victorious film femme fatale) set the tone for the collection. The first group: black dresses with sashays of ruffles near and around the shoulders, down the sides symmetrically. The ruffles also found themselves trimmed on the bags and even elaborately detailing the shoes; they looked like wings, fins — the girls floated, glided.

Then out cam Lara stone in a black lace halter-top like piece (similar to the halters in the men’s collection) over a fitted light-blue collared shirt layered over a nude collared turtleneck for that two-collar effect. Together with a see-through lace skirt exposing the hem of the shirt as a sort of seen-through-to mini — Stone was a stunner. Following were more lace ensembles flashing skin, underpants, nude skintight dresses and turtlenecks. Sarah Mower of style.com claims Miuccia Prada is about to do for the lace what Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga did for flower printers the previous season; I’d dare anyone to disagree.

The show closed with long-sleeve see through dresses with ruffled bangles shoes, necklaces — you name it, she went all the way… remember. It was “ultra-modernity” Marigay McKee, fashion and beauty director at Harrods, told style.com just moments after the catwalk. I could say there was a hint of retro, hint of the future but no combinations of descriptions can really hit it dead on — it was just Prada… as always. Thanks be to that.

End of Season Final Sales

2008-08-17T15:39:00.000-05:00

Opening Ceremony green wash straight-leg jeans ~~$145~~ $43.50
Raf Simons orange knit sweater with exaggerated length ~~$635~~ $381
Petar Petrov zip elbows jacket ~~$CAD 525~~ $CAD 262.50
Sonia Rykiel leather heels ~~55.900 Kr~~ 27.900 Kr

Check out more sales and savings at...
Men a la Mode
Intermix
Built by Wendy

Coming Soon! — Fall/Winter Coverage

Coco Rocha for Visionaire and Lacoste

2008-07-30T00:56:00.000-05:00

Visionaire is an art and fashion publication that is published in limited, numbered editions three times a year. The style, theme, packaging and format is modified issue to issue depending on the highlighted artists, designers, photographers, and other(s) whom guest edit the V Magazine sister publication.

Issue 54 SPORT is the first wearable issue published by the V Agency, who has produced full-color and coverage photographically-printed Lacoste (celebrating their 75th anniversary) polo shirts with the artwork of photographers Nick Knight, Peter Lindbergh, Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin; artists Thomas Demand, Thomas Ruff, T.J. Wilcox; designer Karl Lagerfield, filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, musicians David Byrne, Michael Stipe; and painter Richard Phillips.

The four different sets of the issue contain three different printed Lacoste polo shirts in small, medium and large alongside the twelve images inside the Visionaire book. Unless you're already subscribed, this fresh issue will cost you $250, or be the first of a four-issue subscription at the cost of $675. Reserve an issue now. (If you've got the bucks for one, feel free to get us another to give away on the blog. Wink. )

Also, hard not to mention — Elite model Coco Rocha sells the Lacoste shirts like they've never been sold before — each printed shirt stripped off her tight and shiny catsuit to her dance and Coco-open-mouth pout. Frame by frame with no popped collars, watch Coco at VisionaireWorld.com.

Store Spotlight: Boutique Reborn

2008-07-26T01:21:00.000-05:00

When I think of Reborn, I recall the boutique's slim and sleek build, the personable (and good looking) staff, long-line garments leading to the all-white dressing receptacle, the stack of magazines sitting up front (the i-D with Beyonce on the cover in '06) and the two local designer pieces all my friends wished they had. Since then the world got lucky when Boutique Reborn opened up their very own webstore.

The hidden-away boutique of Old Montreal stocks a collection of some of the best progressive local and international designer clothing. When I shopped the boutique a couple summers back, I fetched pieces from Complex Geometries and Plateau but Reborn's designer roster also includes (but is not limited to) Alexander Wang, Robert Geller, Petar Petrov, Peter Pilotto, Raf Simons along with labels Acne, Surface to Air, Preen and Darkshdw. Find anthing from a t-shirt to a coat or accessories at the webstore or boutique — Reborn's season collections carry it all. And soon we'll all have a mag to wait out for too — stay tuned, we'll keep you updated.

(all prices in Canadian dollars $$$)

At Ease: Designer, Label Sites with Webstores

2008-07-11T20:51:00.001-05:00

Australian label Ksubi has made finding their threads a little easier when they opened up their onsite webstore this year. Find a collection of menswear, womenswear, sunglasses and more at ksubi.com. Their round-world availability provides a selection of seasonless clothes ranging from tank tops, denim jeans to parkas, dresses and jumpers.

Sorry to the folks outside of the States but Balenciaga's webstore is US-only. Accessories such as handbags, shoes and sunglasses are available direct from the Balenciaga house. The 60s-archive inspired sunglasses presented above come in six different colors, and aren't as pricey as I thought they'd be, no? See them all at balenciaga.com.

NYC menswear label THECAST recently opened up their own shop in the city after selling their clothing to a variety of stores around the globe for years. With slick pieces like leather jackets with removable sleeves, seersucker suits and denim jeans, the very wearable THECAST should propel the label to great notoriety in the independent NYC designer scene. Check out THECAST's current collection and previous collections at thecast.com.

Meet a Model: Mathias Lauridsen

2008-06-30T22:16:00.000-05:00

Mathias Lauridsen, a Dane known for a distinguishing scar on his left cheek, is ranked number 1 on models.com. He has appeared in editorials for Another Man, Vogue Hommes International, L'Uomo Vogue, Vogue Paris, Numéro Homme, GQ and Details. Mathias has been the face for a length-matching list of houses, brands, labels: Jil Sander, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Lacoste and Hermès. He's nabbed this fall's Missoni campaign shot by Steven Meisel, featured alongside Kinga Rajzak and Iselin Steirol. You've seen him this season in Hugo Boss eyewear ads with Catherine McNeil and you'll see him this fall for Givenchy menswear. In other words — you won't stop seeing him soon.

Shop Missoni and Givenchy at Matches and Browns. Find Hugo Boss eyewear at Saks and Overstock.

Southern (Hemisphere) Streetwear

2008-06-25T21:54:00.000-05:00

End of season sales are everywhere -- including the other side of the world. Stock some fall/winter clothes for this coming season or find pieces to mix in for your current season's wardrobe. The down under shops Mint and Pitbull Mansion carry a variety of Australian brands and labels you don't often find anywhere else; brands like: Of the Castle, Chronicles, Another Boy and more.

all prices in Australian dollars
Of the Castle metal tee $90
The Cassette Society Kimmy lips tee $69
Hussy Manhattan shirt ~~$270~~ $162
Kornerd pocket striped tee $89

Chronicles of Never crinkle four eyes top $220
WhoAmEye rocker shirt $145
Trimapee tie me up shirt $220
Illionaire whirl dress $220

Bernhard Willhelm in Stores

2008-06-18T20:37:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lag on update, hope to make it up to you by introducing four unmentioned webstores.
Just finding a store that carries designer Bernhard Willhelm's designs are a sure tell you can find other rulebreaking/ruleless designer clothing. From Iceland to New York, Barcelona to Stockholm then 'round then to London — Bernhard Willhelm designs are now found all over the world less than ten years after his Paris debut in 1999.

Alongside Vivienne Westwood, Marc Jacobs and Sonia Rykiel is Bernhard Willhelm at Kron Kron, an Iceland store found in the city of Reykjavik. Shop a number of Willhelm pieces in the categories of shoes, dresses, tops and bottoms at the Kron Kron webstore.

The lower east side shopping of Seven New York brings labels Material Boy, Obesity and Speed, C-Neeon. and on-sale dresses by Bernahard Willhelm. Make an inquiry or shop the Mercer Street store when in the city.

For Bernhard menswear, shop b Store's webshop based in London. Find outerwear, bottoms and tops.
Willhelm sneakers? Find some at Le Shop Stockholm out of Sweden.

Blog Shopping

2008-06-11T23:33:00.000-05:00

Blackbird and Impulse are shopblogs with stores based out of Seattle, Washington, USA.

Blackbird is a menswear store carrying brands such as Rag & Bone, Robert Geller, Nom de Guerre, Filippa K, Band of Outsiders, Comme Des Garcons, Cheap Monday and more. Common Projects and Surface 2 Air kicks go on sale this Friday, June 13th for Blackbird's Shoe and Denim Sale; RVCA and Cheap Monday denim will be marked down up to 75% off as well. Find the pshysical location of the store in Seattle, here.

Blackbird @ helloblackbird.blogspot.com
Impulse @ impulseseattle.com
The womenswear store Impulse stocks a range of brands and labels, including Tsumori Chisato, Superfine, APC, United Bamboo and Acne. Impulse has their very own sale starting this Saturday, marking spring items 30% to 60% off. Watch their e-commerce site Totokaelo, for the sale of pieces from the Seattle shop.

Footwear for All

2008-06-03T19:07:00.000-05:00

Marni flat jelly shoe £75

Alexander McQueen crocodile pumps $,1440

Balenciaga Moroccan shoe £1,025

ACNE flat birkenstock style sanda £185

ASOS leather boots £45

Christian Louboutin Yasmine cork wedges $795

Maison Martin Margiela shadow mark high-top trainer £205

Sneaky Steve black Hank Highs $106

Jil Sander sandals $188

Jonathan Saunders for Gola leather high-top trainers £110

Fiorintini+Baker pull on boot $410

d.co Copenhagen soft black bootie $182

Dedicated to the late, great Yves Saint Laurent...

2008-06-02T20:20:00.000-05:00

08.01.36 — 06.01.08
Loved, respected and missed by the fashion world

YSL.COM

Store Spotlight: Aloha Rag

2008-05-29T18:41:00.000-05:00

Found in Hawaii near the Ala Moana Mall — Aloha Rag, based out of Hawaii, is known for the Japanese owner, Tatsugo Yoda's, smart eye for wearable high fashion designs. The store carries accessories, footwear, outerwear and more in menswear and womenswear.

Their webstore at AlohaRag.com carries designer labels such as Lanvin, Comme des Garçons, Maison Martin Margiela, Marc Jacobs, Pierre Hardy and hosts sales all year round.

Just in today are arrivals from Elizabeth & James (the Mary-Kate and Ashley line), Golden Goose and 2K for both men and women.

Purchase at Aloha-Rag.com requires membership. Receive 3% off on your next purchase upon application approval. The more you by the more you save at Aloha Rag, your total dollar amount is accumulated to calculate your percentage of discount.

Lanvin tieredsle top $2185

Lanvin bib front longsleeve $543

Linda Farrow sunglasses $525

Ksubi media sedation tee $140

Maison Martin Margiela leather jacket $1985

Maison Martin Margiela printed tee $395

Random Accessories... For Her

2008-05-22T21:50:00.000-05:00

Humanoid knotted shawl $125 @ La Garçonne

Balenciaga scarf £195 @ Matches Fashion

Comme Des Garçons color embossed zip wallet $272 @ Tobi

3.1 Phillip Lim "hombre" rope belt $145 @ La Garçonne

Chloé leather alligator fold clutch £656 @ ASOS

ASOS stitched wrap belt £12 @ ASOS

Yves Saint Laurent brooches £175 @ Collette

Cavallini cut-out contrast socks £6 @ ASOS

Random Accessories... For Him

2008-05-22T00:22:00.000-05:00

Karen Walker Deep Freeze Pinks $170

Balenciaga fringed scarf £100

Filius leather ties $75

Natalia Brili ruby leather geometric pins $165

Comme Des Garçons tartan wallet $179

Karen Walker Xtra Ray Visions $200

Eugenia Kim satin headband hat $57

Eastpak printed backpack £30

Meet a Model: Lily Donaldson

2008-05-13T21:43:00.000-05:00

Emilio Pucci at The Met's Costume Institute Gala

2008-05-08T18:33:00.000-05:00

Actress Joy Bryant was our fashion favorite wearing Emilio Pucci pour Matthew Williamson at The Met's Costume Institute Gala Monday night. Model Natashy Poly strutted down the runway wearing a similar multicolored, all-over geometric print piece at the Pucci FW/0809 catwalk show earlier this year.

Dries Van Noten Menswear SS/08

2008-05-07T17:25:00.000-05:00

Dries Van Noten, of the "Antwerp 6," took his menswear show from Paris to Milan for SS/08 presenting a collection integrating traditionally feminine fabrics such as organza and mouselline in masculine shapes within an extensive color scope of lilac, fluoro-orange and -yellow to fuchsias, warm red and imperial purple.

Fencing and scuba diving trousers, satin judo shorts along with cache coeur shirts, nylon windbreakers were highlight pieces alongside the forte menswear items like double breasted jackets and trench coats.

The range of the collection comes with intention to make "colors believable for guys" by integrating them in forms "as masculine as possible," says Van Noten. The deep and neon color palette meshes with several "non-colors" throughout the line giving different looks different pops.

In addition to color, the spectrum of new "technical materials" like plastified polystics, mixtures of silk with nylon, and acetates with the Van Noten traditionalist twist brought unique variance in the sheer, see-through shirts and outerwear pieces. Altogether, the elements of the DVN SS/08 collection were able to make an bright, innovative and memorable collection, imprinting much of menswear's spring and summer trends.

Nylon Windcheater 235

2-Tone Boxing Shorts 205

Polyamide jacket 215

Sheer patchwork shirt 205

Jogging pant €235

@ brownfashion.com

Truth: The Royal Arts Academy alumni the "Antwerp 6" consist of Dries Van Noten, Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Von Beirendonck, Dirk Van Saene and Dirk Bikkembergs.

Truth: Dries Van Noten does no advertising for menswear or womenswear.

Truth: Dries Van Noten employs a private chef to not only feed his retail buyers healthy, delicious meals but bake them cakes on their birthdays.

VidFlip Episodes 2 & 3

2008-05-04T20:18:00.000-05:00

If you've subscribed to podcasts, you should've had A FEW surprises last week.
Otherwise, check out our channel on YouTube for two of the latest VidFlips.

Store Spotlight: Oak

2008-04-29T12:04:00.000-05:00

New York boutique Oak has three locations in the city: one in Brooklyn, two in Manhattan. Oak, formerly Canary, is owned by former stylists Louis Terline and Jeff Madalena who looked to dress "real people." Oak (including its webstore) carries the wearable brands Ksubi, Patrik Ervell, Filippa K and Grey Ant in men and womenswear.

Complex Geometries' light 100% cotton unisex turquoise top comes in an extra wide jersey tee-shirt styling with a pieced guazed underarm for a dolman sleeve effect; it's price runs for $110 at Oak's webstore. The circle beaded button United Bamboo blouse goes for $526; the right off the runway piece comes with circular motif hand beading and embroidery across the chest.

Pants continue to change outfit silhouettes on and off the runway and this pair of bleached out, drop crotch Alexander Wang jeans come in a slouchy/oversize fit. Their pricetag is $332. Oak's house denim comes available in lean-leag fits in the colors yellow, black and blue. The jeans shown run for $152.

Gain a subtle help of height with these 80/20 wedge-tennis shoes at the Oak webstore. The green canvas, lace-up sneaker with built-in 2.5” wedge and gold leather trim fetch for only $98.

For Your Viewing Pleasure: Prada's Trembled Blossoms SS/08

2008-04-25T12:03:00.001-05:00

Download the video at prada.com under the animation tab.
Available for Quicktime, iPhone and your Prada phone.

Get Baggin' Brights

2008-04-23T08:39:00.000-05:00

Chanel, Fendi and Marc Jacobs all included bright-colored handbags in their 2008 Spring/Summer collections this year. The list doesn't end there: Lanvin, Maison Margiela and Pierre Hardy also included poppin' bags that filled the color spectrum. As it goes, any color is in this season — that is, anything out of reach of depthless AA "range."

Whether matched with colored prints or solid basics — patent leather, fabric and animal-skin handbags help a look standout. Finding a bright bag to your liking won't be hard and making it work with your outfit just right could be accomplished in so fashions.

Lanvin patent leather bag $418

Margiela 6 fabric shoulder bag $108

Prada degrade clutches $950

Hope you kept a green weekend —

2008-04-22T10:17:00.000-05:00

In reference to Earth Day, MONDblog would like to link you to the Great Green Goods shopping blog. The blog services the green consumer who wants to "shop mindfully and live with less."

GGG seeks to help the shopper live lighter on the earth while helping them find, then purchase products made out of recycled or sustainable materials. Handbags, shoes and jewelry for men and women along with houseware items like vases and kitchen utensils are referred to from all over the web.

GreatGreenGoods has been featured in The Washington Post, USA Today, The New York Times and other national publications in the US. To hit 'em up, just visit greatgreengoods.com.

BTC Elements — plastic bag bangles $44
Connie Sewer — one-of-a-kind antique celluloid rings $65 - $85

Bblessing Sample Sale this weekend...

2008-04-15T11:40:00.000-05:00

Say you live trapped in New York or you're just in the city for the weekend, it couldn't hurt to check out brands like Surface 2 Air, Raf by Raf Simons, Opening Ceremony and Patrik Ervell on sales up to 80% off at the Bblessing's Off Site Sample Sale this weekend. The event goes on April 18-19 (Friday and Saturday) 12pm — 7 pm, cash and cards accepted.

Find the store at Google Maps, here.
We'd be there if we could, so make the effort to at least check it out.

VidFlip: Acne SS/08 Lookbook

2008-04-10T13:09:00.000-05:00

Flip through the Acne SS/08 Lookbook with us by subscribing to our podcast. Find the feed here. Head to your iTunes, click the Advanced tab and select "Subscribe to podcast..." then paste the feed URL. From then on, new MONDblog podcasts will download automatically to your iTunes.
(You Juice users have it easier.)

You can also subscribe to favorites and videos on the MONDblog YouTube channel: MONDtv. You can find our latest podcast videos and finds on the 'tube.

For further information on Acne, read about how the label is bringing Stockholm to to the states with their first American studio at Refinery29. The article includes an interview with creative director Jonny Johannsson and photos of the new studio store.

Store Spotlight: Complex Geometries

2008-04-06T11:17:00.000-05:00

Say Complex Geometries' Spring/Summer 2008 pieces are out of your reach because you don't live in Tokyo, New York, Montréal or Copenhagen — well, the Complex Geometries webstore makes up for that. Pieces in outerwear, tops, bottoms and accessories come in all shapes, sizes and hand-dyed colors at the Complex Geometries website. Get your goods delivered to you internationally from label-base city Montréal, Quebec, Canada.

Meet a (Former) Model: Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, First Lady of France

2008-04-01T14:32:00.001-05:00

Former supermodel, and now First Lady of France, Carla Bruni's relationship with the world may vary country to country, but there was no doubt she held the world's attention accompanying her husband President Sarkozy to the United Kingdom last week. The photo above is a portrait by photographer Michael Comte taken in 1993. The photo is set to go on auction at Christie's in New York April 10 and is expected to reach $2,000-$4,000.

According to her New York Times profile, the now Carla Bruni-Sarkozy was one of the highest paid models of the '90s holding campaigns for Dior and Chanel while attaining some 250 magazine covers around the globe. Bruni is the daugher of a concert pianist, Marisa Borini, and her stepfather is Italian tire magnate and classical composer, Alberto Bruni Tedeschi.

Besides modeling, Bruni-Sarkozy js also known for her many past love affairs with rock stars (Mick Jagger and Eric Claption). Not to mention that tricky relationship with she stole her beau's married son... (Read some more about her yourself here and here.)

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy helps define the world supermodel with her life story-line to those in and beyond the world of fashion.
Now, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy plays her role as First Lady quietly and seems only to be having a love affair with Dior pour John Galliano. It was strictly Dior for her stay in the United Kingdom; in case you didn't recognize any of the bags, including the Dior "babe" bag, she hauled while visiting the United Kingdom.

Menswear for SS/08

2008-03-30T18:16:00.000-05:00

Details and subtle touches to basics make pieces more unique and desirable this spring. (That's right — goodbye to basics.) Graphic art and broader color swatches make t-shirts and shorts more fun to incorporate into warm weather ware. Visit Mintshop, an online-shopping store in Australia for tees and singlets with graphic art prints.
Art and broader color schemes are exactly the distraction we need from the more conservative menswear reflecting upon our... "challenging times." (Good luck trying to stretch your dollar in overseas webstores, though.)

New York menswear boutique BBlessing comes in from the shorts end with navy, "fire" and khaki cut off shorts by Obedient Sons. The shorts have a price tag of $120 at Bblessing's webstore.
Those on the other southern hemisphere moving into fall/winter, a 100% cotton Raf Simons "lime special" sweater surely pops a unique color to your outerwear; the sweater goes for $365. The Raf Simons SS/08 collection piece fits true to size and can also be found in orange and purple in the webstore.

Conservative pieces have seamed their way into spring looks. Jackets, vests, hats come together with shorts in cool new ways by Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga and Miharayasuhiro; the trickle is evident down at ASOS with trilbies and fitted jackets.

Hysteric Glamour with Natasha Poly and Mat Gordon

2008-03-28T20:52:00.000-05:00

Dare you to describe Gucci's Spring 2008 ad campaign in one word.
Shouldn't everyone make video campaigns? We think so.

P.S — Inspiring spring looks for the guys and new online-shops to be introduced. (We haven't forgot about you.)

Feeling more like spring every day...

2008-03-26T16:46:00.000-05:00

From Miu Miu in Milan to Osklen in Brazil, this spring skirts have new eye-catching ways. Frills, folds, cut-outs and technicolors. Sheer and see-through fabrics also found themselves in Marc Jacobs' NY show and and in Daniel Scutt's collection in London. Trends are easy to spot on the runway and finding them just also got a bit easier too.

ASOS' premium line carries a white and light, flowerprint cutwork dress for $97.52.
Find this citron high-waisted 3.1 Philip Lim mini-skirt with exposed zipper at Net-A-Porter for $320.

From Marc Jacobs' SS/08 collection, an assymetric purple, yellow and lilac chiffon dress comes with a $2,250 price tag. Net-A-Porter also carries Alexander McQueen's buttefly print silk dress. The sleeveless, round-neck dress with detachable gold leather press stud fastening belt inspired by Isabella Blow runs for $2,315. And Marni's open-toe patent leather wedges could help complete any skirtted outfit; they run at a cost of $684 at Net-A-Porter.

About A Designer: Miuccia Prada

2008-03-24T18:49:00.000-05:00

The New York Times Magazine's Art Issue puts Miuccia Prada front and center with her her beneficiaries, artists Francesco Vezzoli and John Baldessari. The article focuses on the Prada house's quietly built art foundation compiled within the past decade. The issue is out today. Tell us what you learned about it if you've happened to snag a copy.

Miuccia Prada continues weaving the Prada house with art when she instilled art illustrations in Prada's Spring-Summer 2008 ready-to-wear collection. The season's collection included art by Los Angeles artist James Jean. Jean's not only created prints in pieces but also helped set up the woodland backdrop for the SS/08 show, animated illustrations for a short promo Prada film and designed the wallpaper for the Beverly Hills and NYC Prada stores. James Jean's website includes a portfolio of the listed work at jamesjean.com.

Coming this week: some inspiring spring looks and where to shop for them.
And coming soon: a video podcast flip through the Acne Jeans SS/08 Lookbook fresh from Sweden.

Meet a Model: Tanya Dziahileva

2008-03-18T22:43:00.000-05:00

Tanya Dziahileva is a blonde, blue-eyed 17-year old Belarusian model who you might've caught in last season's Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren and DSquared ads.

Well, if you didn't maybe you saw her open up this Fall/Winter's Badgley Mischka, Rag & Bone, Celine and Elie Saab shows, or close the Nina Ricci show in Paris this year.. and if that didn't help, I could probably guess you don't care to keep up with models. Truth is you should if you have an interest in design, fashion, style and shopping. It's the models who strut the hot shit down the runway and sell it; buyers most definitely take notice — a model's job is, afterall, to sell a look. And in fact, some models even find themselves muses to top designers like Debbie Deitering to John Galliano.

Switch to the MONDtv channel on YouTube and subscribe to the favorites where you can find video interviews and catwalks with top model Tanya Dziahileva.

Fashion-Fashion-Fashion

2008-03-13T16:33:00.000-05:00

Skip the nonsense when searching about designers, houses and stores when scouring the 'net — Fashion-Fashion-Fashion.com is a search engine that "visits 1000 authority sites to bring you the most refined search in fashion and beauty." The search engine, sponsored by McEye Media Publishers (who brings you ZooZoom and FashionWars), accepts site suggestions in the categories of beauty, designers, fashion and shopping. So search and suggest, find and help find.

For Your Entertainment

2008-03-10T20:43:00.000-05:00

Christopher Kane SS/08 scanned from Gap Press, Beth Ditto in Size H/Zero Editorial in Pop photographed by Steven Klein

Bravo brings Swarovski's Style Rocks to the US tonight. The music and fashion show will premiere at 10pm eastern/9pm central time. Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson will host; expect appearances by Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, Donatella Versace and more.

The line-up includes:

Armani to Alicia Keys

Burberry to Razorlight

Chanel to Lily Allen

Christopher Kane to Beth Ditto and The Gossip

Dolce & Gabbana to Timbaland

Gucci to Roisin Murphy

Stella McCartney to Shy Child

Valentino to Nicole Scherzinger

Versace to Iggy Pop

Swarovski to Sugababes

Catch a re-run immediately after, or check Bravo's TV schedule for broadcasting times in your time zone. Take the opportunity to watch high-fashion designs in motion to top international music.

Who, in your opinion, is the best combo? Who had the best show? Curious — let us know.

Don't Sweat It

2008-03-08T13:37:00.000-06:00

In God We Trust button up high-waisted shorts (available in navy, white) Refinery 29 shops $20

3.1 Philip Lip for Tatami Zeus Maya criss-cross suede sandals with zipper heel eLuxury $190

Lanvin black "Way Shiner" with grey lenses Lee Lee Lunette's $385

Y-3 napa leather graphic flip flops yoox $49

Y-3 leather trimmed, nylon woven logo backpack eLuxury $220

Mara Hoffman black ruched detail strapless swimsuit bluefly $114

Happy shopping.

Economy, The Hemline and You

2008-03-05T15:40:00.000-06:00

Paris Fashion week concluded this Sunday, and the media played scrutiny to how designers would approach luxury designs during a period of economic downturn. "Recession was the talk of the town," The Houston Chronicle reported on Milan Fashion Week, just previous to Paris. "[T]he strong euro was visibly taking its toll," says reporter Daniela Petroff describing the bleak week for shops and shows in Milan.

How will the economy trickle to affect you and your shopping?

Averyl Oates, fashion director at Harvey Nichols, tells the Portfolio that lower priced goods are first to suffer in recessions in stores. "It's simply too easy for people to trade down to the high street for their jeans and casual clothes," Oates tells Portfolio. This may mean lower numbers of generic-seeming denim and accessory pieces in retail stores. You might be able to expect more wow-pieces on shop racks in stores.

In a store on the other side of the pond, Saks Fifth Avenue fashion director Michael Fink is doing just that. He is "focused on finding clothes women don't already have in their closets," reports USA Today. The New York luxury department director even has a mantra in mind for Saks — "no basics."

The chief executive officer of Saks Steve Sadov is witnessing "more pressure on the aspirational luxury consumer at our entry-price points," he tells BusinessWeek. The article reports "sales at stores open for a year or more slowed to a miniscule 0.8% gain in December, compared with a 25.7% increase in the previous month."

Via, The Business of Fashion, economic problems are predicted to "spill over into the luxury sector," affecting companies like Coach and Gucci.

Who's gaining? Companies like TJ Maxx, Wal-Mart and Target reports USA Today.

Don't go buy your Spring Break swimsuit at Wal-Mart just yet, though. This week, MONDblog will introduce stores with winter and spring pieces at marked down prices ...so you can start spending that economy stimulus check right away.

Shine On

2008-02-29T16:59:00.000-06:00

images scanned from gap press, l'officiel; balenciaga photos: getty images

At Paris Fashion Week, Nicolas Ghesquiére debuted a collection aimed at making everything — fabric, cut, mentality — "light," says Cathy Horyn in a New York Times Review. Ghesquiére described the show as "minimal, very austere, strict but sensual," to the International Herald Tribune. Laser-slit skirts, shoes accented with rubbery latex and thick wool crepes carried the modern cocktail dress-look. While the patent leather and latex fabrics were new in Balenciaga pieces, the use of patent leather and synthetic fabrics is a trend only transcending and diversifying.

photo source: getty images

Just last month, the gleam of Miuccia Prada's men's fall-winter collection was no eyesore. Shine was not incorporated in just boots and pieces but entire suits. The collection that Tim Blanks of style.com describes as ignoring all traditional masculinity concepts, comes with different colored patent leather boots and shimmering mini-tutus. Yeah, "tutus."

The use of synthetic fabrics has trickled down a shine trend; moving away from the hard metallic sheen of past seasons, pieces made of light nylon, plastic and latex are a whole new kind of flashy. Patent leather and liquid-latex dresses may hit a pricey end but nylons and plastics won't have to.

Labels, designers continue to integrate eyewear as part of the total look

2008-02-27T23:34:00.000-06:00

Eyewear integrated into spring lines like never before, and it continues to be an accessory labels and designers are treating it as as strategic business maneuver and key element in creating the complete look.

Jil Sander has recently licensed an agreement with Marchon Eyewear, Inc. to create eyewear for the Jil Sander men and women's collections, VisionMonday reports. Jil Sander tells the optical industry news site that he is "looking forward to completing [his] vision for Jil Sander" with what he claims will be an "innovative" eyewear line. The creative director of Jil Sander debuted his own line of sporty-techno sunglasses in the Raf Simons spring/summer 2008 men's collection in partnership with London-label Linda

Farrow. The Raf Simons group and Linda Farrow label created an eyewear line that complimented a collection "contemplating today's generation hooked on the Internet and perpetually logged online."

The Linda Farrow label has collaborated with reputable designers Dries Van Noten, Bernhard Willhelm and Christopher Kane. The label recently partnered with Chloë Sevigny for the Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony line.

Raf Simons sunglasses courtesy InStyle, Under Cover sunshield courtesy Boutique Rebourn, Grey Ant sunglasses courtesy Oak

Dior Homme creative director isn't far behind Simons as he recently collaborated with Oliver Peoples to launch a limited-edition collection under Assche's label, men.style.com reports. The sunglasses will have interchangeable colored lenses to help match and personalize.

Finding either unique or playful eyewear doesn't have to come with high-fashion prices. Linda Farrow carries a line of vintage eyewear, eyewear shop Arckiv in London supplies a broad spectrum of frames to provide "wardrobe department" and shoppers "as much choice as possible." Finding a pair on eBay or a local vintage shop isn't nearly impossible either.

Peknov, pixelpark innovate a barcode in fashion for the information society

2008-02-26T19:56:00.000-06:00

In a video interview at last month's Berlin Fashion Week, designer Bernadett Penkov and Petra Raddatz, the marketing director of the digital media corporation pixelpark, presented their "hardlinking technology" with the "so called QR-Barcode."

The barcode would grant access to stored information on any given item or product to interested consumers. It will provide information on the "point-of-interest," Raddatz explains, "the moment you see the outfit in front of you."

Designer Bernadett Penkov says the innovation is "interesting for buyers and also interesting in the shop." Imagine instantaneous lookbooks on your phone, video footage of the piece on a runway and even commentary from the designer on the article of clothing. As of now, Penkov provides clothing material and washing instruction information, as well as video of a model wearing the garment on Penkov's "microsite."

Raddatz predicts the software that makes the information accessible will come installed on all mobile phones in the near future.

Head to modabot.de to watch the video interview, a demonstration of the software in practice and further commentary on the link and direction of fashion and technology from Penkov and Raddatz.

MONDblog

2008-02-25T22:25:00.000-06:00

MONDblog intends to approach a unique dialogue recognizing style and fashion as a hybrid notion. The blog will observe and partake in the fascination with stylistic fashion and inform you on where to find it in the world.