KANYE WEST “I DON’T DO PRESS”
KANYE WEST: “I DON’T DO PRESS.”
MR. PORTER LAUNCHES
MR PORTER MAKES HIS DEBUT Slick new retail website for men arrives. [NYT]
CREATE YOUR OWN FASHION LABEL
READY TO LAUNCH A FASHION LABEL? Insightful information for any would-be designers. [BUSINESS OF FASHION]
AQUARIVA + GUCCI
This isn’t the Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition. Gucci designer Frida Giannini has collaborated with Italian boat maker Aquariva to design one stunning luxury toy. The boat is impressive, just steer clear of the matching boat shoes and accessories. Although overkill is the last thing on the mind of potential owners. $760,000
APPLE MACBOOK PRO
Same styling, more power. New “Thunderbolt” port transfers full-length movies in 30 seconds.
GUCCI MAKES A SHOW OF LUXURY
GUCCI MAKES A SHOW OF LUXURY Is there a designer cooler than Frida Giannini? Gucci killing it, up 17.6% [FINANCIAL TIMES]
SAKS SEES PROFIT
SAKS SEES PROFIT Good news for our friends at Saks. Sales of full-priced items send stock up 5% [REUTERS]
SPRING READY. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. A refreshing and subtle fragrance. $73 4.2 oz.
PITTI UOMO REPORT
PITTI UOMO REPORT Get a preview from [MONOCLE]
CUSTOM TAILORS ENJOYING A BOOM But will it come to America? [WSJ]
BJORK & LADY GAGA
BJORK & LADY GAGA – A DECADE DIVIDE. Why is one artist cool, while the other vilified and still goes down as one of the worst dressed of all time? The infamous swan dress would be an understatement worn today, and even celebrated with the infatuation of all things Portman.
In 2001, the Icelandic elf with a serious mean streak took a major risk at the Oscars. Saying it didn’t work out would be a huge understatement. Ten years later and we can’t get enough of Lady Gaga, who so successfully “blurs the line between costume and couture,” as Robin Givhan writes in her flattering article in this weeks Newsweek. [http://bit.ly/ejpNRU] It reasons, ten years later, that Bjork didn’t get a fair shake and deserves a pardon. That, or perhaps better, we should start criticizing Lady Gaga for creating spectacle that often overshadows talent.
Watch an old Led Zeppelin show and notice how beautifully gruff and unkempt they are, appearing as if they rolled out of bed, threw on a pair of jeans (albeit skin tight) and knew they’d be ok – because their voices rang true and their ability to master an instrument was what people were coming to experience. Will a classic rock and roll band emerge again; a Jim Morrison or young Mick Jagger? We can only hope. What a difference a decade makes. Side note: Permed long hair is acceptable, regardless of decade.
PHOTOGRAPHER CHRISTIAN CHAIZE
PHOTOGRAPHER CHRISTIAN CHAIZE
French photographer Christian Chaize captures southern Portugal with a beautiful image worthy of any apartment.
Statement from the Artist:
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
Five years ago, Portugal did present itself as a new landscape in my life – both literally and metaphorically. Since then, I have photographed exclusively along a very small stretch of its southern coastline. Returning to this specific place, I’ve sought out its nuances. In doing so, I have peeled back layers of how I see, and how I experience this magical environment.
The results of my slight obsession have evolved into two distinct series. Here are two images from Praia Piquinia, a body of work focusing on a singular, secluded beach front in which all of the pictures are taken from essentially the same elevated angle. What the still life was for Morandi, this beach is for me. From a distance, I observe the variables: light, weather, time of day, the ebb and flow of the ocean, and the sunbathers, unaware, below my large format camera. The images are shot vertically, a departure from the traditional, horizontal format in landscape photography. It puts my subject matter in the form of a portrait – an ongoing record of this ethereal yet playful nook in nature over the minutes, the days, the years. Ultimately, I try to instill an element of time within these captured moments… visceral time, elastic from one image to another. And always, I seek to have new eyes.
ORANGE CRUSH: PUBLIC CYCLES’ “D3″
The D3 from Public Cycles out of San Francisco ($690). Big color, bold design, no bell required. An easy shifting, 3-gear bike meant for cruising.
THE PERFECT SHOE FOR ISLAND HOPPING
Mid February weather gets us thinking about getaways to far away islands, tacky fun cocktails with umbrellas and maybe a little tennis with or without a buzz. If you’re gonna pack one pair of shoes, these are them. Subtle logos and branding are a sign of confidence, and Lacoste’s iconic crocodile logo (never say alligator) is one bad dude. Wear this sneaker with a laid back gray v-neck tee, khaki cut offs & no socks. A pair of timeless Ray Ban Wayfarers finish off the look. After day 2, the white will start looking good with your new tan. Lacoste Cerberus $114, click above for the sale price $68.
ARTIST ROBERT FALCUCCI
The Super Bowl media and advertising frenzy was difficult to endure, although skipping the ads would be akin to not studying for a quiz. You have to watch in order to be prepped the next day. When did they become must-see TV? Whether or not they were any good (they were bad) is a mute point, the battle has already been lost. The dominant commercials today lack vision and beauty. A lesson could be learned from the top graphic artist of his day, Italian Robert Falcucci. 1900-1989
It would be very refreshing to see a company create a print campaign using vintage graphic art work as inspiration. Falcucci, an illustrator, painter and decorator, specialized in destination travel and automobiles, with Renault and the Grand Prix in Monaco some of his finest work.
No gimmicks, just simple, beautiful advertising that relies more on creating a lifestyle than tearing one apart. When was the last time you wanted to display an advertisement on your wall?
SPRING READY CLUB MONACO TOTE
A refreshingly light and simple tote bag that gets us thinking ahead to Spring. Lugging books to class, grass returns, Mason khakis, tossing a frisbee, mini skirts, flip flops, open airy windows, lots of sunshine, afternoon beers, the color green. From Club Monaco, who continues to get it right.
