Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Music | Moody enough Sugar? … Spin for me

Back in 1996, Sneaker Pimps had a sultry female singer “with sensual evocation”. Then she was swapped out for one of the founding members. He was also quite good, even though his delivery was less tantalizing.





Tuesday, October 30, 2012

At Home | Best café … is in your home library

Still from The Best Café. Yours. | U.S. Ad Campaign 2012 | Nespresso

Recently I caught up on some mindless, and lengthy, watching of the “Idiot Box”, and hence had some solid exposure to advertising. Not always a good thing, the latter, if I want to stop thinking-analyzing. Yes, such is my lot. Yet, the current ad campaign for Nespresso caught my attention in a pleasant way – not only because I can seriously abuse coffee – because it had the components I blogged about (!): a nice box of capsules (I own a machine but not the other paraphernalia, like the boxes that were part of the Year of the Dragon set that I coveted, key word here, some time back), Lana Del Ray’s “Blue Jeans” as a soundtrack, and a nice home library! Alright, maybe I can be easily marketed to after all .




Monday, October 29, 2012

Thursday, October 25, 2012

At Home | What is your home library style?

Idea lifted from La Boheme design blog in preparation for autumn rain and winter snow.

Left: tumblr.com via Daniel Bear on Pinterest
Right: Interior design by Lulu Powers via  Lonny Magazine
(yes, this image traveled quite a bit)

Friday, October 19, 2012

Movies | The Good Life, or the riches-to-rags life of Matte and Annemette Beckmann

Reminiscent of Royce & Marilyn’s tarnished-but-still-holding-on-to-“class” glory, “The Good Life” is a Danish documentary which “relates the tragicomic life story of once-wealthy dowager Mette Beckmann and her middle-aged daughter, Annemette, who subsist in a cramped Portuguese apartment on Mette's tiny pension and their own bickering company.” Already on my to-see list.


Interesting Couple | “God on a wheel!” at Decadent Old Bitches

The beauty of scouring internet and, thus, other blogs is all about finding the gems that hide out there in the ether. Here is one – Decadent Old Bitches. Loved it first for the title. I mean, it is just brilliantly arresting! This fabulosity of a blog was, alas, short lived – February to December 2011. 
     Ran by Red Revolution, Decadent Old Bitches was “set up […] as an educational resource and a canvas for [Red Revolution’s] market research. [In 2011, Red Revolution was] a final year fashion student in Brisbane, Australia preparing [their] graduate collection. [Their] target market [was] decadent old bitches and [Red Revolution] created this blog as a scrapbook to store all the information [they] could gather of various icons [they] perceive[d] to be [their] potential customer.” Love it even more! 
     Pity Red Revolution did not continue, but on December 3, 2011 they left on a fine note. Yes, this ROYCE & MARILYN video. Ah, the Dahlings!

Booze | Beer relationships

It has been a while since I posted anything on booze,
then I came across this relationship chart in the Crate & Barrel Holiday Inspiration 2012 catalogue.
Thirsty?


Crate & Barrel Holiday Inspiration 2012

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Art | Valerie Vargas can do old-school and far far beyond into fantasy tattoos

Born in Scotland, Valerie Vargas is a lass that works at Firth Street Tattoo in London. Her work spans across a good range of tattoo styles. She has astounding skills, all thanks to those inspiring drawing sessions with her Mum. And no, the lady does not kid around, skill-wise that is. As CVLT Nation described it, it is all “Oceans of color crashing against mountains of detail”.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Movies | Iconic Rita Hayworth


But my favorite picture of Rita is this one with her spaniel, Pookles, 
Photo © Getty-Images | Text – Judith Watt & Peter Dyer

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Art | Because it looks like a geisha - Van Cleef & Arpels L’art de la haute joaillerie at Les Arts Décoratifs


Lifted from Anna dello Russo’s blog, AdR Factory, because … well, you know, it looks Japanesa. It is a piece that seems to be part of

Van Cleef & Arpels. L’art de la haute joaillerie
20 September 2012 – 10 February 2013
Les Arts Décoratifs – 107, rue de Rivoli
Paris

Les Arts Décoratifs” hosts 400 pieces that have made the fame of Van Cleef & Arpels since 1906. These prestigious pieces will be shown with archive documents and drawings, in an exhibition design by Jouin-Manku. From the famous ‘Zip’ necklace to the Zodiac set, which include 12 pieces inspired by astrology. The history of Van Cleef & Arpels is based on technical inventions handed down from generation to generation. A signature whose hallmark is legendary mastery and savoir-faire, a passionate love of precious stones and a taste for innovation and metamorphosis.” 

Monday, October 15, 2012

Art | The ‘Who’ and ‘What’ behind A Shaded View on Fashion Film (ASVOFF)

From Young Offenders

“A Shaded View on Fashion Film (ASVOFF) is the first annual festival in the world about fashion films. Created by journalist Diane Pernet and launched in September 2008 as a three day event […]”from Wikipedia.


Coded Candy | Today Google celebrates 107th anniversary of Winsor McCay’s “Little Nemo in Slumberland”

It is nice to be educated, ever so subtly, to rise above one’s ignorance of one culture’s markers – or, in reality, to add to one’s upbringing conducted elsewhere with other bits and pieces to draw upon. 

Today Google did that for me, and no doubt countless others. “Little Nemo in Slumberland” anniversary. The title has a nice ring to it. Let’s see. Winsor McCay was a cartoonist from early 20th century – born in Michigan, U.S. according to his claim, born in Canada according to his gravestone and census reports – North American either way – inclined to depict the landscapes of dreams, both in Little Nemo (yes, the Slumberland) and Dream of the Rarebit Fiend cartoons. Pure fantasy like that is good for the soul, and it’s a pity I did not stumble onto McCay’s work sooner, although the style of the pictures seems vaguely familiar. Better late than never, though. 

Let’s feast our eyes together. Thanks Google team for the pointer and the animated sequence.


Art | If you happen to be in Paris Nov. 9-11, 2012 attend A Shaded View on Fashion Film 5

Diane Pernet is a gentle force. A cult figure, she blogs at A Shaded View on Fashion (ASVOF), is the founder and director of the titular festival – ASVOFF, and generally keeps busy in the fashion world. Born in Washington DC, this one-time New York designer nowadays lives in Paris. Good for her.



Art | Go David LaChapelle Go!


Crazy photography. Crazy good. Crazy wacky. Plastic fantastic. Out there. This is David LaChapelle back in gallery (until March 2012 – sorry, am a bit late). Love it or not so much, it is arresting stuff.




Saturday, October 13, 2012

Art | Fashion Film: Ruth Hogben for Gareth Pugh, 2011

“With a collection inspired by religious iconography and Florentine opulence, Gareth Pugh made his Italian fashion debut at Pitti Immagine #79, showcasing his clothes via a unique fashion film, created with Ruth Hogben.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Art | CraneTV interview with Rico Zombie


You have seen him no doubt. 
But have you heard him? 
Intensely dark yet somewhat calm. 
Definitely not one dimensional.


Cartoon | The Simpsons opening going real-life style like

The Simpsons' opening sequence is one of the show's most memorable hallmarks. Most episodes open with the camera zooming through the show's title towards the town of Springfield. The camera then follows the members of the family on their way home. Upon entering their house, the Simpsons settle down on their couch to watch television. The opening was created by David Silverman, the first task he did when production began on the show. The series' distinctive theme song was composed by musician Danny Elfman in 1989, after Groening approached him requesting a retro style piece. This piece has been noted by Elfman as the most popular of his career. One of the most distinctive aspects of the opening is that three of the segments change from episode to episode: Bart writes different things on the school chalkboard, Lisa plays different solos on her saxophone, and different gags accompany the family as they enter their living room to sit on the couch.” – from Wikipedia
In that case, this is as distinct as it gets.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

At Home | Shearers Quarters by John Wardle Architects on North Bruny Island sheep farm, Tasmania, Australia

One cannot go wrong in these beautiful surroundings, but one can get it very right. Based in a suburb of Melbourne, Collingwood, John Wardle Architects did just that by putting together snazzy quarters for Tasmanian shearers. They won a bunch of well-deserved awards for the effort, too (2012 Winner, Australian House of the Year, HOUSES Award. - 2012 Winner, New House Under 200m2, HOUSES Award. - The Esmond Dorney Award for Residential Architecture. Australian Institute of Architects Tasmanian Chapter 2012 - Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture, Australian Institute of Architects Tasmanian Chapter 2012 - Runner up in The AR House Award 2012, London, United Kingdom).

Photography ©Trevor Mein

Photography ©Trevor Mein

Art | Selfridges Presents the Film Project – Fashion Designers Get Their Art On

Seven designers infused themselves into production of films for Selfridges – that is, short films that describe, artistically, the essence of the woman they design for. Here are my three favorites, thanks to some personal bias, but all seven are worth the look (see links below for the remaining four).


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Fashion | Gareth Pugh’s Fantasy Land


To be honest, heard the name but had no idea the stuff I saw was his.
Nice “drama” from a chilled sculptor J

Friday, October 5, 2012

Fashion | Ann Demeulemeester looked at "the duality of butterflies"

Who knows what it really is. Miuccia declared that “beauty by itself is too easy” and sent down the Milanese runway (Prada’s Spring 2013 Ready-to-Wear collection) looks for a geisha with a power twist. Fast forward a few days to the Parisian runway (Ann Demeulemeester’s Spring 2013 Ready-to-Wear collection) and opposites were still at play courtesy of Ann, to whom "beauty can be frightening." Tim Blanks of style.com reported what that means and it’s all poetic. Then I saw that black pagan dress and I got it. Yes, please!
     Ann Demeulemeester does edgy-modern-rocker-punk femininity par excellence. It may confuse with its lack of trendiness yet entice with its rebellious timelessness and ease. For me the so called seal-of-approval, if one could be dispensed at a visionary, came by the way of an article by Mark Holgate “Kindred Spirits” published in Vogue US Fashion Rocks Supplement (Fall 2007). Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, and spread over two pages, was a café scene in which Ann hung out with the “first lady of punk” (quite a notion if you ARE punk), Patti Smith. I still have the copy. The story goes that in 1976 sixteen-year-old Ann came across Patti’s album “Horses” and thought that she was going to know her. It happened, so the conclusion is Ann delivers on her visions and can predict the future. And the vision du jour / future is “Pagan Glamour.” Blessed be.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 | PARIS | By Tim Blanks
"Beauty can be frightening," Ann Demeulemeester declared today. Quite what she meant by that was semi-clarified by a show that was, she said, inspired by "the duality of butterflies," solid bug versus ethereal wings. So it figured that her new collection was a thing of strong extremes. Her butterflies didn't flutter by—they kicked butt. There was a flavor of manga martial arts in the super-short, corset-belted dresses and jackets over jackets. They represented a tough new stance for Demeulemeester. "Without losing the poetry," she was quick to add: That came in the form of pagan priestesses in floor-sweeping gowns. But even those outfits were edged in by anatomical leather harnesses. 
     It was time, the designer felt, for something new. A new sleeve, for instance. As Demeulemeester hiked skirts, she let sleeves fly away like wings, or she folded them closer to the body, like wings at rest. The long, flowing silk gowns, on the other hand, had a different kind of airiness, billowing rather than streaming, neo-medieval, monastic. "I didn't know what year it was," Demeulemeester said post-show. Year zero, perhaps, of a new chapter in her career.
     And how did beauty have the potential to be frightening? For Demeulemeester, it was all about that insectoid duality. Light and dark. Beautiful and deadly.

Design | Still fascinated by “Save[ing] Food from the Refrigerator”

In Design | Recycle, Save and Style I mentioned a Korean artist who designed shelves that save food from the refrigerator. In this video Jihyun Ryou talks about the concepts behind her nifty shelves. 
Still liking it. A lot.


Thursday, October 4, 2012

Design | Good Fucking Design Advice

Good Fucking Design Advice is an outgrowth of a graduate school side project. It is a child of designers and educators Brian Buirge and Jason Bacher that inspires the process of designing, or really mentally kicks your butt to DO design. To seal the deal, you can take a pledge and have it stare in your face. Or for further motivation, you can have desktop wallpaper that beams at you each time you stare at an empty screen. Now get cracking!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Music | That’s right, I know what I am … by Band of Skulls

Matt Hayward, Emma Richardson and Russell Marsden are Band of Skulls. The background in this video is one of Emma’s painting set in motion. Neo-psychadelic anyone? It’s all good.

New single, “You’re not pretty but you got it goin’ on” – love the title, out November 4th. *grin*


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Music | Female singer-songwriters №2: Ellie Goulding & Marsha Ambrosius

Both from east of the Atlantic pond. Slotted as Grey Goose Rising Icons on VEVO. OK. Ellie “confuses” me because she reminds me of this and that and those but still makes it her own. The video below is from two years ago and here is a sampler of her new album to be released in 6-7 days. Marsha “confuses” me because it is new but has the old school, well not that old, soul flavor. As someone said, “oozes soul”. Then there is this video. It’s from last year and shares its title with her solo debut album, and with those signs… you’ll see. Good reminder. And here is a live glimpse of her new song to be yet released.




Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...