Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Femi Kuti

Heartfelt Writing dressed up in a groovy dance track....makes u move!

Delicious Holiday Dazzle from Mr. Lacroix

The Master Couturier mixes his signature Regal Opulence with (seemingly) haphazard, asymmetrical swatches & spangles ( a nod to the deconstructivist spirit ) creating a fresh, flamboyantly Punk-y Heroin.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Miss Gaynor redefines slinky in a waterfall of crystals


Dench-n-Bond Again!

Unfortunately, last night's Thanksgiving treat "Skyfall" in Imax, felt like the Bond series has reached a point where the writers have to regroup and put more complexity and surprises into the action driven fantasy.
Without the all star line up of Daniel Craig, Dame Judi Dench, Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes, it would be just another run of the mill flick with the all too familiar endless chases, flying automobiles, exploding buildings and a gorgeous & dangerous Vamp, played this time by a French beauty. The violence was dissapointingly tame.....or edited out altogether. What's up with that?lol
The bleached blond villain Silva had an odd & intriguing creepiness, but could have been much more menacing.....this series is certainly not aiming for a DISNEY audience...(or is it?!)
Director Martin Campbell's 2006's Casino Royale delivered more energized and tightly edited FRESH action sequences and darker violence. Frankly, Mr. Craig's gritty work in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo went where his Bond( James... Bond) needs to go on the next release....and they definitely should throw in Miss Rooney Mara as that iconic Badass Bond Babe...I know she would nail it!
Tom Ford's suits shows off Mr. Craig's physique to perfection, but he should have been allowed to dress the Bond Vamp as well. Her "key" dress which introduces her onscreen needed Mr. Ford's eye to make it special.
Glen Close would make a FAB  "M"...if they would let a Fierce American into that M16 club!lol

Documenting Vreeland's Genius

From the Royal Courts of Europe to the bikini, micro mini and Mick Jagger's suggestive lips.
From the Ladies in their afternoon coats in Paris to Veruschka bewigged in the American desert, Marisa Berenson's elegant nudity to the patched, tattered and raspy Janis Joplin. From the chic simplicity of McCardel's casual wear to multiple false lashes and silver lipstick on Twiggy. Mrs. Vreeland had the good luck to land her discerning eyes on many, many Fashion firsts...which she recorded and celebrated with her unique ,and often over the top(!), but sincere enthusiasm in her beloved fashion pages that forever feel modern and on the cutting edge.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Pet Shop Boys....Being Boring.

Nothing boring about this Bruce Weber music video fantasy....

New Order Video

That's the price of love.......New Order.

Hans Feurer's Summer babes.











Master shutterbug( and Macho Big Game Fisherman!) Hans Feurer shoots summer chic like no other. His  iconic energetic freshness and love of sun kissed, wind blown, backlit  femininity has made his fashion pages glow since the 1960's. Now if he would only put all his greatest hits in a Big Delicious Coffee Table book.....

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Personal Style: THI

Burmese design student THI has developed a very sure handed sense of bold personal style mixing abstract elements in draping fabric and mixing up both menswear with womenswear silhouettes as well as East meets West sensibilities....and always striking a very chic balance.

South Beach Trophy Couple

A classic South Beach pair of Party Kids strut their carefully groomed body-centric style...and turn heads on Ocean Drive, June 2012.

Haider Ackermann's Scandalous Sirens

Haider Ackermann slices, dices & drapes his evening silhouettes to maximize the body beautiful for Spring 2011....resulting in looks with plenty of sizzle without sacrificing chic.

Mrs.Robinson...kicks it up a notch.

Powerful, successful men have often indulged in impressing their younger companions with the advantages of their privileged lives...and powerful women have often done the same, just much more discreetly (at times!).Showering their Boy Toys with attention...and publicity.
Consider films like Sunset Boulevard, The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone, Sweet Bird of Youth and The Graduate....along with the super Divas: Demi, Cher, J-Lo and the ex Mrs.Guy Richie....producing FIREWORKS  that often  rivals the fourth of July!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Bette Davis...does Bette Davis...Brilliantly!

Oh those fabulous Bette Davis EYES and her sheer delight in playing her BADASS SELF to the hilt!lol
And lets face it, NO ONE has ROCKED an eye patch quite like The Divine Miss Davis....and that sheath dress could easily step out today and turn heads.

Anderson Cooper steps out.








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Last week, Entertainment Weekly ran a story on an emerging trend: gay people in public life who come out in a much more restrained and matter-of-fact way than in the past. In many ways, it's a great development: we're evolved enough not to be gob-smacked when we find out someone's gay. But it does matter nonetheless, it seems to me, that this is on the record. We still have pastors calling for the death of gay people, bullying incidents and suicides among gay kids, and one major political party dedicated to ending the basic civil right to marry the person you love. So these "non-events" are still also events of a kind; and they matter. The visibility of gay people is one of the core means for our equality.
All of which is a prelude to my saying that I've known Anderson Cooper as a friend for more than two decades. I asked him for his feedback on this subject, for reasons that are probably obvious to most. Here's his email in response which he has given me permission to post here:
Andrew, as you know, the issue you raise is one that I've thought about for years. Even though my job puts me in the public eye, I have tried to maintain some level of privacy in my life. Part of that has been for purely personal reasons. I think most people want some privacy for themselves and the people they are close to.
But I've also wanted to retain some privacy for professional reasons. Since I started as a reporter in war zones 20 years ago, I've often found myself in some very dangerous places. For my safety and the safety of those I work with, I try to blend in as much as possible, and prefer to stick to my job of telling other people’s stories, and not my own. I have found that sometimes the less an interview subject knows about me, the better I can safely and effectively do my job as a journalist.
I've always believed that who a reporter votes for, what religion they are, who they love, should not be something they have to discuss publicly. As long as a journalist shows fairness and honesty in his or her work, their private life shouldn't matter. I’ve stuck to those principles for my entire professional career, even when I’ve been directly 12039_084asked “the gay question,” which happens occasionally. I did not address my sexual orientation in the memoir I wrote several years ago because it was a book focused on war, disasters, loss and survival. I didn't set out to write about other aspects of my life.
Recently, however, I’ve begun to consider whether the unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional principle. It’s become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something - something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true.
I’ve also been reminded recently that while as a society we are moving toward greater inclusion and equality for all people, the tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible. There continue to be far too many incidences of bullying of young people, as well as discrimination and violence against people of all ages, based on their sexual orientation, and I believe there is value in making clear where I stand.
The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud.
I have always been very open and honest about this part of my life with my friends, my family, and my colleagues. In a perfect world, I don't think it's anyone else's business, but I do think there is value in standing up and being counted. I’m not an activist, but I am a human being and I don't give that up by being a journalist.
Since my early days as a reporter, I have worked hard to accurately and fairly portray 19447_001_1563_CCgay and lesbian people in the media - and to fairly and accurately portray those who for whatever reason disapprove of them. It is not part of my job to push an agenda, but rather to be relentlessly honest in everything I see, say and do. I’ve never wanted to be any kind of reporter other than a good one, and I do not desire to promote any cause other than the truth.
Being a journalist, traveling to remote places, trying to understand people from all walks of life, telling their stories, has been the greatest joy of my professional career, and I hope to continue doing it for a long time to come. But while I feel very blessed to have had so many opportunities as a journalist, I am also blessed far beyond having a great career.
I love, and I am loved.
In my opinion, the ability to love another person is one of God’s greatest gifts, and I thank God every day for enabling me to give and share love with the people in my life. I appreciate your asking me to weigh in on this, and I would be happy for you to share my thoughts with your readers. I still consider myself a reserved person and I hope this doesn’t mean an end to a small amount of personal space. But I do think visibility is important, more important than preserving my reporter’s shield of privacy.
VROOOM! adds:
It's equally important for successful public people to come out who aren't grotesque caricatures of theatrically flamboyant &creepy gay obviousness ( you know who they are!lol).
Just to maintain a balance for the public record.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Too Funky: Supermodel Mayhem

1992 was the year fashion celebrated exaggerated glamour. Super models, Super divas, Super trannies and other assorted Super freeks all brought their most gorgeous game to the Mugler runway and walked for their life while George Michael multi tasks behind the camera and the track.

Madonna rides again!

Now that's how you make an entrance, boys and girls!
Madonna popularized mixing the culture of erotic fetishism into music & stage performances... and continues to be the only one who brilliantly melts the worlds of High Kink, High Fashion and High Art Direction.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Ultimate Power-glamour forever...


Wonderful cropping that allows the viewer to linger and study the classic chic details of the unforgettable Mrs. C.Z. Guest by Bruce Weber. Her understated signature hairstyle instantly modernizes the ornate evening look.

Nightclubbing vampires

The chicest vampire film, ever: 1983's THE HUNGER.....for eternal  life as well as high style!
The stunning Miss Deneuve's icy beauty paired with the otherworldly, eerie Mr. Bowie makes for a provocative couple that are as seductively glamorous as they are dangerous. A sensational first feature film by Tony Scott who brought a  fresh, glossy style and updated the blood-thirsty living dead set....& perfectly captured that '80s NYC Mega Club scene  where eye contact spoke volumes and led to some very unpredictable situations...decades before the current 24/7 texting epidemic...where it seems everyone is hunting for a ''better offer".lol

Monday, June 18, 2012

Cartier Promotional clip

A mesmerizingly imagined and flawlessly executed promotional fantasy to celebrate the iconic jeweler's international heritage starring their trademark spotted panther. CGI used to romantic perfection making this P.R masterpiece as Big and as Grand as any movie. The director stated it was the first time a tropical jungle cat had been filmed running in real snow.

Title design for The Girl with the Dragon tattoo

A  fast moving dark thriller showcasing a stunningly clever and twisted modern heroin ( who goes from grungy, biker tomboy to stiletto heeled designer babe, as well as from female to male lovers, in a heartbeat).  The gloriously creepy, inky black title design captures the mood of the story perfectly.

Asian Allure Urban Style

My pal Kim Sales recently expressed his curiosity in my visual interpretation of Asian guys.
NYC, once again, is the ultimate inspiration for people watching and the explosion of the hyper style-conscious Asian population is impossible not to be inspired by. There is an innate understanding of fashion & attitude by the players of this small but unforgettable tribe.
The fusion of mixed martial arts, skateboard and hip hop cultures produces yet another genre of eye catching urban style....and a welcome departure from the usual Math & Science brainiac stereotype.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Opening title design: Se7en.

Fantastic title design only matched by one of the all time creepiest, darkest thrillers with some great unexpected surprises...a rare treat from Hollywood. Perfect casting and director choice.

Title Graphics and Sound Design

The campy horror film, unfortunately, doesn't match the quality of the provocative title design graphics.

Mr. Pitt as Mr. Durden

Mr. Pitt in character as Mr. Durden shows off  for Steven Klein....forever establishing the form it requires to be the star of Fight Club.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Tyler Durden via Mr. Pitt.

One of Brad Pitt's greatest creations: TYLER DURDEN in Fight club.
Costumed by Michael Kaplan he's a one man party of clenched fists, twisted philosophy, a weakness for male bonding, a bloody nose  but rocking the most awesome urban-crazy-gangsta-chic EVER.

Melanie Fiona: It Kills Me....

Perfect casting for the role of the classic bad boy..... Xtra andsome hunk Adam Rodriguez of CSI Miami fame.

Justin and Scartlett reboot tragic drama directed by Nick Cassavettes

This love triangle needs to be developed into a full length feature...and much of it needs to be shot in that  grand retro club setting....

Pink wrecks it in Please don't leave me....

Pink has a ball goofing on "Misery"....Hollywood needs to feature her considerable talent on the big screen.

Pink performs Glitter in the Air...as an aeriel GODDESS!

A spectacular example of a beautifully choreographed performance and costume design showcasing the power of simplicity. Pink's in full command playing an Aeriel GODDESS.

Rick Owens' interview

One has to appreciate Rick Owens' absolute bluntness and honesty in stating who he is and going where he needed to go. Love his quote "I need old people who can make stuff"....that only works for someone like Rick who has all his ideas clearly defined and sorted out in his head...he doesn't need to have a team on payroll pumping ideas into his brand.

Tom Ford's Diva's

 
Tom Ford chose an intimate presentation to promote his return to fashion, hand picking his favorite super divas to bring his sensual chic point of view to life. He packed his shop with Industry A-listers and unleashed his delicious beauties while he read out loud, every detail of every look that was shown... in a charming nod to the 1950's. The seductive atmosphere of pure joy celebrating female power-glamour made for a very special, fresh fashion showing.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Charlize Theron for Dior



A limousine is only a car...and Miss Theron is only a woman..........J'adore Charlize!

Blonde braid + Black Jersey

Show off your swan neck with a tight high braid and drape yourself in slinky sheer silk jersey with peek-a-boo sides....adding a jolt of color with a sculpted crimson wedge.

Summer Shifts





Fight the summer heat with a white hot shift that sets off sculpted hair, snazzy clutches and killer heels. Party on!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Goude & Grace


The genius who crafted the public persona and art directed the visual presentation of Singer Grace Jones is a true original. They say timing is everything in life...and their moment to team up was the late '70's when disco decadence and sexual liberation ruled NYC. Mr. Goude brilliantly layered the hot button topics of social politics, beauty, fashion, fantasy, race and gay sexual liberation in his most iconic muse: the stunningly beautiful vamp...the outrageous Miss Grace Jones. Together they rebooted  the art of suggestive performance, camp & daring spectacle.

Thierry mugler spring 1988/ / Africana

 


 
Mr.Thierry  Mugler stages a spectacular runway fantasy celebrating his uniquely sensual vision of African Glamour starring a cast of Runway legends Iman, Katoucha, Amalia, Rebecca, Khadija, Anna and a very young Naomi. You can feel their enthusiasm in being transformed into a signature Mugler super-GODDESS.
It's also a glimpse into an era when fashion shows were as  precisely choreographed as any great dance performance. In the 21st century's FAST FASHION age when unimaginative fashion presentations last  mere minutes excluding the hours of waiting ...who has the time or money to support rehearsals? 
In the theatrical and festive 80's, fashion shows transported you to another spectacular planet of a creative designers' fevered imagination.....today it seems the stars of a fashion show are the pre-teen blogging queens texting on the front row!lol







Lagerfeld's "Tale of a Fairy" film for Chanel

Wanna see Mr.K.L's fantasy persona on film impersonated by model Miss Kristen McMenamy?
Sit back.... get comfy...and fasten your seat belt...it's gonna be a deliciously bumpy ride of glamorous self indulgence. Chanel Chic at it's most graphic....and amusing. It deserves to be made into a full length feature.

Cavalli...... MAN....


                                                                                      

 Ultimate Bad Boy ( and Madonna's ex-boy-toy) Mr. Tony Ward plays in an Urban Garden of Eden to pitch juice for the sizzling house of Cavalli.    
 
  

Kate Moss for Bulgari

 


Miss Kate Moss at her most silky/classic/elegant...pitching Bulgari scent. The crisp editing is perfect in design.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Helmut Newton Exhibit

Helmut Newton heats up Paris this spring with a major retrospective of his iconic images at the Grande Palais, that confirms his position as the most influential photographer of the sexually liberated, unapologetic-ally narcissistic and strong willed woman of the 20th Century. This  editorial image of a romance between two women decked out in Saint Laurent Couture was shot for Paris Vogue in 1975 and features the infamous model GIA, a perfect heroin to star in a Newton fantasy. The precision with which he composed this pose and  directed the position of those exquisite hands are pure Newton. No detail was too small for his eye and one can be sure his awareness of the work of the greatest artists ( painters, sculptors, graphic artists) throughout history was extensive. Lesson: learn from the Masters, then put your won spin on it.