Oh that naughty MR. FORD!

 Mr. Ford is hopelessly infatuated by the sexual revolution of the late 1970's Disco Era Sexual Liberation movement that pushed the limits of the hedonistic lifestyle to it's most extreme.
Studio 54 was ground zero for this drug fueled  and festive decadence until The Virus shut the party down and took the lives of many, many, stars of the New York Fashion & Art Scene.
Drenched in nostalgia, he enthusiastically celebrates the joys of pan-sexuality through his sizzling advertising campaigns, gleefully offending narrow-minded Americana....but selling alot of product!lol
He used a strong dose of sensuality to reboot the Gucci brand in the late 90's and got even bolder to promote his own brand of luxury accessories and fragrance, happily pushing the limits of sexual imagery in advertising. A master of PR indeed.

The Tempest/1982

 

A brilliantly funny, philosophical, modern interpretation of Shakespeare's famous THE TEMPEST.
The scenes in Greece will make you want to grab the next flight and go adrift ( astray!) in a Mediterranean Paradise.
Fantastic cast, stunning cinematography and John Casavettes and Gina Rowlands( one of the most gorgeous real life Hollywood couples ever)  to anchor the whole experience....with depth and humor.

Woody Allen's masterpiece: INTERIORS.

I don't have the patience to tolerate the over intellectual subtly of Mr. Bergman's Swedish cerebral psychodramas but when Woody Allen wrote and directed INTERIORS in 1978, ( which I didn't see until the late 80's!) I was mesmerized by his "homage" to Bergman about a family in major emotional crisis.

It's my favorite Woody Allen film which is built around the spectacular performance by my favorite American actress, the unique Miss Geraldine Page. She plays an emotional wreck ( her specialty) of an interior designer with the most severe minimalist aesthetic. It's a masterclass in cinematic excellence with a strong supporting cast including the brilliant (& lovable!) Maureen Stapleton, who brings in a splash of much needed humour, warmth and color into this dysfunctional family.

THE KING

A most beautifully shot very dark tale with a shocking twist. Strong cast. Brilliant direction.Slow and steady...until the end.

Mr. Gael Garcia Bernal, at the peak of his charisma, never looked more handsome...creates the most menacing tension opposite William Hurt, a major acting talent.

Vogue Editor Babs Simpson

One Hundred...and sharp as a tack... sharing mid century shoot details, with delight!

A whole new breed of "STUDS"...for the 21 Century.

Cher: Then & Now....

What would Diana Vreeland & Richard Avedon have to say about Cher's " Closer to the Truth" CD cover?
Perhaps...."De-Evolution"?lol

High & Mighty/ Vogue editorial

 


One of HELMUT NEWTON's very last shoots for American vogue in 2009 styled by Camilla Nickerson.
Brilliant concept and execution focusing on the dangerous allure of hellishly high heels.

Vogue's Sensualist: Denis Piel

Vogue's Master Sensualist, French Photographer Denis Piel's minimalist eye is rich in emotion and luxurious details.The image of a multi-tasking power exec mommy with baby in bed helped establish the Luxe Power Glamour aesthetic of Donna Karan in the late 80's.

Vogue: the Editors Eye

A zillion reasons to believe in one's inner voice and embrace your instincts...and trust your eye.

Chicago Mansion

The Gothic Revival  Francis J. Dewes house in the beautiful Lincoln park area of Chicago is one of the most gorgeous & grand private homes I've ever seen. Built in 1896 and a landmark since the early 1970's....it should be a stop on any Chicago tour.

Iman's endless transformations.

Helmut Newton's fantasy of Iman may have been inspired by my favorite French "Orientalist" painter, Jean Leon Gerome.
The top pics are by Michel Comte, Norman Parkinson and below by Bruce Weber & Scavullo.


The "BLOND" 21 century Iman leaning towards a Gwyneth Paltrow straight haired look strikes me as "WHY?". Sadly many know the answer.....

Stylist Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele: More is Divine!

A fiercely flamboyant fashion addict with an instantly recognizable style celebrating Chic Glamorous Excess on a Gorgeous, Ultra feminine,Flirtatious Girl decked out for the street. No dark, tortured and depressing spirits here!LOL Optimistic Seduction dripping in logo-luxe is what this look is all  about...and sultry Adrianna Lima brings it to life.Miss Dudzeele could also well qualify to be the only high fashion editor whose styling would very much please your average Johnny Hardhat!lol

s
Stephanie Seymore on the gardener's day off.....
Who knew Barbie could be so CHIC!?lol

Anna Wintour's first Vogue cover that put the Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele irreverent style of mixing Couture with Casual on the late 80's fashion map launching a high/low contrast look that will never go out of style.
Iman serves up 80's decadent excess with a well practiced, totally insincere, frozen movie star grin for Helmut Newton...and Vogue.

It's been said a zillion times:ATTITUDE creates style & fashion. Gutsy Self Confidence and a Strong Sense of knowing what you can pull off WELL is key. And wearing it with JOY, with FEELING.

When it's INSTINCTIVE, everyone knows it....but that, unfortunately, can be threatening....maybe because one cannot BUY IT.

This illustration, exhibited at the Society of Illustrators in New York, was inspired by the mega-glitz & glamour of the early 90's when the Chanel aesthetic dominated fashion media, & was specially embraced by the mega success/excess of the Hip Hop scene.

Barbie Doll Glamour for DAYS!

Cape Fierce

Philip Lim updates the cape for Fall 2012 (by deleting every old England reference from it).

Wrap n twist.

Once you find the perfect material, it designs itself.

Model Cara Delevingne

There's a fabulously feral quality to the model of the moment, the smoldering Miss Cara Delevingne.
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An homage to ANTONIO's GIRLS of the red hot 70's NYC!

Madonna & her boys...

Steven Meisel shoots Madonna & her boys working thru some gender issues.

Karl Templer's Gritty Edge.

Brilliant stylist Karl Templer's hot gangsta fashionistas rocks the September issue of Interview....capturing the chaotic state of rebellion & raw hostility.....with amazing chic. He is featuring high fashion, afterall!lol