Sunday, October 31, 2010

Queen 'Zine

I am a huge fan of print media, especially magazines, there is nothing quite like flipping through the crisp pages of a brand new issue of W or Instyle. But, I must admit that Net-A-Porter has seriously stepped up their game with an online magazine (E-Zine) that features their newest merchandise and upcoming trends in the industry.

The self proclaimed, but true, “World’s Premier Online Luxury Fashion Destination” has created a new service in addition to online retail of the top fashion labels with which the company began. The magazine’s editors detail trend reports as well as beautifully structured photo shoots in a weekly format (more easily available to non-print outlets) and is said to be viewed by over 2.5 million women each month.



After flipping clicking through the digital pages of this week’s ‘Prints Charming’ and "Military Mode" stories, go back in the archives and read through the specific special editions for shoes, bags, beauty, even wedding guides… I’m hooked. Click Here for the Magazine!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Morning Romance

The Dutch magazine Beau Monde has an incredible flair for styling. Take a look at a spread from their June 2010 issue... It simultaneously evokes a feeling of innocence and romance while allowing the clothing to do the majority of the "talking".  The models are quirky and lively but they do not overpower the focus of the photographs. Surrounding and props are just as important as movement in these shots...



Not to forget that the lighting is perfection.  The soft smoky lighting adds a tremendous amount of emotion to each shot, creating an early morning effect to the viewer, as if you woke up just as the sun is rising on a cloudy day. A good photographer's most important asset is his ability to manipulate and capture the right lighting for a shot. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself here being that I do not have a degree in photography, but the photo shoot caught my attention and has me going back for more every couple of hours.



Credits:
Models: Silviu Tolu and Daiana Dumitru
Photographer: Tibi Clenci
Stylist: Catalina Burciu

Monday, October 25, 2010

Saturated Color

Rich Color Crayons has a line of wax crayons that work wonders on drawings and sketches. The idea is to blend highlights and shadows into every color stroke. The crayons come in an assortment of “flavors” like passion & orange, strawberry special, candypop, citrus herb, berry mix and chocolate almond. They can be purchased here.


Sunday, October 24, 2010

Wonderlamps


Pieke Bergmans’ lighting sculptures prove to be a studio and home decor hit, with a bit of a tongue-in-cheek humor. The light bulbs take on new shapes and forms to create optical illusions of practical daily objects. Each unique piece is made from handcrafted crystal and equipped with LEDs. I’d love one for my apartment!  



The artist describes his work as 'design virus', which from a publicity standpoint is probably a good thing. Any attention is good attention, right? His website portfolios other pieces of his work, all of which are mixed media and pertaining to home decor, or something like it. Take a look and decide for yourself if his art is indeed infectious. 

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Fright Wig Fantastica!

So yesterday I went to the Baltimore Museum of Art to see their Andy Warhol: The Last Decade exhibit. It was impressive to say the least. The museum, which is usually free of charge (a great deal for us intern/student types), charges a $15 fee for admittance to the new exhibit and it is worth every penny.



The Warhol exhibit showcases his later works, after Mr. Warhol moved from movies back to painting and silk screens. Of the 50+ large scale works in the collection, there were some later pop-art works, his 'Rorschach' prints, pieces from his 'Shadows' collection, collaborations with graffiti artist Jean Michel Basquiat, 'Fright Wig' screen prints and his last major 'The Last Supper' works; which some would say are sacrilege but I thought they were pretty interesting.
Warhols 'Fright Wig' silkscreen print courtesy of The BMA
My favorite part of the exhibit (or the part that caught my attention the most) were the Oxidation pieces... Warhol would stretch linen over frames and create a background with metallic based paints, then he would allow guests and various people around the factory to urinate on the linen canvases. URINATE! The effect, when mixed with the metallic based paints created an oxidized coloration on the base paints giving an almost Pollock effect to the paintings. The works cannot go unnoticed, especially once you learn how they are made.
Warhol's 'Oxidation' courtesy of Artfacts.net
Check out the website: http://warhol.artbma.org/

My Obsession

Literature Noir has a riding jacket this season that I am falling for head over heels. Colored asphalt grey with black leather patch inserts, four button cuff details, a cut-away front hem and a super luxurious light brown natural fox fur collar that is as plush and luxe as you could ever dream of at a price point that says faux. The riding jacket is priced at just under $500 at Neiman Marcus... Obsessed!

Photo courtesy of NeimanMarcus.com

Photo courtesy of NeimanMarcus.com

Photo courtesy of NeimanMarcus.com

Go to Literature Noir's website to see their Fall/Winter collection showcased in a movie, old Hollywood style.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Outfit to Love

For work that is... This 3.1 Phillip Lim skirt is the perfect length for work, hitting just below the knee with a draped tulip pleat in the front. The skirt, fabricated with crepe-jersey fabric, will keep you comfortable by moving with you instead of constricting, allowing for all-day wear.
3.1 Phillip Lim skirt from Net-a-Porter $425
Pair it with this by Malene Birger silk chiffon and satin panel blouse, a camel oversized coat (which are EVERYWHERE this season) from Alexander Wang, and Brian Atwood hidden platform pumps in nude and you're all set.
by Malene Birger blouse at Net-a-Porter $395
Alexander Wang coat at Net-a-Porter $1,100
Brian Atwood pumps at Net-a-Porter $695
A chic, comfortable work ensemble that can be paired with funkier pieces (AKA a leather jacket, or skinny cargo jeans) to go from day to night for post work cocktails.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Surrealista Sueño de España


Luis BeltrĂ¡n is a Spanish photographer that captures the essence of dreamlike happenings through his use of color, space and light. BeltrĂ¡n has been featured in galleries in New York, Barcelona and Valencia along with various publications in the US and Europe. I love his style, conveying a not so far-fetched surreal world that puts the viewer into a trancelike state of mind.
 I especially love this photo of the old woman hobbling down the cobblestone street, cane in hand. The image to me is slightly morbid; perhaps it is her traveling to the “afterlife”, whatever that may be, walking into the light with funeral flowers lining the street.  Ok, so the way I see it is very morbid, but, I still like the photo and it generates more pleasant thoughts of death then the scary ones.

 The below photo also caught my eye, for its surreal mix of Alfred Hitchcock and Danielle Steele. The couple illuminated in light and in an intimate embrace is obviously the focal point of the image… But soon after noticing them your eyes travel the perimeter of the photo and the horror movie climbs in.

Visit his website for more images and works, it helps if you can read Spanish… www.luisbeltran.es

Monday, October 11, 2010

"A love of fashion makes the economy go round."
-Liz Tilberis 
Jessica McManus, former Vogue fashion Editor (1952-1963)

Topshop Unique

I love this dress from Topshop Unique. The mushroom print mixed with the tulle and lace fabric details creates a romantically psychedelic tea party dress. Perfect for running errands in Harbor East or strolling around the East Village paired with black tights, a fedora and a pair of saddle shoes or brogues. J'adore!



Sunday, October 10, 2010

Harrowing Heroines



Alex Prager, a self-taught photographer out of Los Angeles, California, will be one of four photographers to showcase their work in the MoMA's fall exhibition "New Photography 2010". A high school drop out, Prager credits library books and yard sale finds as her formal education, along with her initial inspiration from William Eggleston and the city of Los Angeles.  Prager's work tends to be loaded, colorful and retro clad heroine's staged in dark and dramatic scenarios.  MoMA curator Roxana Marcoci says when describing Prager's work, "It reminds me of silent movies- there is something pregnant, about to happen, a mix of desire and angst." 








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