Balenciaga Spring 2010

I've been waiting for a while to be able to post the video of the full Balenciaga Spring 2010 collection.  I know that I went on a rant a couple of weeks ago about the expectations of a designer creating his/her own namesake label versus those of a designer going into a house with a long history.  There are exceptions to every rule, and that is exactly what Nicholas Ghesquiere is.  He is one of the few designers who has the ability to go through the archives of a long standing house and turn them into something unexpected and new.  He surprises every season.  Yet, like many young designers, he has built onto a vocabulary that is now synonymous with Balenciaga.  It's a rare feat, but Nicholas proves that it can be done.  For Spring 2010, he moved away from the hyper romanticism of his Fall 2009 collection to a more hard edged, sci-fi inspired collection.  This is a theme that Nicholas has played around with for many seasons now, but he spliced it up and reconstructed everything this season.  It was a much more refined version of what the Mulleavy sisters are doing at Rodarte.  Also, he created the meanest pair of pants walking down any runway this season, hands down.

Keep It Going Louder

As I had mentioned previously, Major Lazer had a pretty crazy run for Spring 2010 Fashion Week and had their songs played everywhere from Alexander Wang to Louis Vuitton.  The song played at the latter now has a music video to go along with the song.  I'm not going to lie, it's pretty strange, but not that different than the way I see things after a couple of drinks during the weekend.

Oh - and I own the sunglasses being worn at the 1:46 mark.  I've had them for two years and am thinking about setting them on fire.  When I purchased them, it was just mentally unstable Britney Spears and I.  Now, every rapper and choch from Jersey owns them...shame...

Ambling Alp

Here's the music video for the new Yeasayer track, "Ambling Alp".  Naked people are uptrending in rock videos right now.  This is probably not safe for work...depending on your place of employment.

Cousins

This is the first video to be released for Vampire Weekend's forthcoming album, Contra, set to release on January 12th, 2010.  "Cousins" is the second single to be released for this album.  I can't wait to hear the whole album!

The Vogue Arts Issue

Just a little video showing the making of the photoshoots that are going into Vogue's December 2010 arts issue.  The beginning is obviously my favorite, Lady Gaga being shot by Annie Leibovitz.  Lady Gaga is playing the witch from the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale.  Good, no?  Also, I do have to give a shout out to one of the most important stylists in the fashion magazine industry, Grace Coddington.  She never ceases to amaze me!

Happy House

As some of you may know, Jerry Fuchs died in a tragic accident earlier this month in Brooklyn.  He was a drummer for many bands including one of my favorite bands of the moment, The Juan MacLean.  In honor of Jerry, here is a 22 minute version of "Happy House" that was played earlier this year in Chicago.  I am saddened that I will never see The Juan MacLean with Jerry Fuchs as their drummer, he was truely fantastic.

The Juan MacLean - Happy House (Live @ The Double Door) from The Belmont Sessions on Vimeo.

Video Phone

New music video for Beyonce's track, Video Phone featuring Lady Gaga

Tim Burton directed MoMA Spot

In order to build anticipation for his retrospective at MoMA, Tim Burton has created a commercial spot.  The music in the commercial is written by his long time collaborator, Danny Elfman.  The retrospective will open to the public on November 22nd and will run through April 26th, 2010.  I'm excited!

The Campana Brothers

After having seen the Ron Arad exhibit at MoMA, I have a renewed interest in designers who do not limit themselves to one medium and really branch out and explore as many ways of expressing their ideas as possible.  One such design duo are the Campana Brothers.  They have been working for twenty years now and have really made some innovative pieces throughout the years. 

Broken Embraces

I've been waiting for this film for a long time.  Pedro Almodovar is my favorite director, so I'm always excited to get a chance to watch his work.

Runway to Red Carpet

Kristen Stewart once again wears some of the latest fashions on the red carpet.  This is during the Spanish premiere of New Moon, wearing a beautiful Balenciaga Spring 2010 dress.  Apparently, there were a couple of nip slips that happened.  It could have been much worse people.

WORK

Oh Daphne, will you ever stop being so ferosh?

Here she is WORKING it in Alexander McQueen Spring 2010.  From head to toe.

In The Flowers

New video for Animal Collective's track, In The Flowers, off of their amazing album, Merriweather Post Pavillion

Gaga Inspiration

I do think that there is a level of inspiration that Lady Gaga has gotten from Matthew Barney and his Cremaster Cycle for her videos.  I'm not going to sit here and say that I completely understand all of the messages that Matthew is sending to me through his work or that I fully understand what Lady Gaga is picking up on, but I can't say that I don't find a similarity between her videos and what Matthew Barney has been working on through his work.  It is speaking to her in some way and it is influencing what she is putting out there for us to see.

Givenchy Spring 2010 - Full Collection

Those of you that are close to me know that I think it's most important to actually see the clothes on a woman and to see it move.  The best way to get that experience is obviously to be at a fashion show, but most of us are not lucky enough to get invites to a show, so luckily, we are in a time where technology allows us to get the experience online. 

Those of you that are close to me also know that I have a love affair with Givenchy since Ricardo Tisci took the helm.  I also know that I've created some confusion because many think that Ricardo is a one note and I usually hate one notes (Christophe Decarnin is almost there), but I don't think I've made my point all that clear and feel the need to step on the soapbox for a second.  I use the word vocabulary to describe that which a house becomes known for.  When creating your own namesake label, your mission within those first collections is to create your vocabulary.  Because this is your job, it is not unheard of for these new designers to have dramatic shifts in their collections from one season to another, as long as there is an underlying current joining the collections together.  I think a perfect example of this tendancy is Christopher Kane.  His collections have had very dramatic shifts from season to season and I think he's now starting to weld all of the pieces together, as seen in his Fall 2010 collection.  This is not always the path a new designer chooses, but it's not looked down upon for a new designer to do this.

When you are taking the helm at a house with a long and storied past, I think the expectations are very different.  Because there is a history that comes with a name such as Givenchy, you are expected to respect that history and draw upon the things that people associate with the name, but also move them into a new direction, so these designers must be very careful in their footing from season to season.  There is also an expectation to move the history forward and to stake your claim in the history of that brand as it moves forward, which is what Ricardo has done at Givenchy.  It's a much slower transformation than what you can expect with a new designer working on his own namesake label, but it's calculated and amazing to watch if done well.  Ok, I'm off my soapbox now!

Oh This? I Just Threw This Together Quickly

The Kaiser himself throwing together a quick sketch of himself.  I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that Karl is the most important person in the fashion industry today.  His creative output is astounding.  You should all get on your Netflix queues and add "Lagerfeld Confidential" stat.  It really gives you an idea of how much he is involved in and his impact on the industry as a whole.  Something that does really stay with me in the film is how quickly he whips up sketches, which is why I really love this little clip.

The Making of Couture

This short film is a quick glimpse into the making of a couture piece from the Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2009/2010 collection.  I know that many view the fashion industry as a joke and think that it is a frivalous industry, which it can be, but couture is a dying artform and should be considered as such.  The technique that these women use to create these pieces has been passed on for centuries at this point, much like art, which is why I think that this level of fashion should be considered art.  Enough with my rant, watch the video.  Regardless of your thoughts on the industry, it's pretty fascinating to watch!

Avatar

Initially, I didn't think I was going to want to see this movie.  After seeing the extended trailer tonight, that all changed.  I think this might be another great movie by James Cameron.

Runway to Red Carpet

As usual, celebrities get first dibs on all the latest fashions.  Kristen Stewart is the latest to get her grubby little hands on some Spring 2010 fashion.  Today in London, she wore a look from Proenza Schouler's Spring 2010 runway show.  It's not as good as Camilla Belle in Alexander McQueen, but it's definitely a step up from Kristen's normal attire.

Ready, Able

Here's the new video for "Ready, Able" from Grizzly Bear.  Veckatimest is one of my favorite albums of the year and all of the music videos from tracks off the album have been great!  This video is no exception

WALK WALK FASHION BABY

You all are very aware that I am probably Gaga's biggest fan so I will sing her praises until I'm blue in the face.  This really does take the cake, from the "Aliens" opening to the 80's tinged dance sequences to the homage to Alexander McQueen 2010.  I LOVE IT ALL! 

P.S. - I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE GOT HIS FINALE PIECE DOWN TO THE STUDDED ARMADILLO SHOE FOR THIS VIDEO!!!  SHE'S WEARING TWO OF HIS RUNWAY LOOKS AND THREE PAIRS OF SHOES IN FIVE MINUTES!  WHO DOES THAT?!?!???!!!???

Tres Chic

Phoebe Philo bringing life back to a dying brand - Celine Spring 2010

HA

I'm really feeling this song right now

Juvenile - Ha
by UniversalMusicGroup

DANCE IN THE DARK

Beautiful Nightmare

Beyonce performing Sweet Dreams at the EMA's in Berlin.  Pretty Amazing!

Emilio Pucci Spring 2010

There's a whole lot of 80's sexbot revival happening right now and I have to say that I'm a fan.  I'm assuming that my love for hypersex fashion does come from my Latin American upbringing.  It's just something we embrace and accept as part of a woman's nature I guess.  One of the brands that has amped up the sex over the past two seasons is, strangely enough, Emilio Pucci.  Since Peter Dundas took the reigns after leaving Ungaro (I bet they regret letting him and Esteban Cortazar go after the DISASTER that was Spring 2010), the sex appeal has definitely amped up and Pucci has become a major player in the fashion game once again.  Just remember - this sexed up 80's vibe won't last forever, so you have to find a way to move the brand on when this all dies off!  That goes for you too, Christophe Decarnin!

From Runway to Red Carpet

Camilla Belle wearing a stunning Alexander McQueen Spring 2010 dress to the premiere of 2012.  It's really great to see a piece like this being worn off the runway!

My Current Idol

I mean, Beth has been one of my idols for a while now.  She's so outspoken and vocal about her life and her experiences and really breaks a lot of the stereotypes that a lot of people have about overweight people and gay people and I applaud her for that.  Now, she's become quite a force in the fashion world as well!

Street Art

I'm sure some of you have already seen Joshua Allen Harris's work on other websites.  He creates art from bags that he then attaches to subway vents around NYC.  They inflate to create a moving sculpture.  His work has gotten more elaborate now and there's some pretty cool stuff he's doing.  For all of you ANFers - can any of you tell me if you recognize Joshua?  Wasn't he a visual guy at ANF a couple of years back?

Selda Bagcan

I'm not gonna front like I have any clue what she's saying, but it doesn't even matter.  She's still a badass in my book...

1024

1024 collective created this squares installation that has projections shot onto it that are controlled in real time to go with the music.  Pretty insano.


SQUARE3 / E. De Crecy Tests from 1024 on Vimeo.

I know that Etienne De Crecy was the first to use this technology for his tour, but I assume that this is the same technology that was used for the Killers performance at the MTV Europe Awards.

Double Take

These new sculptures by Fabio Viale have hit the blogosphere hard over the past couple of days and with good reason.  They look like they are made out of conventional materials, such as styrofoam.  Hell, the tires just look like tires!  I had to do a double take when I found out that these are made entirely of marble.  Wow.

Song of The Day

The xx - Basic Space.  This band is not getting a whole lot of attention in the US, but they are really good.  Their debut album is all very minimal but you can still dance to it...like electronic music for the eternally depressed.  All of you that know me know that I also have a sweet spot in my heart for all things goth!

Crystal Antlers

For all of you Columbus, OH residents, you should be at Cafe Bourbon Street on December 7th.  Crystal Antlers will be performing.  I really like their mix of modern riffs and psychedelic rock.  Here's one of my favorite songs off of their album Tentacles - Andrew.

Ambling Alp

The new Yeasayer single was released yesterday.  It will be on their new album, Odd Blood, set to release February 9th, 2010.  It's definitely a move on from what they created on All Hour Cymbals.  I really love these guys and think that they add something very unique to the very crowded world of music today.  Here's their performance of Ambling Alp from the Pitchfork Music Festival 2009.  You can also get their single for free on their website -

http://www.amblingalp.com/

Song of the Moment

Empire Of The Sun - Standing on the Shore.  This video is hella kooky, which is the case with all Empire Of The Sun videos.  For me, it just adds to the allure.  Anyone who can wear that much makeup and those costumes and still feel confident in themselves gets two thumbs up from me.  I do really love their songs!

Empire Of The Sun - Standing on the Shore (New) [HQ]
by wonderful-life1989

GUKKI BY GUKKI

My friends and I find pleasure in pronouncing luxury house names incorrectly, one of those being Gucci, which we pronounce with a "k" sound instead of the correct "ch" sound.  Apparently, this trend is cathing on.

James Franco: Gucci Commercial Outtakes from James Franco

WORK Part 3

The bravest woman in fashion, Daphne Guinness rocking those AMAZING Nina Ricci shoes from Olivier Theyskens' phenomenal final collection for the house!  I mean, who else would ever be brave enough to wear these out and about???

Empire State of Mind

This song and video make me miss the greatest city in the world!

Rise Up With Fists

I'm really feeling this song right now.  Oldie but goodie.