Love that Moleskin

For list-makers, culture junkies, and children of the archives, Moleskin's "Passion Journals" are a swell way to keep track. A hard-copy of ones inspired activity– books, movies, music, wine, or food-– the layouts are efficient and provide easy access to all those most loved topics! Tangible and in your hand, Moleskin's approach combines tech-savvy forms of bookmarking with old school methods. Its for folks who adore organized info, but prefer an alternative to online depths and the forgettable flash of 140 characters or less. Perhaps a bit more time to linger and gather some solid thoughts? Stickers are involved as well.

 Above: an unnecessary video, check it outtt. 

CFDA Brief

Inspired people inspire:

Sharing from Vogue.com

Vivienne Westwood: Act Fast, Slow Down

An artful snippet with good intent: Vivienne Westwood's latest film in her campaign to encourage people to live through "100 Days of positive thought, active change, speaking up and being heard."

Fusions of art, style and media seem to be making self-help jargon seem a lot less hokey. I like it. Visit here for more info.

Article and an Update

My take on East Coast minimalism for Halifax Magazine's October issue: Less is More.

Halifax Magazine: Twisted Muse

Halifax fashions has been refreshed and reassessed via Twisted Muse.  Ah lala!  My Halifax Mag feature on the new shop can be found here... incase you're interested.

Film Feature: On The Road

Details on the adaptation of Jack Kerouac's On The Road are taming my skeptic side for a few reasons. First off, whenever there's a Coppola is involved, integrity and intent are sure. He's owned the rights since 1979, and Francis Ford Coppola has reworked and shelved this project many times– its 31 years later that the project will finally come to life. Meanwhile, Brazilian director, Walter Salles (Motorcycle Diaries, To Each His Own Cinema) has taken preparatory measures of his own by road tripping across the United States on the same route as Kerouac and his beatnik follies-- a trip that will take its own life in a separate documentary.

 Secondly, the film brings a gracefully lit cast. Viggo Mortenson as Lee (character based on William Burroughs) is an interesting choice, and we'll get to see a more debaucherous side to the steady and stoic tone Mortenson plays so well. Sam Riley is a great choice for Sal Paradis (Jack Kerouac), and based on his portrayal of Ian Curtis in Control, the spirit of a shaken soul is within his range. Lady sidekicks are to include Kirstin Dunst, Amy Adams, and Kristin Stewart-- all decent choices in my books. (Twilight aside)

 The literary mastery and autobiographical journey of Kerouac and the Beats brought to life? If anything, the film can return some authenticity to the hipster with historical merit and the background of where it all began. (And how timely, just as American Apparel descends into bankruptcy.) On a side note, who has the rights to Naked Lunch? What a thought: I imagine Clockwork Orange meets Pink Floyd's The Wall.... hmm. Perhaps one best kept under covers.

Jefferson Hack: Print, Media & Power to the People

 Jefferson Hack, co-creator of Dazed & Confused Magazine, is someone who can break down the platforms of a media paradigm shift. In this sit down with Business of Fashion's Imran Amed, Hack talks about modern culture--- digital culture--- in relation to the print and its audience.

What's inspiring about Hack's perspective is his encouragement to anyone with a voice. Methods have grown from static once-a-month subscriptions to an open line of communication through  interactive media force. The prestige of physical print remains, but the relationship between reader and publisher has shifted to more even playing ground. Less of a dictatorship, this is only a good thing for all parties. Amongst all the pop rubble, there are the culture zines, literary journals and independent people unleashing the good word.

 Giving people the option of when/how they want to communicate, the parallel of print and new media is a force to be reckoned with. Above-- twenty minutes well spent.

Pamela Love Forever

   Goth glam with a storyline, Pamela Love soothes the sordid palate. Although there's no need for introductions. Love's original work has gotten her a CFDA nomination and endless press-love in recent months. She's propelled an alt-chic aesthetic into the mainstream, by methods of bohemian sensibility. As a New Yorker, artist and musician, Pamela is a woman of her own beat (quite literally-- she is the drummer of girl group Scorpio Rising), and her vibe restores the artisan approach to a bloated market. A darker eccentricity, the character and charm are fluid.

  Girl Crush for sure.

+Photo courtesy of Bonadrag.com

In Conversation

“You know, a lot of people think they’re going to get to a nirvana of cooldom one day, but in fact that place doesn’t really exist. I think life is about having the mixture of the curiosity of an older person and the imagination of a child.”

   

 - Daphne Guinness discusses social monotony with New York Magazine

Alexander Wang Fall Campaign

On a side note, fashion loves The xx. The band's lo-fi blasé could have something to do with it, and its with the same subtly that their sounds grace both runways and streamed media compilations without overkill. (A walk through the streets of Paris with Hannah McGibbon is an XX moment that I enjoyed...) These kids rule with understated tones, and its refreshing.

Alexander Wang's Fall/Winter Campaign features Abbey Lee Kershaw swirling around to a dubbed up remix in dark, air-stricken quarters. (Black paper prints all 'a flit.)  Yes, contemporary cool ensues and this is the intrigue of Alex Wang.

Love this remix / Works for me. 

Ideals: Lindsey Thornburg

Its pre-season whimsy with Lindsey Thornburg's latest batch of cloaks. Continuing along the path of Peruvian inspired, bold patterns are softened amongst layers and the weight of pendleton. Its human wrappings to give a girl some distance... and I wonder how far I'd go to have my own. (Pretty sure moral boundaries would sway)

The styling component is just further encouragement. Fishtail braids, porcelain skin and red lips to follow... its Mother Nature meets Earth Goddess afterglow. Subtle geometrics in the accessory department parallel the pattern work, and this is all just a nice flow.

Again and always... Lindsey Thornburg: stylish escapism, one cloak at a time.

A Song for Friends... And Lovers, and Strangers.

Souterrain Transmissions: recent musical tastes on the blog have been courtesy of this German label. CocoRosie may be the label's most easily recognized name, but further investigations reveal a consistency from many tonal guises.

Above is a song by the Portland based group Musée Méchanique. Soft, subtle and a lullaby of sorts, its a tune to uplift. I advocate Souterrain for music lovahs in search of the fresh and inspired–– with free downloads, assorted genres, and a streamed playlist of all artists–– this spot is a real treat.

The Scando-Files: Acne

              

 Swedish intentions are grafting momentum, and the lo-fi of fashion labels is making its London debut. Acne yields to alternative style ethics–– subtle quirks, modern grunge, and understated; they've evolved beyond providers of denim, and have the masses embracing the Scando gold.

  With the inter-world all 'a twitter, its not hard to imagine why. The Dover Street address is the brand's largest store to date, and the 4 floor concept 'studio' design not only features clothing-- but furniture, a roof terrace, gallery and a garden as well. Nothing like floral backscapes to secure the serenity of a final purchase. With such atmospheric grandeur, I think... this is where I'll go to die. (and hopefully before that too)

  Ambition to Create Novel Expressions. Acne–– your expressions are profound and ideal. Time has allowed the brand an anti-fashion mentality and the mainstreaming of a new wave. As London's premiere opening gives hope to further international queries, I'll just say that the Olga Shearling Hat would be a perfect way to weather a Canadian winter. Hint, hint.

Shoe Story, True Story

The infamous children's tale of the woman who lived in a shoe is finally making sense. A story that played on such ridiculous logistics did not fare well with my former child-self: hoarding so many kiddies within one tattered sole? How sadistic.

Nowadays, its clear this was the first nursery rhyme written by a shoe addict. The fetish is one that rides within the underbelly of woman-kind; and fashionista or nay, most women will at least acknowledge a good set of soles. With seasonal emphasis on clogs, p l a t f o r m s, wedges, and integrations of all three, I think its safe to say diamonds are dead.

My own dietary preferences have undergone a notable shift from boots to bootie-wedge. Always driven by comfort and never inspired by height, it must be said that the thick shoe trend has caught my eye and stolen my favor. Like other gals, I've had a tough time finding compatibility with the heeled sort, and stilettos + pumps are the equation of anti-climax. The bootie-wedge fusion, however, is a whole other story. With an early summer purchase of the Illex Kinni Dancers (See featured: #4) these stacks allowed me a brand new lease of height, in where I now understand the height-high. Elongated legs, instant vamp, and the single-handedly most efficient way to make an outfit–– I am sold on this new perspective. And hey, if we can't be a few steps ahead, we may as well be a few steps above. Pony up.



(Featured shoes, top to bottom; L to R: Why Red leather booties; Jeffrey Campbell Mary Roks; Why Red Suede Wedges; Illex Kinni The Dancers; Free People Amsterdam Clogs)

Archie Bronson Outfit

A rather large dose of good music lately. Archie Bronson Outfit appeared in my inbox like a present, and I'd say I'm on a bit of kick. Techna-licious grit, and they've got the music videos to match. Monumental confusion with spaceships and lasers... what's better than that? 

Zola Jesus

A band I've just recently come to know, Zola Jesus plays on atmospheric blend and chilly vocals. My initial impressions wore on parallels with Bat For Lashes, but by no means are they derivative. The balance of connect / disconnect between mood and instrumentals allow a certain seduction; a shiver.

Art Topic: Elizabeth Peyton

            


Nothing gifts the creative mind quite like the backdrop of a rainy day. My own Sunday of passing provided such trickling tones, and as it turns out, would become more of a viewing party than anything. Amongst the scrolling of picks was one fabulous Marc Jacobs documentary via You Tube. (Thanks, Ben.) It was a taste of the deconstructing process and utter cool of MJ to leave me with lots to think about.

 Elizabeth Peyton made a brief appearance. Both a personal source of inspiration for Marc and a provider of portraiture at large, Peyton's work challenges the impenetrable notion of celebrity to bring forth a more honest, human reveal. Loose and uninhibited, her work reveals cultural icons of the Lennon, Cobain and Bowie sort. There is an inwards glance that works wonder amongst viewers.

 Peyton's appearance in the documentary takes place in her modest NYC abode, as she serves up water in wine glasses for herself and the unseen interviewer. The two stand in the kitchen and the artist swirls off romanticized insight on Marc and his grip on culture. Hair aloof; androgyny appears to be of natural descent; she has the voice of a story teller –– I cannot help but hold onto every word. Peyton's soft and curious mannerisms provide a narrative intrigue, and this short but sweet cameo has set some appeal beyond the canvas. I'd like to think Peyton will extend her artistry into the realms of pod-casting and audiobooks.... just a thought.