nevermind the bricolage

Blackmeans

 

A little Tokyo punk leather for a Wednesday. I love the attention to detail, the way the idea is carried through the whole look, the utility mixed with creative flourish.

A Little Tuesday Fashion

courtesy of Nick Wooster and United Arrows.

United Arrows

 

Japanese retailer United Arrows made a short film during Paris fashion week, here is their take on Gallic street style.

 

Rockabillies

Jennifer Greenburg is an assistant professor of Photography at Indiana University Northwest, and has been taking photos of a Rockabilly community for a decade or more, chronicling their attempts to recreate 1950s life behind white-picket fences. The people she captures are examples of the aesthetic look of teens in the 1950s.  What is interesting and what compelled Greenburg to do the project is that this group of people have chosen to completely overlook the social and cultural dynamics that went along with that look, in other words, they acquire the look, but it is divorced completely from the context of the times. As she notes this subculture, like many other groups who emulate bygone periods of youth culture, has become a hybrid of texts and images—frequently taken out of context—for Rockabillies they draw from an era that saw race riots, cultural upheaval, and little hope for middle-class advancement. Few, if any, members of the Rockabilly culture would actually want to live in the post-war era; rather, the imagery and ideals have been adapted to serve a wistful interpretation of that time. As someone said, nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the 'good old days.'

Pharrell's hat and other tales of pop music ignorance

I saw nothing but snide comments about Pharrell's hat last night. From the red carpet to the live broadcast, there were comments everywhere about the 'strange hat' he was wearing and a kind of non-plussed, 'but he is usually so hip,' confusion. Well, maybe a little pop culture history might have helped. It could well be that Pharrell was paying homage to his own musical roots. Exhibit A-Malcolm McLaren's foray in to hip-hop, Buffalo Girls-check out the photo people and then the video, and then go to fucking rock and roll school to learn some shit before you go off on his fashion faux-pas!

 

 

the garden of earthly delights/dr. martens

The Garden of Earthly Delights is a triptych by Dutch painter, Hieronymus Bosch. It has long been regarded as one of his most ambitious and career-defining works. The left panel depicts God presenting Eve to Adam, the central panel is a broad panorama of nude figures engaging each other in a number of ways, fantastical animals, oversized fruit and hybrid stone formations. The right panel is a hellscape and portrays the torments of hell and damnation. it's trippy to say the least and well worth some thinking about and pouring over. but now, the painting can be worn--Dr. Martens, makers of the long-hip shoe of the same name, has introduced a special edition of their boots and shoes featuring sections of the painting. I might have to own a pair of these.

Stan's are back!

I have limited taste in trainers--I hate Nikes and the like--Converse are my speed and Stan Smith's, which I wore religiously for decades. Adidas took them out of production a while ago, much to the chagrin of many, but simplicity wins out and apparently they are making a comeback later this year. SS were the first all leather trainer, and they laid the groundwork for the entire high-end sneaker market, and for my money they can't be beat.

Paul Smith: autumn/winter 2014

 

Yes please!!

Richard James

Deleuzian Nomad

 

In the early 00s in LA, the hipppest hangout was Les Deux Cafe's, just off of Sunset Bouelvard--restaurant, club, and something in between, watched over and nurtured by Michelle Lamy, who even in LA's eclectic world, stood out as a maverick in both dress and thinking! She is a self-proclaimed deleuzian nomad whose life has been colourful to say the least, she started out as a lawyer and has become well...watch the video, a fascinating woman to say the least.

"Travelling you need a chef and a DJ then you'll be fine," couldn't have said it better myself.