Sophisticated Lines by Laura Laine
SCANDINAVIA – Illustration, in itself, is an industry called upon to deliver original content to inspire. Sometimes mirrored with photographic editorials, fashion illustrations can stand alone, especially if Laura Laine is the one with a pencil. Her work for designers like Tommy Hilfiger, Rad Hourani and Escada along with her editorial work in Muse, Elle, Wunder and The New Yorker reveals her sensual sensibility and current taste on trend. The flowing luxury represented through long locks of hair and the flexibility in fluid lines allow Laine to capture a sophisticated idealization of woman. More images of her beautiful work after the jump…
Nervo at Smashbox
(Photo: Garet Field Sells)
LOS ANGELES – EMI’s Virgin Records just signed Liv and Mim Nervo, a.k.a. NERVO, to develop their own projects and artists. I reported on The P/I last year about the twin-sister dj/producer/song writing duo – announcing that a U.S. domination was soon approaching. With the international success of Nervo’s last project with David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, “When Love Takes Over”, they are celebrating a level of accomplishment that took 9 years to develop. I had the pleasure of getting to know them over the recent Grammy weekend, and also photographed Nervo at the best studio in L.A. – Smashbox Studios.
Born in Australia, Nervo has traveled the world, writing and vocally producing with artists like Ke$ha, Armin Van Buurin, The Pussycat Dolls, Hannah Montana, and Roger Sanchez. They’re strong lyrics are supported by a unique attitude and unrivaled energy. Spending time between Los Angeles, New York and London – their currently riding a pretty constant and steady wave – being asked to write and produce by heavy hitters in the music scene. The two ladies are intelligently angled on their music, the passion of what they do, and the obvious powerful effect their songs bring to an audience. Stay tuned for a special solo project coming your way.
Williamson, the next DVF
LONDON – The colorful eye of recent H&M collaborator Matthew Williamson has officially blown out of the “go-to Spring/Summer collections” and continues full force into his new Fall lines showcased this month at London Fashion Week. Spiraling geometric patterns and rich colors of magenta, blue, and yellow sprinkle the well-tailored feminine frocks, dresses and separates. This woman lives a great life, full of energy, passion, love, humor, and sex. However, and honestly speaking, this is nothing new from Williamson. His hold on a modern cool girl is nothing ephemeral. What this collection creates for the brand, is iconifying… crossing it over to DVF-like status to become a relatable language between women of all ages. More images after the jump…
Viktor and Rolf’s Calm Before the Storm
(Photo: Viktor & Rolf)
The designing team Viktor & Rolf has a history of biting humor and high concept, yet their latest Pre-Fall collection shows a calmer and more tailored look. Satin drapery and pleated accents with their famous structural work all add up to a chic interpretation of past collections. This almost tame line is only thought of in such a way because of their prior grandiose presentations, provocative lines and releases of conceptual art. In retrospect, you see influences of color and texture from their 2005 Ready to Wear line to their last Spring collection with chainsawed tool gowns, which can only suggest that this presentation has to be “the calm before the storm”. It may be a time for reflection and redirection for the Victor & Rolf brand… or possibly a temporary focus on fragrance with their much-anticipated launch of Eau Mega, “the perfume larger than life”.
What Editorial Dreams are Made Of
The shoe of every women’s fashion editorial is always in the spotlight, whether it may be a thigh-high laser cut boot, talon-shaped reforming pump, or a refreshing classic red-soled creation. Each season has its favorites; Harper’s Bazaar actually had to restrict their stylists from using Alexander Wang’s strapped heel because of its over-use.
One man, who is loved within the industry, yet barely known to the masses (yet), is Nicholas Kirkwood. The British designer has been creating angular, high-luxury, and dreamlike shoes since 2008 for his growing name brand. Now collaborating with larger houses, his unique style is appreciated by the ladies behind Rodarte. Here is a preview of his second collaboration with their Fall/Winter 2010 collection and a look to their past. Photos after the jump.
Alexander the Great
Photo: Marcio Madeira
NEW YORK – When a Wall Street banker meets a nomadic gypsy, they collide into a futuristic mix of old textures sewn with new technology. High-end designs with an impressively competitive price point caught the eyes of millions with ShowStudio’s live presentation of Alexander Wang’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection in Times Square. Crushed velvet may be a hard sell, but Wang continues to prove that he knows the woman he’s designing for: modern, chic, and effortlessly cool. A blend of the asymmetrical and the fine tailoring value of lace into pin-stripe wool is complimented by a sense of comfort that enwraps the body. Overall, his collection is eclectically varied with a specific story and base of influence… a successful cohesive expression.
Photographer vs. Photographer
Photo: Eric Ogden
NEW YORK – The break of the new year is still quite fresh as the first few weeks motivate change, comparison, and past reflection. Our photographic encounters over the past year cause disruption within the calm landscape of established artists – giving emerging talents an opportunity to showcase their work for industry advancement. Curator Ruben Natal San Miguel compares the work of 18 up-and-coming photographers, to ask help from the public in identifying the latest accomplishments of our time. The show “Versus” at Hous Projects in New York City now until March 8, 2010 is an all out battle of voice, color saturation, texture, composition and clarity in message that can possibly leave the celebrated winner standing over the defeated, without a $17.99 HBO fight-night special broadcast. The line-up after the jump…
Here is the line up:
Brian Ulrich vs. Alex Leme, Mickalene Thomas vs. Nadine Rovner, Hank Willis Thomas vs. Cara Phillips, Amy Elkins vs. Molly Landreth, Matthew Pillsbury vs. Kris Graves, Phil Toledano vs. Elizabeth Fleming, Zoe Strauss vs. Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Jen Davis vs. Eric Ogden and Michael Wolf vs. Gina Levay.
Hous Projects – Versus
31 Howard Street, 2nd floor
New York
V Summer On Blast
LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK – With summer rounding the corner, Los Angeles prepares for the surf, sand and sun. Too early for such statements in February? Firstly – this is L.A. And secondly- working in the industries of fashion, beauty, product and marketing – you should know we all operate on a different calendar. The Spring/Summer collections of international designers have been recorded in fashion editorials from coast to continent over the last few months. With most collections available for purchase March 1st. Ad sales in publications are key to fashion and accessory label’s seasonal success. See how V Magazine is approaching summer fun after the jump… Read more
A Magazine Curated By…
Photo: Maison Martin Margiela
NEW YORK – “A Magazine Curated By” has taken the publishing world to a new platform that forces the creatives behind content creation to push design limits, making the oh-so-supreme inspiration its only medium. The concept behind the magazine is mirrored a bit to the Visionaire releases, but unique in its “slate-clean” approach to contributors – as no issue will ever have the same editor-in-chief, allowing the chosen Designer/Creative Director to hand-pick the entire editorial staff. The 9th issue, “A Magazine Curated By Proenza Schouler,” was released in July with cover muse Chloë Sevigny shot by Richard Burbridge.
Of course the genius design house Maison Martin Margiela was chosen first to curate the mag with its trademark white washing and circa-90’s computer inspired genre. It’s available online for the first time at A MAGAZINE CURATED BY.
The American Way of Style
(Photo: Claudia Knoepfel + Stefan Indlekofer)
LOS ANGELES – The beaches of California continue to pull in international appeal, creating not only an entertainment mecca but a vital hot spot in the fashion industry. The American Way of Style, a current trend in fashion reporting, is interpreted by photographers Claudia Knoepfel + Stefan Indlekofer with model Shannan Click for German Vogue’s February 2010 fashion feature.
As many Angelenos know, “The Magic Hour” is when golden sunlight casts a soft warm light over the towered landscape of palms and glass buildings alike. The images blend a blonde and tan sensibility, stay true to Vogue’s level of apparel aesthetic (i.e. limited number of American designers), and feature L.A. as a place that the beautiful roam, park, play tennis, and work out. It may seem a tad simple, featuring only the beaches of Venice as the “American” reference while void of an investigative Los Angeles spirit… but do remember, it’s Winter in Germany. More images after the jump… Read more
