26/02/2010

Vampire Weekend / Contra

Try to imagine Jake Gyllenhaal playing like a drunk Nadal, or Joe Jones from Jonas Brothers acting as a naughty Federer.
Want some more? Here comes RZA as the most serious line-judge ever seen on the high chair and a stylish Lil Jon turning into a skillful tennis coach.
You know, sometimes reality gets more weird than fantasy when you mess with the mighty Vampire Weekend.
We are talking about their brand new video, “Giving up the gun”, from Vampire’s brilliant second album “Contra” (highly recommended, by the way).

Putting together this people on the same set might sound quite impossible but, as director Emmett Malloy says: “The planets just aligned and everybody happened to be around”.
Well, they say fortune helps the brave.
But when it’s not enough, you better have the right numbers to give a call.

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By Alexio Biacchi

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25/02/2010

Walter Albini by Maria Luisa Frisa & Stefano Tonchi

“The imagination to power Walter Albini and his time” is not just a book about the life of Walter Albini, but a large “fresco” of a crucial moment in which Albini was a supporter and protagonist, that  marks the passing of the atelier and the affirmation of a serial fashion and industrial production that can be reached by most. Born in Busto Arsizio in 1941, he completed his studies of art in Turin then moved to Paris, where he remained dazzled by Coco Chanel after meeting her.

Soon thereafter, he began working with Mariuccia Mandelli, and at Krizia he became familiar with the industrial techniques applied to knitwear and yarn. His big break came in 1972: Albini worked simultaneously for five independent Italian fashion companies. It becomes clear for him that he must abandon the idea of the atelier of the 50′s and envision a new way to design and produce. Albini created clothing and fabric, always striving for a unity of style. He never ceases to amaze, choosing in 1977 an exhibition of clothes on panels: twelve outfits belonging to friends, photographers, artists, whose personal care styling, once again becoming a vanguard of the times. He always chose unusual locations for his fashion shows: the Cafe Florian in Venice, the gardens in the south of Rome, a restaurant in the Brera neighborhood in Milan. A proponent of the total look, he himself put it into practice by drawing with parallel styles of fabrics, furniture, glass and objects. Many constants mark his style: from the beloved Gastby look, declined in both unisex and androgynous versions, to the shirt-jackets and bicolor shoes and early amphibians. He invented the perfection of style well in advance, leaving a timeless legacy.

By Stefania Seoni | image by 2DM from Walter Albini by Maria Luisa Frisa & Stefano Tonchi

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24/02/2010

YOU WERE HERE a slideshow in 7 parts

Take a glimpse through the eyes of Skye Parrott in her evocative and deeply personal photographs. In a slideshow conceived by SM, her work is expounded in seven distinct moods which build upon one another to construct a complete vision. Selections from her body of fashion work, as well as several photographs from her own collection will be featured.

Join us at Wonder-Room, Via Tortona 31 on Thursday evening, the 25th of February.

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By Kenneth Gordon | slideshow by SM

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23/02/2010

Wonder Room 25th of February

Skye Parrott’s deeply introspective body of work, which draws energy from the likes of Nan Goldin (albeit a comparatively blithe energy), is tinged with the sublime ardor of human relation and a profound understanding of emotion. Through her photographs, the New York-based artist has appropriately honed a sensitive and poignant eye towards exploring the immense beauty that is to be found in even the most unlikely of instants. She has worked for clients as diverse as APC and Nike and has contributed to a range of seminal publications such as Purple, Vogue, Dazed & Confused, and Wallpaper* and is creative director and co-founder of the art journal, Dossier.

A special vision of Parrott’s photography is to be set forth in a seven-part slideshow by SM.
The work is next in line to grace Wonder-Room’s conceptual hybrid space in Milan.

Wonder-Room’s continual evolution is driven by a talented group of protagonists of visual culture, together comprising a collective focused on transforming the Milan and world creative scenes.
Wonder-Room will continue its trajectory with several more unexpected experiments in creativity over the coming months.

Big appreciation for making everything possible goes out to Francesco Petroni for creative consultancy & art direction of the website, Giulio Martinelli for art direction of the website, the staff of ZoomArt for the development of the blog, Daniele Messa for development of the website, and last but not least, the staff of 2DM Management.

By Kenneth Gordon | image courtesy by Skye Parrott | concept invitation by SM

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18/02/2010

These New Puritans / Hidden

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Once were (nu-rave) warriors. Two years after their debut “Beat Pyramid”, These New Puritans make their comeback with “Hidden”. Alt-dancefloors fever has gone, replaced by an intimate mix of rhythm and horns, like early Killing Joke-gone-chamber. Sounds bizarre? Sure it does. Figure out by yourself how it works on the 23rd and 24th of February, when the band will be supporting the long-awaited The XX in Rome and Milan.
A vital chance to find out if behind his drum kit TNP drummer George Barnett loses at least some coolness he usually shows while crossing catwalks around the globe.

By Alexio Biacchi – pictures courtesy of These New Puritans & Models.com
George Barnett picture by Hedi Slimane for Dazed&Confused

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17/02/2010

Ofr – Absolution / Accord des Corps

Wallpaper* has just assigned the Design Award to Absolution as the best beauty line for the most innovative vision of beauty, for the best design and high quality of its products. So Isabelle Carron creative director of the French brand – has seen rewarded her original project, only twelve months after its birth. After years of research on field with the agency Just a Kiss, she has created the first unisex bespoke, certified organic, cosmetics line, with a unique concept of skincare customisation and a refined packaging.

“ Accord des Corps” is an exhibition of Arno Lam’s photos dedicated to the mood and philosophy of the brand.
From 18 to 21 February 2010.

0fr 20, rue Dupetit-Thouars (Carreau du Temple) 75003 Paris / www.ofrsystem.com

By Stefania Seoni | image courtesy of Ofr & Absolution cosmetics

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16/02/2010

Comme des Garcons SHIRT S/S10 with Paper Surgery

Comme des Garcons SHIRT has just introduced their breath-taking new campaign with crushed faces of celebrities. The series of the portraits was originally created by the NY-Moscow-based artist Stephen J. Shanabrook.
As the title of the series Paper Surgery goes, his cynical theme encountered the unique identity of Comme des Garcons SHIRT, which resulted in further stronger chemistry. By not showing any of their shirts at all, the shock of the visual and the name of the brand strike you more strongly. Interestingly, the operated faces would remind you of the CdG’ s iconic clean white shirt and tell you that you can look anything, but you can only BE what you really ARE.

A fake is a fake. The real is the real. Very dark and smart unti-thesis.

By Takafumi Kawasaki | image courtesy of Stephen J. Shanabrook for Comme des Garcons SHIRT

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15/02/2010

Maison Martin Margiela – Untitled

Is the absence of a name the absence of identity?

On the contrary, it could in fact give a product an independent existence without the confinement of a title.
A green flash of scent; light and delicate but sensual and fizzy at the same time is Untitled, the first Maison Martin Margiela fragrance conceived to represent the philosophy, the codes and the values of the brand. An elegant and minimal bottle designed by Fabien Baron hides a few hand-crafted passages: inspired by early 1900’s pharmaceutical examples, it wears white paint on which the title typeface harkens back to those of the old Olivetti typewriter, and a sophisticated yarn works as a fastener. Number 3 belongs to Unitled, and the only one heretofore lacking a reference within the Margiela numerology is now granted.

A few days ago we had the pleasure of attending Margiela’s presentation, where a delicate perfume connoisseur raved about the fragrance and the essences of Untitled. Meanwhile the audience enjoyed a good glass of champagne while catching divine whiffs of the scented plumes. In that deeply white atmosphere we cannot leave aside at Margiela. While Untitled will be available in shops by March 3oth, MMM promises a male fragrance in 2011, once again in partnership with L’Oreal.

By Elisa Lusso – Images Paolo Simi.

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12/02/2010

Kilimanjaro: Edits Curated By Olu Michael Odukoya

The process I use on Kilimanjaro is very similar to the process an artist would use to curate a piece of work. For me a lot of the emphasis is placed on the ‘process’ itself and not solely the outcome of the finished product. Over the years this philosophy has helped Kilimanjaro differentiate itself from other magazines. I use the magazine as a medium to convey messages and as a opportunity for cultural dialogue.

The recent opportunity with the team at 20 Hoxton Square Projects collaborating with Alex Dellal showcases how easily it is for Kilimanjaro to become a exhibition from 2D printed matter. The manifesto of the magazine – Art, Love and Everyday Life is bought to life through contemporary photography, sculpture , contemporary art . The chosen edits showcase within the space are photographs by Henry Roy, JH Engstrom, Robi Rodriguez, Lukas Wassmann , Claudia Stockli, Alex Hoda, Michael Samuels and Milton Marque, also with Set Build Architecture by Tom Finch.

By Olu Michael Odukoya | pictures courtesy of Kilimanjaro

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09/02/2010

Ana Murillas in 2min

Barcelona-based stylist Ana Murillas always comes packing. Chests and suitcases of fashion on international flights, that is. Ana is a bona-fide stylaholic, and the killer dedication she displays towards her craft has garnered her a reputation as one of the best in the business.
She has collaborated with equally lofty photographers, such as Xevi Muntané, Daniel Riera, Roger Deckker and Txema Yeste with gorgeous results. Ana is a regular contributor to Metal and Rodeo, has styled for Nike, Levi’s, and Pepe Jeans among others and has been featured in publications as diverse as Playboy France and the quintessential Spanish newspaper, El Pais.

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By Kenneth Gordon | video by Matteo Cherubino | edited by Kenneth Gordon

Music: Trick Pony By Charlotte Gainsbourg

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