17/01/2011

Gareth Pugh Pitti 79, a Film by Ruth Hogben

Gareth Pugh Pitti 79, a Film by Ruth Hogben

Gareth Pugh is plainly, patently a visionary. Maybe even a genius. The British wunderkind Central Saint Martin’s graduate has cemented his position as a fixture within the newer-than-new generation of fashion, and remains at the vanguard of the avant-garde (and is a subject on which that irritatingly overused buzzword actually means something). Having stumbled organically into his unconventional, highly theatrical presentation style – initially because it provided a lower-cost alternative to an extravagant runway show – it has over time developed into one of the benchmark highlights of every season in men’s fashion.

His signature organic constructivist looks have lately become something altogether more sophisticated through his otherworldly presentations. He continues to push the envelope through bombastic experimentation, and remains the most visible designer in men’s fashion to attempt so thoroughly to overturn the very foundations of the mostly staid pants-shirt-jacket-accessory template imposed perpetually on the stronger sex. Strata, layer and ornament are secondary in his presentations to a complete re-imagination of form, direction and movement that would most certainly have thrown even Barthes for a loop. And with his presentation at this year’s edition of Pitti Uomo, a film by Ruth Hogben, he strikes as much a semiotically masterful dreamscape as ever before, and continues. Projected on the ceiling of Florence’s majestic Palazzo Pitti, the film in its intended habitat recalled an alternate universe Sistine Chapel. One in which the human form is radically transformed – close your eyes after you watch it. It’s jarring.

Following is a short, sweet message he sent to his fans at Pitti in lieu of his presence this season. Much love and admiration, Mr. Pugh.

Tag Christof, media courtesy Gareth Pugh 

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14/01/2011

Luisa Via Roma’s FIRENZE4EVER

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Luisa Via Roma’s FIRENZE4EVER

Florence is just cooling down after the whirlwind second edition of Luisa Via Roma’s FIRENZE4EVER, this month’s one-of-a-kind extravaganza organised for fashion bloggers from every corner of the globe. The visionary event, which caused quite a stir in the worlds of fashion and online marketing in last year’s first edition, has continued the precedent and has certainly achieved its goal of bringing the magic of the virtual into reality. The multibrand fashion empire is among Italy’s and Europe’s most innovative and forward-thinking retailers, and has tapped into the extraordinary creativity in the independent voices of bloggers. And just like last time around, the best and the brightest were handpicked from an impressive number of countries, from the likes of China and the USA to Sweden, Brazil, Australia, France, Japan, Italy and several others.

The event was a marathon of three solid days of networking, partying and glamour, with Neil Barrett even making a special appearance. To spice things up even more, Luisa provided its Total Look Styling Lab for the bloggers, where they were provided models, photographers, makeup artists and hair stylists for on-the-spot photo shoots. And as tasty icing on the cake, Luisa even provided stunning pieces and looks fresh off the runways of Spring/Summer 2011 for the blogger’s creative fancy.

Luisa’s gleaming store in the heart of Florence played host to most of the festivities, including the 600-guest closing dinner on its gorgeous terrace, with flowing drinks and music by renowned UK DJ’s BrokenHearts. Otherwise, the bloggers and press were treated to a tour of some seriously posh highlights of the gorgeous Tuscan town. Among them was a dinner party at Cavalli Club , DJ’d by Daniele Cavalli and attended by Eva Cavalli, along with other luminaries such as shoe designer Giuseppe Zanotti and Spiga2’s Fausto Puglisi. And for the bloggers’ farewell, a very VIP finish to the revelry at Colle Beretto’s Privé lounge.

As for the love story between Luisa Via Roma and the world’s fashion bloggers, though, this sure wasn’t the final spin! Are you in for the next go-round?

Saba Giliana Tedla, Video and images courtesy Luisa Via Roma

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14/01/2011

Chert at Berlin-Paris

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Chert at Berlin-Paris

This year’s Berlin half of the Berlin-Paris gallery extravaganza kicks off tonight in the indefatigably eccentric German city. The feast of surprising exhbitions, which has in its previous incarnations highlighted the polar energies and unique personalities of Paris and Berlin, will encompass icons of classical Modernism as well as emerging artists. With about thirty shows in all, Berlin-Paris 2011 is sure to be a landmark in Berlin’s flourishing art scene.

Chert gallery, together with Gaudel de Stampa and Motto Distribution who are widely known for their self-publishing fair “Unter dem Motto,” are hosting a particularly interesting exhibition titled Token Took. Featuring works by Susanne Bürner, Morten Norbye Halvorsen and Jessica Warboys, Token Took’s opening reception is tonight starting at 6pm, and runs through February 13th at Chert, Skalitzerstrasse 68 in Berlin.

Also not to miss tonight if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Berlin is Librairie Yvon Lambert at Motto.

Tag Christof

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14/01/2011

A Very Italian LURVE

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A Very Italian LURVE

Truisms, the just-hit-newsstands fourth and latest issue of high-concept LURVE, is positively packed with Italian talent. The slick, hard-edged editorial by 2DM’s Vicky Trombetta and Matthew Josephs that we previously shared can be seen here in all its printed glory. Otherwise, this issue is dripping with fantastic work by other Italian hotshots, including fashion photographers Carlotta Manaigo, Giulia Noni, Matteo Montanari Bastien Lattanzio, as well as work from other fashion faces including Mauricio Nardi and Elisa Lusso.

As to be expected, the thick paper dream is packed to the gills with gorgeousness (even non-Italian gorgeousness), including a tongue-in-cheek editorial by photog Tyrone Lebon and stylist Max Pearman (gloriously entitled ‘My Mad Bad Dad’) and some typically dreamy images by Vivienne Sasson. Interviews with Kris Van Assche, Olof Breuning and others are treats, along with a few elegiac verses from Nietzsche and a series of haunting 1970s images from the late, great American Photographer Francesca Woodman’s time spent in Rome. 2DM/ remains a solid supporter of the project, and we’re overjoyed to see so much Italy artistry on its pages. Ci vediamo per il prossimo numero!


Tag Christof, Images 2DM/

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12/01/2011

Guest Interview N°2X: Piers Atkinson (Draft)

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07/01/2011

Yvette’s Dutch Rarebit!

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Yvette’s Dutch Rarebit!

Our indelible Yvette van Boven took a cue from those crazy Welsh and Dutchified the ever-so-tasty rarebit, a sharp, savory snack that even includes a good pilsner…

Give it a whirl! It kicks the living life out of even the best grilled cheese!

Yvette Van Boven

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07/01/2011

Bragia S/S 2011

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Bragia S/S 2011

It’s the ethereal, the fluid and the cascading crepe de shine in ombre. The whimsical and whirling that play opposite the gently angular forms. The freezing confidence shaped in the skeleton framed shoulders. Bragia’s latest collection reinterprets an elegant and softened 1950s sophistication. Flouncing plisse skirts painted by natural tonalities lend a spirit of a sweetened poised presence. Oriental hints crossover with aerial elements bringing back the delicacy and subtlety of a woman. The architectural sharp cuts reminiscent of the old soldiers, and the softness and airy movement of the skirts provide you with choices of whom you wish to play on any given day. Completely unrestricted, there is an attractive contrast between the chic demure rock and roll that is sharp and dark with graphite hues, and the flying nonchalance characterizing the light and dreamy separates.

With costume design influences and film experience designers Alessandra Torella and Santo Costanzo seek to open an imaginative culture. Founded in 2009, aspiring Bragia strives for something else in the concepts of fashion with their emphasis on deliberate creative solutions, technical experimentation of dyes and tints, and contour and pattern concentration. There is a futuristic freedom that echoes through the collection, making it easy to understand and translating a frame of mind to an external and tangible expression of dress. It feels like a fluent and flowing flexibility with clothes taking on their own stories and theatrics. Bragia is that collection that dresses you in your dreams. Free and inspiring, that is spring, isn’t it?

Coco Brown, Images courtesy Bragia

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06/01/2011

Auguri di Buon Anno!

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Auguri di Buon Anno!

Hey kids! Twenty-eleven is off to a killer start. We’re getting back into the swing of things – flying here and there, making new friends, refreshing our inspiration – and we’ve got some pretty radical things in store.

Let’s make this one an memorable, indelible, masterpiece! Shake things up in 2011!

Tag Christof

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