Swiss Textile Awards 2009

“While some designers look to the past or future, Alexander Wang is as right here, right now as it gets. The American designer is zeitgeisty, he’s of the moment and in fashion-speak he’s also having a moment; quite an extended one to judge by his growing popularity.”

-The Independent

SS10 Runway Trends>>White on Black

Celine, Givenchy, Chanel, Jean Paul Gautier

Michael Kors, Karl Lagerfeld, Oscar de la Renta, Jil Sander

Hermes, Aguri Sagimor, Philip Lim 3.1, Jonathan Sanders

Wake me up when September ends..

 

A dream was passed on to a large majority of my generation in America of becoming a magazine editor. Whether food, fashion, rock journalism or political humor, there was something (I say with bias) glamourous about the freedom to create and dictate what the american consumer would digest as far as trends, gossip, real-life advice-essentially a niche market spectrum of entertainment and information-on a monthly basis. Over 200 years ago the elegance of newspaper print blossomed into colorful periodicals of pop culture, in order to transform print journalism.


I read an article today on Media Bistro that calls attention to the marriage of journalism and marketing threatened by the death of print, specifically questioning the objectives of a media consulting organization called: Innovation. Reading the accusation gives me a headache. Perhaps Media Bistro just wants to remind us that the art of objective journalism is dying and the reader, who has been so spoiled by the truth since the freedom of the press was put in motion by Ben Franklin, is susceptible to manipulation by this marriage. Journalism in America, I learned from my studies at BU, was this entity that supported the voice of the people our nation was built upon. How could being the bearer of truth to a country with an exploding spirit of liberalism not be idealized as a gallant, patriotic quest? Newspapers were like Robin Hood's bow and arrows.

So as magazine editors are being laid off and the consumer is now primarily reached online, media relations are entering a tunnel of darkness. I have to say, it's really cool to be in communications in New York as all of this is happening. My generation, that saw the birth of the internet, is now responsible for rebuilding how America gets its news. I admit I've had a difficult time converting to the "me" behind blog writing and Twittering, because after studying journalism and the importance of research, fairness, and a well-rounded story etc, I think in terms of articles, not incomplete thoughts and "diary" entries. And besides, my life is not all that fascinating.

I must say, "following your dreams" is overrated when you can be a part of a media revolution in America.

November Vogue and the ladies of Nine

Vogue shoot for Nine posted by Fashionista

November Vogue's cover shoot for the must anticipated Nine. The story recounts the life of Italian director Federico Fellini and how he balanced the many women of his life. The cast boasts the best of the international broads-oscar winners Marion Cotillard and Sophia Loren, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman..etc. Also a musical remake,  I imagine it will be something like Chicago, also equipped with a random pop-diva appearance (Fergie). Out this Christmas, will be sure to let my Jewish friends know.

John Ribbe SS10 Paris

Here are some images from my cousin's show in Paris (they are a bit small, waiting on better ones). He makes clothes that are functional and architectural. He doesn't take from the embellished, fantastical world of Paris, because that is not the German way. Like Jil Sander before him, his clothes are minimalist and ahead of his time. Raised by a German father, I can vouch for the fact that in the mind of a German there is no time for things that do not make sense. The John Ribbe woman is sharp and confident, but most importantly the clothes don't distract; they are just as imaginative as they are supportive of the woman's many colors.

Favorite Quote I Read Today

"Sometimes I say to myself, what are you doing in this absurd job? Why don't you go to Africa and help people? But I cannot help people, because I am a hypochondriac." -Javier Bardem

Highlights from SS10 New York

Above: Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs. Bellow: Derek Lam, Preen, Cynthia Rowley, DVF.

From top left: Narciso Rodriguez, Charlotte Ronson, DKNY.

American Dreaming

DJ AM tweeted "New York, new york. Big city of dreams, but everything in new york ain't always what it seems" on the brink of his death. To a New Yorker, it is just another case of a soft person from LA who can't handle the big city. You get tough, or you go home. The protagonist of (500) Days of Summer, Tom Hansen, stumbled upon this same awakening after he fell in love with a girl that did not believe true love existed. Tom learned that fate did not exist and everything in life was pure coincidence. 

New York: The City where people come to realize their dreams. At any given moment there is a group of girls sitting at happy hour laughing over cocktails about how funny it is that adult life is like sex & the city, creating somewhat of an illusion of security. Some people come to the city to live out the dreams they've adapted from their favorite t.v. show, song lyrics, movie etc. Some girls would die to work at Vogue and swear to themselves they'll do anything to get there. Men want to fill the shoes of their fathers and make all the money in the world. The second you let go of this illusion of what you want to become, you are giving up. There is no room for letting go. And in the most competitive city in the world, you had better watch your back and you better be grateful. At any given moment you could lose your job, lose sight of your dreams, and lose that 60" flat screen proudly displayed in your tiny but superbly located West Village apartment. New York epitomizes american dreaming. 

All over the city, Spanish Harlem's James de la Vega markets the spirit of his work with quotes like "Realiza tu Sueno". His graffiti art is a wonderfully ironic mix of encouraging beauty and a pessimistic reality. And sometimes it sort of pisses me off because I am in New York trying to "realize my dreams" here, but the emphasize becomes so redundant that, as Steve Wonder says, you're sort of just livin' for the city

...more to come

Stranger: why do you write?

Arenas (Bardem): Revenge.