Soundsuits

Amazing and inspirational. The work of Nick Cave is like an explosion of energy and imagination, combining the visually extraordinary, wearable art pieces with the idea of movement. Coming from a dance background, and teaching fashion in Chicago, he plays with modifying the body and extending it through clothing and how one then moves when wearing one of his Soundsuits. The name came about after realising what sounds were being produced when he put the first one on - it was an unintentional outcome. What has resulted is a whole-body experience that incorporates all the senses and is truly arresting to watch.

Ali Larrey

You can find some amazing things in the Behance network. While doing some research for a photo shoot, i came upon the work of Ali Larrey, an art director, set designer, and floral designer based in Madrid. Her work is opulent, evoking historical excess through her compositions and love of decoration. I put up a few images here of a spread called The Atelier, these ones in particular caught my eye for the styling and the poses of the model. I particularly like the bathtub image for its colours and semi-quirky positioning.

THE ATELIER
LUCÍA SE CASA Magazine
Photographer: Antonio Cordero
Stylist: Abraham Gutiérrez
Set Design: Ali Larrey & Enrique Ferrero

http://www.alilarrey.com/

Rockabilly Love

I came across this editorial from Blend Magazine on the Design Scene website here.
They struck me most particularly for the hair - a little bit Chanel of recent catwalk shows, but with this rockabilly vibe that comes through with some of the styling - like the catseye sunglasses and small check shirt, the bouffant fringes. Some of the crotch-grabbing positions are a little unexpected, it seems that the shoot switches between a more innocent look with the hair and some quite romantic outfits, to these sexed-up photos which makes me a little confused about that they are really intending in this shoot. There is an obvious lack of narrative, or otherwise the theme that was intended has become lost. All the same, some very nice elements within each photo.

Credits:
Magazine: Blend Magazine
Fashion Editor: Sonny Groo
Styling: Venus Waterman
Hair: Hester Wernert For Mogeen
Make-up: Adrien Pinault |Calliste|
Models: Cicely Telman & Michelle Westgeest |Paparazzi Model Management| and Jorg van der Ham |Republic|
Photography by Petrovsky & Ramone

Moody Men

Continuing with my love and research of men in fashion and masculinity, NOWNESS has just released a new film for the Dior Homme AW2010 collection. Taking inspiration from a found polaroid of a white hallway, photographer Sharif Hamza recreated this scene in which to frame the new men's line, producing a film resplendent in mood as well as showing a reverence for the clothing itself. The billowing trench is particularly arresting, as well as the close up shots of the models, seeming to communicate without the need for words, as Sharif intends.

The White Room, Dior Homme Fall 2010

Directed by Sharif Hamza

Styled by Robbie Spencer

Men in Tights

Still looking at all manner of men things, I bought a plastic-wrapped Japanese men's magazine the other day with no idea what it would contain. I ended up being very pleased with my purchase for it unleashed a stream of beautiful men's fashion and fantastic japanese styling. This shoot featured here shows off a bit of trend going on in Japan right now for wearing leggings under shorts - sporty, playful, post industrial....

Huge Magazine

April 2010

photographed by Katsuhide Morimoto

styled by Toshio Takeda

Textural Man

While currently researching manly things for an upcoming project, i was reminded of an editorial I had seen and loved in the wonderful magazine Bon. Photographed by Anushka Blommers and Niels Schumm, and styled by Haidee Findlay-Levin, they have such seemingly simple compositions, yet the black and white photography is so effective in capturing the hedges. Add to this the ethereal young man, model Robin van der Krogt, who gives off a bit of a vampire vibe. The shoot is modern with an edge of retro styling - the hair especially teamed up with chunky knits and large-buttoned coats, it makes me think of iconic male characters like Holden from J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. There is a sense of vulnerability underlying a shrewd independence that is typical of those literary characters, finding themselves while out on a wandering journey.

Bon International, No. 16, Autumn Winter 2009-10

Heavenly Light

Soft projector light lends a surreal, filmic quality to this editorial featuring Kate Moss. It adds another layer to the clothing, reiterating the tulle and angelic hair and yet is also juxtaposed by the hard edge found in elements like the cigarette and graffiti style projections. Some photos show the projection of a film still - referencing beauty and the beast. Almost like the projection of inner thoughts and feelings, ephemera, and a gauzy veil imprinting on the body.

source: http://community.livejournal.com/ru_glamour/2716512.html?style=mine

Vogue Paris Dec-Jan 2005

Photographer: Craig McDean

Stylist: Carine Roitfeld

more neon eye candy

I just came across this pic on a website called Bleach Black - UV light from the tanning bed and a great photo. A bit more low-tech than the Herring & Herring images but equally as interesting.

www.bleachblack.com

Radioactive Light

A great photographic collaboration exists between Dimitri Scheblanov and Jesper Carlsen, who founded Herring & Herring in 2008. Radioactive uses the one technique to amazing effect, and the neon, glowing garments literally jump out of the image like very cool kids stepping out from the nuclear reactor - or another planet. Styled by Katie Collins, published in Surface Nov 2009. For more of their work go here.

Stylists no. 4 - Nicola Formichetti

Nicola Formichetti has been amazing me with his work lately. Having established himself through his position as creative director at Dazed and Confused, he also fills the boots of fashion editor at Vogue Hommes Japan, V mag, Another magazine and Another Man. I am in awe of his styling work with men's fashion in particular - it really goes beyond the typical representation of male fashion and toward a less gender-stereotyped sensibility. His creative style is quite diverse but the use of props, accessories and makeup often play a large part, combined with photographic effects or location to make a complete and engaging story. I'm very much drawn to colourful things at the moment, especially in fashion photography, however his black and white work is also beautiful.
Here's a taste of some editorials, a whole lot more on his website www.nicolaformichetti.com

Delphic - Halcyon video clip

fantastically shot video clip by Delphic - the styling is great, the slow motion, high-def photography really captures the flow and movement of the fabric as well as the shale as it breaks and shatters under the dancers' feet. The combination of location, costumes and movement come together beautifully, a bit mysterious and ritualistic.. Also love the emphasis on the hands in the choreography.