Levis 501 Non Denim @ Moda Lisboa

No fim de semana de 8 a 10 de Março pude assistir aos desfiles da Moda Lisboa Trust e tenho andado muito atarefado com trabalho e tarefas here and there. Estou a preparar um post diferente do costume, vou mostrar apenas uma fotografia de cada desfile, tirada com a minha máquina. Os meus ângulos da Moda Lisboa. Quanto a looks, decidi que não se justificava partilhar. No entanto, como vos tinha dito aqui, tive a oportunidade de estrear na Lisbon Fashion week o meu par de Levi’s 501 Non Denim. Optei por um look mais street, mais sportswear ao conjugar as 501 Non Denim encarnadas com os meus ténis Supra Vaider High Top em cor de caramelo, uma t-shirt e um hoodie. Muito simples porque quando se vestem calças encarnadas por si só já é um statement forte, por isso há que optar por não exagerar naquilo que se conjuga. 

Fiz estas montagens para ser diferente daquelas fotografias de chapa e assim foco-me mais nas Levi’s 501 Non Denim que é o que realmente interessa. E para quem conhece a marca sabe que conforto e estilo são as duas palavras de ordem! O que se podem questionar é se esse mesmo conforto existe nesta versão Non Denim (uma vez que estilo esse é garantidíssimo!!!). Pois bem, tenho que vos dizer que as calças para além de vestirem lindamente, assentam na perfeição na cintura e são muito muito muuuuuuuuito confortáveis. Perfeitas para a estação Spring/Summer que está around the corner, com os festivais de Verão, os passeios de férias, um almoço numa esplanada junto à praia... Admito que já estou a imaginá-las de mil e uma maneiras... e podem fazer dobras, pô-las para dentro de ténis ou botas, podem usá-las todas amachucadas em baixo.

Quando compro umas calças normais, costumo ter sempre de usar cintos ou mandar apertar as calças na zona da cintura, mas estas da Levi’s são surpreendentes, assentam que nem uma luva. Estou muito contente e acho que a marca americana acertou mais uma vez em cheio com esta aposta. Sigam-me no instagram @ZERBRANDAO porque irei partilhar mais looks futuros com estas 501 Non Denim.

Minajesty unzipped

My favorite girl Nicki Minaj is dominating the world and I love it. From her own fragrance, two #1 albums, owning the record of 7 singles charting at the same time on Billboard Hot 100, a collaboration with MAC cosmetics to American Idol judge, face of Jeremy Scott for Adidas collection, duets with Madonna, Britney, Kanye West, among others, performing at Superbowl with Madonna, and so on. Miss Minaj is slaying all your faves because she not only does hip-hop like no one else in the game but she also did a crossover to pop and R&B. I mean... when will your faves??? Bow down to the Queen!!!!

Right now she covers the April issue of ELLE US and she's absolutely stunning, like she's never been seen before. For 2013, Nicki revealed she wanted to go with more clean looks and she's doing it. Excessiveness is part of the past and she's evolving. Love to see one of my favorite artists stepping up her game. She opted to strip down and show her natural self with no fake eyelashes, no wigs, no pink lipstick. Let's see some of the legendary amazing shots and part of the interview where she opens up about being bullied and much more.

Photography: Thomas Whiteside

Styling: Joe Zee

(wearing Print Jeremy Scott for Adidas bathing suit and Salvatore Ferragamo leather trousers)

On her dramatic make-under for her ELLE photo shoot:

"When I saw myself with barely any makeup at, it was such a… like, I'm so, so attached to my pink lipstick, it's hard. I feel that it's become a part of me. To go in front of the camera, without pink lips or big ol' crazy lashes— you know, nothing— I felt naked. It was scary! So this photo shoot was a real accomplishment in my eyes."

(wearing Dolce & Gabbana woven raffia bustier and skirt)

On her plans for world domination:

"My goal in the beginning was to buy my mother a house. Now I realize, Okay, if I really focus and become a key player in business, then I can build an empire. I'm thinking of a legacy that I can be proud of and wealth that my grandchildren can use to go to college. So world domination— in terms of providing for my family— is absolutely my goal."

On experiencing bullying in school as a child:

"I went through a lot of bullying early on. Girls made my life a living hell. We had come to America from a different country. My brother and I had accents. It was very tough. So I've always put up this wall— it was a self-defense mechanism growing up— because I was almost expecting people to attack me. And I still have it. It's sad."

(wearing Tom Ford leather jacket and American Apparel leggings)

Her advice for women on how to command respect:

"My advice to women in general: Even if you're doing a nine-to-five job, treat yourself like a boss. Not arrogant, but be sure of what you want— and don't allow people to run anything for you without your knowledge. You want everyone to know, Okay, I can't play games with her. I have to do right by this woman. That's what it's all about."

Watch this really funny video where Nicki Minaj interviews herself, literally. I laughed so much. Love the fact ELLE played with Nicki's alter-egos. You must see!!!

In some other news, Nicki Minaj just filmed the music video for her new single "High School" featuring Lil Wayne and collaborated with rapper French Montana on his sexy new single "Freaks". Check it out!

Best of SS13

Australian GQ picked male model Clement Chabernaud for a cool fashion spread. He wears the best looks from Spring/Summer 2013 collections. These are my top 3 pictures and favorite brands as well. These images were shot by Hasse Nielsen and Wayne Gross was responsible for this editorial's styling. It's fun to see Clement wearing Versace, because he's not the typical Versace man. However, he looks great on that amazing mint leather vest. Salvatore Ferragamo has one of the most vibrant collections just like Burberry Prorsum, well represented with those amazing metallic golden pants. 

This is just a quick post, I attended Lisbon Fashion Week during the weekend and I have a lot to share with all of you. I'm preparing a post about it, so stay tuned. 

#Levis501 - new evolution // non denim

Obrigatório! - digo eu. E não me venham com argumentos contrários porque de certezinha não são válidos. Ora bem, e perguntam-se vocês "mas então o que é obrigatório?" e eu respondo "ter uns jeans Levi's no armário". Quando digo jeans, digo um blusão de ganga, uma t-shirt, qualquer coisa com aquela etiqueta encarnada tão icónica. Armário sem Levi's é como galinha sem penas.

Mas o que é que eu quero mesmo dizer-vos? Que a marca está a celebrar o 140º aniversário dos lendários jeans 501 e por isso mesmo preparou uma novidade para a Primavera/Verão 2013 - uma fabulosa colecção de 4 peças non-denim em cores diferentes (encarnado, azul navy, areia e verde seco). A tradição é subvertida, mantém-se o corte e a essência dos jeans mas introduz-se o elemento lúdico com alguns ajustes e detalhes mais sofisticados como reforço de costuras, bolsos maiores e uma silhueta mais actual.

O conforto das Levi's é 100% garantido e o facto de ser non-denim dá uma leveza ao produto e o resultado são uns jeans extraordinários, num estilo disruptivo mas com a intemporalidade da assinatura da marca americana. Eu já tenho as minhas, optei pelas red... brevemente irei partilhar umas fotografias com elas vestidas, mas por agora deixo-vos algumas das imagens da campanha.

E antes de me ausentar queria deixar-vos uma info bem gira sobre a Levi's, a título de curiosidade. As calças de ganga 'blue jeans' foram patenteadas em 1873 e adivinhem só que os jeans eram para os mineiros e cowboys do Oeste Americano!!! LOL Quem diria?! Bom, já sabem se ainda não têm um item Levi's no vosso armário - shame on you! - e se esse for o caso corram já para a loja mais próxima e comprem um par.

Kanye x Margiela

These images left me breathless so I had to share them with all of you. Kanye West is doing some surprise shows in Europe and his performance at Le Zénith, in Paris, was captured by the lens of the prestigious photographer Tommy Ton. More than a concert, Kanye did a fashion, artistic and musical installation. He was the center of the show and wore a straightjacket, a golden chain, a pair of Nike Air Force 1 high tops and a beautiful crystal Maison Martin Margiela mask. (It might be kinda difficult to sing with a mask covering all your face... just sayin'!)

Everything looked a little bit weird but conceptualized at the same time, Mr. West is taking his music to the next level, he's surely not the typical rapper, he's an artist and I guess he's stating that. Based on some reports, Kanye was talking 'crazy' and one of the things he said was: “I am Picasso. I am Michelangelo. I am Basquiat. I am Walt Disney. I am Steve Jobs.”. I have no clue of what he's trying to transmit but it's pretty funny, probably a way of artistic purification, of freedom, a catharsis, a death-liberation thesis maybe(?!). Oh well... I'm done guessing... let's just appreciate these pictures and wait for Kanye's next album, which he is already recording.

New York Fashion Week: Jeremy Scott F/W 13/14

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Jeremy Scott's subversive fun fashion concepts and once again the designer surprised me with an amazing eclectic collection. For 2013's Fall/Winter season, Scott opted for some punk looks, with animal print, patterns with monsters, eyes and drooling mouthes, quotes and a hairy monster-ish garments.

These intelligent graphic elements found its climax in sweaters worn by Cara Delevingne and Miles McMillan where you can see a creepy scary face looking right at you. Jeremy said that there's a West Coast skaters, punks and surfers feel all over the collection, which created a fantasy colorful world of a teenage kid. Adolescence is present here more than ever, because there's a clear statement during the show "Adults suck, then you're one". That's absolutely true, I might say.

This cohesive but chaotic result works really well, it's a streetstyle hit and I can't wait to see some of these pieces in some edgy and alternative editorials. Skintight dresses, leather jackets, tops, t-shirts, sweaters, boots, everything is so damn cool!!! Some garments seem a little plastic-ish and that's amazeballs since it gives life to the cartoon outfits. I just love it, it's a huge departure from the SS13 collection (which I reviewed here), the theme is different but the ideas are still genius. Can't get enough of Jeremy Scott. He's getting better in my opinion.

What about the model casting??? It was unbelievable: Cara Delevingne slayed hard as usual, Sebastian Sauvé is a runway prince without a doubt, Miles McMillan, Adonis Bosso, the newcomer Simonas Pham, hitgirl Lindsey Wixson and Irina Shayk (Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend! lol).

Harlem Shake!

Hey y'all! Sorry for the lack of updates here on the blog... I've been working on some side projects that take a lot of time but I promise I'll let you know all about them soon. For now, the main reason I've been away is because I am changing the blog. I'm doing a new header and so far I'm loving it and can't wait to know your opinions. Furthermore, I will modify some features but I don't want to give away too much, I want to surprise you all.

Meanwhile, I just want to show you this collage I did of some funny backstage moments from my favorite models. Of course we have the love of my life, Cara Delevingne and her hilarious faces, then there's Lindsey Wixson looking extremely amused lol, Paolo Roldan and Sebastian Sauvé being silly and a bored model (sorry but I really don't know his name) surrounded by hairstylists... his face is just priceless! LOVE LOVE LOVE these images.

Finally, have you heard about the HARLEM SHAKE fever? Oh if you didn't you're so not up to date. Artist Baauer released a song called "Harlem Shake" which is an addictive ghetto-dance-flavored tune. Underground hip-hop gurl Azealia Banks added some dope lyrics to the instrumental and it's now viral... check the sexy sassy video here. But the best happened backstage at the Topshop Unique F/W 2013/14 fashion show, my fave models Cara Delevingne, Jourdan Dunn and Rosie Tapner were seen shaking their thangs like pros! Love it... can't stop watching this video!!!! WERK WERK WERK

Douglas Booth: brand new Romeo

It is my favorite magazine and I'm always excited about each issue. I'm talking about VMAN, of course. The Spring/Summer 2013 edition will be available soon (you can pre-order it here) and it features one of my all time faves on the cover: Douglas Booth. I know him since he modeled for Burberry and I was always aware of his public appearances to see how was his style. In fact, it is simple but sharp and sleek, something that goes along really well with Douglas' low profile personality.

He's now a model turned actor, I might say, a really good one. Douglas Booth did an outstanding performance as Culture Club's lead singer Boy George in the biopic "Worried About The Boy". The talent was obvious as he also did other amazing films as well: "Christopher And His Kind" and "In Love With Dickens", all of them british productions. "The Pillars Of The Earth" and "Great Expectations" were two TV series he was part of, as well. However, Douglas' biggest moment was probably "LOL", the romantic teen comedy where he starred alongside Miley Cyrus. Despite bad reviews, the remake of a french film with the same title became viral online and lots of images of the movie were TUMBLR-tastic and are now gifs and collages all around the Internet. 

His upcoming project will certainly make him huge and definitely a breakout star. Douglas will play the role of Romeo in the "Romeo & Juliet" new movie adaptation with Hailee Steinfeld, Ed Westwick and Paul Giamatti as part of the cast. It is now in post-production and will premiere in October. Besides, he already did a film called "Noah" for 2014 and has landed himself the leading role for "Jupiter Ascending", which is the new project of the masterminds behind "Cloud Atlas" - Lana and Andy Wachowski. Even though the whole thing is wrapped in all kinds of secrecy, it is known that Douglas Booth will join a star-studded cast: Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum and Eddie Redmayne.

I'm really happy to see that Douglas' career is on the rise because I believe in his potential. For now, I show you this amazing editorial photographed by Bruce Weber. Hope you like it as much as I did. ;)

Modeling love

Two of my favorite models, Jasmine Tookes and Tobias Sorensen, are dating for a while now. The American Vogue featured the cute couple on the February issue, among other fashion industry lovebirds. It's a great article and you can see it online here.

It's a big deal when you're on Vogue but they deserve it because their love is absolutely contagious. I follow both of them on instagram (@THESORENSEN & @JASTOOKES) and it's not a cheesy thing, it's so pure and honest and it makes you wanna fall in love like that. I'm telling you, you can feel the passion and the fire between them. It's adorable. Well, this is the closest thing to Valentine's day that you'll see on this blog, so hope you enjoy it! ;)

Tobias & Jasmine's story: "The pair—both models—met in a Manhattan nightclub over the summer, though these days they prefer to spend their weekends lounging at home with their dogs. When they do hit the town, certain standards apply. “I’d never go out without a great pair of heels on,” says Tookes, who wore Christian Louboutin Mary Janes on their first date, at the Jane hotel." They were photographed by Craig McDean.

LEFT

On Jasmine Tookes: Tom Ford silk tuxedo jacket and pants.

On Tobias Sorensen: Tom Ford tuxedo jacket; Calvin Klein Underwear T-shirt.

RIGHT

On Jasmine Tookes: Tommy Hilfiger silk trapeze dress; Marc Jacobs sandals. 

On Tobias Sorensen: Ralph Lauren Black Label blazer; Vintage Levi’s jeans from Melet Mercantile, NYC.

Versace bling bling

You all know I'm obsessed with Versace... and sometimes I feel like this is almost a fansite, but it's not, I swear. However, the Italian fashion house is so fascinating that I feel this urge to talk about this or that. And believe me when I say there's ALWAYS something about Versace to talk about.

Recently, I discovered the Spring/Summer 2013 accessories collection. I'm not a man of rings and bracelets... in fact I only wear a watch and nothing else. The only accessory I have is a Versace for H&M necklace that I use once in a while, mainly during Summer, but I've been looking for a ring too, just like the ones Tobias Sorensen use (see here). Unfortunately I've never found it... till now! When I paid attention to Versace's details, it gave me goosebumps. It is EVERYTHING I need and want. From the iconic Versace Medusa ring, to a bracelet, necklaces and tie clip. UGH!!!! SOOOOO GOOD! My body is totally ready.

I ran to the online shopping site but the rings were sold out already... and they were 120€, I guess. Not cheap, but not as expensive as I thought they were. :'( Now all I can do is cry while watching these amazing beauties...

Since I still wanna feel depressed I did a collage of some details from the Spring/Summer 2013 fashion show so that I can look at them and cry a little bit more. If only Donatella could send me a little gift...  I would be the happiest boy alive!

One of the most well known fans of Versace is the one and only Chris Brown... he not only wears clothes but also uses accessories like chains, rings and sunglasses. Everything Versace! That's why he's so stylish and one of my favorite celebrities. Love his daring fashion sense (and, of course, his music!).

I'm in tears, devastated... cruel world!!!

Fashion quickies

There are a couple of things I'd like to share with all of you so I compiled them and here they are.

Rick Owens Fall/Winter 2013/14 gloves are out of this world. To be honest, I think it was the best detail of the fashion show. I would love to have them all. I mean, look at those fluffy beauties... the grey ones reminded me of Tim Burton's Jack (click here to see what I'm talking about). Love love love them! ^_^ 

Jean Paul Gaultier Fall/Winter 2013/14 is a good collection, not great nor terrible, just good. I selected a few of my favorite looks. They are classy and I love the colors, the layering and the mixture of fabrics. Good job! However I think Mr. Gaultier already did better. If you want to see the whole collection click here. What I appreciated the most was the fact that the fashion show was different: it was a presentation where models stripped themselves to display the pieces.

To end this miscellaneous post... I would like to present you guys two new faces that stood out when I was checking a series of pictures captured by Dennis Weber of male models wearing their own coats. The first one is Tom Leigh and his bone structure is amazing, the second one is Hao Yun Xiang and I'm really fond of asian faces. I will sure keep an eye on them!

Queen Stewart by King Testino

She's one of my favorite celebrities, actresses and fashion icons. Kristen Stewart is so mysterious, some people may think she's arrogant. That's where the fascination lies. In fact, K-Stew is awkward and not the typical fame-hunter/spotlight-thirsty. She's the anti-celebrity, however her work implies public exposure so she tries to deal with it the best way she can, taking the most advantage out of it, knowing she will always have tons of disadvantages.

There's a specific editorial that blew me away, photographed by Mario Testino (one of my faves!!!!) for the British Vogue. Kristen looks beyond stunning. Bold, bright and sexy. Even though this glammed up production (kitsch at times!) has not much of Kristen's personality, I still can see some elements of her personal taste, for example the rings and some Balenciaga pieces which look incredible on her. Love the vibe of the shoot and I think she did a great job. To be honest, I cant wait to see her in more fashion-related projects, she has an endless potential.

“I know if you haven’t thought about how you want to present a very packaged idea of yourself then it can seem like you lack ambition. But, dude, honestly? I can’t. People expect it to be easy because there you are, out there, doing the thing that you want and making lots of money out of it. But, you know, I’m not that smooth. I can get clumsy around certain people. Like if I were to sit down and think, ‘OK, I’m really famous, how am I going to conduct myself in public?’ I wouldn’t know who that person would be! It would be a lot easier if I could, but I can’t.”

Kristen Stewart for British Vogue