Thursday, April 25, 2013

The Vogue Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby" is going 3D on the big screen thanks to Baz Luhrmann (who directed masterpieces such as "Moulin Rouge", "Romeo + Juliet" and "Australia"). I have a couple of things to say about this movie starred by Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan, but before that we must appreciate an amazing editorial with miss Mulligan herself, who covers the May issue of US Vogue.

The british actress was photographed by the legendary Mario Testino, wearing gorgeous 1920's inspired looks. The styling was made by Grace Coddington that tried to capture the environment of the soon-to-be blockbuster of the season. Carey Mulligan is one of my faves, for sure. I'm still amazed by her role on the Oscar nominated movie "An Education", which is one of my all time favorites. She's stunning and classy and this editorial is just the perfect proof of those qualities. Besides, she has a simple kind of beauty, not an arrogant one, but a naïve one. 
The roaring twenties (aka the crazy years) is one of those fascinating decades in terms of contemporary history and fashion as well. Women had a style transition since the dressing codes changed, traditions were broken and modernity started its domination. The music was frenetic and NY, New Orleans, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, London and Berlin were the metropolitan centers where it all begun.

That energy was toned down a bit for this photoshoot, whith some melancholic, mysterious and cute portraits of Queen Mulligan. The gowns and the hair are just flawless. See for yourself...



Check out the making of...

One of the most important things from the movie is the Costume Design. "The Great Gatsby" has clothes with Prada's signature. You can see above some of the incredible sketches that Miuccia Prada revealed. The italian brand worked with costume designer Catherine Martin to create over 40 looks for the movie, each one inspired by styles from the Prada and Miu Miu archives. More than a cinematic piece, "The Great Gatsby" is a fashion document as well.

"Our collaboration with Prada recalls the European flair that was emerging amongst the aristocratic East Coast crowds in the Twenties. The fashions of the time saw the development of a dichotomy between those who aspired to the privileged, Ivy League look of wealthy Long Island and those who were aspiring to European glamour, sophistication and decadence." - Catherine Martin

Prada and Baz Luhrmann have worked together before, creating Leonardo DiCaprio's suit in the director's 1996 film version of "Romeo + Juliet". Now let's skip to another section of this post... but first let's see the uh-mazing trailer of "The Great Gatsby".


10 THINGS I WANT TO SAY ABOUT "THE GREAT GATSBY"

1) Leonardo DiCaprio should've won at least one Oscar by now... and he needs to achieve something with this outstanding performance. Seriously. It's scandalous... 

2) Carey Mulligan is basically slaying everybody's faves with her beauty and she looks adorable next to Leo. The 20's style fits her perfectly.

3) The trailer gave me chills when I was watching it. It's a literary classic coming alive through technology, good music and great fashion. Can't wait to watch it!

4) The soundtrack is a remarkable piece of good music with some of my favorite artists: The XX, Lana Del Rey, Florence + The Machine and Fergie.

5) Jay-Z produced the soundtrack and guess what? His wifey Beyonce gives a little contribution with an urban version of Queen Amy Winehouse's timeless classic "Back To Black". Beywolf totally destroyed the song tbh. You can hear it in the beginning of the trailer... it's just awful. The instrumental sounds pretty good though but not for Amy's masterpiece.

6) Lana Del Rey served some epicness with the rendition of a new song called "Young and Beautiful". It sounds perfect in my opinion... the lyrics are so emotional and deep. Poetry!!!

7) Florence + The Machine delivered another gorgeous gem with "Over The Love". It's a total eargasm and you can hear it at the end of the trailer. Florence's voice is just flawless.

8) Jack White, Bryan Ferry, Will.I.Am, Gotye and Sia are also some of the big names on the soundtrack. Can't wait to hear their songs as well. All of the tracks have the jazzy vibe from the 20's but at the same time a modern hip-hop twist. A really interesting experimental project.

9) Tobey Maguire and my super duper fave Isla Fisher (who doesn't remember Rebecca Bloomwood from "Confessions of a Shopaholic"???!) are also part of the cast. Yey!

10) I promise this is the last thing I'm gonna say in this gigantic post... but for all those fashion nerds and enthusiasts (like me) out there this is major news: female model Gemma Ward has a little part on the movie. Probably just like Cara Delevingne's role on "Anna Karenina"... 2 seconds only... but who cares?!?! It's Gemma fucking Ward - legendary shizzzz, bitches, bow down! (Check a picture of her on the set of the movie here... reports say she plays a mistress. Awesome!)

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Absolut Elyx - Inside Magnética


Esta semana a Absolut Elyx Magazine debruçou-se sobre o projecto português Magnética Magazine. A publicação online começou há cerca de 4 anos e meio e tornou-se a primeira revista portuguesa online, pioneira na plataforma e nos conteúdos apresentados aos leitores.

A evolução foi natural e a área de foco é predominantemente a cultura urbana, envolvendo design, arquitectura, arte, moda, entre outros. As actualizações diárias, a qualidade da informação associadas a uma imagem apelativa, pautaram o sucesso desta proposta que cresce de dia para dia. O objectivo inicial foi falar de forma global e aberta sobre temas e individualidades até então só associadas a nichos. Desafio superado. Um dos mentores da Magnética fala sobre artistas que hoje são reconhecidos e que começaram a ser divulgados ou a trabalhar com a revista em si. Vejam o vídeo...


Pessoalmente eu já conhecia o projecto e sou visitante assíduo. Acho que existe também uma forte relação com o leitor, uma dinâmica com bloggers e produção de conteúdos exclusivos e inéditos, dos quais podem ver pequenos excertos neste vídeo.

Sem dúvida um projecto ABSOLUTamente fascinante! 
Se não conhecem... visitem a revista em www.magneticamagazine.com e também as actualizações na página de facebook aqui. Na próxima semana, vou partilhar com vocês mais uma reportagem da Absolut Elyx Magazine. Fiquem atentos. Por enquanto vou ali beber o meu shot e relaxar um pouco. Amanhã é feriado!!!

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Music roundup #2



Luisa Sobral "There's A Flower In My Bedroom"

Lembro-me perfeitamente de estar no recreio e ver a Luísa Sobral... ela era mais velha e andava no mesmo colégio que eu. Foi precisamente por essa vaga lembrança que a reconheci quando participou no programa Ídolos. Parece que aconteceu tudo tão de repente e agora ela já está a lançar o segundo álbum.
"There's A Flower In My Bedroom" mostra o amadurecimento artístico da Luísa enquanto artista e intérprete. Se o álbum de estreia traçava um percurso, este segundo trabalho não só o confirma como também apura a sonoridade jazz/folk de uma forma sofisticada e com o cunho marcante da Luísa Sobral. O timbre e tom de voz encaixam lindamente em melodias simpáticas e primaveris. A abertura é perfeita com "I Was In Paris Today", quase como que a acolher o ouvinte e prossegue durante  uma viagem de 17 faixas distintas, onde a Luísa salta entre o inglês e o português... ou até no espanhol em "Cuantas Veces". O single de apresentação é "Mom Says".


A voz delicada da Luísa é tão reconfortante e destaca-se quer nas músicas mais acústicas quer nas mais jazz, nota-se uma clara coesão sonora muito mais desenvolvida e de certa forma orquestrada, com mais layers. "Japanese Rose", "As The Night Comes Along", "What Do You See In Lily?" ou até a colaboração com Jamie Cullum "She Walked Down The Aisle" são favoritas instantâneas. Admito que, ao ouvir o disco, me vieram à mente imagens de uma solarenga Paris, de um romantismo silly, ingénuo, infantil e acima de tudo genuíno. Uma colecção de estórias envolvente e que agradam certamente ao ouvinte mais exigente. "There's A Flower In My Bedroom" conta também com a participação de 2 músicos portugueses de peso, António Zambujo e Mário Laginha, e caracteriza-se por ser um álbum com muita personalidade e vida própria. Orgulho-me de saber que a Luísa é um talento português, almeja os mercados nacional e internacional e tem a qualidade mais do que necessária para cumprir esse objectivo.  Imagino que isso lhe vai dar asas para que, num próximo disco, abra a janela do tal quarto e saia à procura de novas flores e de novas cerejas para, quiçá, fazer um novo bolo e surpreender mais uma vez. Portugal está conquistado e digo isto porque no outro dia passeava pela FNAC e vi que o CD da Luísa Sobral estava em #1. Merecido.



Bridgit Mendler "Hello My Name Is..."

Para muitos de vocês este nome pode não ser familiar mas os amantes da Disney conhecem de certeza. Bridgit Mendler é a protagonista da série "Good Luck Charlie" e como quase todas as starlets da Disney também decidiu lançar um álbum de música para provar que pertence à geração da versatilidade, triple threat! Devo dizer que a Bridgit até se safa muito bem. É um disco 100% pop, sem pretensões, muito genérico mas in a very good way. "Ready Or Not" (ADORO!!!!!!!) é o single que provavelmente já devem ter ouvido nas rádios, pelo menos eu já tinha ouvido diversas vezes, e acreditem quando vos digo que a música fica mesmo no ouvido e depois não conseguimos parar de cantar o refrão. Confiram o vídeo aqui, uma música perfeita para o Verão.
Entretanto, Bridgit Mendler lançou o segundo single "Hurricane". A canção tem uma batida pop upbeat, com versos meio rappados à semelhança da Ke$ha ou até da Cher Lloyd.


"Forgot To Laugh", "Top Of The World" e "Rocks At My Window" são as minhas faixas favoritas, embora goste de todo o CD, que é bastante comercial e catchy. É um album teen, fresco e perfeito para ouvir na praia, na piscina, no carro ou a passear com imenso sol, sempre! :) Quando clicarem play e soarem os primeiros acordes, irão perceber o que vos estou a dizer.
O momento mais introspectivo surge com a balada "Hold On For Dear Love", que encerra o álbum de apresentação de Bridgit Mendler. Ficamos a conhecer mais do que o nome da actriz e cantora, somos introduzidos a uma voz cristalina e limpa, em momentos chega a aproximar-se do registo da Demi Lovato. Eu fiquei surpreso, admito!
A produção ficou maioritariamente a cargo de Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou que havia trabalhado anteriormente com artistas como Whitney Houston, Backstreet Boys, Vanessa Hudgens e Selena Gomez. O meu veredicto: excelente álbum... se estão aborrecidos e vos apetece um pouco de animação, com letras não muito intensas nem melodramáticas, então "Hello My Name Is..." é a escolha ideal. 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Absolut Elyx e a arte de Vasco Araújo



Nas minhas pesquisas online, descobri este vídeo curto mas muito conciso sobre como se cria o Absolut Elyx. Como já vos tinha dito noutras vezes, o método é muito artesanal e cuidadoso para que o resultado seja um vodka saboroso e premium. Existe substância mas também existe estilo e refinamento nos métodos e práticas de criação. Tudo é tão manual e meticuloso... quase me deu a ideia de que é feito por máquinas com um obsessive compulsive disorder. Ahahah

A produção de cada lote de Absolut Elyx é feita de acordo com os padrões intransigentes do destilador mestre e dos seus especialistas sensoriais, que provam e aprovam cada lote antes dele ser engarrafado. Juro-vos que chega a ser fascinante e se virem o vídeo percebem do que estou a falar!

Agora, quero mostrar-vos a nova reportagem da Absolut Elyx Magazine que esta semana se debruçou sobre o mundo simbólico do artista plástico Vasco Araújo


A abordagem de Vasco Araújo é bastante vanguardista e precisa perceber-se o contexto para compreender o que o artista pretende transmitir. Se quiserem conhecer mais trabalhos podem visitar o site oficial - http://www.vascoaraujo.org/ - vale muito a pena ver o quão transdisciplinar é a arte de Vasco Araújo. :)

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Rebel without a pause

Sean 'King of the World' O'Pry is flawless and everyone knows that. Everything he does is incredible, his face is beyond iconic, which is why he's the number 1 male model in the world. It's impossible not to love his work, since Sean always delivers his best at every single photoshoot. That's probably why GQ Style decided to feature Sean O'Pry in an editorial based on James Dean's timeless classic "Rebel Without A Cause". These images, captured by Guy Aroch, are extremely amazing and I would be hard to please because James Dean is my ultimate inspirational icon. However, Sean got the vibe and even though I don't think anyone can ever reach James Dean's legendary level, the north-american model surprised me. His eyes, bone structure and perfect nose create symmetric facial lines, just like a realistic drawing. I loved the result... suddenly I felt like I was in the 50's watching stills from the movie. 


Check out some images of James Dean, that came to my mind while I was seeing Sean's editorial. :) It's so nice to know that my favorite model is representing my idol the best way. Hope you like it!

Mid season inspiration

Once in a while I like to share some pictures that inspire me. Tommy Ton is a specialist when it comes to capture the best moments and details of streetstyle. His vision is so refined and the quality is outstanding. I reunited some of my favorite shots and I hope you like them. Anna Wintour, Jeremy Scott, Nike, Chanel, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Louis Vuitton... sneakers, stripes, patterns... a mix of class with sportswear is a great option for this mid-season.

You can check more amazing photos at JAK & JILL or visit my facebook blog page where I usually post several pictures too. Have a nice week! :) 

Friday, April 12, 2013

CARAdise

My love for Cara Delevingne is just endless. If I could meet her I would handcuff myself to her for the rest of my life. I'm dead serious. #Insane

Interview magazine did a flawless shoot, captured by Peter Lindbergh, and sat down with the model of the millennium (I love being hyperbolic) for a chit chat. The New York based writer, artist and curator David Colman did a great job with really interesting questions and miss Delevingne delivered her genuine self through funny answers. Kept on laughing while reading all of if. That's the reason why I HAD to share this because probably some of you didn't know about it and it's scandalous if you don't melt yourself watching eyecandy Cara in a glamorous, adult way. Unforgettable. Check out the article too so that you can know a little more about her aristocratic background and how does she feel about modeling and her future.


"Last November, Cara Delevingne was named model of the year at the British Fashion Awards—and the prize was well earned. She's been photographed by Mario Testino for the cover of British Vogue; she's appeared in ad campaigns for Chanel, Burberry, and H&M, among others; and she seems to have landed on every runway in New York, London, Milan, and Paris during the recent fashion season.

But the title hardly seems sufficient for the many moods and manifestations of Cara Delevingne. Yes, she has a "look"—those eyes, that lip-o-licious mouth, and the most famous eyebrows since Groucho Marx. Then there's her background: her aristo lineage (described by the Daily Mail as "pure Chelsea posh"); her colorful mother, Pandora, a personal shopper for Selfridges; her father, Charles, a handsome man about town; and her older sister Poppy, also a successful model. And, to top it all off, there's her well-known punch of personality—witty, whimsical, and charmingly unpredictable. So what if she's 45 minutes late? She gives you 5,000 percent when she gets there (and like the best designers, Delevingne gives what you want before you even know you wanted it).

While the 20-year-old self-described tomboy was amazed by her sudden rocket into the heart of the fashion universe (not to mention by just how tough all that runway walking can be), she is setting her sights on other stars—acting, making music, inventing, Nobel Prizes—as long as there's plenty of goofing off to be done along the way."


DAVID COLMAN: So you're in Paris. You did New York and you did Milan and now you're doing Paris. 
CARA DELEVINGNE: New York and then London and then Milan, yeah. 

COLMAN: You've been walking a lot. 
DELEVINGNE: Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot . . . That's all that's on my mind at the moment, just walking—it's mad. This modeling thing, it's pretty easy, but actually it's also really tough. I mean, this has been really tough. That's the most embarrassing thing about it, like, "This walking thing is crazy." [laughs] 

COLMAN: Tell me what makes it so hard.
DELEVINGNE: I think when I started modeling three years ago, it was just a job, and I was so excited—everything was so new, so crazy. I didn't overthink anything; I just did it and enjoyed myself along the way. But after a few seasons, you get used to it, and there's a lot you actually have to think about, and, I don't know, it just makes you much more aware of what you look like and what other people think. It's a bit of a nightmare.


COLMAN: I was looking at the list of shows, and you've been in, like, every one! Which is obviously impossible, but you've already done 40 shows this season.
DELEVINGNE: Even if I'm exhausted, I always try to go into a show with a smile on my face. It's always good to try and bring the energy up. If I'm in a bad mood, people are going to act bad. The energy you give off is the energy you receive. I really think that, so I'm always myself—jumping, dancing, singing around, trying to cheer everybody up.

COLMAN: [laughs] Will you marry me?
DELEVINGNE: I'll have to think about that. I'm actually taken at the moment . . . No, I'm joking.

COLMAN: Definitely give it some thought before you answer. No, but that kind of person is the nicest person to have around.
DELEVINGNE: I'd like to say yes. Now that I'm thinking about it . . . [laughs] Now I'm taking it back. Okay. Maybe we'll Skype first before diving into a relationship.


COLMAN: So now you're on the cover of British Vogue for the second time.
DELEVINGNE: Second time? This is my first and I'm already chuffed enough.

COLMAN: I've gotten confused with all your accomplishments.
DELEVINGNE: I know, yeah, it's pretty crazy. I always forget that I'm 20 years old—it's kind of mad. No, but this month has been amazing: the cover of Love and the cover of BritishVogue, with two of three of the most amazing photographers, in my opinion. Yeah, unbelievable.

COLMAN: Who shot the Vogue photos?
DELEVINGNE: Mario Testino shot Vogue and Mert [Alas] and Marcus [Piggott] did Love.

COLMAN: You shoot with Mario a lot for Burberry.
DELEVINGNE: Yeah. The first campaign I did was Burberry, and that was Mario. We have a very, very close relationship. Every time I go on holiday, we seem to have the same schedule. We seem to go to the same places, whether that's Brazil or Ibiza. And so I always stay with him for a little bit. He's like my fashion papa.

COLMAN: You need that, probably, at your age, because I'm sure it's very overwhelming.
DELEVINGNE: Definitely. I've made so many amazing friends with people who work in the industry. More photographers and the stylist-y people who work on set than the models, because they're such incredible people and they've experienced so much. This is, I think, the craziest industry. I mean, I love it. The fashion industry is like a big, fucked-up dysfunctional family, but everyone's mad and amazing, and everyone's so different. If you take the time to meet the people and learn about them, it's so interesting. All of the stories...


COLMAN: You grew up in it a bit, right?
DELEVINGNE: To be honest, I don't really feel like I did. My parents weren't really in fashion—they were very social people and had really amazing friends, but, you know, I was very much in my own world. I was into playing Legos and running around naked and running around in my garden and playing with my animals. I had no interest in fashion when I was younger. I was such a tomboy. I loved soccer, as you call it, or sports in general. The first time I was a bridesmaid, to my auntie, I refused to go down the aisle without my football shorts underneath my dress. My mum would try to dress me up in dresses and I hated it! My sisters were both very girly, so I was just really not into clothes. It took me a long time to try to wear clothes; I used to go into the supermarket and take off all my clothes and run away from my mom because I thought it was funny. I was very that kind of child.

COLMAN: [laughs] That's great.
DELEVINGNE: And I was like that up until I was 13 years old, so my first experiences with fashion were dressing up. It was always about fantasy for me. Dressing up as characters... I always thought that's what clothes were—that they would make you into the person you wanted to be. I'm an actress, so I love to act, and I think that's one of the most important things—the thing that makes you feel like another person.

COLMAN: It's amazing when you think about it: the power that clothes have is kind of shocking, because they really do feel like they can change you.
DELEVINGNE: That's what I always try to do in my shows—look for the idea of a collection and what the designer wants that girl to portray. I always have that in my mind: What am I going out looking to do? I'm always trying to feel it, make it natural and real. And sometimes that can be bad. Like, for instance, the H&M show I just did in Paris—it was set in an apartment, and George Cortina and all those guys were like, "Pretend you're in your house; be yourself, be crazy." So I did the show—I was laughing, I went up to people, gave them a kiss on the cheek, grabbed flowers out of the vase, threw them at the photographers, spun around, just fun stuff—and then watching the video back, no one else was doing that, so it was just me!

COLMAN: Do you want to be an actress?
DELEVINGNE: That's what I've wanted to do my whole life, just act. When I was younger, I loved to entertain people. I always used to make up dance routines, do little plays. I love to perform, basically. Music, as well, is a passion of mine. I've been singing my whole life. I probably annoy people because I sing all the time on the streets. And I play the drums and I play the guitar. I've been writing music since I was 13.


COLMAN: Do you feel like modeling is something that you kind of fell into? I mean, your sister [Poppy] does it too . . .
DELEVINGNE: I wouldn't say I fell into it, because I was a lot luckier than that. Obviously I'm very lucky to have had my sister do it and for my sister to have had the connections. But I think, yeah, the way it took off, I did not expect. It was definitely not a ripple in my mind. I just never thought it was going to happen like this. I'm just here and I'm having fun and I'm trying to smile and not think about it too much. That's the hardest thing in life. I think about things way too much. Ignorance is totally bliss.

COLMAN: But I think at some point all of it makes sense, and you're like, "Oh, well, I'm glad I thought about it all these years."
DELEVINGNE: I'm not that kind of thinker, though. I don't do that kind of thinking. I just spiral. I'm a spiraler.

COLMAN: Do you still play soccer—or football?
DELEVINGNE: God, yeah. It's like if I go home and it's the summertime and I'm with all my friends and we're sitting in a park and someone's playing football, I'm totally there. I find that fun, to be playing with the boys in the mud and that kind of stuff. I'm still a tomboy. I mean, I obviously dress it up slightly more, but when I'm just me, I'm still very casual. I love comfort. Comfort is very key to me because I spend most of my time in very uncomfortable things, so it's all about trainers and flats. On a shoot, if they're like, "Play around a bit," I'm going to be climbing on top of things and jumping off, and people are going to be trying to stop me, like, "You mucked this up," and, "You're going to hurt yourself," while I'm flying around in heels, just being crazy.

COLMAN: That's good. I think the world needs more people like you.
DELEVINGNE: Great! Oh, my god, I'm still trying to go for a Nobel Peace Prize, so that helps me there.

COLMAN: You might have to wait for your thirties or forties for that one. 
DELEVINGNE: I'm aiming for an Oscar, a Grammy, and a Nobel Peace Prize. And maybe Prime Minister.

COLMAN: There you go. That's gonna take some time, too. Maybe your late twenties for that. So can you think of anything I should ask you?
DELEVINGNE: Hmm . . . Are my eyebrows real? No, they're not. It's a wig. [Colman laughs] It's a transplant. I had an eyebrow transplant.

COLMAN: They are kind of magnificent eyebrows.
DELEVINGNE: People ask me, "What's your secret?" And I'm like, "You just don't pluck them. It's really simple." I mean, I do, obviously, a little bit, because otherwise I'd have a monobrow, but it's just about keeping them wild, keeping them free and woolly.

COLMAN: So you are your eyebrows: wild and free.
DELEVINGNE: Yeah, they have their own Twitter account with more than 700,000 followers.

COLMAN: [laughs] I've heard that. That's very nice.
DELEVINGNE: They have their own passport too.



COLMAN: What questions do people ask you that make you crazy?
DELEVINGNE: "What is your fail-safe fashion item?" I don't know, it's just those questions that you've done so many times you're just like, I'm repeating what I'm saying. I can't handle it. It's so boring. I'm so bored of looking at my face; it's an issue as well. I don't know what I'm going to do. I should change something. Get in trouble or something like that . . .

COLMAN: I read that you trademarked your name.
DELEVINGNE: I did trademark my name! Because people try to steal that shit, and I can't be bothered to pay money to people like that. I mean, I'm really interested in doing my own onesie line or making some sort of—

COLMAN: Your own what line?
DELEVINGNE: You know, onesies? Like a jumpsuit. I have really good ideas. There's a lot I want to do. Maybe a line of—I don't know—toothbrushes, anything . . . Who the hell knows? I've got ideas. I used to want to invent things. That's all I'd do, invent stuff.


It's impossible not to love Cara. Hope you laughed as much as I did when I read this interview and the pictures are divine, loved the fact that she was brave enough to show a little nipple here and there. It's sexy, classy, intense. I should also refer the outstanding styling by Karl Templer. :)

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Absolut Elyx à conversa com Alexandra Moura


Hoje é quinta-feira, ou seja, está na altura de vos revelar o 3º vídeo do ABSOLUT ELYX MAGAZINE. Desta vez, voltamos à moda e a equipa da Absolut Elyx Magazine conversou com Alexandra Moura. Podem ver a entrevista com a designer no vídeo abaixo, onde a própria revela muito mais acerca da sua colecção Outono/Inverno 2013/14 (apresentada na edição TRUST da Moda Lisboa) e ainda sobre a sua loja/atelier na Rua D. Pedro V em Lisboa.


Mais do que as tendências a designer Alexandra Moura fala-nos sobre o conceito por trás das suas criações.
Na Moda Lisboa apresentou propostas diversificadas, sempre de acordo com a inspiração da geometria do quadrado. A silhueta é simples, mas os materiais e texturas são muito diversificados... vemos veludo, pêlo, poucos tecidos com padrão, alguns assimétricos fluídos que contrastam com linhas angulares. Para além disso há 2 texturas que se destacam: a da pele de um crocodilo e a de uma cratera gretada, terra seca.
O bom gosto é exímio e as cores correm de uma forma harmoniosa e enigmática. Existe o branco e o negro, o castanho terra, mas depois também o azul/roxo e o laranja-sol. Algo que me remeteu imediatamente para a ideia do universo e da origem do mundo.

Os meus looks favoritos

Um dos pontos fortes desta colecção é o calçado, pareceria com a Goldmud. Sapatos rasos ou de salto e botas concebidas com 2 objectivos: simplicidade e conforto. Os sapatos com uma pala metalizada/dourada são para mim os meus favoritos e queria imenso tê-los a morar comigo em casa.

Vejam estas imagens de backstage com detalhes
(fotografia de Maria Meyer)

Fiquei muito entusiasmado com este vídeo da Absolut Elyx Magazine, porque para além de ser um projecto cultural focou-se numa das minhas designers portuguesas de eleição. A base conceptual de Alexandra Moura nunca se sobrepõe às criações e por isso os resultados são sempre excepcionais. 
Já sabem que podem ir acompanhando tudo em - http://videos.sapo.pt/absolutelyx

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Metallic vultures

I simply loved this editorial. I'm a huge fan of metallics and neons and Benjamin Lennox captured it perfectly in these pictures for Numéro Homme. Male model John Todd (and his bleached hair) looked so fierce wearing pieces from Versace, Burberry Prorsum, Gucci, among other brands. Personally, I'm so into this kind of style mixing shirts and ties with bomber jackets, it's perfect, and I like the colours: sea blue, mint, sunny yellow, blood orange, silver. I REALLY need to get a metallic garment for this Spring/Summer season!!! I feel like I need it, this editorial inspired me but left me depressed at the same time. Still have to find an affordable one... ahah. Shadows, vultures, shiny stuff... ♥ 


#MyBodyIsSoReady 
#ICantEven 
#Hyperventilating 
#Depressed 
#Broke

Monday, April 8, 2013

Absolut Elyx #2


Como vos tinha introduzido a semana passada, a marca Absolut criou um novo vodka mais refinado ao qual deu o nome de Elyx. Este é o vodka high fashion, digamos assim! Citadino, volátil, delicioso e acima de tudo feito da forma mais artesanal e pura possível (algo que vos falarei num post futuro!). Existe uma grande diferença no sabor... e como a grande maioria deve saber, aqueles vodkas que proliferam por aí sabem muito mal e quando, nas saídas à noite, querem ser dominados pelo espírito da embriaguez têm obrigatoriamente que misturar um qualquer sumo de fruta, right?! Estão totalmente a identificar-se com o que estou a dizer, provavelmente a pensar "been there, done that!". Pois bem, o Absolut Elyx é a bebida que tem um aroma e sabor frutados, já podem beber com classe, deixando de parte a decadência de qualquer outra marca de vodka... ahaha. A textura é limpa, fresca e macia, características que jogam na perfeição com os tons florais do Absolut Elyx. Deixam os bad-vodka-days para trás e experimentem só a sensação sedosa de que vos falo... :) (E não, não vos estou a 'vender' gato por lebre!)

Mais fixe ainda é o facto da Absolut Elyx apresentar uma nova perspectiva na bebida em si, mas também na relação cultural que estabelece com ela. Em Portugal, a Absolut Elyx Magazine apresenta mais um vídeo/reportagem, desta vez no âmbito musical, mais precisamente sobre o projecto Wheatherman que lança agora o seu terceiro trabalho discográfico. Depois de várias tentativas de criar música colectivamente, o músico Alexandre Monteiro decidiu pegar ele nos instrumentos e começar por ele próprio sob o nome Weatherman. A música é assumidamente pop com toques electrónicos aqui e uns acordes rock ali. Enjoy!

E se quiserem ir estando a par das novidades, já sabem o url: http://videos.sapo.pt/absolutelyx

Friday, April 5, 2013

Formichetti says au revoir to Mugler


Sad news. 
When I heard that Nicola Formichetti was leaving Mugler I was like "naaaah, that's just a rumor". Well, it turned out to be true. After two years as creative director of the french fashion house, Nico decided to part ways with Mugler and to be honest I really don't understand why. He picked up the ashes of the brand (that was completely decadent) and built a whole new project - a modern sophisticated brand, with a young appeal. The designs made a difference in the fashion landscape, I loved it... the cuts were sleek and refined, concepts were avant-garde and it quickly became one of the brands I looked up for. I clearly remember the collection with Rick Genest (the Zombie Boy) and all those veils and leather garments... the other one very British-underground with bleached jeans, neon creepers... or even the recent one with coral and mint suits, python monk shoes. Uhhhhh... I can't express my love in words. He revitalized and revamped Thierry Mugler, he even got Lady GaGa as a marketing tool to give buzz to one of the collections. The man is a genius!!!

(Selection of Mugler's best moments during Nicola Formichetti's reign)

Last year was kind of a whirlwind too, since Formichetti saw the closure of Vogue Hommes Japan, where he worked as a fashion editor doing countless iconic and charismatic editorials.  However, in the meantime he opened some pop-up stores and developed his adorably funny obsession for pandas - NICOPANDA. Basically he was doin' his thing! On the split with Mugler, I didn't see it coming, at all... Joel Palix (general director of Mugler) released a vague statement about the matter:

“Nicola has accomplished our original mission of bringing his energy to the brand. With his talent for communication and understanding of modern imagery and design, Nicola has been instrumental in attracting a new audience which is undeniably crucial for the future strategy of the house. He will be a historical part of the Mugler legacy and known as the force that catapulted us forward.”

I don't know if there were some creative differences or whatever, but there was probably surely another invitation on the way. Nicola Formichetti announced that he's going to be the new artistic director of Diesel... and I was like "what-the-effing-hell?". I mean, it doesn't make sense! I want to believe that Nico sees Diesel as a challenge, even though the brand has a DNA that he can't change much. I may be wrong but Formichetti will have to tame his limitless imagination and boldness. According to a press release, the designer will serve as Diesel’s first artistic director and will be responsible not only for product design, but also marketing, communication and interior design. The founder of Diesel, Renzo Rosso, said:

“I finally met somebody as crazy as I am. Nicola shares my vision and I find it incredibly inspiring to work with him: two creative planets are colliding to generate fresh, mad, insane ideas. With his help, I want to break more rules and bring the real Diesel to a new generation.”


The positive side of this: both of them seem to have a taste for outlandish/weird ideas and if they mix up high fashion with streetwear it can be interesting. However, personally I do not feel very attracted to Diesel itself, it's not one of those labels I desperately wanna buy, you know?! On the other hand, there's a VERY COOL Diesel x Formichetti project, which is live now on a website and it's called #DIESELREBOOT. You can go to http://dieselreboot.tumblr.com and see for yourself. 


The concept consists in a revolution of Diesel's DNA, which will be re-buit, refreshed, rediscovered, reactivated. The motto is: no rules, fun, original, new, fresh and different. The TUMBLR thingy is pretty cool and there's an open e-mail written by Nicola, check it out.


I'm praying that this is not about too many fireworks and little results. Let's see where #DIESELREBOOT leads us to. (And before you attack me I want to let you all know that I'm conscious about my dramatic moment on this matter. I just have a lot of feelings... and faces to express my reactions...)

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Absolut Elyx is the definition of sophistication

Não, não se assustem que isto não é um iceberg!!!! De todo! 
Leiam mais abaixo para perceber o contexto.


Se estiverem prontos para quebrar o gelo, vamos lá! (Vou dizer-vos uma coisa que aposto que não sabiam!)
Uma das bebidas mais icónicas e prestigiadas do mercado apresenta uma nova perspectiva sobre a criação de um elixir dos deuses. Uma garantida surpresa para os apreciadores mais exigentes e com um formato absolutamente estilizado e moderno.
Ficaram com água na boca? Então o ABSOLUT ELYX é a bebida perfeita para matar a sede. Olhem só para o design da garrafa!!!... eu que não sou coleccionador, apetece ter uma como biblô no meu quarto. eheh


Bem, mas o que eu gostava mesmo de vos contar é que esta é uma nova variante da Absolut. O Elyx é inspirado nos 500 anos de perícia na produção sueca de vodka e durante a última década desenvolveu esta nova 'fórmula' (mágica, diria eu!). O vodka é feito artesanalmente com sementes escolhidas a dedo, destilado em alambiques de cobre datados de 1929 com água mineral da própria destilaria Absolut, que garante a pureza da mesma. Todos estes elementos contribuem para Absolut Elyx, o vodka premium que se distingue por todo o seu processo ser manual sem recorrer a qualquer tecnologia ou controlo computadorizado. Noutras núpcias vou dar-vos mais detalhes, principalmente do sabor... que esse sim é a maior das maravilhas. No entanto, não se esqueçam que se beberem, bebam com moderação... não quero cá os meus leitores aí parados nas operações stop deste país e a pagar multas exorbitantes. Vamos lá ver!

Voltando ao que interessa, o mais impressionante é o facto do Absolut Elyx ser mais do que uma simples bebida. A marca abrange também uma outra área de acção com a ABSOLUT ELYX MAGAZINE - uma plataforma online que através de vídeos e entrevistas irá dar a conhecer novos conceitos, criadores, projectos e ideias. Todas as 2ªs e 5ªs feiras, por isso a ideia é ficarem atentos! (Ainda que eu vos vá chamando à atenção) Agora não se esqueçam de acrescentar aos vossos favoritos: http://videos.sapo.pt/absolutelyx


Deixo-vos aqui o primeiro programa de tendências e lifestyle onde se dá a conhecer o projecto português de malhas alternativas - URSOTIGRE.
Eu gostei bastante do conceito, podem visitar o site da marca aqui para perceberem qual o tipo de trabalho, como o conceptualizam, quais as propostas que apresentam, etc. Como extra fiz esta pequena montagem com algumas das imagens e malhas que mais me chamaram à atenção. O ethos da marca URSOTIGRE é disruptivo e inteligente... e admito que adorava muito ter a camisola de malha azul do canto inferior esquerdo da minha montagem. Linda, não é?! #DeeplyInLove #Wishlist #UHmazing

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

A couple of notes on Slimane Laurent...

...or should I say Saint Slimane?!

I've been admiring Hedi Slimane's work, specially as a photographer. The guy is a mastermind and his aesthetic is really sleek. When he was chosen to be Yves Saint Laurent's creative director I was caught by surprise and I didn't expect anything to be honest, but I understood that they were looking for something different. They were willing to take a risk. 
One of the 1st things Hedi did when he took over was to change the name of the french fashion house. Yves was no longer part of it, it was now Saint Laurent Paris. (Controversial and philosophical arguments arose from everywhere.) I wasn't so sure about that decision. However, I thought to myself that change is good and he probably knows what he's doing. 


I like evolution and in my opinion YSL was a little bit stiff and there was no innovation at all. Everything was so classically dated. I'm not saying that YSL collections were bad, because they certainly weren't... but in terms of pushing the envelope things weren't going so well. The french house was getting too old-fashioned. Young blood was needed urgently and I think that Slimane came in the right time.
The buzz surrounding his first collections for Saint Laurent was huge and a couple of image teasers kept showing up before the fashion show itself. It was clear that the rockish black and white vibe was an indication of a drastic change of direction. When the collections were revealed it was a shocker. Wearable clothes, some not as innovative as they were expected, things really clean and simple. Not so many risks were taken in terms of design, but one this is sure: Saint Laurent Paris had now a massive young appeal.


With internet and mass information, a lot of young people are even more interested in fashion. Bloggers, fashionistas, opinion makers, people inside the industry and so on. Hence, fashion is facing a new phase. A phase of democratization, of exposure. Fast fashion is dominating and 'copying' a lot of high fashion designs. Everything became way more competitive. And the costumer is now wider and more demanding. Not only the rich old people have access to these luxury goods, there's also a young generation boiling and desiring some Givenchy tee, Versace jacket or Prada shoes. They even save money in a piggybank aiming to invest on something high fashion. H&M collaborations have been crazy and I guess Slimane had all those elements in mind. 


Of course he did Zara-ish designs and the creations weren't really over the top, but they were relatable. He's changing the french fashion house's ethos, with an indie, alternative, rockish vibe. Overall, it was cool. I liked it. It's kind of a music-festival-meets-underground-urban-life. Slimane is insanely influenced by music and that is shown in this predictable campaign filled with rockstars (some of my favorite rebellious), such as Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson. Ariel Pink and Kim Gordon (from Sonic Youth) are present as well as you can see in the images above.


I'm a total hipster-hater but I'm lovinggggg this. The Parisian elegance and style is mixed with 90's American grunge is a sublime way, I do not see this direction as a disrespect with YSL's tradition, this is not a dishonor, it's an evolution a revolution in the maison. If I had to define a new motto for Saint Laurent, it would be: laid-back luxury. Furthermore, we just CAN'T compare the ready-to-wear line with the cosmetics and perfumery one, it's nothing to do with each other and that's why the beauty products are still under the label YSL.
Personally, I'm trusting Hedi Slimane despite the rumors that he's a 'diva', extremely difficult to deal with. Anyway, he's just starting his reign, we'll see how he's gonna mature his vision, what he has in store for us and maybe this is just an initial tease for a bigger extraordinary chapter. 

Spring/Summer 2013 Campaign photographed by Hedi Slimane himself.