Snapshot: Mi Amica Lindsay...

Lindsay Lohan x Vogue Italia (Aug10)
[shot by Ellen Von Unwerth]

Inchino davanti a sua bellezza.

Complete editorial after the jump...

[pics via TFS]

Snapshot: Certified O.G.

Barack Obama

[photo via @KanyeWest]

Civilization (2008)

Civilization (2008)
[dir. Marco Brambilla]

Since the release of Kanye's video for Power, it's been the subject of conversation in many circles. The artistry is beautiful; drawing you in only to leave you wanting more after the 90 second cut. The man resposible for that visual masterpiece, Marco Brambilla, provided a making-of featurette for the Power video, while also including clips of another, more intricate, piece of his—Civilization.

[sidenote: Civilization can be found played on repeat in the elevators of the
now closed 'Boom Boom Room' at the Standard Hotel in NYC]

Snapshot: Grand Stam!!!

Jessica Stam
[shot by Guy Aroch]

music: Luxurious — Gwen Stefani

[pic via Noir Facade]

Here I Stand...

This past June, valedictorian Erica Goldson gave an empassioned speech on the United States education system. For those who have graduated in the past decade or so, the words she preaches embody the sentiments of every one of us: school shouldn't be about memorization of useless information, it should be about learning and expanding our minds. The speech is a bit lengthy, but as a friend of mine said: 'this is something incredibly thought provoking, it's a little long, but definitely worth reading [or watching] if you have the time.'

Check out the transcript after the jump...

[sidenote: if the above video doesn't appear, it will show up after the cut... trust me, lol]

One Love Callenge: Week 8

The Challenge: Live Your Life. 

When I started this blog, I intended it to be just a dumping grounds for whatever I felt sparked my interest... the only personal elements would be through commentary; I prefer to keep life business offline. These One Love Challenges, as I've stated before, reflect my own personal growth; they are the only glimpse into my personal life I'm willing to give, at least intentionally. I'm saying all this too say, I'm going to go against my self-disclosure rule, despite my better judgement, and fill you in on what's been going on.

I thought, or maybe still think, that I am in some sort of deep emotional place of being for one of my bestfriends. We've all been at a place like this at one time or another, or maybe not, whatever; the point is, feelings are something that can't be forced, they must be organic. You can imagine how I felt when these feelings weren't reciprocated; what you wouldn't be able to have predicted is my subsequent month or so of not wanting to believe it. So here we are, I look, and feel, like an idiot; it's been about a week since we last spoke. Before you go off thinking this is something dramatic, it's not; I just needed time, and space, which he was more than willing to provide... told you he was my bestfriend. Now onto the challenge... or rather, lesson that is the intended goal, lol.

The time I spent going over and over in my head, why he didn't feel the same, why I am feeling this way about him, what this or that look, statement, moment could have meant, were all moments I could have been living my life. Be it apart from, or with said person, I could have been enjoying myself a lot more than I already was. I'm not going to say life is too short, because life could very well be long too; time is relative. What I will say is, in life, we aren't guarenteed anything; our goals, dreams, loves, successes, friendships, family moments... none of it. Things like having a relationship (mind you I'm speaking for myself, so my examples will reflect such) don't need to take priority in our lives; there is time for that. Moments like spending time with family and friends, stepping confidently in the directions of our dreams, and focusing on what makes YOU happy, are what should be made priorities. Life will only wait for us for so long, if we don't take advantage of the opportunities life awards us with, then time will come in take those opportunities away. So Live Your Life, and don't sweat the small stuff... besides, things like love, come to those who wait... GOOD love that is, lol...

"One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching." ~Unknown

Don't forget to share your testimonials in the comment section.

Snapshot: Water & Oil

Kristen McMenamy x Vogue Italia (Aug10)
[shot by Steven Meisel; styled by Karl Templer]

I've been reluctant to post this editorial until now; it's something about this that I just don't feel right about. The images are disturbing, yet inspired; haunting, yet profound. Stating the obvious, this references the recent BP Oil Spill incident; what isn't made quite as obvious is the editorial's intentions. Steven Meisel is an incredibly talented photographer who's images often illicit emotion, and sometimes seek to promote a particular opinion/agenda. This however, could be seen as a very powerful message, or as a ploy to sell magazines; now do you see my inner conflict? There's nothing fashionable about this; you can barely see the clothing. Kristen McMenamy conjures up images of oil-drenched pelicans and dying seals, not the etheral goddess she usually portrays. One thing can be said for sure, this is one of those editorials that sticks in your mind for days, and I will definitely be picking this up when it hits newstands stateside.

Complete editorial + behind-the-scenes featurette after the jump...

[pics via TFS]

Snapshot: The Mane Attraction

Emma Watson

The transformation which prompted a trending topic... as with Kanye; haters to the LEFT.

[sidenote: check out Emma Watson in the music video for 'Say You Don't Want It'
from the UK band One Night Only... psst, she's dating the lead singer]

High Score: 45000 — RHS

Scott Pilgrim vs The World
Interactive Trailer

Click on the rewards, get points and at the end of the trailer, reap the rewards... this is pretty legit!

[sidenote: please excuse the annoying video-game music; if I could un-autoplay it, I would]

Video: Power - Kanye West

Power — Kanye West

Haters to the LEFT

[sidenote: click here for the Making of 'Power' featurette]

Harlem is the Center of the World...

Ms Banks x Nike 1Love
Harlem

Nike Sportswear's 1Love web-documentary series returns, this time featuring Harlem-raised rapper and XL Recordings artist Ms. Banks. I love the free-style clips, espcially the one guy's line at the beginning "I'm fresh just like my Nikes/Is that your girlfriend?/I think she like me," lol

[sidenote: in case you missed it; Brooklyn gets covered with a little help from Theophilus London]

Christina Aguilera... Acting?

Burlesque (2010)
[starring: Christina Aguilera, Cher, Stanley Tucci, Kristen Bell, Cam Gigandet]

I don't know, I'm kind of excited to see this... despite my adverse feelings towards madame Aguilera.

Let's Get Naughty... EY!nspiration!!! (NSFW)

Check out this Gratuitous Eye-Candy interview with Andrew Frew for EY! (Electric Youth) Magazine... you may want to grab a bottle of water, and a towel, lol

[sidenote: I love how at :50 he name-drops the Holy Trinity as his musical interests]

More Essence Magazine Controversy...

Michaela Angela Davis during a recent Anderson Cooper 360 interview

Former Essence fashion editor Michaela Angela Davis has fueled much of the criticism over the magazine's recent decision to hire a white woman as it's new lead fashion director. Davis' position was made clear online:

If there were balance in the industry; if we didn’t have a history of being ignored and disrespected; if more mainstream fashion media included people of color before the ONE magazine dedicated to black women ‘diversified’, it would feel different.

Above, she defends her statements in an interview with that Anderson Cooper—GOD he's Gorgeous—as well as present a new way of looking at the issue. Personally, I'm still conflicted over how to feel, but as of late, I'm feeling as if this is an argument that is losing legitimacy.[sidenote: check out what the folks over at Sociological Images have to say about this issue]

Video: Cold War - Janelle Monae

Cold War - Janelle Monae

Janelle Moane's incredibly talented, and I love this video; it's so honest... and it gets really raw, and personal... you'll see what I mean 2/3 the way through. I would love to meet her in person, or better yet, get to kick it with her; I'm sure she has really good energy surrounding her. Well, I hope you all enjoy the video for her track 'Cold War' as much as I do... now press play.

[sidenote: Janelle Moane is going on tour with Of Montreal... click here for dates/venues]

Snapshot: Zoe Saldana x Calvin Klein

Zoe Saldana
Behind-the-scenes of her Calvin Klein Underwear shoot for Envy.

Check out the complete ad campaign for Envy after jump...

[pics via MDC]

Broadening the Conversation...

Asexuality: The Making of a Movement

Asexuality... often gets left out of the discussion about human sexuality; but it does exist, and is real. What this group, the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN), is doing is awesome. Kinda silly of us to just assume everyone has sexual urges, like that's just what's supposed to happen... not everyone loves to drink, or to smoke; why does everyone need to love to f-ck? Anyway, the above video is an excerpt for a documentary which follows people in the asexual community and explore asexuality itself, including the reactions it elicits in people and in the media. They’re raising money on kickstarter for the editing phase now (Feministing).

From Civilization to Power...

From Civilization to Power: The Making of Kanye West's 'Power'
[dir. Marco Brambilla]

Kanye is crazy for this one; I'm so much more excited now for the music video.

Snapshot: Child of the Sun

A photo of my cousin Rachel...

music: Way Down In The Hole — M.I.A. (feat. Blaqstarr)

Snapshot: Alleyways & Kick Drums

music: You Ain't Got It (Fun That) —Nina Sky

[photo via Terry Richardson's Diary]