Music: "4" - Beyoncé

1. 1+1
2. I Care
3. I Miss You
4. Best Thing I Never Had
5. Party (feat. Andre 3000 & Kanye West)
6. Rather Die Young
7. Start Over
8. Love on Top
9. Countdown
10. End of Time
11. I Was Here
12. Run the World (Girls)

>> Download <<
It's finally here, Beyoncé's new album — to be completely honest, it's not her best work, but it does return the singer to the space of her first album. There are solid R&B tracks here, nothing that will get you up and dance, but definitely songs you will feel inspired to sing along with. I anticipate this to be Bey's last album for a while; perhaps she will release a greatest hits album, but this will be the album she settles down with I believe. Her career is at a point where she really has nothing else to prove; she can focus on her acting and her personal life. I wouldn't be surprised to find her on Broadway in the next couple years; probably not too soon after her film with Clint Eastwood, A Star Is Born, is released next year. This is just the standard album, but I'll be sure to edit this post with an updated link to the Deluxe Edition of the album — though I encourage you all to still make your way to the store to purchase the album, or download it from iTunes. But as a final verdict, I like this album; glad to have something new to groove to from my Queen Diva Supreme.

BYT: Bill Cosby

The ole' Bill Cosby made an appearance recently to our area for a packed performance at Wolf Trap. Though I was less than impressed by him, the older people (emphasis on older) attendees really found him hilarious and worth the money they spent on tickets. With that said, this is my review... I tried to be diplomatic, but seriously, the guy failed to make me laugh beyond a chuckle here and there. As always, comments are welcomed and encouraged!

[Photo via Shannon Yazurlo/BYT]

Video: Guys from FORD ss12

dir: Gustavo Amaral and Felipe Terra

I love these — every season or so, there are video show packages of the models from various agencies. This time, FORD Models Brasil presents their men, as Paris menswear ss12 kicks off later this month on the 22nd. There's nothing really brain-stimulating here, but it does provide an excuse to watch cute boys dance around without shirts... and that's enough reason for me to share it with you. The models featured are Fernando Sala, Pedro Moreno, Celso Carvalho, Rael, Giuseppe, Vitor Fazio, Dante, Estevao and Rodrigo Alves — check out the Ford Brasil men's show package over at MDC [link].

Fashion: Jason Wu Resort 12

Jason Wu is definitely a wunderkind – his designs are so hip and sophisticated, I'm glad New York is his home. For his resort collection, there's a weekend at the Hamptons feel to it all. Opting for more subtle uses of color, the collection relies heavily on its prints. Personally, this just all comes off as a continuation of the label's pre-fall '11 collection, just with shorter hem lines. I'm most impressed by coat in look #4, the jacket of look #5, and the finale dress (look #27) — this is simply a clean, well-styled take on resort; kudos Wu. The complete collection will greet you after the cut.

Fashion: McQ Resort 12

I hope you're paying attention Michael Kors [Resort '12], because Sarah Burton is showing off the correct way to play with neons and wet-suit elements. For Alexander McQueen's more retail-friendly and younger line McQ, we see a certain femininity that is present all thanks to Burton. Noticeably there are nods to the label's main line, especially in the marbleized print of looks #7, #17, and #26. This time around, it's worth noting how there is less of a disconnect from the main line and McQ — while much more colorful, it at least looks to be of the McQueen family. While I'm not a fan of color really at all, I do really enjoy this collection — the jumpsuits are where I get the most excited; I'm desperate to start wearing one-sies. Complete collection after the jump.

BYT: Rihanna

Words really can't express the kind of emotions that flowed through my system this past Friday night when I saw Rihanna at the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore. I am a pretty serious Stan, like no joke; the girl has a piece of my pop heart. I joked with a friend about this, but it's actually kind of true: I acquired another horcrux of pop music with this show. To explain for those in the dark... first was Beyoncé at the former MCI Center (now Verizon Center) back in 2004, then Britney at the HP Pavillion in San Jose back in 2009, and now Rihanna — give me Gaga and the circle will be complete. Anyway, this is my review of the show; check it out, comment, share it. Namaste.

[Photo via Kevin Carroll/BYT]

Fashion: Missoni Resort 12

This is what Missoni, in my mind, is all about — color, prints, and flowy fabrics. This season, the label leaves behind the rougher, more masculine grungy aesthetic from the fall collections, and turns up the the technicolor. As Missoni gears up for its bridge line with Target, the resort collection pulls out all the stops emphasizing the nautical, beach trends. My favorite looks have got to be #6, #21, #27, and #32 — I have no negative critiques; sorry, but it's the truth. The accessories and the shoes are absolutely to die for — I can't wait to see these looks in print. Follow the jump for the full collection.

BYT: Aloe Blacc

I seriously should be on this guy's street team — for the third time in a year, I've seen Aloe Blacc (the second time at Rock and Roll Hotel). This time around, he brought along Tutu Sweeney and The Brothers Band, and collectively the show was a blast. Though I wasn't as enthralled by him as I was previously, he puts on excellent shows. This is my review, and the link is behind the photo, and you can now go check it out (and hopefully comment).

[Photo via Corey Thompson/BYT]

Fashion: Vogue Brazil Jul 11

Raquel Zimmermann covers Vogue Brazil's July issue, with a solo spread inside — both shot by Henrique Gendre. There's nothing really that awe-inspiring from the editorial, nor from the cover, but it's just refreshing to see a clean cover of Vogue (for any edition). Not to mention, Raquel looks gorgeous as always... she's too amazing not to be hyped and shared. The rest of the editorial is after the jump.

Fashion: Jenni Kayne Resort 12

Jenni Kayne's collection for the 2012 Resort season has such a fresh, youthful feel to it. The looks feature this season's trends of neon, androgyny, and boxy silhouettes. At only fifteen looks, the fact that the collection is made up of separates, it's not hard to see where mix-and-matching can produce a plethora of additional options. The styling reminds me of the girls you would see at summer music festivals, or at a boardwalk carnival — it's all so very easy, breezy, and beautiful fun.

Fashion: Elie Tahari Resort 12

This Marrakech, Morocco inspired collection from Elie Tahari has so much going right for it. Kobi Halperin did an excellent job mixing linens, furs, chambrays, and silks. My favorite elements to this collection are the accessories, the embroidery, the silhouettes, and the proportions. This certainly screams resort, but many of the looks appear to be suitable enough to transfer into pre-fall given the right styling. My one qualm is look #9 — mainly because I loath high-waisted bottoms like those; they
look like granny panties, and aren't flattering on anyone. The complete collection follows after the jump.

BYT: Little Dragon (Interview)

So, I kinda sorta got to interview Yukimi Nagano of Little Dragon — yep, no big deal... ha. After a bunch of back and forth emails, and a couple phone calls, we all finally got it together. What we have is a pretty decent interview (yes, I'm tooting my own horn) and a cool follow up to my coverage of their Black Cat performance from way back in January [link]. I'd hope that those of you who come across the article through this post will comment and share it — I'd really appreciate it. Namaste.

Video: Heartless Journey

Heartless Journey
dir: Jimmy Jenkins

Official Synopsis:

As we go back in time to the summer of 1952, join us and come along as Carter Jones embarks on a journey to find truth. As he encounters an old worn radio, an almost perfect merchant realizes all his imperfections through a woman’s broken heart. What happens to a man who inherits riches and fortune but history causes his inner man to be in turmoil? With his hometown on his shoulders, a man who can pretty much fix any material object faces something he never had to fix, a heart.

The trailer for this stage play came by way of Twitter, my friend (and fellow intern) Jada's twitter to be exact (she's the girl with the big hair, and the red skirt). I haven't been to Charles Herbert Flowers High School in years, but I am always in line to support those close to me... or in Jada's case, becoming close to me. Judging from the professionalism of this trailer, I'd suspect it'll be quite impressive for a group of high school/college students. I encourage you all to check out this play if you're in the area, and aren't too broke to spend $15-20 on a ticket (no shade, I too am quite broke at the moment) — if not for the love of theatre, at least because the trailer was shot, and styled, so exquisitely. Showtimes for Heartless Journey are as follow:
6/24 @ 7p; 6/25 @ 2p + 8p; 6/26 @ 3p — Purchase tix here.

Video: Anna Dello Russo... in Fashion

More from SHOWstudio... and once again tardy to the party I am... an intimate interview with Our Lady of the Knobby Knees Anna Dello Russo. This woman is such a caricature of what the world imagines individuals within the fashion community to be like... and she knows this full-well. My favorite part of this 17-minute long interview is when she discusses her earliest recollection of being interested in fashion ("...everything said Fendi"). When she compares being a producer of fashion to being a dentist, it sounds quite trite, but it's the truth... you can't dictate something without living and breathing it yourself (looking at you other Anna). I love you ADR, keep doing your thing... and keep performing for us — high fashion was made for women like you; it's about having fun.

Video: Cinq à Sept

Cinq à Sept
dir: Ruth Hogben

This doesn't require a degree in fashion or film to understand it's purpose as a fashion film. Beautiful women, in beautiful clothing, undercut by a beautiful soundtrack — it makes you want to the buy what they're wearing, no? I'm kinda late seeing this, it's been up on SHOWstudio for a while, but whatever. It's worth making mention of what a great job Ruth Hogben and Katie Grand did with Giles Deacon's fw11 collection for Emanuel Ungaro. The models look so cool in their lace numbers. Speaking of, for those interested, they are: Aymeline Valade, Nyasha Matonhodze, Anais Pouliot, Anais Mali, and Daga Ziober.

Fashion: YSL Resort 12

For yet another resort season, nautical tones are abound — anchors, ropes, sailor touches; it's all been done, every way imaginable. Stefano Pilati's collection sticks out to me because of the cool easy feel of the color and themes mixed with the sophistication of the Yves Saint Laurent brand. The silhouettes are very mature as is the norm with YSL, but with the punches of color and the prints keep it looking quite youthful. I'm most impressed by the billowed sleeves, the finale gowns, and accessories (those bags are gorgeous). There are a few select pieces I could do without in this collection, namely Lindsey Wixson's look (#15) and Iris Egbers' look (#20). The complete collection is after the jump... because seriously who wants to scroll that much on the homepage?

Models: New Faces, Olli G. (RED)

Olli Greb, Brown, Grey, 6'1.5, RED NY
full name, hair, eyes, height, agency


[photos via MDC]

TV: Tom Ford x OWN

One of the sexiest men alive in my mind will be featured on Oprah's network this month as a part of OWN's Visionaries series. Tom Ford, a categorically private individual, allowed camera to follow him for several months — spanning from his fw11 presentation to his flagship opening in Beverly Hills. I'm most excited to see the preparations for that exclusive fw11 womenswear show (and not just cause Beyoncé was a part of it) and his stint as guest editor at Vogue Paris (just before Carine Roitfeld left). Props to Oprah for having the clout to inspire someone like Tom Ford to take part in this... putting aside personal criticisms against The Big O, she knows how to create good television. Visionaries: Tom Ford premieres June 24th on OWN. To read more into this story, hop on over to Racked, they include quotes from the piece.

Music: "Best I Never Had" - Beyoncé

>> Download <<

I am just bubbling with excitement with every track that leaks from this album. "!+1" is still my favorite track thus far, but this song definitely plays like a power anthem — I'm singing this with a purpose Beyoncé, and I thank you for that. I really must say, that album art, "King B"... girlfriend is on a whole other level; the Queen hasn't left the building, but the KING has arrived. If you haven't already, be sure to pre-order Bey's new album on iTunes... like now. [link]

Art: French Twists x Igor & André

Taken from Igor + André blogger Danny Roberts' Character Sketchbook, an image from Vogue US' May 2004 issue. If you aren't already familiar, he's an artist who's caught the eye of many within the fashion community for his work capturing editorials and model polaroids. This painting is from the editorial "French Twists" photographed by Annie Leibovitz. He does a cool job of capturing the beauty of models Gemma Ward, Lily Cole, Gisele Bundchen, Daria Werbowy, and Karen Elson (+ their male & canine co-stars). Be sure to check out more of his work on his blog, links are over there on the right. For those interested in checking out the rest of this editorial, here's the linkage.