A May 1964 letter from Campbell's Soup Product Marketing Manager,
William P. MacFarland, to the iconic Andy Warhol.
Click the image to enlarge.
2.8.10
Snapshot: To Whom It May Concern...
A May 1964 letter from Campbell's Soup Product Marketing Manager,
William P. MacFarland, to the iconic Andy Warhol.
Click the image to enlarge.
Stop Children... What's that Sound?
Loving You Is Killing Me (live) — Aloe Blacc
Check out this live, in-studio, version of 'Loving You is Killing Me,'
off Aloe Blacc’s debut album Good Things out September 28.
[sidenote: also check out my recent trip to NYC to see TK Wonder, Aloe Blaac, and
Raphael Saadiq perform in Central Park... up now on the Quite Fascinating Flickr page]
Snapshot: GOD, I Love Italian Men
On the Street....The Rubinacci, Milano
If only Amercian men dressed this way during non-business occassions.
[photo via The Sartorialist]
Snapshot: Brazil's Finest
Gisele Bundchen x Harper's Bazaar UK (Sep10)
[shot by Cedric Buchet]
STUNNING.
[pic via MDC]
Snapshot: Powerful Imagery // Strategic Marketing
Time Magazine — August 9, 2010
From Time:
Our cover image this week is powerful, shocking and disturbing. It is a portrait of Aisha, a shy 18-year-old Afghan woman who was sentenced by a Taliban commander to have her nose and ears cut off for fleeing her abusive in-laws. Aisha posed for the picture and says she wants the world to see the effect a Taliban resurgence would have on the women of Afghanistan, many of whom have flourished in the past few years. Her picture is accompanied by a powerful story by our own Aryn Baker on how Afghan women have embraced the freedoms that have come from the defeat of the Taliban — and how they fear a Taliban revival.While it may be true that violence against women is a serious reality for many in Afganistan, I'm left wondering if it is doing any good to use such images to sell magazines or promote propaganda. This image is disturbing, it's powerful, but is it a fair representation of what's really going on? How does our military presence in the country really help to end the gender-violence and reverse the centuries of gender inequality that exist? Another issue that didn't strike me as an issue until I read this recent post on Feministing, was why are we focusing on the image of the woman, and not what she is actually saying? To be more clear, we are to feel outrage over the damaged image, and not the true issues such as access to education, medicine, religious gatherings, marriage laws, child marriage, divorce laws, domestic violence and the list goes on. I'd like to see a more competent cover, one that doesn't depend on shock value, but rather one that instead focuses on the women themselves and the oppression they face; this cover tells me nothing of the Afghan woman's struggle besides the fact that some aspect of her outer beauty was tarnished... or at the very least, give me a subhead that talks about the issues at hand. I haven't read the article, and don't have immediate access to Time, but if I do, I'll be sure to add additional commentary. Feel free to disagree; I'd love to hear your comments.
Joie de Vivre
Joie de Vivre — Gareth Pugh f/w 10
Raquel Zimmermann is SMOKING in this video for SHOWstudio.
[sidenote: check out this crazy addictive music mixing
game featuring V Sexy Body Eniko Mihalik... linkage]
30.7.10
One Love Challenge: Week 7 -- My Black Is Beautiful
Instead of a challenge this week, I will allow images to do the speaking.
Photographer Saddi Khali deserves a big hug and pat on the back for his series of photos which depict the black community in a non-exploitative manner. His shots present bodies of black people (primarily women) as unapologetic, prideful, beautiful, unashamed works of art. His main series, Pieces of Peace seek to redefine the black identity, and to promote what he calls culturally competent images of black individuals. I invite you to scope out his photography; regardless of your own race, there is a lesson of self-image embedded for all... there was one for me at least.
If this strikes a chord with you,
I encourage you to share your testimony in the comments section.
[sidenote: thanks to Feministing for bringing this artist to my attention]
You Look Like a Playground to Me...
Sex Karma - Of Montreal (feat. Solange)
Of Montreal took the stage last night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon... they enlisted the help of my angel, Solange, for the song 'Sex Karma.' I am not fan of Of Montreal, but this song makes me want to get familiar. I love that line, you look like a playground to me; I'll just say that this is so true for me, and leave it there... don't wanna get in any trouble, lol. Check out the performance in case you weren't up last night, or missed it.
[sidenote: 50 Cent was also on that episode; it's crazy how quickly he regained all that muscle mass]
Snapshot: Light Me Up... or I'm Not Friend
Light Me Up - The Pretty Reckless
This is so dope; I love it... however, I feel slightly hypocritical for having criticized Lil' Wayne's Carter III album art; different sociological images, yet both are bad uses of children. Light Me Up drops in the UK Aug30, and in the US Aug31... can't say I'm excited, but I am looking forward to it.
Video: Miss Nothing - The Pretty Reckless
Miss Nothing - The Pretty Reckless
Taylor Momsen is on my radar, and has been since the inception of Gossip Girl three years ago. Her band The Pretty Reckless is taking its time to grow on me, but I respect the music she makes; it's moody, it's in your face, and it's unapologetic. The band recently released a video for their second single, 'Miss Nothing,' and it has created quite a stir amongst critics. Taylor having only just turned 17 (Jul26), many perceive her performance in this video, just as they perceive her style, as much too racy. Personally, I could care less about age-appropriateness, esp after the age of 14... but that's neither here nor there. The video is above; I actually really like it, the whole zombie crawling thing is pretty crazy... in a good way. So now, press play, and then replay, and then one more time just for good measure... Enjoy!
[sidenote: the band's video for their first single 'Make Me Wanna Die' can be found here]
The Power of Style
DC Fashion Week s/s 2010
September 20-26
While it may not be NYFW, it certainly makes it's mark as a viable and legitimate stage for international designs. I've been only once before, and I can say in all honesty that it was an amazing experience. Tickets to the International Couture Collections show are available now; and while the other events are invitation only, a bit of clever sleuthing and/or networking could possibly result in a spot on the guest list... See you there!
[sidenote: a friend of mine, and budding fashion writer, has a new site, check it out -- Chanel Files]
Red, White, and View
President Barack Obama visits the ladies of The View for an unprecedented daytime tv moment; in other words, he's the first sitting president to appear on a daytime talk-show. The man himself discusses issues ranging from his administration's accomplishments, jobs, the economy, the Gulf oil spill and family life inside the White House; if you're curious about what he's listening to, well they cover that too. Obama has got to be the coolest president we've had since JFK (no offense Bill Clinton, but you weren't that cool); he comes off very average joe during his interview, something which we as a nation seem to need from a president, especially now. Take a moment, grab your morning coffee, and engage yourself in Barack Obama and the ladies of The View... yup, even Barbara, or did you forget she was the fifth member, lol.
[sidenote: as Hulu only posts the five most recent episodes, I apologize in advance if this video expires; I'll try to find a more permanent embed code... see, I always got your backs, lol]
29.7.10
Beyonce isn't the Only Knowles with Talent...
This post isn't so much an introduction to Solange, because I don't have time for that; plain and simple. Rather, this is a post for the already established fans, and those who independently seek to get familiar with the Sol'Angel that is Solange Piaget Knowles. With that said, while combing through google articles and wikipedia for any clue as to when new music from my indie-darling would be released, I was pleasantly surprised to discover three unreleased tracks. 'An Ode to Julez (Calendar),' 'Under Construction,' 'Momma Loves Baby' are each unique songs unto themselves. The first is a track in honor of her son to whom she holds as her greatest unplanned blessing; it's a beautiful song about the emotions she went through when she discovered she was pregnant. The second, which won't be on the new album, but was posted on her blog, is, from what I can tell, about an individual needing emotional rennovations [/crazy-run-on-sentence]. The third, which was made for the Mother's Day Episode of Yo Gabba Gabba!, is just a fun, short track; worth the listen. I can't wait for a new album from this chick, it's been two years, I miss you.
An Ode to Julez (Calendar)
Under Construction
Momma Loves Baby
eta: Just found a new track titled 'Whipped'... as with the new Lauryn Hill track, I'm taking this with a grain of salt, but if it's any indication of her new album, I'm kind of underwhelmed... it's too generic R&B for my tastes.
Whipped
[sidenote: other unreleased tracks include Stillness Is The Move (Dirty Projectors cover), Viva La Vida (Coldplay cover), and F-ck The Industry (Signed Sincerely) & it's Remix which features Wale]
Beyonce Stanning in 3... 2... 1...
Sweet Dreams (live) — Beyonce
This is one of my favorite Beyonce live performances; 'Sweet Dreams,' with its heavy beats and explosive energy, is reimagined in this slowed down, ballad version for Beyonce's "I Am... Yours" Tour (the Vegas shows at least). I'm not ashamed to admit that I am a mega-stan of the Queen B; she's my queen-diva-supreme and a big inspiration for me. Her vocal styles can go from club hit bangers, to angelic melodies that resonate in the mind and heart long after the final note (case-in-point, the above video). Take in the magic that is Beyonce Giselle Knowles-Carter, and get swept up into her 'Sweet Dreams' (hope that doesn't sound too corny, lol)... God I Love Beyonce!
28.7.10
What You Got in that Bag?
Photographer Jason Travis photographs strangers, and the junk they're toting around in their bags. They say a picture's worth a million words; the same can be applied to one's junk. It's as if life stories are being told, preconceptions being challenged, and voyeuristic playcating all at once with just two simple photos. I highly recommend browsing through his set Persona, if even just to be nozy, because it's well worth it. For those on flickr, add him as a contact, for those not on flickr, get on it, and follow him...
[sidenote: check out my own Flickr photostream here]
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