Natacha Talay SS 2011

I LOVE the hair and makeup and styling of Natacha Talay’s SS11 lookbook…modern minimalist mime geisha? Also wouldn’t mind the outfit with the bow tie…

via Trendland

Afternoon of a Faun

I love Toga‘s concept for SS11; leopard-on-leopard, little collars, colourful belts and lots of sheer. Their collection “Afternoon of a Faun” has definitely got me in the mood for Spring (err, Spring shopping more than anything).

via  Stylebubble

I Don’t Speak German

As tired as I am of fashion films with Lady Gaga soundtracks, (*cough* Gareth Pugh *cough* Show Studio) the House of Mugler short film that features her new track is, in a word, badass. However, after the initial “oh my gosh, fashion eye candy!” viewing, I can’t help but cringe a little more with each successive viewing. Yes its cool to look at, the runway shots are exciting and the faux facial tattoos are visually striking, but its also nauseatingly trendy with its formulaic use of black and white, low-key lighting and slow-motion. And I just KNOW this song is going to be playing everytime I walk into Topshop for the next three months.

Click the image to view full video on Stylelist;

Thoughts?

Max Tan AW10

I’ve been apprehensive about the return of minimalism, but if it comes out looking this sharp then I’m sold.

via Fashion Lover

Kate Moss/Balmain Video

Balmain has released a video version of their fall campaign, and it looks like they had some fun in After Effects to make it a little magical. Watch below for Kate Moss’s magic chameleon hair and the adorable smoking aliens and hand monsters that visit her as she poses.

By Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, via The Cut

Night Night

This surreal fashion video by Pearly Films is “…based on falling asleep in front of the TV and experiencing a nightmare. With the aid of night vision goggles, the viewer sees the model first agitated and scared by the nightmare but then gets drawn into the dark world and becomes the nightmare itself”. The video features the beautiful Sohui from Beauty in Filth and designs by Lucy Kenney.

via Beauty in Filth blog

Fantasy Motionbook

I can’t believe I forgot to post this! Prada, pushing the envelope as always, made this great mixed-media “Fantasy Motionbook” as their AW10 video lookbook. Directed by James Lima, the video includes runway footage on sketchy backgrounds, still photos of key pieces and illustrations as well as animation.

Thoughts? I think its great to see something new and different in video lookbooks and I find that it read almost like a magazine spread or a mood board. Also, I might have to adopt the term “motionbook” because “video lookbook” is a bit clumsy.

Amy Winehouse x Fred Perry

I’ve never really given much thought to Fred Perry, or Amy Winehouse for that matter, but I have to say there a couple pieces from this collection that I would definitely wear. This is mostly due to my love of bowling shirts. You can never have enough bowling shirts. See the whole collection online at Fred Perry.

 

What do you guys think? I really like the bowling shirt with the pink check, it reminds me of American diner waitresses.

Heritage 160

A really cool video by Pierre Debuscherre for Heritage 160. Although its full of mirror effects and double exposures (epic rant here), I’m in a good mood today so I’ll let it slide.

Thoughts?

Rant About Wang and Fashion Film

I have a confession to make: I’m not a huge fan of Alexander Wang. I know, I know, that could be considered criminal by the fashion Powers That Be, those that a few years ago hailed Wang as the next big thing. But I am troubled by his work. I think my real problem with him (as a designer, not personally, obviously), is that his work embodies the “off-duty model” look that I HATE with a fiery, burning passion. Don’t get me wrong, there have been some pieces that I wanted desperatley, but I feel like everything about his brand screams “hipper than thou” and, well, I hate minimalism.

That being said, I tried to be objective about his new campaign video, since I’m always on the hunt for fashion films. The film is for AW10/11 and is directed by Craig McDean, and stars Abbey Lee Kershaw, whom I love (who doesn’t?). It takes a now-classic music video approach without a narrative and, though thankfully devoid of mirror effects, employs every other technique that has become conventional to this relatively new genre of video lookbooks/fashion campaign videos;

He’s got wind machines, split screens, an uber-hip dubstep soundtrack by The XX, slow-motion, boobs, rapid intercutting, and Abbey writhing around on grungy furniture in a dark room….basically the whole nine yards of the classic video campaign. For a designer who is known for being “fresh” and “edgy”, this is a very conventional video.

Alien Beings

It looks like the model is made of coral in this surreal yet beautiful video lookbook for Yuima Nakazato AW10-11.

My Two Cents

I know everyone is obsessing over the Givenchy haute couture that showed recently but I just HAD to post the lace skeleton dress. I just love that such a white, lacey, intricate, luxurious collection can have such dark undertones…

So Hip I Could Die

Check out this nauseatingly hip yet nonetheless badass video lookbook by Char Alfonzo for Asher Levine AW10.

Miu More

Everyone is raving about the new Miu Miu video campaign for AW10/11. The models look gorgeous, the makeup is amazing and the clothes are of course incredible but I feel like the video could have been more creative. The models are Ginta Lapina, Lindsey Wixson (love her), Siri Tollerod, and Daphne Groeneveld.

Thoughts?

Molten Slinky

Iris Van Herpen AW10. Looks like she’s wearing molton slinkies…in a good way.

(P.S. Doesn’t “molten slinky” sound like a band name?). See more images after the jump.

88

In the growing industry of fashion cinematography, Jason Last might be my biggest hero. His latest video, “SOLILOQUY 88″ is a collaboration with art director Jaime Rubiano and features some epic Rodarte pieces. Watch it, you won’t be disappointed.

More Jason Last here.

Candy Story

A Story for Candystore is a simple yet beautiful video featuring illustrations of Candystore garments. I love the idea of animated lookbooks for fashion collections, it takes it away from the land of models and makeup and into a fantasy land where clothes belong. There is something very sweet and unpretentious about the artwork. Video by Coloring Book Studio with drawings by Alyson Fox. Music by Weisse Geist.

Name Thy Poison

…my poison is Riot Tuxedo SS10.

I need the “Dames, Booze…” one to add to my skull-wearing-tophat collection! Check out the rest of the lookbook here.

Maneater

A sick video for a sick collection; “Maneater” by Derek Blais & Carly Bangs for Pink  Cobra A/W 2010. I just wish it showed more of the clothes. The lookbook is worth checking out, find it here.

Pink Cobra // Maneater on Vimeo on Vimeo

Artsy Fartsy

My friend posted this video to her tumblr with a note that said, “Finally! A fashion film that doesn’t make me want to cry in the bathtub and slit my wrist”. Although I can’t say it doesn’t make me want to cry in a bathtub, I just had to repost this. The video perfectly encapsulates that sort of surreal moment when you are walking through a dirty city at some ungodly hour of the morning after a sleepless night. It also has a sort of Where the Wild Things Are vibe to it.

more about “Artsy Fartsy“, posted with vodpod

Directed by Philippe Tempelman & Kian Zubicky and fashion by Heidi Nilausen. Also, check out my friend’s tumblr.