Jean Paul Gaultier: Creative Director of Diet Coke

L'Enfant Terrible continues to explore his creative genius, however, this time in ways that will have already surprised million. As the newly appointed creative director at Diet Coke, the fashion legend pairs up with the one company that revolutionized the Western world, Coke. Incredible. To the majority of us, this pairing may seem a little strange, a little unbalanced and probably completely insane. Both Coke as a company and Jean Paul Gauliter as the mastermind behind a fashion empire are exceptionally powerful, yet their powers lie at opposite ends of the spectrum, or do they? The idea of translating Jean Paul Gaultier's unconventional and gifted imagination to the world of mass production is brilliant. Although it may be hard to predict what can possibly come out of this new partnership, they've released the first of a series of three promotional videos entitled "The Night and Day Serial Designer" :

Make sure to check out the other two through YouTube on Friday, March 9th, and Saturday, March 10th.

BOOGIE LIGHTS - Feb 2012

Planet Blue look books have this incredible ability to just put me in a good mood. Boogie Lights, with its psychedelic colours and iconic 1970s patterns, brings back the flare of the original disco movement, fun and uninhibited with a hint of Dirk Diggler's sex appeal circa 1997's "Boogie Nights."Almost tempted to skip class in search for a place like this.

Come As You Are

 The skatepark is rarely a place for the refined world of fashion. Or rather, such places, considering their history and characteristics, are usually not always associated with the art of trendsetting. They're dirty, kind of grimy, but seriously, what's there not to love? Stylestalker's "come as you are" has got it all right. 

This photo sequence reignited my infatuation with the counter culture of the 1970s, and primarily the deviant youth that came from its uninhibited nature. Looking at this, I think of Dogtown and the Z-Boys, the group of kids that revolutionized the world of skateboarding and gave subsequent generations a platform on which to live freely. Although the Z-Boys marked an era that remains locked in the past, the soul in their plight is still alive. 

Skating empty pools was a characteristic of the Z-Boys. But rarely were there times when the events weren't documented by a swarm of girls. Dressed to impress in their incredible 1970s outfits, they were charmed by the aggressiveness and obvious sexiness of these skaters. I mean WHO WOULDN'T BE? 

The same scene is being shown here, only in the terms of a 21st century scenery. Style has since been revolutionized, for both the girls and the boys, but the pioneers behind the genius of it all are still represented with and admirable interpretation. I am absolutely in love.

Watching the Throne

image source: here

Last night, I became the envy of millions as I had the privilege to "Watch the Throne," Jay-Z and Kanye West's collaborative effort to revolutionize the world of rap. Although these two have solidified their respective positions at the top of the rap hierarchy, spectators were so diverse. There was obviously an overwhelming following of avid rap fans, marked by the millions of diamonds held proudly in the air. But the Bell Center filled its seats with all kinds of different people. Proof that people still have a profound appreciation for raw talent.

I myself was one of those spectators with no expectations, considering my unfamiliarity with rap as a genre. Yet, as a stood among my friends who had finally unleashed their contained excitement, I was overwhelmed with awe. I can't remember the last time I left the Bell Center feeling so profoundly impacted by such an incredible performance. What was most rewarding, however, was seeing them smile in response to the roaring praise Montrealers communicated from beginning to end.

When the big screens behind the stage weren't projecting images of wild animals or both current and past global issues,  they closely zoomed in on the artists. This was the most interesting for me, as I felt as though I got exclusive insight into their world,  their side of the story. The camera often captured shots behind them, so that spectators could see the show from their eyes. There are no words to describe these images. A true sea of flashing lights and emotional chants. I can't imagine what it must feel like to see your success in the form of millions screaming your name and singing along to every word of your life's work.

The way the two Kings chose to dress was also incredibly reflective of their personal styles and performances. When they performed together, the contrast in dress was so representative of their current positions in the rap music industry. Jay-Z ignited the frenzy in his dedicated fans as he performed the old school songs that made him famous. He stayed true to his "all black everything" mentality throughout the entire show, complimented by his iconic New York Yankees cap. A true indication of an incredibly honest performance. Kanye, on the other hand, was dressed in the absolute height of fashion. Through his appreciation for unconventionality, he sported an over-sized Givenchy t-shirt over leather pants and a leather "man skirt." Even when total darkness took over, we could still follow the trace of Kanye's glow in the dark Nike Air Yeezy 2s. His appreciation for creativity and current fads was well reflected, solidifying his position as one of the most important relatively "new" (compared to Jay-Z) artists of today.

Towards the end of the 2 and a half hours of constant entertainment, Jay-Z yelled to the crowd "We're living our dream in front of y'all tonight." I am almost certain that every single spectator from the show would agree that they lived their dreams last night too.

Black Widow VS White Hot

Just some of my favourite shots from Planet Blue's new lookbooks.  The visuals are absolutely stunning.  The golden metallics, and the glitter work to compliment the model's simplistic beauty. Amidst the glamour and sex-appeal, there is something playfully innocent about the images that work to the model's advantage. Artistically appealing and imaginative. Perfect for immersing yourself into a whimsical world when Managerial Economics looses it's excitement on a Monday afternoon.

"Realistically speaking, if I had three dollars in my bank account, I'd take out a loan just so I can buy this stuff" - Brian Leiberman 

Versace In The Wrong?

Donatella Versace has recently cancelled a photo shoot in which "real women," as opposed to professional models, were supposed to be featured sporting the new collection created in collaboration with H&M. In an article I read on the subject, Donatella's only defense was "I know this customer. I know what they want."
 In light of today's modern movement towards a universal acceptance of women in terms of their distinct physical appearances, it is obvious that such an occurrence would be seen as a scandal, as a controversial issue and a faulted decision. Although I strongly believe in promoting these ideals, those of the "empowered woman", the world of fashion was built on a particular aesthetic. It is not to say that I agree with Donatella Versace's decision, however, she truly is the only person who knows how to market her product best. In my opinion, her decision to cancel the shoot was not a product of her ignorance and disregard for women, but rather a strictly business-based course of action. To be frank, after seeing the clothes in person, they don't exactly appeal to the common eye. They are firstly very extreme in terms of colour and patterns, and most of the items don't meet the brand's quality caliber. The photography, in this case, is mastered to an exceptional level, and often, a desire is created from the image projected in photo shoots, as opposed to from the clothes themselves. 
We have to consider an important, possible reason for the cancelation of the shoot: this collection simply does not translate well to the average, "real" woman. The world of high fashion and haute couture, a place in which Versace has built a strong brand name and reputation, seldom includes clothes that could be worn by just anyone. The world of fashion is riddled with these cases, and such an event really does not shock me. The objective here is to make sales, to create demand for your product. And sometimes, the name "Versace" isn't enough - it needs to be backed up by a visually appealing and desirable quality. That is where the professional models come in. They have the look, they're experts, they know how to make the clothes seem 100% better than they might be in reality, which is truly the case for Versace's collaboration with H&M. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2061915/Donatella-cancelled-Versace-H-M-shoot-using-real-women-models-did-fit-branding.html#ixzz1dqPhZcEE

Happy Halloween

Planet Blue's Halloween-inspired look book, showcasing a rather chic take on the iconic image of "Dia de los Muertos."The trend has been catching on, especially in Montreal where numerous girls coloured the streets with similarly painted faces on Halloween.

Translated in English, "Day of the Dead" is an important tradition embedded in Mexican culture, where family members gather in celebration of lost loved ones. The concept of death and mourning resonates perfectly with the darker side of Halloween. This shoot is a refreshing break from the so called "slutty"costumes that filter Halloween weekend. With a little imagination, accompanied obviously by the wonders of makeup, even death can look hot.

Florian ‘Eccentric Ectasy’ SS2012

Just what I've been waiting for. Accessories for the brave and bold. It's always admirable when brands forgo the numerous opportunities created by in terms of mass market appeal the interest of art, and in this case, eccentricity. Florian creates a collection with the potential to send a loud message to consumers: we're different, and we like it. The colours, the piercings, the tattoos, it all makes me revel in admiration. There's something so alluring about counterculture, and again, the rawness and edginess in this collection is what first caught my eye. The pieces are bold enough to be paired with a simple outfit, yet can potentially become THE outfit, as evidenced by these photos.

Looks like the best 80s party to have ever been, and frankly, I'm not too please I didn't receive an invitation.

Photo Source: Highsnobette