CLAUDIO CINA

Uomini - by Mariano Vivanco for Dolce & Gabanna @ Rizzoli Book Store

Book Cover of Uomini featuring model André Ziehe

I was at Rizzoli in NYC yesterday afternoon and one of the "new" releases by Dolce & Gabbana, at the moment only available at Rizzoli in-store and online is Uomini (which is the Italian word for "Men") by Mariano Vivanco.  The beautiful black and white images of male models David Gandy, Noak Mills, Doug Porter, Tony Ward and Andre Ziehé, some of which are fashion celebrities in their own right, are very beautifully shot.

What has been so successful for the designer duo is that they have a very specific image of the Dolce & Gabbana Man.  Their collaboration with talented photographers like Mariano keeps the repertoire of images growing and fresh.

Congratulations to Mariano & Team Vivanco on this new book!  Past book collaborations with Dolce & Gabbana include;  Italia Campioni del Mondo 2006, Calcio, Dolce & Gabbana Milan Calendar 2008, and Dolce & Gabbana David Calendar.

Model David Gandy photographed by Mariano Vivanco for Uomini Dolce & Gabbana

The 252 page hardcover will be available for purchase in the new year from Amazon.com starting from February 8.  Check it out!!!!  Bravissimo

Visionaire Magazine Issue 58 "Spirit" - A Tribute To Lee Alexander McQueen

all photos courtesy visionaireworld.com

Issue 58 of Visionaire Magazine "Spirit" is a tribute to Lee Alexander McQueen.   It includes works of amazingly talented artists and photographers,  including Nick Knight, Lady Gaga, Steven Klein, Mario Sorrenti, Steven Meisel, Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, David Sims, Mario Testino, Sean Ellis and Sebastian Faena.  Issue 58 is a limited edition of 1500 numbered copies.  The case is wrapped in a McQueen metalized brocade from his Spring/Summer 2010 show. The cost is $295 and can be purchased on the Visionaire or McQueen website. If you live in NYC, you can go down to Visionaire Gallery and pick it up there as well.  Here is a video preview of the Magazine.

"Visionaire first featured the designs of Lee Alexander McQueen in 1996.  Since that time, he has been a continuous inspiration and a presence in Visionaire.  McQueen's special commissions are among our most treasured contributions.  His daring designs and challenging ideas of fashion have consistently excited and provoked us.  In 2003, McQueen came to our soho office and gallery to discuss collaborating on an issue of Visionaire...an issue that never came to be.  This is our tribute to him.

-Stephen Gan, Cecilia Dean, and James Kaliardos

Ruben Toledo's Fashion Almanac Book

above images courtesy Nordstrom

Nordstrom and the fashion illustrator extraordinaire Ruben Toledo are celebrating a 10-year collaboration with the release of a hardcover limited-edition book highlighting the amazing work that Mr. Toledo has produced for them.  The book can be ordered online at nordstrom.com or will be available at selected Nordstrom stores for $65.  It is the perfect gift for any lover of art or fashion.  So be sure to get it before they run out!

Ruben Toledo at his studio, photo courtesy theselby.com

Kenzo Celebrates 40 Years With The Release of a New Book

Scheduled to hit stores this week in commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of house, Rizzoli is releasing KENZO, a hardback fabric covered book available in 3 different printed patterns.  It is a 9x12 format with 304 pages of which 300 contain color illustrations priced at $75.  This is the first extensive book ever published to date and is a great collection and visual dialogue between two great fashion designers, Kenzo Takada (who retired in 1999) and Antonio Marras (who has been designing for the label the last 6 years)

I love love love that you get to choose you own cover.  My favorite print and the one I am looking forward to owning is the turquoise ground with the multi colored flowers.  It is very typical of the Asian influence that Kenzo Takada, the founder of Kenzo is known for.  The boldness of the patterns is true to how the collection was originally envisioned.  The first designs started because he could only afford to buy his fabrics from flea markerts. Because of this, Kenzo had to mix many bold fabrics together in one garment.

Below is the Spring 2011 collection presented at Milan Fashion Week by Antonio Marras for the house.  The prints as always were very beautiful and the proportions and silhouette bounced around the body in a very sensual and sexy way.  The layered touches of lingerie were great, especially when that touch or pop of color finished off the look.

all runway photos courtesy style.com

As Rizzoli.com puts it, "This book is truly an art object in and of itself."  I would also add that so are the clothes!  I love what Antonio Marras is doing for Kenzo.  It is so great to see when there is a wonderful pairing of an established fashion house such as Kenzo with a super talented designer like Antonio Marras.  The results speak for themselves. Here's to another 40.

Truly A Prized Possession: RICHARD MISRACH ON THE BEACH

I've come to believe that beauty can be a very powerful conveyer of difficult ideas." - Richard Misrach

Detail Richard Misrach, Untitled 696-05, 2005 from On the Beach

Richard Misrach, Untitled 394-03, 2003-2004 from On the Beach

Richard Misrach, Untitled 892-03, 2003 from On the Beach

Richard Misrach, Untitled 704-03, 2003 from On The Beach

Collection of Richard Misrach courtesy Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco; Pace/MacGill Gallery New York and March Selwyn Fine Arts, Los Angeles

Today's post is inspired by one of my favorite books from a traveling exhibition from years back called On the Beach by Richard Misrach published by Aperture that is very scarce and hard to find. The book itself is of gigantic proportion as is Misrach's work. Owning the book makes you feel like you own each and every one of those pieces (don't I wish........or even one of them)

He is one of my favorite photographers.  After seeing some of his photographs, you can clearly see why.  Stunning!  The large scale presentation of these works (some as large as 6 by 10 feet) is something to marvel over once you are done being taken by the vivid colors, textures, lighting and composition.  

His study of beaches, the ocean, sunbathers and swimmers from a viewpoint high above were taken over a four year period in Hawaii.  In order heighten the feeling of isolation, Misrach scanned the negatives into a computer and digitally removed people from the photos.

As Misrach describes it, "The photographs that appear in On the Beach were made between January 2002 - November 2005.  My thinking was influenced by the events of 9/11, as well as by the 1950's Cold War novel and film, On the Beach.  I was drawn to the fragility and grace of the human figure in the landscape.  For me, the work is both a celebration of our survival and an elegy.  Paradise has become an uneasy dwelling place; the sublime sea frames our vulnerability, the precarious nature of life itself"

David Downton - Breathing Life into Fashion

Phrases that I would use to describe David Downton's work.....Amazing to look at...Uber modern with an old world elegance and taste.....I just want to hang it on my wall, where do I get one? Fashion Illustration in the hands of David Downton becomes alive.   His subjects are famous, ranging from Linda Evangelista, Cate Blanchett, Erin O'Connor, Catherine Deneuve, Paloma Picasso, Stella Tennat and Dita Von Teese to name a few.  He is about to release a book called "Masters of Fashion Illustration".  He was recently commissioned by Acne Paper to illustrate a special supplement on classic cocktails, sponsored by Absolut Vodka.  The list goes on and on. Take a look........ and BE INSPIRED.  Fashion Illustration is Alive!

 

  

all artwork courtesy of David Downton

David began his career in Illustration, not specifically Fashion Illustration.  But luckily for us, in 1996 he was commissioned by the Financial Times to draw at the couture shows and the rest is history.  I wish I was in London yesterday as David was at Fenwick's signing copies of his book for Fashion's Night Out.  You can pre-order Maters of Fashion Illustration on Amazon.com which is scheduled to be released here in the US on September 22.  We look forward to seeing a lot more of David's work in fashion.  One of these will one day be hanging in my studio.  David, we love you!!!!!  P.S. For those of you who are interested in purchasing a limited edition print, you can do so at Lumas Editions Gallery Soho.

Coming Soon: Kate Moss by Mario Testino

So I was in the Taschen bookstore today in Soho and couldn't help but GAG, in an amazingly good way, at the oversized Kate Moss book that is currently for display only. It is not out until September.  It is sooooooo GOOD! OMG.... I am a huge Kate Moss fan not to mention a huge Testino one as well.  So yes, this book is for me!  Tyler, one of the very helpful staff  at the Taschen store let me know that it comes in a beautiful red acrylic box.  You can pre-order the book now for $500 or it will immediately go up in price once stock hits the store.  This boxed hardback special edition will have a limited run of 1500 signed copies.  Take a look of some of the pictures below from their website, or if you are in Soho, go and have a look in person.  You will get great service from the staff and be wowed by this and many of their other treasures. 

 

 

Kate Moss by Mario Testino available for pre-order on Taschen.com 

 
  

13 Days Left to See the YSL Exhibit

I was in Paris a month ago.  One of the main reasons for this trip was to see the YSL exhibit at the beautiful Petit Palais.  If you have not seen it, RUN, RUN, RUN, and get your tickets.  Only thirteen days left.  It is a "MUST" see, regardless of whether or not you are in fashion. It took about two hours to go through over three hundred looks.  There are no glass walls or separators, so you really get to see the clothes up close.  I can't forget to mention that each look is displayed with it's original shoes, stockings, jewels and hats shown on the runway.  Here are some pictures from that day.  The ones taken of me at the Petit Palais are courtesy of Chee Chung.  The others are from the official catalogue and the Yves Saint Laurent hardcover by Abrams.  Unfortunately, there are no cameras allowed inside.

 
 
 
 

  
  I love my job, I love my job.....