CLAUDIO CINA

Yohji Yamamoto at the V&A

photograph by Ronald Stoops; courtesy V&A website

The V&A has announced that they will present a retrospective of the work of the Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto from March 12, 2011- July 10, 2011.  On display for the first time in a site specific installation will also include Yohji's menswear collection.  In the past, all exhibitions have solely focused on his womenswear.  The curator of this exhibition is Ligaya Salazar.  

I am also excited to hear that they will be collaborating with Nick Knight and Peter Saville on the book to coincide with the exhibition.  It will be created as an homage to the catalogues that they produced for Yamamoto in the late 80's.  To quote Ligaya Salazar, "Peter Saville is on board creating the graphic art direction for the book, marketing and exhibition and fantastic Nick Knight has produced the lead image. This image (to be revealed later on), draws inspiration from one very iconic photograph they produced together in 1986 called the red bustle."

Here are some photographs behind the scenes when Nick Knight shot some of the images. The styling was done by Katie Grand and the Hair by Martin Cullen.  All photos are courtesy of the V&A website.  Definite must see!

Julien D'ys Upclose and Personal - Behind the Scenes at the Metropolitan Museum Exhibition

(From Left, Viktoriya Sasonkina, Coco Rocha, Karlie Kloss, Jourdan Dunn & Raquel Zimmermann) US Vogue March 2009; Hair by Julien D'ys; dresses John Galliano

Julien D'ys process is so inspiring to me.  I have blogged about his book Julien D'Ys par Juliette Butler  and posted some of the most beautiful photographs from it.  Well there is a video that I have already seen many times that I want to share with anyone that can appreciate art and the creative process.  I fell in love with it immediately.  Each time I watch this clip, it excites me and gives me such a creative boost of energy.  I love all of his sketches and mood boards in it as well.  Here is Julien creating headpieces and make up for all the mannequins at the annual Metropolitan Museum fashion exhibit "Model as Muse" from 2009.

Julien, I am a huge fan and if I see you on the street and build up the courage to say hello, please don't think I am crazy......I am a huge fan.

  

"Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" to Be the Next Retrospective at the Met

Alexander McQueen ad campaign Spring 2010; photography Nick Knight

Alexander McQueen's final bow at the finale of his Spring 2010 show in Paris; photo courtesy style.com

It has been decided. Next year's exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art slated for May 4th, 2011 will be a retrospective of  the late Alexander McQueen's work from his post graduate show in 1992, his years at Givenchy, and will cover all his collections up until his last for Spring 2010.  Alexander McQueen died this past February.

"Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty", as the exhibit is titled will feature 100 pieces spanning the designer's career.  He was literally at his peak before his death.  His clothes were worn on stage and in music videos by Lady Gaga whose Bad Romance video was talked about on-end for the outrageous looks and showmanship.

The gala event hosted every year to open the exhibit will take place on the eve of May 2nd.  François-Henri Pinault and wife Selma Hayek will be the honorary chairs of the event.  Colin Firth, Stella McCartney, and Anna Wintour will co-chair the evening.

I am positive that this will be the beginning of many other retrospectives and exhibitions around the world.  It is only proper and fitting that the V&A will sponsor an exhibition in his honor somewhere down the line.  I am already excited for that catalogue as I am sure it will surely be amazing!!!! Can't wait. 

Big Shout Out from British Vogue After Rihanna Wears William Tempest on X-Factor Yesterday

photos of Rihanna courtesy William Tempest facebook

When British Vogue retweeted William Tempest's tweet last night about Rihanna in his Oyster dress, he must have felt like the "Only Boy" in the world.  At the young age of 25, William has already completed three collection, Spring 2011 being his latest.  Having started his career working for such names as Giles Deacon in London and Jean Charles de Castelbajac in Paris, Tempest has honed his construction and pattern skills, which shows quite beautifully in his designs and the way he cuts a dress.  As he best puts it, "The look is of innovative cutting and experimental shape making, focusing heavily on construction and quality."  Below is the look book featuring the dress that Rihanna wore as well as some of his other amazing work.

 

all photos Spring 2011; The Sirens' Song courtesy William Tempest.com

I was moved this morning when I read such a positive thing about a designer that is just starting out.  It must have been such a great feeling first to see a superstar such as Rihanna wearing your dress, and secondly, having British Vogue retweet this to over 89,000 of their followers. Quite amazing William!!!!!

I look forward to seeing more from this talent.  This is definitely something that deserves soaking in, so don't get off the high too quickly.  It is quite an accomplishment.  Here's wishing you lots of luck and success.  For more on William Tempest, you can click here to go to his website, or go to Facebook and Twitter to become a fan.  Leaving you with RiRi's performance on X-Factor just in case you missed it.

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"

A Visit to Selfridges for the Vivienne Westwood Shoe Exhibition

Can Shoes; Ultra Femininity S/S 2005

Can Shoes; Ultra Femininity S/S 2005

If I haven't already mentioned, I just got back from a trip to London and Paris. I could not leave London without visiting Selfridges and seeing the Vivienne Westwood Shoe exhibition, which really showcased Dame Viv's talent for making both amazing and outrageous shoes.  All of her designs are definitely collectibles.  Take a look at some of her best from 1973 to 2010.

Cowboy Clog; S/S 2010

Toe Shoe Oxford; Man S/S 2010

Penis Shoe; Erotic Zones S/S 1995

Stripe Gladiator Boot; Do It Yourself S/S 2009

Gladiator Boot; Do It Yourself  S/S 2009

Loden Boot; +5^o A/W 2009

Propaganda Pirate Boots; Propaganda A/W 2004

Seditionary Boot; Seditionaries 1976

Three Strap Toe Shoe; Nymphs S/S 2010

Super Elevated Fur Boot; On Liberty A/W 1994

Mock-Croc Elevated Gillie; A/W 1993

Mock-Crock Elevated Court Shoe; Grand Hotel 1993

Elevated Ankle Boot; Dressed to Scale A/W 1998

Elevated Tartan Lace; Anglomania A/W 1993

Elevated Wing Shoe; Portrait A/W 1993

LV Boot Cocotte; Vive La Cocotte A/W 1995

Green Satin Winter Boot; Winter A/W 2000

Winter Newspaper Boot; Winter A/W 2000

Two-Tone Court; A/W 2000

Prince Charming Court; Prince Charming A/W 2000

Anglophilia Sach Boots; Anglophilia A/W 2002

Vivienne Westwood's Personal "Goat" Chain Boot; Sex 1973/4

Chic Boot; +5^o; A/W 2009

Candy Stripe Tie Sandal; Cafe Society S/S 1994

Petit-Pied Fabric Sandal; Blue Sky S/S 2004

Frilly Petit-Pied Sandal; Blue Sky S/S 2004

The thing that I love about her designs is that they are fun, unique, and there is always an element of fantasy.  Her shoes continue to influence and inspire designers internationally.  If you would like to see more shoes, there is a very well done book called "Vivienne Westwood:Shoes", by Luca Beatrice, Matteo Guarnaccia, and Vivienne Westwood that you can purchase on Amazon.com.  Thank you Selfridges and Vivienne Westwood for making this exhibition possible.

MURAKAMI VERSAILLES

I am in Paris for business, but couldn't help but make time to take a day trip outside of the city to see sixteen of Murakami's spectacular works on display at Chateau Versailles.  What an amazing combination!  The exhibit just started on September 14 and will be on show until December 12.  My advice is booking your tickets in advance online and getting there around 9 am, when there will probably be the least amount of traffic. Take a look at some of the pictures that I took.

Chateau Versailles is such an inspiring place.  After leaving there, I really wanted an original Murakami work and of course, one of those amazing chandeliers!

Vivienne Westwood Shoe Retrospective

photo courtesy Vivienne Westwood, Naomi Cambell in Super Elivated Gillie Platforms, 1993

photo courtesy Vivienne Westwood; Naomi Campbell models elevated heels in the "Anglomania" collection Autumn/Winter 1993.

photo courtesy Vivienne Westwood; Shoes from the Spring/Summer 1995 collection

photo courtesy Vivienne Westwood; Shoes from the "Anglomania" collection, 1993

Some of  fashion's most memorable shoe moments in last ten years have come from or been inspired by Vivienne Westwood (Dame Viv, as others like to call her).  There has been a huge revival in editorials this season of her vintage shoes.  I wasn't surprised, but super excited to hear that she was going to present her latest project in collaboration with Selfridges London this month.  Vivienne Westwood Shoes, An Exhibition 1973-2010 focuses on her iconic shoe designs spanning five decades.  This exhibit is being showcased in the Ultralounge, lower ground floor of the store until September 22.

Kate Moss photos by Nick Knight courtesy i-D Magazine, Shoes vintage Vivienne Westwood; Fashion Director Edward Enninful

Seeing platform shoes on the runway and on the streets nowadays isn't shocking at all because they have become part of our everyday vocabulary.  Seventeen years ago, in 1993, when everyone else was showing flats, demi heels, and stilettos, Vivienne Westwood was sending her models down the catwalk in super elevated platforms.  Vivienne loved wearing these herself and I recall her saying in interviews that they made her feel like a lady.  It is unbelievable looking back that she was onto it way before everyone else.

Definitely worth the trip to Selfridges!

Vivienne Westwood, "I think some people would love to be able to make the clothes I make - and of course, I do influence them, but they keep simplifying, and minimalism doesn't quite work"

photo of Vivienne Westwood wearing her plastic bag by Inez Van Lamsweerde/Vinoodh Matadin, 1994.

CHEERS

YSL: A Inside Look at the Exhibit

For those of you who do not get a chance to see the YSL exhibition at the Petit Palais in Paris in the next two days (the exhibit ends on August 29th), I have found a video that I think will give you a very good idea on what the exhibit is like.  You are not allowed any pictures or videos.  Even Lourdes, Madonna's daughter saw the exhibit on a recent trip to Paris and was all upset about the whole thing in a recent blog posting on her "Material World Blog".  To quote her, "Unfortunately we were NOT allowed to take pics, which SUCKED, cause then I would have shown y'all...."  So I think that this a rare treat to see.  I hope you enjoy it.

"NOSTALGIA IS LIKE DREAMING AWAKE.  I AM DEFINITELY A DREAMER"  

Yves Saint Laurent

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.....