The Fashion and Art Concept

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The Inspiring Unlimited

They seem to have it all. I recognise the hunger in them. It's that feeling that there's something missing; something you need to express, but no words, written or otherwise, can convey what you want to get across. So you take in hand your 'speech' and with it, you create something that only you truly understand and something that others may appreciate.

I am referring to those celebs who even after the platinum selling album, blockbuster movie or million dollar modelling contract, take on another name: artiste. Portraits, photographs, paintings. These stars have hidden talents which add depth to their persona. The result is creative genius. Natural and totally uninhibited. Here are just a few of those I really like.

Chris Brown

breezyart

Brilliance! Plain and simple. Removing the controversy and the behaviour associated with Chris Brown, the singer, I am officially referring to Brown as Chris the Artist. His pieces are stunning. Seemingly free and unrestricted, Brown does a wonderful job of conveying emotion (torture, love etc) within a wonderment of colour; personable and loving images juxtaposed with horror-tastic and disturbing scenes, the artwork is undoubtedly, very real and by no means wishy-washy.

Chris Brown/Breezyart

Lucy Liu

The Guardian

There was a lot of hum surrounding the 'coming out' of Lucy Liu as the tremendously talented artiste for which she is now known. The pint sized Charlie's Angels beauty perfectly added another role to her roster of actress and producer with her stunning art collection of paintings, collages and photography. Liu has always been an art head, having studied photography and painting at a young age. Culturally alluring, her work is soothing and subtle and is elegantly presented with a modernist touch.

Lucy Liu/Poplifedotcom

Lucy Liu/Salon Vert

James Franco

James-francodotcom

I mean, geez, is there nothing this guy can't do? Aside from the good looks, Franco is just pure gold. Actor, screen writer, author, professor, an academic, producer, director and painter. Franco has always inspired me, no end. He has an 'hmmpph' for life and is able to squeeze all that is good from the world; perfectly utilising opportunities and loving and wanting to do many things; not wishing to be confined or defined! He gets it. And because of that drive, he has done more in his youth than many will do in their lifetime. Inspiring indeed!

With this venture, Franco has created some amazing 'method in the madness' work. His work is energetic and free-spirited, which perfectly adds to the illustrations vigorous and non-conformist feel.

James Franco/James-francodotcom

Helena Christensen

Esquire

Having spent many years in front of the camera, Supermodel Helena Christensen has taken to working behind the lens and is now one sought after photographer. With a great eye for movement and the ability to capture life as it happens in a very real and emotional way, Christensen is most definitely at home, camera in hand.

The Danish/Peruvian beauty has produced beautifully shot images. Conveying such peace and tranquility. Elusive and illusionary, her photographs are stunning.

Helena Christensen/Dactyl Foundation

Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges/JeffBridgesdotcom

This legendary actor is a fully fledged artist at heart. A photographer since high school, a musician and an illustrator, Bridges is well known for his creative pieces as he is for his movies. What I like most about Jeff Bridges' work is its romanticised honesty. The everyday captured and given an enchanting twist; it's truly lovely.

The photography projects featured on his site are photo-diaries of his time on the movie sets, during filming. The site is choc-a-block full of insider info, photos of cast and crew and various other Jeff Bridges related goodness. His photographs are great and shot to embrace the sense and the emotion of the surroundings. His illustrations are superb; flowing and simple. They are also light-hearted which he cleverly uses to convey meaningful messages related to important topics. A true supporter of the arts and a lover of all things creative; this man most definitely personifies the word Artist.

Jeff Bridges/JeffBridgesdotcom

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Album Art - November

Appreciating cover art. I've done this for a while now: that is, stare at album covers. Since I was a kid. It was the 'thing' I did when my Mum or Dad would play an album; I would sit right beside them, cover in hand and just stare at the art. It was entrancing and I remember feeling completely lost in what I was looking at. I was in my own little album cover world. As I mentioned in my first post for album art, this is a collection of album covers that I love and seem to stay with me the most. I do this in store too by the way. Sometimes completely forgetting what I actually went in for as I'm tied up perusing different CD or vinyl covers. I love it. My own little obsession.

Friday, November 25, 2011

The Tale of Manolo Blahnik

What a perfect time of year to delve right into a nostalgic fairytale, with a twist.

It Books/HarperCollins

This month sees the release of Fashion's very own Fairy God Mother, author Camilla Morton's new title Manolo Blahnik and the Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker. Now I think we're all pretty well versed on the Elves/Shoemaker tale. But what Camilla has done here is merge the Brothers Grimm classic with the real-life tale of the Shoemaker in question, Manolo Blahnik. A wonderful 'rags to riches' story told in conjunction with Blahnik’s amazing illustrations is perfect for the child at heart and the modern day fashion junkie. A wonderful combination, me thinks!

Best-selling author of How to Walk in High Heels: The Girls Guide to Everything and the equally brilliant, Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty does what she does best and puts a magical spin on the story of Blahnik's rise to success. Everything about this book makes you want to curl up on a cold winters night with a hot chocolate and be whisked away to a mystical land full of wonder; and fantastic shoes, bien sûr.

The title takes from Blahnik's time-line spanning nearly 70 years - from boyhood to world renowned shoe designer; from the years spent (born and raised) in the Canary Islands to his time studying International Law in Geneva, through to his years spent in fashion hub, Paris; to the opening of his first boutique in London and right up to present day, and the shoe powerhouse he has undoubtedly become.

The illustrations are simply beautiful. Blahnik captures effortlessly his youth, his passion and his art with such warmth and love. This is a side I love of Manolo Blahnik; the illustrator.

It's a cute book (112 pages) and like Camilla's Fashion Fairytale titles, part of the Fashion Fairytale Memoir series, it is colourful, quaint and adorable, with a fairytale ending.

This book is spot on for Christmas. Excellent for the art fan but oh so good for those with a shoe fetish! And doubly great for those who still want (and need) to dream.

Manolo Blahnik and the Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker (It Books/HarperCollins) is on sale now.

HarperCollins

Vogue/Manolo Blahnik

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

What Do You Get If You Cross Rihanna with Armani?

Armani

She's worked with Gucci on the Tattoo Heart Collection campaign, designed for H&M, and has been the face of Cover Girl and Nivea. And now, the anticipated Armani Jeans Capsule Collection designed by Rihanna, the new face of Armani Jeans and Emporio Armani Underwear (she bumped off Megan Fox) have hit the shelves.

The collection, described as 'fearless fashion', include t-shirts with the Armani logo and Ri's 'R' motif, with RiRi's face printed on the front; boyfriend jeans with a much slimmer leg; motorcycle jackets, bags and 'feminine, reasonably priced and perfect for everyday' underwear. The items are a total reflection of the stars personality: Multi-faceted; girlie, but with a masculine, hardened and very sexy edge. Didn't really want to use the word 'rock' or the 'rock chick' tag as I personally think it gets thrown around waaahhhaaaay too much.

The pieces look and sound effortlessly hot. And I have to get my hands on that biker jacket! (See vid below). I have always preferred Rihanna's relaxed, but hell-a-sexy look, and think this collection will really demonstrate that to a tee (pun most definitely intended!)

The collection is available now; with a much noted and well publicised affordable price tag. Always a good thing!