The Sensual Color of Fashion

Using brushes and ink, the typical Japanese tools of calligraphy, OHGUSHI creates delicate watercolor-like illustrations. That didn’t take long to attract the attention of numerous magazines including Vogue Nippon, Numero Tokyo and Elle Japan, and also fashion brands such as Emilio Pucci, renowned for its vivid print patterns.

OHGUSHI discovered his talent after an artistic setback. Even so, as soon as the ink-water mixture touched the paper, in the form of a female figure, he knew he was on to something. His creations are sensual, delicate and fluid, with a vivid feeling that comes from the fact that,according to the artist,it is a medium with a special sense of tension: I have to work quickly and precisely

In the fashion world, he is mostly known for her collaboration with Emilio Pucci. It happened in 2005, when he painted models wearing Pucci's creations, at one of the designer's party. That's another thing: OHGUSHI does many live-painting sessions, so you get to see the artist at work (yes, let him work for his bread!).




This is the work that I love the most. It's because of the hair, that he obtain by using calligraphy brushes in order to make it resemble a curtain of smoke......easier said, then done!

Killing Time

Even tough I can't even describe how busy I am, it seems I keep loosing time with really useless things (maybe that's a bit too much).
So, as a good friend, I decided to show you what I'm doing (in other words: I just don't want you to be working, especially while I'm not in the mood for it). So, thank you Fashion Spot for this: create you own fashion sketch, using templates (there are not that many, but that only challenges your creativity).
Here's how it looks:It's not much, but as I said, it's a great way to kill time.
Enjoy! ... oh, if you find other silly things that are in some ways connected to fashion, you know I want to know all about it!!!

Size XS Designers

As a celebration of Harper’s Bazaar’s 140th anniversary, prominent designers are featured next to some of their hits–but with a twist.
The 10-page spread, photographed by Peter Lindbergh, features the Class of 2007, with children dressed up as designers including Karl Lagerfeld, Alber Elbaz, Donatella Versace, John Galliano, Miuccia Prada, Olivier Theyskens, and Stella McCartney, standing next to model Chanel Iman in an outfit from each designer. The kids are dressed to the nines, right down to Alber’s bow tie, Karl’s glasses, and Olivier’s facial hair.

According to Glenda Bailey, editor in chief of the magazine, Even though these designers are monumental talents, good things come in small sizes.
Agreed!

Here are the photos:

Le Saint n'est pas plus...

Yves Saint Laurent that is.
I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about, 'cause it's been all over the news. Just like when the fashion world lost Isabella Blow.
The thing I hate the most about news like this (besides the death part) is the non-stop row of number-type information. Here is what it was said about him:

- Name: Yves Henri Donat Mathieu Saint Laurent
- Date of Birth: Aug 1, 1936
- Place of Birth: Oran, Algeria
- Date of Death: Jun 1, 2008
- Place of Death: Paris
- Time of Death:(this is really stupid) 11:10 PM
- Died at the age of: 71

We will remember a great creator, a brilliant mined of the 20th century because of this ?! The list simply goes on and on...everything in a tragic note. Yes, it's tragic, but this will only keep on happening, generations are changing...Even so, we should remember Yves Saint Laurent in the idea of a smile and be thankful what he left us: great clothes, wonderful thoughts and nostalgia...starting now!In his memory, here are a few of his most popular quotes:
* You have to regard every fashion with humor, to be above it, believe in it enough to give the impression of living it but not too much, so that you keep your freedom.
* The elegance of a line depends above all on the purity and refinement of its construction.
* Black is my refuge, it is a line on a blank sheet of paper.
* The silhouette counts more than anything. It should never be overloaded.
* I found my style through women. That’s where its strength and vitality comes from, because I draw on the body of a woman.
* A woman who has not found her style, who does not feel at ease in her clothes, who does not live in harmony with them, is a sick woman.
* To be beautiful, all a woman needs is a black pullover and a black skirt and to be arm in arm with a man she loves.
* Is elegance not totally forgetting what one is wearing?

Card made by the designer, for his friends.

The Fashion industry (designers and journalists) shares memories of Yves Saint Laurent with us-click.

In the END, for me, Christian Lacroix said it just right: Chanel, Schiaparelli, Balenciaga and Dior all did extraordinary things. But they worked within a particular style. Yves Saint Laurent is much more versatile, like a combination of all of them. I sometimes think he’s got the form of Chanel with the opulence of Dior and the wit of Schiaparelli.

Shocking Reality

The Nolita ad campaign has shocked people with its image of an anorexic woman.
Back in 1992, photographer Oliviero Toscani caused controversy around the world with his pictures of a man dying of AIDS which formed part of a Benetton advertising campaign. He was back in the headlines in 2oo7, with an equally shocking image of a naked anorexic woman, which was used by a fashion chain to raise awareness about eating disorders.
The Nolita advertisement, timed to coincide with Milan fashion week, appeared in Italian newspapers, including a two-page center spread in La Repubblica and on billboards in Italy. A slogan above the naked photograph read No Anorexia.
Flash&Partners, the fashion group that owns the Nolita brand, said in a statement that Toscani's aim was to use that naked body to show everyone the reality of this illness, caused in most cases by the stereotypes imposed by the world of fashion.

The woman in the photo is Isabelle Caro from France, who is 27 years old and has been anorexic for 15 years, that's way now she weights only 32kg. She suffers from the skin disease, psoriasis.Caro said, I've hidden myself and covered myself for too long. Now I want to show myself fearlessly, even though I know my body arouses repugnance. I want to recover because I love life and the riches of the universe. I want to show young people how dangerous this illness is. Just because modeling is seen as glamorous, [the industry] seems to think it is outside normal health and safety issues. It is time it started taking care of its workers.

The issue was brought to the forefront after the starvation-related deaths of South American models Ana Carolina Reston, 21 and sisters Luisel and Eliana Ramos. All died in the past year. 22-year-old model Luisel Ramos collapsed and died at a show in Uruguay, after having gone days without eating properly.

I don't necessarily want to blame the fashion industry for all this, but like many other, it had a big role on promoting this kind of sickness among young girls (recently, cases of anorexia appeared at older women too).

Philip Lim Fashion: Girl or Woman?

Yes, now it's possible for little girls to dress just as their fashionable moms, with the all new Kid by Philip Lim line.It's a rear thing to see this in the fashion world, especially when we're talking about small versions of the grown-up dresses.Of course, the issue of designer clothes for kids is always a bit of a controversial one in itself, raising important questions such as: Do kids really NEED designer clothes?! Isn't it a bit wasteful to spend hundreds of dollars/euros on clothes they'll just ruin? And, most importantly, "Oh My God! Is that trench coat available in adult sizes, by any chance?"
Creepy or cute? I just can't decide...Maybe cute when you see it in pictures and creepy when it becomes reality. Anyways, it's fun looking at them!

Cut & Wear

Keeping in the crazy-fashion mood, I cam upon Issey Miyake's practical blouse/shirt for the masses.As you can see, it's as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4. But is it as creative as Dior, or Balenciaga? And most of all, why make such a blouse, in the first place?!
This is the A-POC = "a piece of cloth". It refers to both the fashion label and the manufacturing process behind it. That process breaks one of the fundamental laws of fashion physics: cut and sew. Normally, clothes are made by weaving thread or yarn into fabric, which is then snipped and stitched to create, say, a dress. The A-POC method requires no sewing. Thread goes into the loom, the dress comes out. Specifically, a flattened tube of material emerges that contains the finished shirt, skirt, or pants. Moreover, the material can be snipped anywhere without unraveling, a feature that allows for complete customization. A pair of scissors and a flirtatious spirit can turn a turtleneck into a plunging V-neck.

Miyake has so far kept the patent-pending process a closely guarded secret. But fashion insiders recognize that the technology behind A-POC - the process of melding thread into clothing, seamlessly - represents an entirely new way of making clothes, one that has less to do with the needles and bobbins of a garment factory than with rapid prototyping methods used in manufacturing. The real effect of A-POC has yet to be felt.

So, I guess it's really a combination between fashion and product design.

Got the Time?

The newest must have watch for the all so populat geeks, comes from Tokyoflash, a Japanese brand.
The watches name is Infectious, probable because of the bacteria lookalike pattern. The timepiece features a unique pulsating three color LED display - once again with the characteristic hard-to-tell-the-time look. So, this is an accessory for all of you who have plenty time...on your hand. But is can also be a plus, for those moments you just feel like being a big - outrageous show off.
Featuring a creatively designed full face mirrored lens and an innovative way to view time, no one is immune to Infection. Finished with a matching leather band and stainless steel clasp. Manufactured in a smart new case, Infection is ergonomically designed to neatly fit the contours of your wrist, the tapered edges providing a smooth transition between the case and lens.
So, just in case you didn't get how do you read the time on the Infection (this sound stupid, I know...just bear with me), here is a simple sketch that will give you all the information you need.
It has twenty seven multi-colored LEDs pulsate and move like cells across the curved face to present the time from beneath the attractive mirrored mineral crystal lens. Twelve red LEDs indicate hours, eleven yellow LEDs represent the progression of time in groups of five minutes and four green LEDs show single minutes. A single touch of the upper button animates the LEDs, a single touch of the lower button shows the time immediately.
Infection is about $135 USD, which is pretty expensive, considering you usually get it for free. OK, I just have to say it: BAD name idea!!! But I love Tokyoflash, with all it's geeky stuff!

Why I Can't Wait for Winter to Come...

Meet Andreea Musat! She is a Romanian fashion designer at the beginning of a long, but rewording road.

A few weeks ago, she presented her collection (I think it was her first one) at the Romanian Fashion Week - Iasi. Needless to say, it was a success! But that's not the reason why I wanted to talk about her (at the Fashion Week, there were many great shows). She is the winner of Elle Romania contest: Young Fashion Designers.

When her sketches appeared in the magazine, there were many that simply didn't understand what Andreea wanted to express - I admit, I was one of those people. The sketches were very artistic, in watery grays. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of them, in order to make my self clear...sorry. Anyways! The result: a great collection, a great designer. The geometry of shapes, the clean cuts, the impeccable fabric - you know I go cu-cu about all of them! Just a beautiful (in the word's true meaning) collection! I just love it!
Andreea: Congratulation! You blew me away with your designs and I am so grateful to ELLE, for discovering you! Good luck and...when can we see your next collection?

Mail Me Fashion

Hussein Chalayan designed a paper email dress which is wearable and washable. It's a dress made out of paper that folds up to fit inside an airmail envelope. The flap can simply be opened, unfolded, and the dress can be put on. On the other hand you can write on the dress, put it in the post, and send it to a friend.
The dress can also be a great support for street art. Just imagine it printed with the works of Banksy, ERPS, Color, or IRLO (just to name a few Romanian street artists, except the first).