FILE UNDER: THE GOOD LIFE
THE DOSSIER (n.): 1. A collection of culture's tidbits for the ever-stylish good life * 2. An inbox of tearsheets for inspiration and aspiration
Converse invites budding all stars to paint a personal canvas with its customizable online program, MAKE. Sneakerheads can log on to the site to choose a shape (like the iconic All Star or Chuck Taylor), then mix-and-match colors, patterns, and materials to create the perfect shoe (and even sign their masterpiece by adding a tag). Better yet, choose the Converse Make Mine (Red) option and proceeds benefit the fight against AIDS in Africa. Now who’s an all star?
Check out the Converse MAKE website here.
[Photo Credit: via Converse.com]
Artist Eric Fischl runs with the bulls in a new show, “Corrida in Ronda,” now showing at Mary Boone Gallery in New York City. For this latest exhibition of paintings, Fischl dissects the bullfighting culture at Corrida Goyesca, still held annually in the Andalusia region of Spain — complete with 18th century garb and all the theatrical machismo required of the bull-slaying toreros.
Though simultaneously beautiful and gorily inhumane, TD couldn’t help but wonder if “Corrida’s” paintings make you a bit (ahem) horny**. More scans of Mr. Fischl’s work in the gallery below, and visit Mary Boone Gallery’s site for more details.
**Get it? Because bulls have horns … Oh, forget TD even mentioned it.
[Photo Credit: Eric Fischl from Mary Boone Gallery website]
The recently-chopped Gourmet magazine may have gone to the big newsstand (or is it kitchen?) in the sky, but the foodie brand cooks onward with “Gourmet’s Adventures with Ruth.” A hybrid travelogue and cooking demo, the PBS television program views like a gastronome’s porn stash — all slick, glossy food in sensual locales like Marrakech and Laos.
Former Gourmet Editor-in-Chief Ruth Reichl travels the globe with (sometimes) famous friends on what she calls “cooking vacations,” and it all adds up to a recipe for compelling tv. Check out previews here and sneak a snippet below. Full eps available on iTunes as well.
[Photo Credit: Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth / PBS]
Not to be outdone by the boys, three industry titans front the latest i-D, as photographed by Kayt Jones. Eva Herzigova, Helena Christensen, and Claudia Schiffer share cover duties in nary more than some dominatrix boots, commanding attention for the issue’s “Super Nature” theme. This is one of three covers, the other two boasting solo turns by Lara Stone and Georgia May Jagger. The Winter 2009 issue of i-D is on newsstands now.
[Photo Credit: Kayt Jones for i-D]
VMan rolls onward, conjuring up the stuff of legends with a Josh Olins-helmed story heralding the heroes of the industry. A virtual hall-of-fame roster of Marcus Schenkenberg, Joel West, Alex Lundqvist, RJ Rogenski, Tyson Ballou, and Tony Ward all save the day in “Legendary,” and prove that even time is no kyptonite for these supers.
The new VMan is on newsstands now, and check out TD’s previous preview here.
[Photo Credit: Josh Olins for VMan]
Yes, it’s sold on HSN, but don’t let that teensy wrinkle ruin the My Little Steamer. The pint-sized anti-iron (which is like a dorm-regulation hot pot on performance enhancers) can knock out creases as well as the industrial steamers that stylists use* on set (and routinely maim themselves with**). And since this product is already informercial-ready, surely there are alternate uses — it may not dice or slice but maybe an ad-hoc facial is in order?
* Yes, TD has used My Little Steamer on real photoshoots after the industrial-grade model blew the trailer’s circuit
**TD self-confession
[Photo Credit: HSN.com]
Towleroad feels the burn with a preview of VMan’s next issue, featuring the athletic-inspired story “Work It Out,” shot by Terry Richardson. The spread catches Garrett Neff (Click), Nate Gill, and Cory Bond (Major) in Jane Fonda-era get-ups whilst doing some heavy lifting. Spot, anyone?
More shots below and check out more here, and read the new VMan (on newsstands soon).
[Photo Credit: Terry Richardson for VMan via Towleroad]
With over six million hits on YouTube in just three days, Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video is a bonafide hit. Now, Haus of Gaga superstylist Nicola Formichetti breaks down the looks as Gaga goes from zygote to Russian Mafia whore, and there’s nothing bad amongst the designer credits — plenty of Alexander McQueen, Benjamin Cho and HoG originals as well. Human trafficking never looked so chic.
Learn about all of Mr. Formichetti’s credits for “Romance” here and watch the video below (as if it hasn’t been on repeat all week…):
[Photo Credit: Interscope]
Trussardi 1911 designer Milan Vukmirovic turns the lens inwards, photographing (and styling!) looks from his own collection for the winter issue of VMan. In a story titled “Folk Tales,” model Simone Bedariol (D’Men Milan) acts as canvas, sometimes (like above) snapped up in nothing more than a (well-crafted) bag.
Two more pics below, and see the entire spread in the upcoming winter issue of VMan.
[Photo Credit: Milan Vukmirovic for VMan]
Elusive Belgian designer Martin Margiela provides a rare peek into his design house with Maison Martin Margiela, a coffee table stunner from publisher Rizzoli. The 368-page book chronicles the highlights of the publicity-shy Paris-based Margiela — from an unforgettable fashion show staged in an abandoned Paris Metro stop to a twenty-year retropsective where he was conspicuously absent — all while letting the high-concept, yet minimalist clothes speak volumes.
[Photo Credit: Rizzoli / Amazon.com]
