White Rabbits

I've been listening to quite a bit of the White Rabbits over the last couple of days. I met these guys out one night at a venue in their hometown of Brooklyn, NYC just after they had returned from their European tour. I had heard their name thrown around a bit on NME but hadn't actually checked out their music. Their debut studio album Fort Nightly was released back in mid-2007 and their second album It's Frightening was released in May this year and produced by Britt Daniels from Spoon. It's Frightening opens with a track well worth its name; Percussion Gun. The track delivers a clever almost tribal-like piano and drum arrangement. Under the guidance of Daniels, White Rabbits have delivered a great record- easy to listen to and cohesive.
I actually also dulled down the vocals and just listened to the instrumental arrangement and the sound was great, it would be interesting to see the direction their music would take if it had a more instrumental focus with minimal vocals, perhaps similar to the style of Wolf and Cub.
The clip for Percussion Guns is very simple yet effective too.

Strung up on Fashion

Thanks to a bit of shameless promotion by Adam Green I came across this amazing editorial shot by Steven Meisel featured in American Vogue which combines some brilliant musicians, the wonderful Sasha Pivovarova and high fashion labels such as Balmain, Balenciaga, Givenchy and YSL among others. I love these types of fresh and fun editorials that exhibit the relationship between music and fashion. I think the choice of musicians was perfect for this shoot. Below are a couple of my favourites.




MGMT had a undeniable major presence during 2008/09, not just across our radio waves but also in our department stores, chain stores and all over ebay with clothes item descriptions referring to tassles and tye-dye denim using 'MGMT as' a keyword. These guys were a perfect example of the powerful influence that music and fashion can share. Though, I think that like a lot of us, they got bored of it pretty quickly (considering they apparently wore head to toe black during their recent Australian tour).

Adam Green has always impressed me with his I’ve-just-thrown-this-together-2 minutes-ago-and-I-look-hotter-than-you-will-ever-be ensembles. He entered the stage during his Australian tour wearing skinny leg jeans teamed with a bare chest, fluro pink leather jacket and matching pink necklace with a charm of the Star of David. His vengeance for style can sometimes be as shocking as his song lyrics and an ever present reflection of his easygoing personality. I might even go as far as describing him as the male Mary-Kate of the fashion world. I’m sure he’d love that analogy…

The Horrors are like the fashion catalogue kids of music. When I saw them play for the Byron Bay music festival Splendour in the Grass in 2008, I expected to see a group of young boys with dirty clothes, unwashed hair and a ruggered appearance. I had seen their well polished outfit ensembles through press photos previously but surely no one can look that good after a 20 hour flight and on the stage at a music festival mid tour, right? Wrong. These boys took to the stage with perfectly styled outfits to go with their ridiculously perfect haircuts (not a hair out of place – I’m looking at you Rhys Webb!). Anyway, they have great style. They also made a couple of boys around my city dress really well and get cute haircuts for a while which was a win (before they got bored and reverted back to their Craig Nichols/ I-don’t-give-a-shit style…or moved to London).

More photos from the editorial can be viewed via ohnotheydidnt.

Oh, Prada - Part 1

After recently visiting the Prada store in SoHo, New York City - I was blown away by the layout of the store; the architecture, the lighting and of course the curation of the visual merchandising which appeared more like a series of art installations exploring the ideas of contemporary high fashion.

As I eagerly skipped up the stairs off Broadway, pushed open the heavy glass doors to enter the design of architect Rem Koolhaas, I was instantly amazed by the sheer size of the store. It was like a dream coming to life, I had entered the Prada castle. What followed was a steep decline down a massive staircase which led to a lower level maze containing, well more mazes. Like a child (yes, a candy store) I explored every corner of the store and was overwhelmed by the amount of current season Prada threads that I was able to (carefully) caress. Through further reading I have since learnt that the store has also been home to various cultural events; musical performance and art exhibitions. I have also read that appropriately enough, the store is located in the space of the former Broadway Guggenheim, Ground Floor and Basient.

Floor plan of the upper level, with the staircases declining into the lower level and the platform which is used for visual merchandising.

I can't wait until the next time I visit the store. I don't doubt that the layout will be completely different, affording a complete new visual experience.


Photos of the Prada Store courtesy of http://www.oma.eu

The ReLaunch

About six weeks ago I was swept under the tumultuous panic and craziness that occurs around the ‘end of semester exams’ period. In this instance it led me to hastily announce that I would be moving all my web/fashion/photography inspirations into the digital domain of Tumblr. I have however made the decision to remerge onto Blogspot under my former identity of ‘Obsolete Antics’. I followed through with my promise of ‘more photos and more posts’ on Tumblr but truth be told it’s actually the commentary and attention to detail in curating specific posts that I miss, and with 3 uni free months ahead of me I now have the time to pay attention to that spectrum once more. My recent trip to New York City awoke me again to the incredible assortment and variance of all things amazing and has reignited my urge to be a part of it, even if through a small contribution that might only be shared among a very small scale.

I will still be keeping my Tumblr because I love having the ability to share thoughts with 3 clicks. But I will also be paying more attention to this blog with specific consideration to art, fashion and music.

Obsolete Antics? Has moved to Tumblr!

Less commentary; more photos; more posts.

x

Stevie

Just pausing to reflect on Stevie Nicks for a moment.

Absolutely stunning.

Smart move by SABA

Australian label SABA commissioned Scott Schuman (AKA The Satorialist) to shoot their new SABA DENIM campaign during his recent visit to Australia. The photos were shot on the streets of Melbourne using Shuman's signature street style photography.











I have never really been too interested in SABA (I find their pieces to be well tailored but a bit too plain for my liking) however I appreciate this new campaign and I really like that the styling has included the integration of vintage pieces which has ironically updated their look. Afterall, dressing from head to toe in one label is the best way to be a uniformed catalogue kid. My favourite is 'Adrian' with the addition of his bright red socks and cheeky hat.


The photos can be viewed exclusively on the SABA website http://denimblog.saba.com.au

Lara, Fiction Noire

I've been meaning to post this one for a while but was going to save it so that this didn't become some sort of Lara fansite. To hell with it - it will sooner be a nothing site if I don't post things as they inspire me.

Remember this breathtaking (horridly amazingly breathtaking) editorial photographed by Steven Klein, which featured in the February 2009 Vogue Paris?

Here is the short film by Steven Klein that shows the story behind the captured movements:



There was something about this shoot that had initially struck a chord in me. It was one of the first photo-shoots of its kind that I had seen successfully portray an evil storyboard with an undeniable breath of sex and passion. Watching these stills come to life through film was an equally challenging and incredible experience. Enjoy.

Movement and Art in Paris.

Lara Stone features in 'Chanel Fitting Room Folies' a short film by Karl Largerfield.

I think every girl dreams of a moment like this...

Girl can wear her Rodarte

I always thought Joanna Newsom dressed well, but these pictures of her wearing the soft blue Rodarte Dress from the Fall 2008 collection just blew everything out of the water.

She has the petite, mystical look that Rodarte was made for. Dare I say she wears the dress better than the model herself?  She certainly looks like she's having more fun...

Soundtrack to Fashion

Some people like fashion because of the pretty clothes.
Some people like fashion because of the pretty clothes.

Some people like fashion and also are interested in the the entire technical production of a runway show.

If I could produce the soundtrack to any fashion show it would be Alexander Mcqueen (because it could be outrageous), or Dior Homme (mainly because it's basically my music taste expressed through fabric).


AW09 soundtrack/10

A little bit of R & R

Right now I am slightly in love with  Ranya and Rose, two exquisite models who have recently graced the runway and captivated me with their stark beauty, seemingly effortless style and pose.  I think these images demonstrate why perfectly, without any further use of words.  I eagerly await an editorial featuring the two. Watch this space...

Mcqueen encapsulates modernism....once again

"One day, years ago... I was went through a magazine and saw pieces from Alexander Mcqueen's Fall 2009 Ready To Wear collection. I guess that was the point where I realised I wanted to be a part of the creation of fashion".

Alexander Mcqueen F2009RTW.

It's one of those moments where the designer has managed to explore so many different aesthetics, silhouettes and textures while remaining cohesive, without a rushed or exploitive feel. Black and white patterned houndstooth isn't new. Mixing black and white houndstooth patterns to create an illusion to the eye and further experimenting with the textures of fabrics to create a confusing, yet pleasing contrast is in this case, what serves to challenge and excite the mind. Black is enhanced by sharp cuts partnered with soft ruffles. Mcqueen's models adorn make-up that swallows the eyes and spits out the lips; bold, reminiscent of dolls, badly executed plastic surgery or a clowns smile.

A delicious combination of red is injected throughout the collection, aiding the visual illusion presented by the stark contrast between the symmetrical pattern and the rounded cut of the fabric. Finally from the bird patterned fabric pieces, emerges stiff silhouettes decorated entirely by feathers. Whether it's East or South, the only direction Mcqueen is flying is..... 

up, up....away?

It's a Circus Under Those Lights! See Them Phhhwwwoooaar!

Dan and Dean Caten, the duo behind Canadian label Dsquared2, have released sketches of the costume designs for Britney's The Circus Tour. The Caten twins described the idea behind the designs as coming from the desire to “create something much more provoking and indecent…something animalistic and primal" (Vogue UK).

They certainly succeeded in transcending this vision, personally I can't wait to see the live footage! Unfortunately not many of us get the chance to wear thigh high leather boots with laced up bows in our lifetime. Perhaps I should become a costume collector? I'm sure I would only need a couple of hundred thousand for the boots.

Afternoon Delight

I know it's a good 12 months old or something, but this designer/celebrity moment is amazing....

Backstage Rag & Bone FW09

'Fun and backstage' was on par with 'chalk and cheese' until 3:51 minutes ago.

Oh, Tilda.

Tilda Swinton for Spring/Summers An0ther Magazine
Photography: Craig McDean

Complex yet classic and with cheekbones that could cut diamonds...

This shoot took my breath away. She's not a 'supermodel' but in my books she beats them all. The way she positions her 5 foot 11 body is amazing. She simply knows (with the genius assistance of the photographer) exactly how to play up her angles. No matter whether the role demands a classy, sophisticated lady or an edgy muse to the avant garde, Tilda is the picture of diversity.

Bang On Sister

It's a yes from me to Keira's new hair.  I love her cute little basic elbow length shirt teamed with the detailed pencil skirt.  Perfect outfit for her hairs new debut.