4 posts from September 2009

Originally published at GlamBoulevard. You can comment here or there.

By now, I'm sure everyone has had at least heard whispers of this amazing feat, still lets recap: In 2008, the dynamic Dutch fashion duo, Viktor & Rolf, once again baffled us with their creativity and originality, successfully demonstrating once again on what makes them and their partnership nothing short of legendary in the modern fashion world. The pair surprised and delighted us with news on their then-newest project which had taken in form of a giant dollhouse. The giant household contains 55  handmade porcelain dolls (each about 2 ft tall), chronicling some of the most interesting and vibrant designs by the two in the last fifteen years (starting from 1993). The outfits are meant to be exact replicas of each design at the time, from the model's hair style to the most delicate of details, all assorted by collection in each of the rooms.

The result? A spectacular dedication to fashion. But don't think this was any easier to pull of then an actual runway or the dresses. In fact, each minimized outfit took two times longer to put together then the full sized original. The dolls themselves were delicately crafted and hand-painted painstakingly to resemble their human counterparts. Creepy, yes. Over the top, absolutely. And purely Viktor & Rolf.
In September of 2008, Viktor and Rolf were asked to promote this dollhouse masterpiece In London's (UK)own Barbican Art Gallery. The exhibition was an instant success. For those of you who are instantly inspired to check this out on your next glamerous trip to London, UK, read on: Is it still there? No. The dollhouse was relocated to, and to this day resides, in Utrecht, Netherlands. There hasn't been any news of it leaving any time soon, either. But lets all hope this crazy fashion phenomena decides to take another road trip in the near future for a display in a mesueum on this side of the world. So yeah...Viktor? Rolf? Hint hint, nudge nudge!

Originally published at GlamBoulevard. You can comment here or there.

By now, I'm sure everyone has had at least heard whispers of this amazing feat, still lets recap: In 2008, the dynamic Dutch fashion duo, Viktor & Rolf, once again baffled us with their creativity and originality, successfully demonstrating once again on what makes them and their partnership nothing short of legendary in the modern fashion world. The pair surprised and delighted us with news on their then-newest project which had taken in form of a giant dollhouse. The giant household contains 55  handmade porcelain dolls (each about 2 ft tall), chronicling some of the most interesting and vibrant designs by the two in the last fifteen years (starting from 1993). The outfits are meant to be exact replicas of each design at the time, from the model's hair style to the most delicate of details, all assorted by collection in each of the rooms.

The result? A spectacular dedication to fashion. But don't think this was any easier to pull of then an actual runway or the dresses. In fact, each minimized outfit took two times longer to put together then the full sized original. The dolls themselves were delicately crafted and hand-painted painstakingly to resemble their human counterparts. Creepy, yes. Over the top, absolutely. And purely Viktor & Rolf.
In September of 2008, Viktor and Rolf were asked to promote this dollhouse masterpiece In London's (UK)own Barbican Art Gallery. The exhibition was an instant success. For those of you who are instantly inspired to check this out on your next glamerous trip to London, UK, read on: Is it still there? No. The dollhouse was relocated to, and to this day resides, in Utrecht, Netherlands. There hasn't been any news of it leaving any time soon, either. But lets all hope this crazy fashion phenomena decides to take another road trip in the near future for a display in a mesueum on this side of the world. So yeah...Viktor? Rolf? Hint hint, nudge nudge!

Originally published at GlamBoulevard. You can comment here or there.

I have a problem with new music groups and one of the reasons for that is the usually overpublisized and overexhadurated hype that surrounds them. So, in effect, I stick to underground groups that, unlike a lot of new bands today or current sell outs, actually have sound that isn't bound to disappoint me one-quarter in to listening to them. A few weeks ago, though, I read an article on Viva Machine in a local paper, a wheezie rock band with a reputation for...good tunes. 'Good' meaning solid melody; actual music you can dance to, a vivacious powerhouse of "never gonna get tired of it" tracks. So I decided to check them out. You know, cause some reporters tend to be overrated. And I have to say....I didn't hate them. I mean, they aren't instant legends or icons (long way off actually) but its a heck of a lot better then what we get on the radio these days. Originating from Swansea, Whales (yes, you read right; they're Welsh!), these guys make up the usual rock band formula of a vocalist/keyboardist (Chris Seacombe), bassist/vocalist (Tom Stephans), guitarist/vocalist (Gareth Carter), drummer (Dai Francis) and guitarist/keyboardist (Justin Hendy), who team up and set out together to rock out on terms of their unique style. And very cute while doing it, if I do say so myself! Ok...'cute' doesn't fit contemporary rockers...Hot, then. Very hot.

To say their debut album “Viva Machine” had been pending for a while, is an understatement. In fact, its planning goes back to 2003 when the band played under the name Iposfacto with tight, experimental tunes fitting in to an electro and alternative genre, before they ultimately changed to “Viva Machine”, after which they got really serious. Briefly heard on BBC Radio 1 with their song “My Jet Set Radio” and showing on The Guest List where they preformed “Earthquakers and Love Shakers” and "Robotbodyrox", they began to make their way up the music scene at a steady pace while persistently working on their debut and balancing multiple shows and tours.

Their influences range from Queens of the Stone age and Biffy Clyro to Radiohead and The Beach Boys and many others. Every once in a while, the dedication and this influence peeks out from behind the curtains of their individual style. And so happened “Viva Machine” which was released on June 15^th, 2009. The album has 10 tracks, the first single being the band's earlier work, "Robotbodyrox” with the overall album including “Earthquakers and Love Shakers”, “Death Star Truckers” and “Futuristic Dracula”. The style of the lyrics is mind blowing, metaphoric and strangely gripping, with sometimes eerie vocals that fit unbelievably well, all of which is rare enough in today's music; complicated and interesting. Not to mention that the overall beats and rhythm will refuse to allow you to stand still.

With such hard work that has has finally paid off, there is reason for celebration. In name of “Viva Machine”'s debut and critical success, the band released a free MP3 of “Earthquakers and Love Shakers” on June, 8^th(the music-video was released just a month before)  for download on their official.site.

Though with no plans for a future tours or gigs, the band has been on constant, current interviews, most notably on Bethan Elfyn's show BBC Radio 1, with profiles on MySpace and YouTube. With or without performances from them, there is no doubt their album alone will keep us busy for a while jumping on our beds and screaming in to our hairbrushes...Haha, don't bother with trying to deny it!

Alexa

Originally published at GlamBoulevard. You can comment here or there.

This season, fashion brings a literal meaning to the phrase, City chic.

Metallic hardware, structured tailoring, and strong; exaggerated shoulders have been seen on the runways of Dolce and Gabanna, Max Azria, Alice+Olivia, and Givenchy- to name a few. The look has been all over Hollywood on stars like Rihanna, Cyndi Lauper, and Anne Hathaway.

The strong lines and metallic, textured leathers and fabrics resemble towering, buildings - only in the most stylish cities, of course. Ultra-short; leg-baring hemlines do well to elongate legs - especially when accentuated with platform ankle boots.

Not sure you can pull-off such an edgy look? Try structural silhouettes in lightweight fabrics, like this Alice+Olivia  blouse. Pairing flowy dresses and soft knits with studded, leather boots by Proenza Schouler to inject just the right amount of edginess into your wardrobe.