Inspiration:: Marilyn Monroe in Cleopatra by Richard Avedon 1958
wardrobe stylist :: visual vixen :: action hero
www.leilababoi.com
Category: Art
June 6, 2011
Inez & Vinoodh // 10th Annual CFDA American Fashion Awards
Tonight is one of the fashion industry’s biggest nights– the CFDA Annual American Fashion Awards. It’s basically like the “Oscar’s of Fashion”. Besides awarding recognition to some of the industry’s most prolific and badass creative forces, the event also brings together some of the most famous celebrities, fashion designers, and style icons. Translation: A cerebral visual orgasm.
In 2011, the council will be giving Lady Gaga the famed Fashion Icon Award, Marc Jacobs will be presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by close friend and confidant Sophia Coppola, and Vogue’s Creative Director, Grace Coddington will present the Board of Directors’ Special Tribute Award to Arthur Elgort– a man that changed the way the fashion industry’s viewed fashion photography. And it will be Kanye West who will present the International Award to Phoebe Philo of Céline— a love connection that was crystallized after his on-stage fashion statement during the Coachella Music Festival this year.
THE BEST PART!?! A black and white portrait series commissioned by the CFDA and muscled by my favorite power duo Inez & Vinoodh featuring a fuck-yeah mix of this year’s nominees and honorees –PS>> Simon Spurr, my crush quota just super spiked.
More information on the CFDA and the nominees and honorees, go to CFDA.com. Photos by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin
May 23, 2011
Under/Current’s Fifties Sci-Fi Sonic Warfare Meets Rapture’s Grace
Caption: A film by Alexandros Pissourious, based on the editorial photo shoot by Hanna Putz for Undercurrent magazine, the Biblical Issue.
Shot in Cyprus and featuring mega model Sara Blomqvist magazine Under/current’s video manipulates tone and abstraction to challenge the viewer.
“It’s a great companion piece to the editorial itself and the Biblical issue,” says William Alderwick, joint editor-in-chief. “It’s rather different from your typical fashion film fare; but it offers us a beautiful vision of the world it creates. Personally it makes me think of a Fifties sci-fi story of alien invaders using sonic warfare and triggering the end of days, we’re witnessing Sara in thrall to the rapture as she’s one of the chosen few about to ascend. Though maybe that says more about me.”
Under/current is an indie magazine that’s about examining the worlds and cultures around us. The magazine, a fusion of art and fashion, is now in its fifth issue – and is known for its striking imagery created by both established and emerging talents. U/C creative MO is driven by an attempt to uncover or articulate the truths that give each of our lives meaning and significance. The things that bring us each individually to an appreciation or experience of something grander, perhaps generic or universal, a timeless if you will.
To find out more about this new book headed jointly by editor-in-chiefs Melina Nicolaide & William Alderwick check out http://www.undercurrentmagazine.com
April 19, 2011
‘He who speaks beauty will find it.’ – Bill Cunningham
Director Richard Press’ documentary is a heartfelt and honest film about the inimitable New York Times photographer, who has for decades lovingly captured the unexpected trends, events, and people of Manhattan for the Styles section of the newspaper. The film shows Cunningham, an octogenarian, riding his Schwinn bicycle to cover benefits, galas, and fashion shows around Manhattan, and illustrates how his camera has captured the looks that have defined generations. (from the MoMa screening press release)
Cunningham is a selfless street photographer capturing what works in fashion. His first camera was gifted to him by a photographer/friend who told him to ‘use it like pen,’ which he started doing in 1966 – long before ready-to-wear was documented.
Prepare to leave this movie with your heart swelling, as you will find it hard to avoid teary-eyed moments during this film. The admiration and adoration that is felt towards Bill Cunningham is indescribable. A truly lovely human being, he has an eye for all things beautiful and a certain simplicity or naivety to justify his reasoning. Uninterested in the “celebrity” lifestyle that all but begs for his attention, he likes what he likes and has blossomed the art of street fashion photography without a shred of ill intent or unethical behavior during his successful and long career.
Bill’s work speaks volumes alone, but exposure to the person behind the camera is eye-opening to say the least. The bliss that he exudes when taking pictures is contagious and you can feel yourself floating out of your seat watching him eagerly and intently doing so. The moments of sadness hit when Bill’s personal life- or lack thereof- comes into play, and a certain feeling of loneliness lingers in the air of the theater. Bill has made immense social sacrifices and because of this, his photography has flourished – leaving him with no regrets.
This movie should be watched many, many times if only for more exposure to the stylish and endearing Bill Cunningham.
April 1, 2011
Deutsch Legend, Chris von Wangenheim
Since the birth of fashion photography in the mid 19th century, the creative medium has evolved into an inspiring profession that has the ability to influence millions. With an imaginative eye and original concepts, German-born photographer, Chris von Wangenheim has been known as a top fashion photographer from the late 1960s until his untimely death in1981.
Not afraid to push the envelope, von Wangenheim made a name for himself shooting for Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, as well as various international magazines. He is often remembered for his successful ad campaigns for Christian Dior and Calvin Klein which captured attention-grabbing decadence through the lens of the camera.
While von Wangenheim’s work has helped shape the world of modern fashion photography, his different point of view and exciting vision has made him an inspiration to everyone with a passion.
