I'm still sifting through all that Milly has sent me from SPFW, but when I got to Giselle Nasser's current collection dubbed "Stella", I became so engrossed, that I had to visit her website - and what a pleasant website it is, especially the music.
Upon perusing her past collections, I came to the conclusion that her Winter 07 collection is the one with the most pieces, I'd love to own. The structure, colours, and and intricate details, is all a form downplayed sexiness, which I can personally get with. I love the cobalt blue on Emanuela, perfect against her skin, and the weaved colour blocking is pretty amazing. And of course me being a lover of all things purple (and it's various shades); I'm loving how it's paired with blue and black. The pieces below don't restrict, or grab the female form, but rather mold to the woman with ease - something I can appreciate.
I wanted to share a few videos that my little brother sent me, when he's not in school in Belgium he's teaching the locals Capoeira, and becoming a better filmmaker, he's so sweet.
The following video is done by Brahma, which is a Brasilian beer (smile) they're known for their award winning commercials, and believe it or not their website is a plethora of culture on Brasil. I think you'll enjoy the short film, if you have the patience please watch all of it {about 11 minutes long}. It's a quick cultural lesson on my country Brasil. It examines the way Brasilians move, as in Samba, Capoeira, etc.
If you don't have the time and prefer snippets and words, see the next two videos. There is translation for my English speaking lovelies! Capoeira + Brasilian Street Art.
So, I'm still opening mail I received months ago, for some reason unless it's blog related, I relegate it to save. Well, how silly of me, because I missed a lovely exhibition called Click Chic:The Fine Art of Fashion Photography, that was at their Visual Arts Museum, curated by Dan Halm. There is also a nice article on it, in the current issue of Digital Pro Magazine - again where have I been?
The exhibition included work from six photograhers (Roderick Angle, Guy Aroch, Maki Kawakita, Ryan Michael Kelly, Chiun-Kai Shih and Sarah Silver) all SVA graduates! Below is a little collage of what was up on display, they aimed to dispel the myth that fashion photography can't be art, or doesn't thrive outside the realms of editorials - because to some what's commercial is inauthentic, I however disagree. Read the DPM article, some of the photographers explain their feelings regarding this thinking. I really wish I had seen these fotos on display, as I'm a huge fan of Maki Kawakita, her fotos are always so powerfully vibrant.
My cousin Milly, who is a journalist (and comments from time to time) is currently in our home country Brasil (she resides in Australia) covering São Paulo Fashion Week. She called me to discuss something she found disheartening - the lack of Afro-Brasileiras on the runway in São Paulo. It's like a complete lack of "colour" if you will, in a country that's full of every shade imaginable. So when I see these shows, I expect in my home country to see women and men on the runways who look like me, because it's more than half of the population in Brasil. Sadly it's not reflected on the runways or in the magazines, and it's been this way for far too long. Now, the mainstream media has picked-up on it, because it's been a topic of discussion for other fashion weeks in the US and Europe. As I'm sure we all know this lack of diversity is a real problem, and no country that hosts these fashion shows are immune, but there needs to be change.
Milly, also noted to me how when she was covering Rio's Fashion Week, she saw much more of "Brasil", but was sadden by the lack of the real Brasil in São Paulo. I must say it saddens me too, but this has been going on for a while now, that I feel compelled to speak. I don't understand why there is a lack of diversity on the runways, in the ads, etc when report after report show that ethnic women have buying power, that we like fashion just like anyone else. It makes my head hurt, so much so that I purposely look for magazines that embrace rather than turn from this diverse and global world. And this reason of "black" models not being tall enough, beautiful enough etc is such an insult to my intelligence, and to women of colour around the world. It's really nothing more than an excuse, sadly it's the only answer that those who run these shows give - but it says nothing; it only proves that many in the fashion industry would prefer to ignore and pretend that there is no issue at all - and of course cite designer vision.
There other thing that sort of bugs me, is I read so much about Brasil and race, it's often hard for me to keep my tongue, because a lot of what's written is assumptions, not facts. But I'm also forgiving, and wherever I see fit, I try to educate and explain the issues with Brasil and race. The truth is what's happening at São Paulo Fashion Week is what's happening in Brasilian society, and has been happening for years. Brasil is a classist society, and very few people understand how that can be worst when it comes to race. There is a definite vein of racism in Brasil, I would never deny that, but it's often intertwined with class. Then there is this huge complex, when it comes to slavery in Brasil, it's definitely all about access, and the denial of that access for some. I think it will continue to take time to change things in Brasil, but here is the kicker the average Brasilian really just wants to be called Brasilian - many don't care about the labels, and I think this is the hardest thing for many to grasp, or even understand, because we have over a 100 names for the colour of ones skin. But I always ask people to see just how this helps in understanding "race" in Brasil. A lot of people misconstrue this as a denial of our heritage, but even that doesn't stand, because Brasilian culture is heavily African influenced, from the music to the food. Being a Baiana there was just no disconnect with my African heritage, it was always a topic of discussion and being taught. My family traced our linage back to the days of slavery, and beyond. So I don't buy that we're denying, because it's part of every day life, it's the very fiber of what makes Brasil so diverse. My own family is a smörgåsbord of hues and shades, and this can be said of many in Brasil, so yeah it's frustrating to not see that reflected in fashion and the media.
Here is an article done by the BBC on this entire issue, have a read, it was more fuel for our discussion.
I plan on adding more culture to my "Discover Brasil" section, because it's important to me that people get to see just how diverse Brasil is. So while I'm home for Carnaval I plan on taking loads of fotos, and video, and sharing it.
Lastly, this is an appropriate topic, because tomorrow is Martin Luther King Jr's official holiday - perfect timing to reflect on exactly where we are as a global society. And while I'm at it Happy MLK Day to all - let's be the change we want to see!
Juliana Jabour is a Brasilian designer who hails from Belo Horizonte, but has spent time in the US and London, she launched her first collection in 2003, and has grown a strong following since then. Her collections are often nods to the 70's and 80's, and her current collection is no different.
While I love the 70's I've never been a huge fan of mid-calf boots paired with dresses, but some of the looks from Juliana's Winter 08 collection has me rethinking my position on the matter. The looks below, are the ones I thought worked well, and I of course have my favourites, like the gray jacket/dress (1st foto), yellow jacket (2nd foto), and the last wine-coloured tiered dress! Everything is so relaxed and sexy, with a bohemian flair, and it's all universal, you don't have to be a girl from Ipanema to indulge.
More shots, and a few details. I included the last dress, because the colours made the entire collection pop, from the more subdued tones. Click to enlarge fotos.
I'm currently traveling, and have very limited access to the net, which is how I planned it considering this trip is part business and part fun. I will be back stateside later this week, and will give a proper entry to my "Thinking Blogger" Award from the always lovely Prêt-à-Porter Prostitute (she also runs Candid Cool). Let me just say now how truly thankful I am, and as soon as I return it will be the first entry I do. So please check back later this week. Until then I'll be thinking hard about who to give the award too as there are so many (thinking) blogs I enjoy!! It's going to be hard and fun!
I also have some more cool discoveries I'll be adding and more interviews are coming!
Here is the foto I shared today, it was stored on my flickr. It's from the November issue of British Glamour, I was inspired by the bursts of colour, and of course the model is beautiful and pulls it all off, the immediate feelings I have are of happiness.
Geneieve Er, is an Australian fashion designer I discovered via Frankie, she's fairly new to the fashion scene but is quickly garnering a strong following. Her S/S 08 collection named "The Tea Party", is so fun and flirty, from the colours to the patterns everything seems perfect for any kind of party.
I also find the two pieces below, cute and cheeky, they would also make great conversation pieces, even if you don't indulge in either! Click to enlarge all fotos.
Let me explain, I spent my New Years in Vegas, partying-it-up with a lot of my close friends, one of those friends, is Pia who flew in from Spain. Pia came bearing gifts, and that was Frankie Magazine. Pia explained that when she saw Frankie (on a recent trip to Australia) she saw me <-- so sweet, makes me blush. I've been soaking in the pages on and off today, because Pia was kind of enough to give me 6 issues (present to past)!
Frankie reminds me a little of Nylon, but with an international flair, it covers fashion, culture, and life, reminds me of the theme behind she breathes - which might explain why I've fallen hard for Frankie (smile), and why I couldn't resist sharing.
I'm sure with just enough searching this magazine is available in the US. I plan to ask my favourite newsmen if they carry it, when I return from Paris.
I love these pieces from London based designer Maaike Mekking's S/S 08 collection. Each piece is dreamy with just enough edge to make you blush. I adore the names she's attached to some of the pieces; like the (first foto top) is called "London Sky-line", its a jersey-silk mixed dress. The second foto (top) is called the "London Sky-line mini", with a cropped gabardine jacket - love it!
I also like how she's presenting her collection, it doesn't clutter my imagination. The designer's interpretation and vision isn't interfering with how I'm interpreting each look on me. And isn't that the fun part of fashion? Taking how the designer presents their collection, and making it your own? While I tend to like how most designers present their creations, it's the ones that I can see on me, and beyond their visions that I have the most fun with - and I could have fun with these.
Happy New Year everyone! I hope each and every one of you had a beautiful and blessed holiday season! I had so much fun hanging with family (X-mas) and friends (NYE)! In fact I'm still recovering from last night festivities. It's not easy being cheesy, but we have so much fun doing it (laugh with me now). And while I'm not back yet, I couldn't resist sharing some of my New Year wants - and we're only one day in. I will be back soon, with a proper list for 2008, that doesn't involve any lusting- ok maybe just a little lusting.
There are so many goodies to share, and I can't wait to share them all with you. Something tells me 2008 is the year of Miss Shoo + The Year of You too! You can be and achieve anything, with hard work, good thoughts, love, and loads of perspective - well that's what my mum says.
