Dope Ass Photographer: Sarah Ahrens

Okay so I have this friend/collegue/classmate who is going to blow up big in the photography scene, so I thought I'd promote her on my site as she has finally been published in a publication worthy her talent ,V Magazine, check out her published pics here. Make sure you check out her website featuring some of her best work, including images styled by me and Alex W for Stark Magazine (our little baby!) here

Dope Ass Site: Invisiblemadevisible.co.uk

As I was looking into the whole Chilean Graffiti scene i stumbled upon this amazing website on East London based street art called Invisiblemadevisible.co.uk. On this site you can find photographs of some of the LDNs best street art. Worth checking OUT!.

BOOK: Street Art Chile

I've been saying forever how much I love Latin-American communist propaganda paintings, leaflets, flyers and posters that can still be seen on murals in many Latin countries, especially Chile, who has been a radical centre of Latin-American propaganda painting since 1940s.

I remember being fascinated with these huge paintings as a kid whenever we would go back to visit our family in Valparaiso.

To my surprise, and shame of not having discovered this before, as I haven't been in Chile for almost 6 years now. Note to self: VISIT THE MOTHERLAND!. There has been a huge surge in political graffiti drawing inspirations from it's complicated political past resulting in "...political engaged street art cross-fertilized with graffiti to create a multi-faceted and rapidly developing panorama of politically didactic and post political street art."

The book "Street Art Chile" is a collection of images taken throughout the country with a special focus on Santiago and Valparaiso (My birthplace). Published by 8 books and written by Dr Rodney Palmer an art historian, writer and critic who has worked on Latin American art since the 1980s,"Street Art Chile" is one heck of a book that will blow you street art sences.

Obsessive? Definetly

Dope Ass Project: FAVELA PAINTING PROJECT

Reading the August issue of Trace magazine I was blown away by a project called Favela Painting Project run by Dutch artists, Jeroen Koolhas and Dre Urhahn of the Firmeza Foundation.

The Project aims to produce art work in places where people are left socially excluded, such as the many favelas (slums) found in and around Rio de Janeiro. Around one 5th of Rio's population live in some 700 favelas.

Jeroen and Dre collaborate with the local community to find a painting that the community as whole can take pride in. By teaching the local children different painting techniques the organizations hopes to keep the kids out of reach of the local drug lords.

The organisation hopes to fight social exclusion, combat prejudice, contribute to the education of the local youth, create sustainable solutions and attract the art worlds attention.

The Favela Painting Project finished it's first major artwork in 2007 in one of Rio's most notorious favelas, Villa Cruzeiro entitled

'Kid with Kite'.

visit Favela Painting to find out more about the project and how you can support the cause.

Future Exhibitions

As the summer turned "early Autumn" yet again here in London I was bored. And as you do when bored in ever-so-rainy London, you try and catch an exhibition, and preferably a free one!. So I applied my best at typing in the words V&A on google that led me too the V&A museum website . Where I found the most exiting thing to happen since the Golden Age Of Couture Exhibition, "Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones"

Stephen Jones milinery extraordinaire, has helped the V&A make an anthology of hats:

"Working with radical hat designer, Stephen Jones, the V&A will present an ‘anthology of hats’. Drawn from V&A and international collections and ranging in style and period from a 17th-century Puritan’s hat to a 1950s Balenciaga couture piece to hats by Jones and his contemporaries including to the latest creations by young milliners such as Noel Stewart, the exhibition will investigate the cultural and historic importance of millinery. The exhibition will be arranged in four main themes - Inspiration looks at the myriad of sources including historicism, exoticism and the natural world; Creation explores the techniques, materials and processes; The Salon focuses on the buying and selling of hats and the millinery shop; and The Clients which will examine the wearing and etiquette of hats and will feature headgear worn by well known clients of some of the world’s top milliners including Audrey Hepburn, Isabella Blow, Anna Piaggi, Dita von Teese."

Nedless to say I am a big fan of headwear, and over exited!

DOPE ASS ACCESORIES :MADE

I was recently told about a

new and exclusive brand of unique accessories, called MADE.

They produce fashionable, funky and inspirational pieces whilst being committed to the principles of fair and ethical trading.

The majority of their products incorporate a fair trade element; raw elements, craftsmanship, or the complete piece. made products are designed in England by influential designers, then sourced and created within the developing countries of Africa and Asia.Using precious metals, stones and indigenous materials MADE creates distinctive, original and desirable jewellery.

Every purchase supports and empowers developing communities to improve their lives and to work with dignity. MADE accessories are for fashion conscious people who want their money to make a difference.

My favourite include the 'Single Chain Disk Earrings' for only £20 ( The Natural Store) and

The 'Bead And Bird Necklace' £60 (Whistle's)

Made @ Whistle's

Made @ The Natural Store

Future shades

My version of the YSL shades as seen on Interview Magazine's 'Paris Nights' Shoot.

Although I have to say mine were slightly more Grace Jones-ish. That's a good thing trust me
These were found in a tiny vintage shop in Stockholm last year and cost about 90 kr which is is about £5.00.

Interview Magazine: Paris Nights

images courtesy of Fashion-nation.net

On the latest Interview Magazine I found fashion story perfection in a shoot entitled 'Paris Nights' styled by Karl Templer and shot by Anthony Maule.

The story represents the best look of the Autumn/Winter season '08. A sort of chic YSL meets Grace Jones meets blade runner meets Balenciaga.

It's almost too fucking Chic pardon my french!

Oh and I love ,love, love the YSL Shades.

Jay Z and the Blue Print part 3

Some people simply don't know when to quit (The word Prime is not in their vocabulary). And then there's people who disappear reluctantly into cult obscurity.

Few are the ones that actually know when to quit (while you're ON TOP for the rest of you who don't know). And some people just try to quit, telling themselves that this is, indeed, going to be the last time. For Sure. They PROOOOMISE.

Jay Z my friends belongs to the last category. The husband, record executive, and at some point, legendary rapper, swore he was quiting "the game" when The Black Album (2003) was released.

Well it's been about 5 years and instead of growing admiration and gracefully assuming his role behind the scenes, we have seen the demise of a legend.

And there is much more to come apparently!.

According to Billboard.com Jay Z confirmed rumours that he is recording an 11th (4th post retirement)and final album that will be released via Def Jam Called The Blueprint 3.

Seriously Jay, for the sake of Hip-Hop, just stop recording, I mean you discovered Rhianna for god's sake.

There is absolutely no street cred in discovering the Umbrella-ella-ella girl man.

Russian invasion of Georgia

As many of you know, Russia invaded Georgia on the 8th of August, after a feud regarding oil pipelines and South Ossetia reached it's climax.

I find it competly unacceptable that yet again another super power of the world, is allowed to rage and savage another country and it's inhabitants, in hope of gaining control over oil, while the rest of the world can only stand by and look.

Therefore it's important that we all take a stand and say, it is not acceptable. It's not justifiable.

And help out as much as possible.

"The conflict has caused civilian casualties and more are at risk,It is essential that humanitarian agencies be able to reach the affected and the displaced, and that those trapped in conflict areas be granted passage to safer areas as soon as possible," U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

UNHCR

Red Cross

I will update the section on how we can all help as I find more info.

R.I.P MR ISAAC HAYES August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008

Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr was charismatic soul and funk singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger, composer and actor. Mr Hayes first shot at fame was when he released 'Hot Buttered Soul' in (1969) and 'Black Moses' (1971). He went on to release a number of succesfull albums in the '70s that went on to create the urban comtemporary music genre.

Hayes was one of the main creative forces behind southern soul music label Stax Records , where he served as both an in-house songwriter and producer with partner David Porter.

during the mid-1960s.

Alongside his work in soul music, Hayes was very successful film score composer for motion pictures. His best known work, for the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft earned Hayes an Oscar for Best Original Score ,the first Academy Award received by an African-American in a non-acting category and two Grammy Awards. He received a third Grammy for the album Black Moses.

From 1997 t0 2006 his career took yet another path, as he voiced the character of "Chef" in cult show, "South Park". Hayes Left the cast of "South Park" in 2006 after he an episode that he felt had ridiculed his religion, Scientology.
In 1992, in recognition of his humanitarian work, he was crowned an honorary king of Ghana's Ada district.

Hayes was found unconscious in his home located just east of Memphis, Tennessee on August 10 2008 as reported by the Shelby County, Tennessee Sheriff's Department. A Shelby County Sheriff's deputy responded to Hayes' home after his wife found him on the floor near a still-running treadmill. Hayes was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, where he was pronounced dead at 2:08pm

Mr Hayes legacy will live on for many years to come.

Rest in Peace.

Copenhagen Fashion Week 07.08.08 Heartmade/Julie Fagerholt Spring/Summer 09

Copenhagen Fashion Week 07.08.08 Camilla Staerk Spring/Summer 09

Copenhagen Fashion Week 06.08.08 Stine Goye Spring/Summer 09

Stine Goye's collection I must say was the best of the day.
Showcasing a real talent for pushing the concept of fashion forward by presenting an avant garde, yet very feminine Collection.

Loving the drama, the structured designs and the somewhat dark colour pallete contrasting the orangish/pale/nude colours in the collection.

Stavangergade 4,

2nd floorDK-2100

Copenhagen
Ø+45 33 93 10 02
stinegoya.com

Copenhagen Fashion Week 06.08.08 Rützou

Rützou is another Danish luxury label that is run by co-funder and former Head Designer of Bruuns Bazaar, Susanne Rutzu. For Spring/Summer 09 Rutzu is doing the flower prints that we have seen loads of this summer, yet packedged in a luxury-boho wrap that screams wardrobe stable pieces.

Ravnsborg Tværgade 5C,

2nd floor

DK-2200

Copenhagen N+45 35 24 06 16

cph@rutzou.com
www.rutzou.com

Copenhagen Fashion Week 06.08.08 NOIR Spring/Summer 09

A Great Collection by a Danish Label Called NOIR. Loving the whole withchness chic look with dark lips and black wicked witch of the west hat.

NOIR's whole concept is amazing as it aims to "introduce the world's best fabrics and applying ethical principles. Turning corporate social responsability sexy".

Rysensteensgade 1, st.tv

DK-1564 Copenhagen

V+ 45 33 91 91 00

info@noir-illuminati2.com
noir.dk

Copenhagen Fashion Week 06.08.08: Ann-Sofie Back Spring/Summer 2009

Ann-Sofie Backs Spring/Summer is a bit pale after the massive breakthrough and exposure

of the Winter collection inspired by celeb culture and the coolnes of shades.

This collection however feels a bit bleaker, though a solid and very wearable white soft rock chick spring looks. Some odd pieces of draped dresses in white and black stand out.

A sort of in-between collection for Back who i'm sure will surprise us more pleasently next time.

Ann-Sofie Back

Unit 8, 10-11

Archer Street

W1D 7AZ London
annsofieback.com

All Images:Copenhagen Fashion WeeK