Fashion - Portable.tv

Mike Piscitelli For Monster Children

2010-09-07T17:49:38Z

Behind the Scenes of Monster Children Shoot from MIKE PISCITELLI on Vimeo.

Hey: Probably be aware that there’s some top-half exposure going on in this video

Always wondered what it’d be like to be a rock renegade visual art conqueror and have a glamorous career surrounded by beautiful people and beautiful places? Ever pondered as to what life might’ve been like had you dropped out of ninth grade because you felt skating, hardcore and ladies were a much more quintessential part of life than uniforms and textbooks? Idly daydreamed up hypotheticals where you were an assistant on the set of porn films which, at the age of 18, led you to New York to shoot editorials for Dazed & Confused, Another and i-D magazine? Wished you were that guy who made those awesome clips for Iggy Pop, John Frusciante and The Walkmen and are currently finishing work on a feature length documentary about Ozzy Osbourne?

Ok, enough of this Fantales trivia, yes, you wish you were Mike Piscitelli so take advantage of the mostly first-person perspective and live vicariously through this video that Tyler Kindred put together of one of Piscitelli’s shoots for issue #28 of the American Monster Children Magazine.

Guy Ritchie for Dior Homme: Un Rendez Vous

2010-09-07T15:39:40Z

Nothing says “baby I’m luscious, seductive, dramatic and sophisticated” like a bunch of cool-toned silhouettes, close-up shots of undress-me stares, shiny vintage automobiles and 1800-sexy dulcet tones emanating from a Dior-suited Jude Law and a coat-and-little-else wearing supermodel Michaela Kocianova, all to the soundtrack of epic strings and Matt Bellamy soaring vocals. Yeah, that just about sums up Un Rendez Vous, the first in the trilogy of Guy Ritchie directed short films for the Dior Homme mens fragrance line.

As the wind oh-so tastefully blows open Kocianova’s coat to reveal a little something-something we couldn’t help but give a little immature giggle, partly because of the obvious exposure and partly because of the heavy-handed cliche and fashion faff. Over dramatic to be sure, but when you have a big brand with a big budget and a big director at the helm then why the hell not OD on OTT.

On Your Bike: Paul Smith vs Rapha

2010-09-07T14:44:25Z

Recent life and times have brought bikes to the fore of fashion trends. A simple stroll down the street will guarantee an encounter or two with a happily customized to the nines fixed gear bike, complete with stylin' rider decked out in the latest what’s-hot catalog. You may even spot a lovely helmeted sweetheart, a street-style vision on her vintage pushie complete with rainbow handlebar streamers and a wicker basket packed with organic groceries and soy milk. I guess what we’re saying is, cycling is the new driving, the rich man’s walking, the better man’s PT.

British menswear aficionado Paul Smith, in a display of almost unsettling fashion-foresight, was all over cycling from the age of 15 when his sole dream big-person job was to be a racing cyclist. While his dad may have put him to work at a clothing warehouse, he had little interest in it with the best part of his day being the cycle to and from work. Sadly a severe cycling accident put and end to his bicycle hopes, but also ignited his fashion career and in 2009 Smith found a way to be a part of the velodromed dream by sponsoring the Rapha Condor Sharp cycling team and collaborating with the Rapha clothing brand to create high-end cycling fashion.

So when you’re watching this video, titled London and filmed at the Manchester Velodrome, share Paul Smith’s visible sense of euphoria in reliving his childhood dreams and revel in his impeccably stylish classic suits going at a zillion kmph as you appreciate the absolute glory of the two-wheeled joy-machine that is the bicycle.

Agent Provocateur, just a little bit sexy.

2010-09-06T14:49:02Z

After watching this clip we had a strange need to watch ‘Sex, Lies and Videotape’ and still do. Not that you need an excuse, it’s a damn that’s a good film and it’s James Spader, that guy is amazing.

This new campaign for Agent Provocateur is, for lack of a better word, sexy. Yeah, we know, we totally cringed too. And in the poetic words of Young MC, ‘Girls are scantily clad and showin’ body'. If you’re as sick as we are of watching former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins prance around in Myer’s rather tame and non too risque latest collection, then you need to watch this video. We’re not too sure if it’s some sort of behind the scenes making of a sex tape or some underground rink for those with a lingerie fetish but whatever it is, it’s good.

Directed by John Renck a Swedish muscian who has also directed music clips for The Knife, Bat for Lashes and Beyonce (no, not ‘Single Ladies’). The advertisement also features Kirsty Hume as ‘Betty Sue’ a Scottish Model who has worked with Chanel, Victoria’s Secret and Gucci. Wikipedia tells me that ‘she is fond of wearing flip flops and Birkenstocks’, not at all in line with the sexy persona she portrays but we thought it was worth mentioning.

Act Da Fool

2010-09-06T11:13:42Z

Proenza Schouler Presents “Act da Fool” by Harmony Korine from proenzaschoulerny on YouTube

When you hear that Harmony Korine’s shooting a short film for Proenza Schouler, a fashion house whose focus is on vibrant, youthful designs, you kind of know what to expect.

Korine made a name for himself with his honest and confronting portrayals of teenagers in the 90s and has since turned his hand to more, erm, adult fair with the recent Trash Humpers. For Act da Fool, the director took Proenza Schouler’s Fall 2010 collection to his hometown of Tennessee and went back to his roots; shooting a gang of young girls drinking, smoking and making their mark on the world by giving the finger and spray-painting COKE on dumpsters.

When asked what it was about the collection that inspired the film, Korine said “The patterns and paint drips on their clothes spoke to me. It said, "Go fuck up the world, burn shit, blow it up, eat mud, snort glue, drink a lot of malt liquor and eat some fried chicken, watch some strippers throw down the booty and find god.”

He goes on to say, “It’s actually a religious movie. It’s like my version of The Ten Commandments,” and no matter your opinion on Korine or his films, this is undoubtedly one of his most affecting works.

RMIT Dangerous Goods Exhibition

2010-08-31T12:41:23Z

Cylindrus Catwalk animation from Marty Coghlan on Vimeo.

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week kicks off today and runs until Sunday 5th September. There are way too many fabulous parties and fashion shows to attend, so if you wanted something a little more low key and left of center head down to Queensbridge, Southbank.

RMIT fashion students Georgia Head and Jeanne Hendry are spending the week hiding out in modified shipping containers showcasing their latest collaborative works. Georgia’s ‘The Cylindrus Project’ is accompanied by an animation from Marty Coghlan and Jeanne’s ‘Feeling’s Felt’ is accompanied by a film from Yianni Warnock.

If you’re wondering what kids get up to these days, you will be pleasantly surprised. These students don’t waste time perusing a long lost high school friend’s facebook or watching the latest episode of ‘True Blood’ (much to Sookie and Bill’s disappointment) they are deeply involved in their practice and have a creative drive that could rival even the best and most experienced of designers. Except that these students aren’t just content with creating a garment, they want to the push the boundaries of their medium and collaborate with other artists from other disciplines, creating diverse and incredibly exciting works along the way.

If you feel that conceptual fashion has fallen by the wayside or you haven’t even heard of such a thing, then you need to get your ass down there! Georgia and Jeanne will be at Queensbridge all week with the exhibition officially opening tonight at 6pm.

And entry is free. Seriously, you have no excuse.

More details can be found here.

Miranda Kerr goes 3D for Vogue Italia

2010-08-30T17:27:13Z

Vogue Italia has crossed over from flat and lifeless print media and into the interactive world. The coveted fashion magazine is now available in 3D! This Spring issue sees Australian model Miranda Kerr not only baring all (almost) but baring it all in 3D and it’s over hyped Avatar/Toy Story 3 glory. If the cover wasn’t enough there is a 22 page editorial shot by regular Vogue photographer Steven Meisel.

This little video goes behind the scenes of the photoshoot. Kerr’s very own Yorkshire Terrier, Frankie makes a cameo appearance as does a rather unexpected lively performance by Kerr. I doubt many of us have actually seen her move this much before.

Now I know what you’re thinking. How are we expected to read the article if it’s in 3D? Well, no 3D experience comes without 3D glasses and Vogue haven’t skimped on the accessories. You can find your own pair attached to the front cover.

Now, I’m still not completely convinced with this whole ‘3D revolution’ thing and certainly didn’t rush to see ‘Step Up 3D’ when it hit the cinemas, although admittedly I was one of the many people who rushed to IMAX to check out Avatar in 3D (I mean, who didn’t? James Cameron did direct Titanic, not to mention The Terminator) but I have no doubt that this issue will definitely be a big seller. Seriously, it’s Miranda Kerr, half naked, in 3D.

Coco Rocha's Wedding Video

2010-08-27T13:12:28Z

Coco + James // Short film from Americana Cinema on Vimeo.

You probably know by now how much we love a good wedding video. This one is no exception. 21 year old supermodel Coco Rocha married James Conran in June this year at a chateau in the Loire Valley of France and employed the team at Americana Cinema to make a video of the event. While nudging the 20 minute mark in duration, the film really is a treat for the eyes and the overall message is one of joy, love and overwhelming positivity. (For those not interested in the longer film, there is a shorter one too)

Rocha’s dress was designed by fashion master (and close personal friend) Zac Posen, featuring a gorgeous mermaid shape tapering down to a full, flowing skirt of cascading fabric around her feet.

In terms of the video, Americana Cinema specialise in wedding videos and do a rather spectacular job of them at that. Rocha’s video was directed by Gilbert Le and demanded a crew of 7 people.

Scorsese x Chanel

2010-08-26T12:16:31Z

BLEU DE CHANEL – THE FILM from CHANEL on YouTube

Martin Scorsese’s taken a little break from directing shoot-outs, rockumentaries and psychological thrillers to create a little television spot for Chanel’s new men’s fragrance Bleu.

Starring Gaspard Ulliel (A Very Long Engagement, Hannibal Rising, Paris Je T'aime) and featuring the Rolling Stones' She Said Yeah, the ad is almost a combination of Scorsese’s signature themes; thanks to the Stones, we can tick the rockumentary box, the flashbacks are enough to take us inside Ulliel’s psyche, and the story-hungry journos in the press room may as well be wielding guns for all the damage they can do. Ooh, metaphor for stardom!

Nice one, Marty.

Velour Spring/Summer 2011 Preview

2010-08-25T15:25:09Z

Maybe it’s because they’ve had a thousand years to refine their culture, but damn, man, those Swedes seem to have this whole ‘fashion/design’ thing down pat. One of the more recent additions to the country’s impressive line of labels is Velour– a design house that seems to reinvent the idea of wearable basics. Appropriately, their tagline is “Effortless Style.”

Featured here is Velour’s A/W 2010 video. I’m not quite sure why it appeared online only recently, but it’s a good time to mention that the label’s upcoming S/S collection will be launched soon, with the first peak offered in the images below.

..And before I wrap this up: Have y'all ever tried Snus? A friend of mine recently returned from Stockholm and gave me a tin of the stuff. I hear it’s eight million times more addictive than smoking, makes you vomit, and will gradually wear away the tissue between your gums and nasal cavity. Is this true (y/n)??

[via Selectism]

From Here to There Exhibition

2010-08-24T17:49:47Z

From Here to There Exhibition from Portable on Vimeo.

If you’re familiar with the tales of Hans Christian Andersen you can probably recall his little fable about the Ugly Duckling and how, after a troubled childhood, it flourished into a glorious swan loved and revered by all in the pond and sure showed them ducks what’s up. The Black Swan is the bird emblem for Western Australia and for a long time this huge chunk of Australia has fought to be noticed by the rest of the country – and the world – for the immensely creative talented folk that inhabit it.

As part of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week’s cultural program, the From Here to There exhibition gives the Black Swan of Australia an opportunity to spread it’s wings and show off to retail buyers, designers and lovers of fashion at Melbourne’s 1000 Pound Bend an installation of new fashion and jewelery, using images, sample products and a film featuring prominent Perth fashion designer, Aurelio Costarella. The film, directed by WA fashion photographer turned filmmaker Di Vidos, features internationally recognized Perth models Nicole Trunfio, Tiah Eckhart, and Amy Finlayson and follows Aurelio Costarella on his journey as the first Western Australian fashion designer to show in New York.

The From Here to There exhibition opens at 1000 Pound Bend on Thursday the 26th of August, and if you’re around Melbourne and are all about the NBT in fashion I’d RSVP fromheretothereexhibition@gmail.com ASAP.

Gucci Guilty Campaign

2010-08-23T16:07:53Z

Gucci Guilty Campaign

The new trailer for a short directed by Frank Miller for the ‘Gucci Guilty’ fragrance campaign has been released and it screams guilty. Best known for his graphic novels and their adaptations, in particular ‘Sin City’, Miller has stayed true to his surrealist film noir aesthetic and carved Gucci a new persona by creating a world with fast paced cars and forbidden affairs headed by what Gucci has dubbed a ‘daredevil heroin’. If that wasn’t enough the advert has a killer soundtrack by Friendly Fires.

The short stars Evan Rachel Wood (True Blood) and Chris Evans (The Fantastic Four) and will premiere exclusively online tomorrow with a special Director’s Cut to be shown at The MTV Music Video Awards on September 12.

Tavi Makes Her Fashion Film Decision

2010-08-23T14:28:58Z

Are you also wistful? from megadont on YouTube

Sarah Culbreth is a 21-year-old Apparel Design student from Florida, who’s just got her whole body (not just her foot) in the door of the fashion industry, thanks to a certain adolescent blogger.

Tavi Gevinson of the blog Style Rookie was a judge for the 2010 A Shaded View on Fashion film festival (along with ASVOF’s Diane Pernet) and chose Culbreth’s Are you also wistful? as her favourite. The film, for which Culbreth designed the clothes and which she co-directed with Chris Cameron, will now screen as part of the ASVOF film festival in Paris.

Tavi explained her choice on her blog, describing the film as “wonderfully sensory.” She says, “The schoolhouse (church? either way, creepy) felt suffocating and the outside like fresh air…The context of a dreary schoolhouse doesn’t make the white dresses glamorous or anything, but they give them a lot of character…I also like that it creates both a mood and a story.”

You Too Can Do Hermés

2010-08-20T11:10:25Z

Hermès – J'aime mon carré – Paris/London/New-York/Tokyo from hermes on YouTube

Hermés are no longer targeting silver-haired magazine editors or lovers of charming Parisian rooftop songstresses as their prime demographics. Rather, the French fashion house wants all you fresh-faced twentysomethings to know that you, too, will look good in an Hermés silk scarf.

The company’s new campaign J'aime mon carré (or I Love My Scarf) consists of a bunch of polaroids of beautiful people wearing the coloured silk pieces around their heads, necks, waists and handbag straps in New York, Paris, Tokyo and London. On top of that, there’s a sweet little video featuring a Best Coast track that comes courtesy of Matt Irwin and Francisco Salvado. Our tip is to watch it at least once a week to remind you to save your pennies. Them scarvez is pricey!

Bowie Mania

2010-08-19T12:22:45Z

DUST :: Part I from MANIAMANIA on Vimeo.

With combined experience that reads like a who’s-who of Australian fashion (including Russh, Vogue Australia and Oyster magazines, and Sass & Bide, Sportsgirl, Lee, Bonds and Wrangler), Melanie Kamsler and Tamila Purvis left their respective and enviable positions just last year to launch MANIAMANIA, a jewelery line that feels both accessible and exclusive.

After their first collection Real Life Awaits Us received acclaim, celebrity fans (including Erin Wasson, Devendra Banhart and Alison Mosshart) and permanent positions on the shelves at Zimmerman, Incu, The Corner Shop, Green With Envy and Good As Gold, the pair are back with the follow-up for Summer 2010.

DUST is a collection featuring molten metals, black tourmaline, aquamarine and turquoise that was inspired by ancient Egyptian iconography and all things Bowie. The pop god’s influence is felt, particularly, in the video lookbook for the range. The hypnotising, two-part fashion film was directed by Fiona McGee and features a soundtrack by The Black Ryder and model Bambi Northwood-Blyth as the very picture of Bohemia, complete with American Indian ink, lazy and contemplative movements and, of course, armfuls of MANIAMANIA bling.

Pick up some piece from both the DUST and REAL Life Awaits Us lines at MANIAMANIA’s online store.

Grandma's Got Her Keds On

2010-08-19T11:32:45Z

FALL 2010 PRO-Keds from PRO KEDS 2010 on Vimeo.

“PLAY LOUDLY!!” is the order on this one.

To show off the new PRO-Keds Fall 2010 range, Monihan Monihan headed down to South Richmond Hill in Queens and enlisted Future Shock (Nick Ragbir, Anil Bhimraj, Jassica Ragbir, Ashti Ragbir and Crew) to help bring da beatz 2 da streetz.

The beat in question comes courtesy of Greenmoney’s Bashment ‘ouse (from their ‘Gold Ru$h EP’), and, as this video shows, even your grandma likes to get down to Greenmoney.

“So forget what you heard, feel the bass mess up your guts and accept the fact that, yes, the kids are still alright!” —Monihan Monihan 2010

Living/Light: a Ben Briand/Benah Collaboration

2010-08-16T10:26:21Z

Benah – Living | Light from Ben Briand on Vimeo.

Film-maker Ben Briand and Brenda Harvey, of accessories label Benah, have an enviable creative relationship. Without communicating explicitly, the pair are able to interpret the energy of each other’s work and collaborate effortlessly. Having created an eight-minute short film and photographic series for Benah’s Spring/Summer 09/10 campaign Castor & Pollux, Ben has once again pulled on the director’s cap to bring Brenda’s Spring/Summer 2011 Campaign Living|Light to life. We spoke with both of them about the collection and their collaboration.

We last spoke with you about your collaboration on Castor & Pollux, how was your creative relationship forged? What has changed (or stayed the same) since that collaboration?

Ben Briand: It has become even more trusting and less spoken about. I think that there is a deep respect for what each other does, so we both always know that the other has their thoughts together. There is an unsaid feeding of ideas and imagery that sometimes goes on between us that is becoming more unique and even less verbalised. It just happens. Recently, I found a number of images and sent them to Brenda without knowing what her next collection was about and apparently they were exactly what was going through her mind. It seems to work well because we think in two different mediums. I guess that subconscious connection is an extension of our relationship.

Brenda Harvey: Each project brings different challenges and successes and the more we work together the better it gets. For personal and brand creative growth, I find this exciting and satisfying. Working with Ben is always an easy decision. He ‘gets me’ and my creative vision, but brings to the table a whole different set of ideas and values. The fact we are able to work separately on our own projects and then come together, brings a fresh individual point of view to the collaborations which is amazing. We trust and respect each other, which is essential to any healthy relationship.

How would you describe the Living|Light collection? What inspired you as you worked on it?

BH: I was interested in the idea that humans tend to take the simplest things and make them complicated. That we can’t just live with simplicity and its beauty, and that we seem to always make everything complicated. I wanted to explore where this is a good thing as opposed to a bad thing, which is rare.

The name living/light has a double meaning; Living life in a light simple manner or the actual complicated living life force of light. It’s about light being viewed in a positive and negative way, which ties back to the quote at the beginning of the look book:

No matter how fast light travels, it finds that darkness has always got there first and is waiting for it – Terry Pratchett

It can been taken in two different ways, it just depends on how the reader interprets ‘darkness’. As something that is negative and overwhelming, an end? Or a stillness that promotes a new beginning, like the night is to day.

By using the most simple shapes of a stripe and a spot, the scarf patterns – while looking relatively simple when laid flat – when worn, take on a whole new meaning and life in a really good way. The bags have very simple structural shapes, but have small design details like the pyramid studs, a hidden zip, or different ways to wear straps (like with the back pack). I used simple, earthy colours like fawn, tan, grey, black and navy, and then gave them beautiful lacquered hardware in brushed gold and gunmetal. Really simple clean hardware against the different texture of leather and canvas I think works really nicely.

Architecture continues to be a major influence. The way light and glass is used to create space and texture and essentially ‘life’ to the structure is something that I will continue to come back to time and time again.

The Living|Light film has a distinctly ethereal feel, what were your inspirations for this aesthetic? Would you say this is common among all your work, or was it a choice made specifically for this collection?

BB: The aesthetic inspiration always comes from the core philosophical concept of Brenda’s range, this time being the idea of light coming from a dark place. That juxtaposition created the very light imagery, yet complex and heavy mood. I like to head into the ethereal space with a lot of my work, I can’t help it, that’s where all the interesting things happen. Especially in cinema!

You’ve done a lot of work for labels, companies and brands, how does this differ from (for example) the shorts and music videos you make? Do you approach them in the same way?

BB: Whether it is a personal film, commercial or clip, all projects are approached quite simply from the standpoint of: is there the potential to do something that is personally interesting here?. I am, however, more disciplined when I work with labels and brands. If the idea is strong, then it can be a wonderful anchor from which I can work in a highly productive way. I do have trouble if there is little room to bring my own personality to the project. Unfortunately my cinematic ideas are just too strong at times and they don’t let me lay down for the client if I feel the idea could be made better. It gets me into trouble sometimes.

What are you working on now/next?

BB: My first feature is humming along. I am in the development stage, doing re-writes on the next draft. Writing is so exciting on some days and can be a bitch on others. Other than that, I have just signed onto something nice in the States with some influential people, so perhaps a bit of passport stamp action…..who knows?

BH: Living|Light has been so well received, which is great motivation and inspiration for moving forward. Benah will be constantly evolving but staying true to it’s core aesthetic. I hope to expand each category within the range, but really believe in doing one thing and doing it well, so accessories will be my core focus for the moment. On a larger note, I am looking to expand into the European and American markets. I think the next year or two will be extremely busy with a few surprises which I am really looking forward too.

Proenza Schouler's "It Bag"

2010-08-13T14:30:07Z

The PS1 Bag from NETAPORTER on YouTube

We’re not going to lie: the sight of the PS1 Bag from Proenza Schouler causes a lot of deep breathing and mental budgeting around these parts (we don’t really need to pay rent this month…). The leather and the crocodile and the straps and buckles and pockets and there are big ones and there are small and it’s perfect and we want it.

Sorry…where were we?

Oh, right. The video.

We’re not alone in our handbag lust: thanks to Net-a-Porter, fellow satchelphiles everywhere can get a little insight into what the Proenza Schouler designers Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough think of their timeless piece. If you guys are reading this and you need to make some more space in that PS1 store room, we can probably help you out by taking in some old stock (please?).

M.I.A loving Aussie designer with 'XXXO'

2010-08-12T15:16:33Z

Before Gaga was bringing the ruckus, Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam or M.I.A. was bringin' it, both on the music and fashion scenes. Three albums later and a baby on the side, M.I.A. is proving she can still push those style boundaries with her latest music video, XXXO off her 2010 album MAYA. A techno love fest in which she has enlisted the help of up-and-coming Melbourne designer Nadia Napreychikov for some killer threads.

Only last year, Nadia’s pieces were showcased as apart of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week’s RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) show. A showcase of fourth year/graduate creations aimed at promoting awareness of emerging fashion designers within the school.

Less then a year later, one of Nadia’s graduate pieces, a leather buckle dress, has been blinged out and worn by M.I.A. in her new video clip, which is also directed by the rapping fashionista. Who was also sweet enough to send a thank-you note to Nadia.

Comedians in Couture

2010-08-10T13:14:50Z

Esquire – Kings of Comedy from esquireuk on Vimeo.

British magazine Esquire took a break from showing pictures of cheekily obscured boobies and bottoms to take some snaps of funny guys for their September Issue.

Fashion director Catherine Hayward dressed a bunch of comedians (including Rhod Gilbert, Tim Minchin, Jack Whitehall, Alex Horne, Tim Key and Tom Wrigglesworth) in Prada, Dior Homme and Louis Vuitton for the Kings of Comedy feature. The spread was photographed by Rick Guest, while we have Teo van den Broeke to thank for this behind the scenes peek at how it all went down.