Dope Ambition

It’s hard to say when and how rock stars came to be such; one could argue a plethora of theories ’til they are blue in the face, but there will always be someone who adamantly disagrees. We remember, or rather, for those of us who are mere infants in the span of rock ‘n roll history, we have come to realize, that rock stars were mobbed, followed and revered during the Woodstock years. But there is a strong argument that rock stars are the spawn of the jazz and blues era, when Billie Holiday stole Carnegie Hall, Coltrane stole the stage with hypnotizing solos, and Ike Turner was backed by the Kings of Rhythm.

However, as soon as psychedelic rock made its debut, Jimi Hendrix was King. When kids were forming smoke circles and sharing acid tabs like breath mints during the Summer of Love, magical performances by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and The Who were taking place on stage in a flurry of new sounds and far out guitar sequences. And while kids of the 60s and consequential 70s countercultures were mesmerized by their favorite bands, they didn’t have the pleasure (or curse) of seeing their cherished stars’ lives documented by paperazzi, circa the Justin Beiber era.

Sadly, Jimi Hendrix let the high get him down, but his music is still remixed, repeated and cherished today. Those with a more singular mindset might think Purple Haze is a Camron album, but Hendrix’s was the first to give name a song after the drug that made him “kiss the sky.” True to American culture, not only has Hendrix’s music been remixed, but his bohemian style has been reincarnated as well. Hendrix could have stepped on stage in a potato sack and still stunned the audience, but instead he chose to rock in paisley prints mixed with florals; neck scarves and drummer boy jackets were not uncommon for the sex symbol, nor were mixing all of his prints together to further appeal to a psyched out crowd.

But it’s not about cutesy florals or dapper, tailored pairings; there’s an element of sloppiness that gave Hendrix that oozing sex appeal and bohemian flair. His hair was wild, you’d find feathers in unconventional places, and a misplaced button or shriveling head scarf was not uncommon. Maybe we can blame that on the drugs, but the look stuck, and designers this season had this exact look in mind. Etro gave us warm paisley prints in sexy silhouettes, Karen Walker (notorious for her kitschy pattern pairs) also showcased a lineup of pajama-like silks with paisley prints, Roberto Cavalli didn’t hold back on sex appeal with fringe crop tops and psychedelic animal print separates.

Inspiration

^^Karen Walker S/S 2011

^^Emilio Pucci SS 2011

^^Roberto Cavalli SS 2011

Solange Knowles

^^ Zoe Kravitz

Outfit Inspiration

1. – Sonia Rykiel wide-legged floral cotton pant

2. – T by Alexander Wang white button up

3. – Madewell Messenger bag

4. – The Row tortoiseshell sunglasses

5. – Multi-tier teardrop earrings

6. – Red Paisley Silk Scarf by Liberty of London

7. – Topshop wizard green wedges

It’s far too easy to get swept up in color trends and pattern crazes, and while I do love some of the patterns and colors from the Spring 2011 runway, sometimes it’s best to get back to the basics. When it really comes down to personal style, starting with the essentials is how we all build our wardrobes, whether we cherish a crisp white button-up from the Gap, a pair of riding pants from Zara, or an Hermés scarf. However you look at it, building on the classics are the best way to remix your wardrobe without buying throwaway pieces you won’t wear in a month.

Here are some looks that are inspiring my own wardrobe for the summer.

The number of pop culture icons who singlehandedly made particular types of shades infamous are many: Jackie O.’s oversized lenses exuded glamor to the burgeoning celebrity-obsessed culture being born around her, and ironically, many celebs still rock them to hide from the diligent paparazzi. James Dean was every inch the rebellious badass in his ominous wayfarers, and John Lennon made “tea shades” famous, those round, wire-framed shades that bring to mind the pot-smoking, acid-dropping hippies and rock stars of the 60s and 70s. Elton John, too,  has been known to don avant-garde lenses for his live performances, and he recently went as far as covering POP Magazine’s latest issue in some of the most decadent, cake-layer worthy shades I’d seen in a long while. And who could forget the tragic trend Kanye sparked with his shutter shades? Knock-offs of the most unfortunate variety were being sold by street corner vendors and bootleg kingpins everywhere and, therefore, were popping up in everyone’s Friday night club pics.

It was only in the late 20th century that plastics, as opposed to metals and nylons, were invented and became widely available. And hence, since we live in  a plastic, throw-away world, colored frames gained popularity because of the relative ease with which plastics could be dyed and molded. Plastics’ easily transformable qualities was appealing at a time when flash-trends and changing fads were becoming more normal. Plastic is also less expensive to manufacture, but high end luxury designers don’t use this as an excuse to mark down their coveted eyewear; Prada and Chanel plastic frames still go for $300 a pop, plastic or otherwise. So just because it’s plastic doesn’t mean it won’t cost a pretty penny.

For spring, it’s best to forget the wear and tear winter caused, ditch the goth oversized shades and instead, debut a new pair of punchy-hued frames that serve as the perfect pop of color to any neutral-heavy spring ensemble. Jil Sander’s haute couture-meets-clean-contemporary collection offered metallic lenses surrounded by bright frames in all your favorite Bic highlighter shades: hot pink, electric green, orange-on-acid. And Miuccia Prada not only debuted arguably one of Spring’s most inventive collections, what with her dancing monkeys and already-copied pop-art bananas, but the accompanying shades to her collection were a show on their own: swirly periwinkle frames and hot-orange details on over-sized bug-eyed lenses.

But while I’m sure there are wait-lists and backorders for these designer frames, there are a variety of affordable shades for us peons who do not yet own a yacht on which to sport our spunky specs. So, without further ado, I introduce to you a mediocre compiled list of cheap yet chic frames to add a little flavor to your wardrobe of neutrals. And if you’re feeling daring, add a hot pink lip to up the ante. Or not, you know…baby steps.

(below) Jil Sander SS 2011

(below) Prada SS 2011

1. - Asos frosted keyhole sunglasses

2. - Ten over Six for LA Eyeworks mustard yellow shades

3. – A-morir Schubert heart-shaped frames

4. – Forever 21 burnt orange shades (for $1.50!)

5. – Prada SS 2011

6. – Cheap Monday Scrying sunglasses

7. - 80s Purple wayfarer

8. - Cacharel shades for O.C.

9. - Vintage “Look of Love” heart-shaped shades

Because my Spring Break is not filled with poolside Piña Coladas or drunk topless high schoolers doing something strange for a few extra shots of tequila, my Spring Break has been spent doing old people stuff…like reading, writing, freelancing, and sleeping. At 23, I have become quite a bore, and for that, I sincerely apologize.

However, yesterday, in a fit of boredom with my current situation, I ditched blogging and went to MoMA instead. For me it, it is an endless maze of visual inspiration. I find myself being lured into the museum’s rooms-within-a-room only to discover Pollocks, Lichensteins, Warhols, Koonings and “Portraits of” disassembled Macbook Pros. I think it’s safe to say that this summer, I will be making weekly trips to the über-institution for jolts of inspiration or intrigue.

Anyway, soon after I got yelled at buy a guy in a suit for stepping over that forbidden black tape (I wanted to bury my nose in one particular Simon Hantaï painting), I stumbled upon the work of Christopher Wool. I was intrigued by the wordage and pop-culture references on some of his works, which range from enamel on aluminum to silkscreen on paper. I snapped a few flicks, and after coming home, looked the guy up as any journalist would do. As it turns out, Christopher Wool paired up with Supreme in ’08 for a series of skate decks bearing his signature stencilwork.

I learn something new everyday. But here: check it out.

I don’t believe in falling off the face of the Earth just because it’s national weed smoking day. Instead, I’ll provide all my partakers and dabblers with a little eye candy that might intrigue. As some of you might know, I have a penchant for artists who create three dimensional worlds out of very obscure objects. All of these sculptures have been made from Scotch tape. Yes, that is correct; the shit your mom uses to wrap presents at Christmas time can be used as a medium for life-like sculptures that are a little mind blowing.

Check it.

images via mymodernmet

I have been crushing on Barbara Palvin now for months, so I am happy to see her pull more weight when it comes to editorials. Here, the Hungarian 18 year old gets grown up for Harper’s Bazaar Korea in tailored white ensembles and luxurious nudes.

I’m glad to see Miss Palvin hasn’t been malnourished (yet) like little miss Abbey Lee Kershaw, whose cheek bones have become borderline murderous. Don’t get me wrong, obviously Barbara Palvin is an itty bitty twig, but I have followed her progress since she signed to IMG in 2009, and it seems she’s stayed relatively the same. So, um, bravo to that I guess, right?

We see you shining, Barbara Palvin.We see you, and we likey.

Ok I know: I’ve done enough bitching about winter weather for all of us, but the world doesn’t revolve around U.S. fashion, and the seasons are opposite down under. As they prep for winter, I’m drooling over the Bec & Bridge A/W 2011 collection, which features ample doses of some of my favorite trends seen on the domestic runways for fall.

Varsity jacket with a bold letter B (which also happens to be the first letter of my name)? Check. Tribal print cape? Check. Sheer cut outs? Check. And my favorite color for fall, that cool gray reminiscent of your favorite Js? Check. Suffice it to say: I’m adding all of these pieces to my wish list, where they will probably stay and get cozy, because…b*tch I’m broke.

Santigold recently signed with Jay-Z’s label, Roc Nation, and immediately after this gem was released? If that’s how her future at Roc Nation looks, I’m eager to see what else is hiding in that crystal ball.

Teaming up with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Karen O., the two badasses release this single that starts off with an instrumental sounding like the soundtrack to a bank heist.An interview with Santigold can be found on Hov’s new fancy site, Life and Times,  here.

Click the download. This single is a keeper.

Santigold feat. Karen O – Go by danceyourfaceoff

Since I wasn’t in NYC back in 1986 (as a matter of fact, I wasn’t yet even born), I am quite enamored with the visuals that have to do with NYC during the golden era of hip hop. While there were scores of negative movements gaining potency during this time, 1986 was a milestone year for hip hop. Run DMC released “Raising Hell,” Eric B. and Rakim introduced “Eric B. is President” and who can forget the infamous Bridge Wars?

Anyway, I can’t stop watching the video. All of the graffiti on the subway cars inside and out represented a Golden Era in graffiti, too. Enjoy.

You know those types of people that watch movies and point out when there’s an artifact from the present making its debut decades too early? A Rolex on a gladiator, a TV guide before television was invented? Well, none of those “mistakes” are put in place on purpose, but I kind of wish they were, or at least I wish there were a game like that: what in this picture doesn’t belong/make sense for the time period?

I love when the past collides with the present so seamlessly that it makes you pause and go, “huh?” These oil paintings by David Lyle are just that: a vintage peek at the past with pop-culture and sub-culture injections. Graffiti in the 50s? Darth Vader before Star Wars was even conjured up? I’m all about it. Count me in.

images via ignant