It's crazy how some things can look so similar but be so different.

Clae MCQUEEN Desert Boot

Chloé Catlyn Boots

You see it? I do. Well... Sort of.

Sources: Clae Direct & JAKandJIL

The Written Formulae for the Meaning of Life

I just saw the movie 2012 and I'm really overwhelmed. Apocalyptic visions have an odd effect on me. Likely because I think in terms of narration. So, in response to fed visions of large ideas clouding over the small ones, I am likely digest them in terms of words. That's why this blog is good for me, that way I can record these bouts of intense inspiration. The words come a'flowing and I just have to follow up with a tributary for the information that manifests -and between you and me, this blog would have 200 posts if I was good at doing so. But, here I am, allowing these here "IDEARS" find their place in words.

Now, the subject: 2012.  Let me go on explaining.

Based on the Mayan prophecy of the end of the world, main characters embark on a mission to survive. Of course all movies are a means of filtration; all initial concepts are corrected through the rebuilding of the mess the conflict made. In this case, there are no chances of rebuilding what of the world has been lost. (yes, in the movie, the world in fact ends.) However, the movie deals with trying to define what it is to be a human. And in my head defining what the meaning of life is anyway.

Through good intentions of human spirit, the characters in the movie choose to do what is most "human" and to elect the option where other humans, a majority of people, can have life. This is where my existentialist lens fell off of my head and down my nose. I pushed them up for further inspection and found my answer to have already been in my head.

The Mexican Hat! More of the trip.

I remember coming across an existentialist reason for living on the banks of the San Juan River in Utah. It was so simple and enlightening that I wanted to live in that state of mind for the rest of my life. It was the moment I realized the sales person at REI had parted my family with a larger amount of money than necessary when he talked of Patagonia leggings as the only real answer to the questions we had of cold ahead.

I can remember that week I set sail on the San Juan River to embark on an unmatched mission for recreation and discovery. It had already been 6 days that I had spend in the great outdoors and an innumerable amount of hours getting from Arizona to the state of Utah. I had already slept on the rim on the Grand Canyon, the floor of an Math room in one of the 3 high schools in Flagstaff, Arizona, and in the vab on the decent of several thousand feet towards sea level. I looked to the red rocks to effectuate my mind for the presentation I would have to make about the ancient people who once inhabited the land around me. We set sail on a cloudless afternoon to participate in the experience the Grand Canyon Youth Program arranged for us and scores before and after us.

We spend a few days on the river and I enjoyed every one of the long seconds that passed by. However, it wasn't until I woke up the day after I got back from Arizona that I something was bothering me. I opened my eyes to the sun, like everyday when I woke up on the river. But this time I was looking through a window to see the light.

Now you may ask: What is wrong with this? So it's apparent you live in a house, is this not enough?

No. It was too much. I realize that as humans we subject ourselves to the need to luxuriate our lives to separate our existences with animalistic tendencies. I was fine and oblivious to any other way of living, as my family are no fans to anything else. But the city slicker in me had no longer looked at the world in the same way; I was in a new frame of mind that was on the clock that my ancestors worked on: the one in the sky that sustains life for us everyday. Ont he river, away from the city, I was free of any artificial ways of living my life. My day was not pre-determined to fulfill a function in society. I was not obligated to work in any way. My only objective was to consume the experiences in anyway I saw fit. The way to transit was the same path I slept on, and it was no dirty place to stay! (granted you didn't swallow sand or soil yourself during your say.)

I found out that our lives are so much smaller in the context of the earth: that my contribution could only effect the lives of other people, including myself; that your actions are as only as big as you make them to be; that the tangible is not limited to anything; that in the end and while you are living the only things that are important is the objective as you see fit and the faith you invest in are the only things you can maintain with your body and mind. The list goes on, but it only stops where you choose to end it. Fashion among other things are useless fabrications of the human mind that are not useful in this context. (which is why until now I've had a hard time connecting this.)

Now and afterwords I see the mutual objective of life to be highly frivolous. There are many things now that I see I can live without. And when it comes to living, I am still consolidating my intentions to fit a simpler definition.

So when it comes to trying to find out why it is you live, the formula remains to be: go to Utah. Then add it a pinch of apocalyptic inspiration and one part of your personality and find out where you go. Because if Hamish Bowles has done it, written about it in Vogue and lived to tell an interesting cocktail social story, you should probably hop to it.

Split

So, I went to Barnes & Noble tonight before getting on the train this evening. This time I have a just cause to reward myself after spending 3 hours in a café doing work. A nice cafe it turns out. It will remain nice too since you won't know where it is, you stalker. Oh, your reading my blog. Thanks!

Oh, right. I'm blogging. So yeah, I bough this magazine: FANTASTIC MAN. All magazine titles will be capitalized from now on, they are important to me and will be stressed as so. ANYWHOOO, (oh no, that's not a title of a magazine, I really just need to move on) I bough this magazine that I was really proud of purchasing because I sat and read and it's really funny. One of the magazines I spend upwards of $10 dollars on and feel great about it in the end. Let me tell you why it is so good: the sartorial credits are a 2nd person narrative of what is being worn, complete with the names of models! Fashion magazines are often so serious they forget to acknowledge models as humans! That's why I don't get why people want to be models. You should rather be a cinematographer if you like to be in the middle of things. And if your attractive enough to be a model, you'll be attractive enough to hold a camera in someone's face for too long. Listen to me, this magazine is so not serious I can't even help sounding so giddy. I find I start writing in the style of something I've just read. Eden's Large Prime has had me inspired to think of writing a little critical and grim lately. But I had to forget about blogging in the intern because of the amount of work I've got on my hands. I'm applying to college you know. And tomorrow I'm taking the SAT subject tests for the schools that require it. So I'm here writing to get inspired to read also. Plus I'm in such a good mood. I'll take a break from being serious.

Anyways, I'm being interviewed right now as we speak. My counterpart is here to interview me since I'm in such a good mood. He's been waiting a while. Not really a while, I've just decided to interview myself... 20 minutes ago.

What's the most general misconception that people have of you?
People usually assume I'm judging them. Adult usually. They ask in an the most uncomfortable way what I think about them or what they are wearing. I'm usually not aware until they ask; but then I might take too long looking for something to compliment them on or I might try to figure out the best way to say that they aren't wearing brown and blue in a more correct way and the interaction grows stale. But it really depends on my mood, because I might be judging you, but that would be because I'm not int he best mood.

How tall are you?
6'4".

Do you mind getting older?
Nah. I feel like I might not get enough accomplished between now and when I get old. But it's hard to speak in terms of the future when your not there yet. I'm only 17, so it would be great being 18. But by the time I'm 18 I'll be almost on my own in college. But right now getting older means more freedom, not from parents but to just take your time in life. It would be less about getting things done in the hour and more getting this done in a flexible amount of time.

What do you see when you look in the mirror?
I see what other people see of me. I don't especially love mirrors but there comes a time when I forget what I look like. I'll walk past a mirror and get surpised because the only time I really worry about what I look like is in the morning when I put everything on. After that, I'm going to school so I have to be more extroverted.

Do you have a fitness regime?
I run at least once a week. I've been training for a marathon since February of this year. It feels like longer because, I'm not sure, everything seems like it passes by so quickly and there are so many things going on I forget to be aware of the past. So I run with my small team from school. I hate the feeling of deja-vu and time patterns, they make my stomach hurt. So I try to change it up when I can. Like running on another trail versus the other.

What are you most looking forward to?
College. But the thing I am also least looking forward to is college. The thought that I will be rejected from somewhere hurts. Somewhere in my chest cavity is a place where emotional investments are paid for and need some type of return for gratification for dopamine. When an emotional investment goes sour I can't help but recoil from a blow. College will be the time of my life, but it will be a pain trying to get in anywhere. No one goes in knowing anything. That is the worst part about it, you just have to wade it out to see if your dream will select you from the crowd. Then your existence is validated. I really just want to be validated.

Good Luck on the SATs.
Thanks!

Think - Revelations of Maturation

Sometimes I'm glad be blessed with a brain. A brain to command thoughts and to arrive at thinking that can only impress myself. The best thing is that it's a private place to muse and to amuse myself. But, why:

It seems that success can be an internal measure at times. However, I believe success is more left to the other people than it is left to defining on our own. When a person is among the most visible of those in society, famous per se, they are subject to the wider spectrum of judgement that can directly effect their ego, their reputation and scarily, their money. An artist is only as interesting as their buyers make them. Pop music is only papular as long as everyone likes it. A concept is only entertained as long as it is culturally relevant. Plebeian rule over success is a sad thing that obviously can negatively effect the human spirit, and that is why I wish to disconnect myself from it; but I wish to connect myself to an introverted space of passion.

Stephen Sprouse, no not Michael Jackson this time, is the standing example amongst this image. He lived a life of the most true up and downs of commercial acceptance. But the most beautiful thing I found to see about his life in The Stephen Sprouse book I bought before the summer ended, is that his intentions were a mix of the usual human validation complex, but in bigger part his concise portrayal of his point of view.  Whether everyone liked it or not,  his intentions were on his path. He might have been famous but his energy came more from his passion which came from an inner crevice of his being. I found perception of him inspiring and compelling.

I used to think: "My! How no one reads my blog!" But I realized a few things: I had to stop modeling myself after the successful people I only see on the interwebs. Living a life crafted after my own intentions would make me happier because as an individual I not only have that right, but I have my own intentions anyway. So started the external decisive process I would love to call my intentions complex. Life has shone itself too short to live for and after other people, and I see this as something that would develop myself into someone a lot more internally independent.

My brain never felt so good.

Think - Music

Just finished watching this. Jay-Z's most recent crack at making a bigger dollar has led to a primitively disappointing song that further perpetuates the noted disposable nature of autotune derived music. *deep breath* Explaination: Let's start with the song itself.

"Run This Town" first registers as tribal inspired beat with Rihanna backing up with an earful of wailing around the chorus. Jay-Z manages to deliver two forgettable verses that strike me in a positive way. Only when I hear Maison Martin Margiela the song manages to impress me in one way: I expect my friends to ask me about Maison Martin Margiela and I would respond by clearly explaining a digestible part of the name. This was, in effect, initially a good song because it would manage to help the wider audience understand something I understood, hence making my interest a little more relate able and then I could actually have something to talk to someone with for once!

As you might be expecting, the actual lyrics are the trouble in this situation. Not regarding Martin Margiela, Jay-Z sustains a linear path into the minds of the masses in search of monitary based respect. Mo'Money. This is where Jay-Z contradicts himself. In the tell tale song "D.O.A" or "Death of Autotunes," Jay-Z takes, what seems to be, an externally targeted point of claiming the death to the rise of music using the machine based tool.

We do know that Autotunes music (for lack of a more specific term, I'll just blanket this across that T-Pain/Lil'Wayne/Kanye West/disco type... w/e you get it) is the money making, no-talent-required route to a mechanically synthesized song of perishable nature, mainly sourcing inspiration from sex to annoying Lil'Wayne babble. (Sorry, getting a little side tracked)

But... in "D.O.A.," Jay-Z takes an aim to declare this now-popularized type of music that spreads inspiration thin with overwrought connection to other music. Autotunes, not getting us anywhere culturally, deserved an expiration (in my opinion) because I didn't see it leading anywhere good. And who better than someone with as much influence. So, just when I was looking forward to The Blueprint 3, the disappointing "Run This Town" shown in the light of day and the more I listened I became more angered.

This all leads me to the fact that song is in no way inclusive of the proposition from "D.O.A.." A proposition I see as one that would entail an inspiring quality of music. Such is obviously absent from "Run This Town." However, it is deeply disappointing to see this music reach large volumes of people because of the way it sustains the shallow values of money and sex that our own culture seem to consume to the place of identity. Something I cannot find myself happy with. Especially when Jay-Z identifies himself in Maison Martin Margiela; which might imply he connects with or might manifest a vision way outside of the popular mainstream. The said possibility I would have no problem with.

But instead the song supports a problem in the Black community that continues to hinder the overall motion towards scruples that lead from the darkness emphatic attention to material things instead of objects of brighter possibilities. The new song is a fresher variation of Black music that puts a premium on the money. Money at any cost... money from all crevices of illegal activity.

More on what is better later...

No.

I don't have all good reflections of Mens Fashion week. Take a look at this.

From the critically well received Louis Vuitton men's collection for Spring/Summer collection. I say No, first because of the way it has reminded critics so much of bike messengers. Being from Philly, I cannot particularly connect this interpretation of a biker to the ones I am familiar with. This leads me to the fact that the audience's enthusiasm must have been reverberations from nostalgia of bike messengers from the past... or maybe ones from another country? Because bike messengers here do not subscribe to leather, nor bags big enough to be worthy of wheels. Which forces me to question the man that Louis Vuitton wants dress. Because the price tag for looking like a bike messenger or... normal with those bags do not seem appealing. Either way, I need to clear some things up.

Second...

I don't like this silhouette at all really. It reminds me of myself in boxer shorts before I've gotten into my pants, but with my oxfords on already. No. I don't like to be reminded of that or any other vision I've had like that of any other man. But that might just be me in my comfort zone, boxers after all are not the edgy man's uniform. I feel more like: "No Sir, I'd rather not feel like I'm seeing you below the knickers, wear some socks that are invisible or not so high."

In all this reminds me of other things:

A look from the Christian Dior Couture lingerie inspired collection.

from Jezebel.com

Not exactly the same, but conceptually that same pants-less Gaga uniform (yeah I read The Cut, AND?) I get the same feeling comparing both of these. Yes this look has a skirt, but a lace, silken lingerie bottom under a traditional Dior silhouette. As if to reform the previous quote to 50 years to the past: "Oui Madame, Mr.Dior has liberated you with a different look, finally, but you should not feel free enough to mosey without your culottes or skirt or whatever you might wear at this time."

So would both or any of the pictured looks be called progressive? Rebellious? Misguided? Well, it depends on how you view higher pants on men and women plainly without bottoms. Is this the future? Maybe I'm just not cultured enough (yet) to wrap my head around the conceptual and historical references. Maybe this is just a subject I should revisit... like an old book that you understand more the second time around.

But back to Men's. It was head on with the tonal relations of the pieces (familiar Vuitton), which could be worn with other things to maintain a more bike messenger feel. But maybe that's just a runway's unrealistic view of things.

Dear Tyra Banks,

You have continuously taken great care in frustrating me with your show. More than 17 seasons and you have yet to thrust an American "Top Model" from your show. Yes, you developed television model for model scouting but the dynamics of "America's Next Top Model" are troubling. The value it seems to represent can only be classified with televisions trendy and cheap interpretations of real life. It has taken me this far as to write you an open letter on my blog I am more confident will not see the light of more then a score of computer screens. However, this is my shot at articulating just what is wrong with your less than educating show. Where shall I start?

Yes, we all know how "cut throat" and "fierce" the fashion industry is. But sadly, these are the only mentionable phrases that you have fed (and possibly overwrought). That said I can also add that those adjectives are quite true, but they are not descriptive as to how to make it in that industry. It might be safe to assume that the girls you churn from your show can only recognize a few more from a list vocabulary that don't include some designer's name's pronunciation. It sets up a perfect situation for one of your models to be laughed into a shame you prepared them for. It's disappointing to see that over and over again. But. But! You might feed your models this information, but where is it to be found for other girls who lionize the show for their own direction. Who knows? It seems that you contribute to the way fashion is willing to feed on the weak because of the way you do not correctly train your models or the people who watch them. This seen in the way that a model's inexplicable internal talent is rewarded while other girls lack direction, keeping some potential fill girls down and others up. I always knew you were smart Tyra. Me? I need to work on run-on sentences.

And your choices in personalities seem pretty stale. Your selection of fashion insiders, which I am not going to 'air-quote' because I don't care to look up Mr. and Mrs Jay's background, seem to have gotten to be a stale mixture to make for a palette of people who don't seem to work efficiently well together. Consider the panel. You've staid consistent with a model, a runway-diva extraordinaire, yourself, the "Noted Fashion Photographer" and a guest. This is also where I stop getting familiar with the contestant's view of her only chance to receive constructive criticism to improve her game. But on television this is the point where this is where a girl who did exceptionally bad can get overwhelmed with what can be a noisy agreement that she failed and always does that thing. However, not always something on the lines of "here do this next time because ___". Not only will that help her but the millions of people who still chose to watch the show.

Finally, it seems that you don't seem to reflect or discuss a top-model. Yes we all have them all to idolize, but we don't know how they interact with the fashion industry from the inside. It doesen't seem you are connected with the elite fashion industry in anyway to enable this. But you were at one time and it doesn't seem to reflect in many of the challenges.

You need to consider reevaluating your show. It seems to be in need of a revamp or some more interesting dynamics to relate it to the real fashion world. But then again, maybe your just an agent to keep the masses disillusioned so they do not find their way into the industry at all. Dunno. But I felt I should address it.

Love,

Jerome.

Mens Fashion Week(s)

Who says men's fashion is less imaginative? Lots of people, actually. But this season was a lot more expressive and transparent. It's clear everyone's staying true to their imagination and it's given men a multiplicity of color trends and multiple era references. So exciting for me since I've been wary of Men's fashion lately. There would be no way for me to document it all, so here are some of my favorite looks.

Say yes to pants patterns. And mix them. Missoni.

Paints on pants the way you might like them. Moschino.

I never thought I would see a jean look I actually like. Missoni does well with it.

A dandy suit for the long haul. A recession investment. Moschino.

Definitely not my Dad's YSL. Stefano Pilati is on a track I'm not quite sure of.

Those shoulders I thought would look so much more better in a men's style, work. Givenchy.

This is exactly how I'm dressing in the future. Spot on. Calvin Klein Collection.

If you haven't gone to a desert boot by now, it still might be a good investment. Calvin Klein Collection.

A (what looks to be) taffeta worked into a practical sport jacket. Like it. Calvin Klein Collection.

This is exactly how I would want to dress on the beach. SPOT ON SERIOUSLY. Bottega Veneta

All images from the soon to be perished Men.Style.com

Datamoshing: The Beautiful Mismanaging of Pixels

A little while ago I was watching videos on my cell phone. I have really appreciated Kanye West's most recent album, 808s and Heartbreak, so I drifted right on over to the newer Welcome to Heartbreak video. [below] At first I was disappointed at the quality that I was still persisting to see on my mobile. Though the effect was very interesting I have seen this quality and I get frustrated when it shows up in episodes of 30 Rock.

Then, I was sitting doing homework after-school and I watched the video on television. I found the effect to still be present. I then watched it again and my mobile closer. The way it appears on my phone is similar to that of a green screen. When the visual screen changes and Ugly Betty waves her arms you can see Betty's arms but the previous scene. Now view.



Fast forward to this July Issue of Dazed and Confused: How Geek's Secret Art of Datamoshing Seduced Mainstream. Now from what I understand, datamoshing has lots to do with how frames are compressed. In my case, Cingular compresses the videos so that the effect is painfully present on my cell.

The Hem

Hello Readers, new and old alike. Call this my official return to blogging and expect a little more cohesive inspired post from me. Ahem, now... on with it.

There has been a new occurrence in my life that has forced more attention to the bigger world and its trends. I bought a pair of J.Crew Chino Shorts that tested the sensibility of those around me, as with the other "Sartorial Shoves" I provide for those who know me. These 9" length shorts hit above the knee and inspired people to ask me questions like: "Ya, shorts are supposed to be over the knee right?" This, I suppose, is a land locked response to this but got me thinking about hemlines in general.

In this, I question the tastes of the pantaloon lengths. Which of all of them suggest things about the wearer. This depression era topic is an interesting topic that can sometimes be dismissed as a matter of sexuality in our days. This becomes a facetious topic considering the rise and plateau of skinny jeans. However, recalling the likes of 1980s hemlines I want to explore this topic further.

Breeches, or Britches, were popular during the Roman times as they gained their name from Romans themselves. Rather indulgent in togas, the Romans labeled Germanic societies braccati in the spirit of distinction, deeming some Germany groups that name. The popularity of pants descended through time for men in firm solidarity in the 16th century. The earliest edition of "Who's Line Is It Anyway,"Commedia dell'arte showed in Rome around this time and a clever character by the name of Pantalones started a lasting trend: Pants. His wealthy character was among the wealthier likes and possibly set the stage for the French to establish this trend in the wealthier sectors. They distinguished themselves by identifying the poor as sansculottes (sans, without. culotte, pants) . During these times pants, more specifically the Breeches meant that you belonged to higher economic class. This is an interesting take on the way your clothes make social and economic distinctions. [thanks wikipedia]

Back to the cohesion and today, where I find that style choices have begun to take on different meanings and identities. I don't know quite how to put my finger on it, but dressing currently has become less of a linear concept and more of a mash-up of past and present. I like that it is more about trying to redefine and perpetuate change, though.

Details caught wind of the rise of hipsters, the variety that really have money, and identified their spending habits and their own special name: the "poorgeoisie." Think Stefano Pilati's YSL or Kate Moss, any given sunday. This presents a great exaggerated example of how a group of people can dress in opposing terms to where they are expected to dress. Something that you can't really say is happening in the wider spectrum, but more and more people seem to be taking on less of a cohesive overall look.

On the runway, you can't really say you can put your finger on a definitive look this millennium. Keane Etro still uses prints like the 70s never ended, Miuccia Prada identifies a specific Prada man to design for, and the general disregard for trend is spreading. If I would say anything about this I would say it is the newer way of dressing in the new millennium. This mash-up formation of identity is something that I will hope bring us all to a different place.