Pretty in Pink

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I never think of anything remotely girly as being my style. (Although I do like a bow at the neck, that is purely ironic.) But I found this collection beautiful. Maybe it's more my style than I think.

I like how the fabric makes this look super rich
and prairie-girl at the same time.

(Plus, pockets in fancy dresses are pretty high up on
my list of loves. Maybe that is a little ironic
...or just modern.)

Valentino Spring 2012 Couture.
More at style.com.

Image of the Day

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I am obsessed with this photograph of Joan Didion and her white Corvette Stingray.

Joan Didion, 1970.
Julian Wasser/Time Life Pictures

And this one:

Joan Didion, Hollywood, November 1970

How much does she rock?

New York magazine had an interesting (and sad) article a couple of months ago about Didion and her new memoir, Blue Nights. Read it here.

Best Foot Forward

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Design for winged shoe by Lady San Pedro.
One of 10 finalists in the shoe design contest
sponsored by i-D magazine and Alberto Guardiani.
See more here.

Lunchtime Viewing

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Natasha Poly shot by Willy Vanderperre.

Yesterday the Cut posted a slideshow of the Spring 2012 fashion campaigns. These are some that caught my eye; see a gazillion more (for better, and for worse – and in addition to one or two already recommended by Strath) here. I like a collection, what can I say.

Daria Strokous shot by Willy Vanderperre.

Anja Rubik shot by Inez & Vinoodh.

Wang Xiao, Tao Okamoto, and (the Northwest's own) Kendra Spears
shot by Alasdair McLellan.

Suvi Koponen and Kati Nescher shot by David Benjamin Sherry.
Reminds me of Strath's black books.

Frida Gustavsoon shot by David Sims.

Cushnie et Ochs. Milou Van Groesen shot by Hugh Lippe.

Gisele Bündchen, Mariacarla Boscono, Simone Nobili, and Chris Moore
shot by Mert and Marcus.

Costume National. Alyona Subbotina shot by Glen Luchford.

Candice Swanepoel shot by Daniel Jackson.

Arizona Muse shot by Inez and Vinoodh.

Chanel. Saskia de Brauw and Joan Smalls shot by Karl Lagerfeld.
I really like this campaign.
It makes me think of Coco at the beach, getting her tan.

Prada Menswear. Michael Pitt shot by David Sims. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Thursday Morning, The Jane Hotel

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My new home away from home.

It's Always Gonna Come Back Around

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Shabazz Palaces "Are You...Can You...Were You? (Felt)" from Black Up (2011, Sub Pop). New video for my favorite Shabazz cut by the homey Maikoiyo Alley-Barnes.

The Addams Family

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I don't know...that was just my first thought. They played basketball, right?

Givenchy Spring 2012 Couture [click to enlarge].
See the collection at style.com.

Ricardo Tisci's stated inspiration for the collection: the movie Metropolis (1927, Fritz Lang) and the theme music from the Soviet film Aelita: Queen of Mars (1924). Always so interesting to see what designers choose to reference.

Metropolis trailer (1927; restored)

Audio clip from Aelita: Queen of Mars (1924).

Image of the Day

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Bruce Davidson, London 1960. Girl Holding Kitten.

For no reason, except that I love this photograph, and every time I look at it I think of a friend.

Davidson in The Guardian's series My Best Shot (wherein photographers describe how they got their favorite photo):

In 1960, I purchased a Hillman Minx convertible, which wasn't a very expensive car in those days, and drove around England with the top down. It was an American-drive car, which was an advantage because I could snap people on the sidewalk more easily. I also had a sports coat made with the side pockets larger, so I could fit my Leicas in them.

I found this young woman quite by accident, as I was walking the London streets. I came upon a group of teenagers, and struck up a conversation. They took me into a cave, and then some kind of huge dancehall. I think it was on an island. It was getting late, and I needed to move on the next morning, so I didn't stay very long.

But I isolated this girl to photograph, holding that kitten, which was probably a stray she had found on the street, and carrying that bedroll wrapped around her body. There was a great deal of mystery to her. I didn't know where she had come from, and I didn't get her name, but there was something about that face - the hopefulness, positivity and openness to life - it was the new face of Britain.