KIDNAPPED CULTURE

Regurgitation Obsession

kidnappedculture — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:33:31 +0000

I have to admit, at first I thought that Lily Mcmenamy was getting a hall pass because she’s the daughter of living goddess, and my favorite model of all time, Kristen McMenamy. But that’s clearly not the case. There’s something magical about this girl. Genes, perhaps? She comes from good stock after all. Lilly’s father happenes to be the triflin’–fashion photog Miles Aldridge. Any fucking way, fashion’s current obsession with the ’90s–mainly–seems to continue. This time i-D gets inspiration from issues past for Liberate Your Inner Awesome in the Summer 2013 issue photogged by Benjamin Alexander Huseby. Lilly is convincing at channeling early Pj Harvey. Even if opportunities are received by default, Lilly seems to be turning it out. She’s legit and destined for some major shit.

[FashionSpot]

Advert Du Jour

kidnappedculture — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:18:52 +0000

Valentino’s fall accessories campaign photogged by Terry Richardson really pushes the brand into a new space– younger and even more fashion forward. Since Valentino’s dethronement and accessories designers Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri were appointed to the helm, the duo has given the brand new life. I love their point of view both with the clothes and the accessories. Even tho the square Rockstud thing is a bit tired, Pierpaolo and Maria manage to make it look amazing and ownable. The collabo with Terry manages to bring the ethereal Deborah Turbeville world from previous ad imagery down to earth. I don’t even mind Richardson’s tattooed forearms making a cameo. Daddylikes.

UPDATE: additional Rockstud Nior advert

[WWD]

Nothing’s Sacred In The Secret Garden

kidnappedculture — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:41:07 +0000

Dior dropped the second round of its “Secret Garden” campaign photogged by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. The imagery is quite different from what the house has created under Raf Simons. I see a lot of Tim Walker influence. For the most part, since Raf’s appointment at Dior, the advertising images have been shot by his long-time collaborator, Willy Vanderperre. I’m a huge fan of Willy’s editorials but I have yet to be drawn in by any of his advertising imagery– quite flat and one-dimensional. Any fucking way, I trust that Inez and Vinoodh shot a companion film that will sure to wow. Can’t wait to see that and if it has the same hijacked Tim Walker vibe. I guess there’s nothing sacred in the secret garden.

[WWD]

Bullocks Ball

kidnappedculture — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:22:29 +0000

The 2013 Met Gala Red Carpet was so boring that my attention for the live red carpet feed was over-shadowed by the RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5 finale– congrats Jinkx Monsoon. Any fucking way, the red carpet was rather tame and blah. I was expecting some freakshows, but all I really got was a lot of bad Givenchy– clearly the atelier was too busy with Rooney Mara’s gown to work on the other looks. Overall, there was so much bad that it really made the few gems stand out like eyesores. Check out my highs and lows below.

THE BEST:

– Riccardo Tisci with Rooney Mara, in Givenchy Haute Couture
Riccardo must have had all hands on deck for Rooney’s dress because all other Givenchy creations looked horrendous.

– Anne Hathaway, in vintage Valentino
This is how you dress for this type of themed event– slightly goth with the debut of a massive hair overhaul that works.

– Gwen Stefani, in custom Maison Martin Margiela
She can do no wrong for me. She did a “soft punk” look which is gorgeous. She could have defaulted to her usual and gone Hot Topic.

– Miley Cyrus, in Marc Jacobs
Yes, Miley fucking Cyrus. This could have been a total disaster, but she managed to hit the right balance of costume and glam. I’m partial to black fishnet, though.

– Jeff Koons salivating over Anja Rubik in Anthony Vaccarello
Really? I have to hand it to the most successful American artist of my lifetime for brazenly violating Anja with his eyes while being walked by his date.

– Zandra Rhodes in Zandra Rhodes
Because she’s a living legend and goddess. She didn’t fuck around or debate anything– she was herself. If you don’t know who the fuck she is, please leave this site, slap yourself, and Google her NOW.

– Ashley Olsen, in what I assume is The Row
This orange gown incased in gown was phenomenal. The color is bad, but the she looked amazing and memorable.

– Jennifer Lopez, in Michael Kors
What can I say about this fierce bitch? I have a soft spot for her. There’s nothing punk about it, but she turned it the fuck out with– head to toe.

THE WORST:

- Beyoncé, in Givenchy Haute Couture
The honorary chair of the event looked just like that– a chair from a tacky concept Miami hotel. Looks like her early days of Destiny’s Child and her mother’s obbession with discount upholstery fabric.

- Madonna, in Givenchy Haute Couture
Seriously what the fuck is this? Again, it’s Givenchy Haute Couture and it looks like something from the Costume Warehouse liquidation sale. What I do like is Madonna’s new face! She’s looking less puffy and more youthful. She should have just wore her new face. It would have been more apropos.

- Kim Kardashian, in custom Givenchy
I know she’s pregnant but I can’t with this. Strike 3 Givenchy!

- Sarah Jessica Parker, in custom Giles, with a Philip Treacy headpiece
Sarah still thinks she’s Carrie Branshaw and looks like a clown. Delusional.

- Kristen Stewart, in Stella McCartney
F.U.P.A. jumpsuit! Did anyone tell her that it looks as if her vigana starts at her gut?

- Karlie Kloss, in Louis Vuitton
Can some please tell why the hottest model on the fucking planet looks like a soccer mom at her 10 year high school reunion?

- Coco Rocha, in Emanuel Ungaro
The clipped-in bangs. Enough.

- Sloane Knowles, in Kenzo
Because I was expecting something stunning. What gives? I’m sure she had a shit-ton of designers clammering to dress her and she delivered this?

- Linda Evangelista, in Marchesa
She looks like she’s pregnant with a litter of 10 Chow Chows. Another one that could have totally turned it the fuck out.

- Nicole Richie In Topshop
There is no excuse for this. This looks like something out of a high school production of Scrooge– Ghost of Christmas Past.

[Images]

Inspiration & Forewarning

kidnappedculture — Sat, 04 May 2013 21:18:02 +0000

The PUNK: Chaos to Couture Met Ball red carpet on May 6 will surly be as confusing and strange as idea of over-privileged people trying to dress ‘Punk’ in luxury designer clothing. The Met Gala is always a huge night for fashion to showcase its best designs on the most fortunate clothes hangers– consisting of fashion designers, models, socialites, celebs, and artists from various genres. This year the gala will be celebrating punk and its influence on fashion. The event is also changing the game by making gowns available for purchase straight off the red carpet for the first time. How punk rock! No, not really. Personally, I suspect the red carpet will be quite entertaining. Not because I feel like it will be ‘making history’ per se, but because of how ridiculous I assume most of the attendees will look. I anticipate a trivial, insulting, superficial and over-stylized take on Punk: Rodarte, Givenchy, Prabal Gurung, Thom Browne, Preen, Balmain, Commes des Garçons, Dolce & Gabbana, perhaps some Versace for good measure and accessorized with Zane Bayne and Tom Binns. It’ll read like it’s been co-opted and not very authentic– tragic. No shade, I admire most of the designers and their punk influenced pieces. To me, the context in which these pieces are placed seems opportunistic and an excuse to sell items– don’t forget Anna Wintour will be the ringleader of this circus. It’s one thing to be inspired by punk, but another to try and jerry-rig a look to sell on a red carpet. If the attendees and stylists play their cards right, they’d contact Daphne Guinness (who still owns some of the late Isabella Blow’s clothing archives) and Byronesque (a visionary on-line retailer with curated vintage pieces) for some legit garb to throw into the mix. Any fucking way, in anticipation of the PUNK: Chaos to Couture Met Ball red carpet disaster I decided to share some inspiration– two films from my herogoddess and Punktress of this lifetime, Siouxsie Sioux.

Preview from the Met:

Now for some forewarning. Below is a film of what not do– it’s so comical and costume-like courtesy of Vogue.com. But I digress. Perhaps this PUNK: Chaos to Couture Met Ball red carpet will be as ‘punk rock’ as Vivienne Westwood teaming up with Richard Branson to redesign Virgin Atlantic uniform… not very punk at all i$ it? Sadly, the most ‘punk rock’ thing about this whole event might be Anna Wintour at her own punk party.

[Vogue.com • Byronesque • DailyMail]

Karlie Kills

kidnappedculture — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:06:43 +0000

Karlie Kloss is taking over my interweb today with two very different videos– both for editorials, both drastically different. It seems like she keeps following the Gisele Bündchen road to success. There’s an even balance of edge, bubblegum, and sexy when it comes to her image. A formula that was very successful for Gisele. Not a huge surprise since Karlie started working with Gisele’s manager as last September. I find Karlie way more fascinating than Gisele. Karlie is not just a body, she’s a face and a voice– there’s more depth beyond the ‘sexy.’ Anyfucking way, I look forward to global Karlie media domination. I can definitely see her having her own show, perhaps acting, cooking segments– multifaceted. Whatever the future brings I’m sure she’ll be looking sickening and laughing all the way to the ATM. Until then feast your eyes on her cover story video for 032c, where she’s selling me Balenciaga rings and body-ody-ody, and another video for i-D where she’s gunning for a cosmetics contract as the girl next door. Daddylikes.

Hypnotic Wormhole

kidnappedculture — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:40:19 +0000

The legendary Pet Shop Boys just dropped a hypnotic video for their new track– “Axis.” The clip is a wormhole-like travel travelog filled with animal and human hybrids doing an interpretive dance. I’m excited for Pet Shop Boys’ new album since it was produced by Stuart Price, former collaborator of New Order, Madonna and Kylie Minogue. Any fucking way, the new album will also include a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Last To Die” and the Pet Shop Boys can do a good cover. One of the few musical acts that really re-work a song and turn it into something ownable and new. Can’t wait since their last record was a bit of a dud. Stuart Price can do no wrong.

[Facebook/PetShopBuys]

Colourful Cinematic and Cocteau

kidnappedculture — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:50:06 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve seen anything from photog duo Warren Du Preez & Nick Thornton-Jones that’s caught my eye, until now. Check out DREAMLAND from the latest May issue of Numero Magazine. It’s clean, colorful, cinematic, otherworldly, and semi-sci-fi. The images conjure up a Cocteau Twins soundtrack– espeically “Carolyn’s Fingers.” Enjoy!

[Coupde.foudre]

Ancient Aliens Alive

kidnappedculture — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:44:43 +0000

Nearly five years after the amazing Walking On a Dream, Empire of the Sun have finally dropped the first single and video from the upcoming Ice Dune–“Alive.” The track is definitely signature Empire of The Sun– ’80s adult contemporary meets delightful electro-pop. Both the track and video pick up where the band left off– the video give me an otherworldly Ancient Aliens vibe. I’m not hating. I just wish there would have been some surprises. Daddylikes.

[EmpireOfTheSun_FB]

Image Du Jour

kidnappedculture — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:43:20 +0000

Believe it or not this image is from Vogue.com (US). Even more shocking, the picture was photogged by Patrick Demarchelier. This image is giving me everything that I need today. The attire is prefect for client meetings, walking the dog, and Sunday church. Under those gorgeous headpieces are models Mirte Maas and Frida Gustavsson… Leigh Bowery light? This editorial is a bit confusing since it’s part of the story below– which was photogged by Steven Meisel and features Edie Campbell. It screams reshoot. Check out the naff “Rebel Yell” below. What I find a little strange, and hypocritical, is Anna Wintour’s repulsion towards the interactive nude Vivienne Westwood statue that was scheduled to be part of the Punk: Chaos to Couture exhibit at The Met in May, yet the above nude is ok? To me Punk just wouldn’t be possible without Vivienne and I’m repulsed by the way her work was interpreted in the story below.

[FashionSpot]