Rogue Rouge

On Red and Love

 (excerpts)

 

 "Only a few months into our marriage, we started marking off areas in the apartment as 'Nothing Places', in which one could be assured of complete privacy, we agreed that we would never look at the marked-off zones, that they would be nonexistent territories in the apartment in which one could temporarily cease to exist, the first was in the bedroom, by the foot of the bed, we marked it off in red tape on the carpet, and it was just large enough to stand in, it was a good place to disappear … it was a rule that you never would look at that rectangle of space, it didn't exist, and while you were in it, neither did you ..."
 — Jonathan Safran Foer (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close)

"When I was your age, my grandfather bought me a ruby bracelet. It was too big for me and would slide up and down my arm. It was almost a necklace. He later told me that he had asked the jeweler to make it that way. Its size was supposed to be a symbol of his love. More rubies, more love. But I could not wear it comfortably. I could not wear it at all. So here is the point of everything I have been trying to say. If I were to give a bracelet to you, now, I would measure your wrist twice"
— Jonathan Safran Foer (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close)

(And on a related note: )

"If there is no love in the world, we will make a new world, and we will give it walls, and we will furnish it with soft, red interiors, from the inside out, and give it a knocker that resonates like a diamond falling to a jeweller's felt so that we should never hear it. Love me, because love doesn't exist, and I have tried everything that does."
— Jonathan Safran Foer (Everything is Illuminated: A Novel)

INKlination

When it comes to tattoos, there are usually two common and opposing viewpoints: The 'it's body art and therefore a form of self expression' view and the 'your-body-is-a-temple therefore it's a form of self-mutilation' perspective. As someone who has one tattoo (and two more in mind), I for the most part share the former opinion.
Of course, that's just my general opinion.
I actually tend to be somewhat conservative when it comes to skin ink. I prefer small, discrete or subtle designs on myself. I don't mind large or highly visible pieces on others as long as they are somewhat in sync with my core belief.  I believe that if you are going to get a tattoo then it should be a well thought out decision (I'm not an advocate of 'drunk' tattoos). It is a permanent alteration (ok, barring laser removal) to your body and it should at least have enduring value since you will bear it (or them) for a lifetime (again, unless of course you decide to zap it off).
Though I consider some tattoos works of art and/or forms of self expression one only has to google 'ugly' or 'stupid' tattoos to understand the arguments being made by those in the anti-tattoo camp (and also to find themselves cringing, face-palming and occasionally exclaiming 'wtf?!'). I hope I'm not coming across as judgmental for I do realize that like anything of a personal nature, tattoos are subjective. This means that maybe I will never be able to really grasp the true depth and extreme significance of someone's favourite beer logo emblazoned across their chest. But  at the end of the day,  my or anyone else's opinion aside, it is still their body and choice.

Anyway that was my introduction to this feature on my blog. As the (really bad) title implies, it deals with tattoos. I'll feature images of them in pairs sometimes with objects which catch my fancy. It usually will be fashion related (i.e. jewellery or clothes) but don't neglect to expect random objects now and again or even solely tattoo posts. Regardless, it will all add up somehow, never fear.

                           That's all for now and don't forget to shine on, you crazy diamonds.

ph 1-4: via various tumblrs (which I unfortunately forgot to source) on  www.tumblr.com

Celebrating The Gloved Wonder

For me, like most children born in the 80s, Michael Jackson was an intricate part of my childhood. A particularly poignant memory is being six years old in attendance at a wedding reception. There I sat, likely in a pink dress paired with black patent shoes and white socks, daydreaming about dancing like Michael Jackson. Not on the dancefloor but on the electric wires almost lost in the night sky, hovering high above my head. (How exactly was I going to manage to moonwalk on a surface about a centimetre thick? Well while six years do tend to have very vivid imaginations, most are not qualified physicists).

To commemorate his passing, I offer a few MJ style inspired choices. Because of course not only was his music legendary, but also his wardrobe. He managed to create and maintain various signature looks throughout his career. I am sure various fashion outlets will share countless military-styled jackets, gloves, red jackets and patent loafers as style inspiration. My  choices, however, are a bit different. Enjoy and don't forget to moonwalk at the most inopportune time, in the most inappropriate location at least once.You can also yell 'shamone!' while doing so. All crotch grabbing, however, is discouraged as it may lead to sexual harassment and/or public indecency charges being laid against you*.
(*wow I give out more fake legal advice than an episode of Law and Order.)

 THE INSPIRATION

1.  Sheen and Shine: The Sparkly Jacket

                                                    Michael and his mother Katherine in 1984.

THE REALIZATION

As much as I love this, I can't encourage anyone to follow (shiny) suit. Worse still if you're a pedestrian. Just thinking about the amount of daytime traffic accidents likely to be caused by the sun reflecting off this number, will give insurance agents stomach ulcers.

Instead here's a (slightly tamer) 3.1 Phillip Lim alternative, but please wear with caution (and a neutral pair of pants).

THE INSPIRATION

2.Solid Gold Sunglasses

 Months ago while browsing I came across this image and decided all gold sunnies were a must-have for my summer wardrobe. I proceeded to search high and low (ok google in vain) for something even vaguely as awesome. Alas, I began to suspect that (possibly 24karat) Ray Bans are not made for mere mortals, hence the lack of mass production. I couldn't even find any gold framed Ray Bans. I then considered spray painting a pair of knockoffs but the only thing I'll be able to 'see' in those is a trip to the emergency room in the near future.
Anyway lucky for us all I found an alternative in this Super pair with gold lens.

THE REALIZATION

                                                                     SUPER Sunglasses

THE INSPIRATION

3. The Fingertip Fix: White Tape

Now some of us are simply too broke to buy either the jacket or sunglasses but never fear, there is another way to show your MJ love. Simply purchase a roll of white tape or grab it from your stationery draw if you already have some and wrap some of your fingers. Keep the roll with you in case of emergency i.e. needing to re-apply or reinforce tape throughout the day. In order to avoid silly questions such as 'why are you wearing tape on three of your fingers?' I suggest you print the above picture, circle MJ's fingers in red and pin it to your clothes....or keep it handy in some other manner. Instead of having to answer the question countless times, all you'll need to do is point a (taped) finger. Voila!
(p.s. I really hope (and am mostly sure) that's tape and not band aids. But just in case it's the latter, the price point is still pretty low).

THE REALIZATION

 

3M White tape

ph1: www.dailymail.co.uk ph2: www.brownsfashion.com ph3: google images 

ph4: www.everyoneknowsbest.com  ph5: www.mjjpictures.com ph6: www.mypencil.com

Mirror, Mirror

"That which you behold is but the shadow of a reflected form and has no substance of its own. With you it comes, with you it gostays, and it will go with you ..." (Ovid: Metamorphoses)

ph1: source unknown ph2-5: various designers www.areaware.com

Deja-View

You know that old expression, there's nothing new under the sun? Well, it kind of makes a really good point. In fashion, everything gets recycled (we were way ahead of you Al Gore) via trends. That's part of the reason why I would imagine being a rigid trend follower would be a rather frustrating process.

Here's a scenario. A few seasons ago you were told to ditch those flares and bootcuts and now you're having a nervous breakdown in your closet, surrounded by every wash ever made for skinny jeans while contemplating hanging yourself with one of your (many many many many) pairs of leggings. The only thing that stops you is the knowledge that you never invested in (the rather unfortunate and unfortunately named) jeggings. Why all this distress? Because lo and behold Marni, Burberry and the like have been sneaking streamlined flares and bootcut back into circulation. Your first instinct is to now purchase some but we are in the midst of a worldwide economic crisis so there's only one reasonable solution. March down to your local Salvation Army and demand that they return the seven pairs you donated four years ago. On the off chance they refuse to do so then I'm sort of sure that you might have grounds for a lawsuit. (p.s. The awkward wording in that last sentence is to protect myself from a lawsuit).

Honestly though this whole 'what is old is new and old again..but will soon be new'... trending can become mildly perturbing occasionally. I grew up in the 90s and though I was young, I still remember being traumatized by and/or succumbing to many of the trends (neon colours anyone? Lycra cycling shorts? How about Neon coloured cycling shorts? I will only admit to such a ghastly offense in a court of law, thank you very much.) That's why the hipster-led revival of that very recent decade has left me feeling as if I'm in a time warp sometimes. Seriously, are we still in the 90s when Julia Roberts played the same character in every romantic movie,  Madonna was re-inventing herself in order to make the charts, the Backstreet Boys were touring and Kate Moss was in every major fashion publication? Actually, on second thought those might not be the best examples.

     
ABBEY LEE  (2009)                                                                       AXL  (1990)    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

I'm almost convinced the stylist had this magazine cover saved somewhere.

Anyhow, Abbey could easily be the new Erin Everly. Axl is on the market and as long as she doesn't mind supporting him as he takes 15 years to complete another album and doesn't hurt his feelings by telling him that having braided extensions while wearing football jerseys is probably the worst fashion offence of all-worse than socks with sandals and even *shudder* wearing Crocs (in public or private, it's just wrong). She might even get a song written for her and be immortalized  in a Guns N' Roses music video. (For those not in the know, Sweet Child O' Mine was written by Axl for Erin and she appeared in the song's video.Axl apparently likes to put his girlfriends in his videos.See: Stephanie Seymour and the epic 'November Rain').

                                                                     

ph 1: via fuckyeahcutehair on tumblr. ph2: google images

T-Shirt Philosophy

T-shirts like bumper stickers offer their own  timeless yet succint wisdom. You just need to dig deep...really, really, really, really, really, really deep sometimes. Like this t-shirt for example.

The message might not be obvious at first (if at all) but once you meditate, ponder and perhaps consult several spiritual leaders such as your community's Rabbi, local shaman and yoga teacher, you'll realize the true message:

Lions are just (really) big cats. 

Or  perhaps

We should face our fears because they are never as frightening as they may seem.

Hmmm.... maybe we'll just stick with 'lions are just (really) big cats'.

ph1:www.ayearoftees.com, ph2: 60s flickr group

The Artist and the Aesthetic

The Artist and the Aesthetic

Terrence Koh on the streets and Terrence Koh (for Converse) on your feet.

 

I find it interesting to see how the personal style of an artist or designer is reflected in their work. The all-white aesthetic of Mr.Koh, pictured here in a streetstyle shot by Hanneli Mustaparta, is mirrored in his Converse collaboration.

ph1: www.hanneli.com, ph2: via www.knotoryus.com

The Shape of Things to Come

Shoe trends usually focus on the style, type and the height. Other factors we are swayed by season to season, include such things as the shape of the toe. Remember when pointy toed shoes were in, then square, then round and it looks as if pointy may be trying to make a comeback. I sincerely hope it has as much success as David Hasselhoff's attempts to return to the music charts.
We've toyed with the amount of straps (S&M bondage inspired straps and buckles remains the current rage) and even the heel (Marc Jacobs' reverse heel anyone or how about those ultra-curved Christian Sirianos?) But I've noticed a new area of interest....at least new to me. It's not exactly caught on like wildfire, perhaps because it's a more subtle detail. Or perhaps because it could potentially prove to be a tad uncomfortable. (Actually considering the 6 plus inch heels we're generally expected to totter around in while silently praying there is never an occasion where we need to run for our lives, I'll just dismiss comfort as an issue). The shape is a curve which begins at the top of the shoe.

 Exhibit A:  Red deliciousness by the late great Alexander McQueen

Exhibit B: Mechante of London's Beatrix which takes the curve to even greater heights

Exhibit C: The Redbywolves Amber boot comes with the option of folding the top down

Exhibit D: Carol Christian Poell boots for those recovering from sprained ankles courtesy of the aforementioned 6 inchers, a flat option

Exhibit E: For those planning to single-handedly revive disco inferno,Funtasma by Pleaser's Dame in gold should do the trick

 Exhibit F: And finally, Melissa serves up eco-friendly options for the vegans and eco-trenders among us. Bon appetit.

ph1: www.net-a-porter.com, ph2: www.mechanteoflondon.com, ph3: www.notjustalabel.com, ph4:www.stylezeitgeist.com, ph5: www.ebay.com, ph6 and7: www.fashion-conscience.com

Rogue Rouge

Red.

Several studies have indicated that red carries the strongest reaction of all the colours.

• Both the Greeks and the Hebrews considered red a symbol of love, as well as sacrifice.

• In China red carries a largely positive connotation, being associated with courage, loyalty, honor, success, fortune, fertility, happiness, passion, and summer.

• In Japan, red is a traditional colour for a heroic figure.

• In the Indian sub-continent, red is the traditional colour of bridal dresses. It is also the colour of wealth, beauty, and the goddess Lakshmi.

• In Central Africa, Ndembu warriors rub themselves with red during celebrations. Since their culture sees the colour as a symbol of life and health, sick people are also painted with it.

ph1: www.conniechiu.com ph2 and 3: google images. All information via wikipedia.org

QUESTION?

Do we ask ourselves enough questions? I guess that might seem like a silly....(er...warning unavoidable and terrible word usage ahead) question but when it comes to learning new things, asking is probably the easiest way to gain knowledge. (That might help to explain why toddlers go through the 'but why?' phase that many a parent and babysitter across the globe has had to suffer through. You can always tell a former babysitter because they have the telltale sign of a spontaneous eye and/or bodily twitch  whenever you begin a sentence with 'BUT WHY?' Perhaps one day someone will start a support group. Oh, don't look at me. I don't have any kids and I rarely babysit so I'm safe ;) Yes I have younger siblings but I managed to get away with not babysitting. How you may ask? Don't worry, I'm compiling a guidebook as we speak.  Be forewarned however that my tactics require more stealth than those listed in the Art of Ninja guidebook.

But back to the topic at hand. My QUESTION? sections will be something I encourage you to ponder, in order to learn more about....yourself. We rarely question our views on anything unless they are challenged. Sometimes we need to present ourselves with the challenge. But the Q&A need not end there, always question others. After all life is about learning and knowledge is infinite.

#1: QUESTION your views on art. Who is your favourite artist? Who is your least favourite? Why are you drawn (oh a sneak attack with a bad pun) to one as opposed to the other?

                       

ph1: 60s flickr group ph2: Jeffrey Campbell shoes via www.modcloth.com ph3: www.georgelois.com

Ladies and Gentlemen, Introducing.....

 Welcome.

Who am I? That's a very good question.

But a better question is who are you?

Just call me Taye.
I've had intentions of starting a blog for many many years. The number of blogs I have watched 'grow up' are far too many to list. It's actually quite remarkable to see how far fashion blogging has come over the years and how the genre has exploded.
The amount of fashion blogs that exist today  is a tad overwhelming but it also creates opportunity for greater diversity and provides innumerable sources of inspiration. However, each time I'd thought about beginning my blog I'd discover new blogs had cropped up in the meantime which were similar to what I had intended to do. I wrestled with whether or not I should even bother starting my own after waiting all this time and with so many out there already. It  eventually dawned on me that while I continued to keep myself  busy just thinking, others were doing and creating. Plus I finally remembered the reason why I had wanted to start my own blog-to share my passions and interests and discover new things along the way. Even though it has become like one in some aspects, blogging isn't a competition. It's ultimately just a chance to connect with people across the globe, who happen to share the same passions as you.  
While I haven't completely decided exactly what type of blog I want to present (hence why it 'doesn't all add up') I don't intend for my blog to be strictly fashion, even though it will be somewhat fash-centric. The truth is I'm more interested in style than fashion (i.e. trends), though I love Fashion. Inspired by the likes of wonderful multi-dimensional blogs it will likely be a hodgepodge of art, music, fashion, writing and any random thing that tickles my fancy.Besides not every needs to fit neatly into one category and even most fashion blogs are a mixture of fashion and other creative elements.

Oh and don't be shy. Feel free to introduce yourself.

p.s. The amazing header is courtesy of my artistic genius of a friend, T.B. Merci.


ph1: Wroclaw via www.mediabistro.com ph2: www.thorstenbrinkmann.com ph3: www.day19.com ph4: source unknown