Gorgeous gig posters for The Black Angels – so many different variations for each location on the American tour. These are all by Matt Cliff, who got in touch with me after I originally posted about how much I liked the branding for the new album and The Black Angels’ Facebook cover.
Today I headed up to Walthamstow to visit Chris Bracey’s huge studio on Vallentin Road – God’s Own Junkyard. Peeking through the locked iron gates, it really does look just like a junkyard, but once inside it’s like an Aladdin’s cave of neon treasures.I don’t know whether it’s because of the junkyard’s location, or if it’s because not that many people know about it, but when my friend and I showed up at around 2pm on a Saturday – a peak time for visitors in most places – we were lucky enough to be the only people there.The man who works there, John, is really friendly and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of pretty much everything stored in the studio. He was happy to show us round, pointing out props and signs that had been in various films, like Tombraider, Eyes Wide Shut, and the newest installment of the Iron Man films – a huge ‘STARK’ sign. I really can’t recommend this place enough; I’ve never been anywhere else like it!
Another amazing new video from David Bowie! Once again, he’s teamed up with Floria Sigismondi - the same director who did the video for ‘The Stars (Are Out Tonight)’ - and this time Bowie plays a prophet. Gary Oldman co-stars as a priest and Marion Cotillard is the leading lady, portraying a prostitute who develops stigmata. The cinematography and styling in this video is brilliant – so many frames make amazing images in their own right.Love this demonic nun look – definitely doing something similar for Halloween this year!When I first saw it, I thought it was a bit of a shame that people are so jaded these days that it probably wouldn’t be recognised as being particularly scandalous. But then I read some headlines about how it had already pissed off some Catholics and I took comfort in the fact that of course religious zealots and Daily Mail readers are still so easy to shock! Normally I would post the video here, but to enjoy it in its full glory you should probably watch it on Vevo – then you don’t have to see an annoying logo, or watch it on a tiny screen. Enjoy!
Believe it or not, those delectable looking treats in the picture above aren’t dark chocolate macarons. They are actually black pudding macarons by Jane Russell, of Jane Russell’s Original Irish Handmade Sausages. I adore macarons, and I probably love black pudding even more, but I’m just not sure about putting the two of them together! It’s such a bizarre combination; I’d definitely want to try it if I got the chance.
AleXsandro Palombo’s blog, Humor Chic, documents the happenings in the fashion world and beyond. Palombo’s take on the fashion news is both bitchy and funny – think Perez Hilton, but without the irritating omnipresence and with added talent and relevance. His shockingly hilarious pop culture illustrations both celebrate and ridicule fashion’s major players; Hedi Slimane is portrayed digging his own grave as he takes over at Saint Laurent, Anna Wintour cosies up to Barack Obama, along with whole host of far more ludicrous scenarios too.Donatella Versace, and John Galliano shortly after he drunkenly proclaimed his love for Hitler.Creatives, musicians and celebrities feature heavily, with the occasional politician or member of the monarchy making sporadic appearances as well. It really seems like when it comes to mockery, Palombo is a man after my own heart – he likes to turn his attention to a bit of everything. Below, he has portrayed Kate Middleton as some kind of power-hungry femme fatale who beats her husband and wants to kill the Queen! I think I kind of prefer her to the real Kate Middleton, who is pretty much the definition of passive, well-behaved marriage material. So blaaah.However, not all of his portraits are derisive or mean – here is quite a sweet drawing of the late Amy Winehouse that he posted the day after her death.
I’ve been quite busy recently, so didn’t have the chance to post this when it was new. Nonetheless, it doesn’t change how brilliant this Floria Sigismondi-directed video for David Bowie’s most recent release is. Starring Bowie and Tilda Swinton as a happily ageing couple, the pair find themselves hounded and tormented by a whole host of celebrities, who also inhabit the wealthy neighbourhood. The beautiful cinematography, which is by Fight Club’s Jeff Cronenweth, reminds me so much of some of Gregory Crewdson’s most iconic photographs – that suburban veneer of affluence masking a much darker truth. The styling is by Jerry Stafford, creative director of Première-Heure and longtime stylist to Tilda Swinton. Clothes in the video are by McQueen, Lanvin, Jil Sanders, Dior, Lanvin, Pringle, Rick Owens, Saint Laurent and KTZ…so chances are, if you like any of the pieces, you’re going to have to look for a high street knock-off version!
For those who don’t know, The Rodnik Band is the fashion label by London-based Scotsman, Philip Colbert. The line is really fantastical, and reminds me of some of my favourite designers, like Jeremy Scott and Jean Charles de Castelbajac. While these designers don’t really reflect my personal style, they embody some of the things that I love most about fashion – that whole cartoonish aspect, and indulgent outfits that celebrate being ridiculous and surreal. I really wish that more people wore outlandish clothes like this – it kind of bores me to see the rich and famous making such sensible and subdued fashion choices! I mean, when you have that much cash, would you ever need to justify something as an ‘investment piece’ ever again?
Below are some images from The Rodnik Band’s latest collection and lookbook.
I really enjoy silly humour within TV adverts, so this series of ads created for Cadbury’s Creme Egg by Fallon have obviously tickled me. This one, in particular, is my favourite.
I’ve seen three so far. I hope that there are more variations, because they crack me up (excuse the pun).
My favourite thing about this ‘Every Occasion Card’ is toying with the idea of creating completely awkward social situations with it. I can imagine that there are probably a lot of people out there who might like to send their ex a message saying something like, ‘Congrats on your horrible fucking baby’. Similarly, what with Christmas being just around the corner, I’m sure that there will be a lot of disgruntled people who want to write, ‘Thanks for the stupid ass gift’ to a friend, relative or spouse.
These cards are actually available to buy – you can get them here.
Gorgeous gig posters for The Black Angels – so many different variations for each location on the American tour. These are all by Matt Cliff, who got in touch with me after I originally posted about how much I liked the branding for the new album and The Black Angels’ Facebook cover.
