HERE’S HOW TO HELP HOUSTON

The roots of IRIS Covet Book are planted in Houston, and it breaks our hearts to see the impact that this storm has had on the citizens of Texas. With more rainfall and subsequent damage, health risks, and loss of life and property to come, it will be an upward battle for the resilient Lone Star state. Luckily, many celebrities, philanthropists, activists, politicians, etc. have reached out and donated to relief funds all over the country. Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook has promised to match donations for relief through the Center of Disaster Philanthropy for up to a million dollars, Kim Kardashian and her family have pledged $500,000, and many other notable figures have gone even beyond that in order to help those in need.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYYergyAYU5/?taken-by=jlo

Jennifer Lopez and partner, Alex Rodriguez, donate $25,000 (x2) as part of the celebrity social media challenge to raise money for relief

In a statement to the Houston Chronicle, Beyoncé said, “My heart goes out to my hometown, Houston, and I remain in constant prayer for those affected and for the rescuers who have been so brave and determined to do so much to help. I am working closely with my team at BeyGOOD as well as my pastor [Rudy Rasmus at St. John’s in downtown Houston] to implement a plan to help as many as we can.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYUY2sDg47b/?taken-by=beyonce

In these uncertain times of what seems like constant breaking news and socio-political strife, it is heart-warming to know that even when things seem to be the darkest, we can count on each other to shed light and give aid. In the meantime, during these recovery efforts, we can continue to donate, volunteer, and pray for a speedy recovery to those affected.

– Irma Brindis, Publisher

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYWnM3Hjh_g/?taken-by=traceeellisross

To donate to the organizations, see the links below.

Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund that will accept tax deductible flood relief donations for victims that have been affected by the recent floods.

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief – Meets the urgent needs of communities in crisis, from serving food to volunteers in rebuilding communities.

Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County – Provides shelter and resources for the homeless of Houston and surrounding areas.

Texas Diaper Bank – Provides diapers to those in need. In everyday life, and especially in times of crisis, diapers are an essential that is incredibly hard to afford.

SPCA Of Texas – Works to rescue and relocate animals caught in Hurricane Harvey.

Portlight – a disaster response organization specifically serving individuals with disabilities.

The Galveston Food Bank

Food Bank Of Corpus Christi

Houston Food Bank

Driscoll Children’s Hospital – This hospital will be taking in evacuated NICU babies.

American Red Cross

WEB EXCLUSIVE – AFTERNOON STROLL BY JOSH FILAURI

DEPECHE MODE GLOBAL SPIRIT TOUR COMES TO NORTH AMERICA

Depeche Mode will embark on North American leg of the Global Spirit Tour with 30 shows scheduled for the US and Canada.

Image courtesy of depechemode.com.

One of the most influential, beloved and best-selling musical acts of all time, Depeche Mode have sold over 100 million records and played live to more than 30 million fans worldwide. Formed in 1981, Depeche Mode – Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and Andy Fletcher – continue to win critical and commercial acclaim around the world both in the studio and on the road, with innumerable artists citing them as inspirations and innovators. The band’s 13 studio albums have reached the Top Ten in over 20 countries, including the US and UK. Their last studio album, 2013’s Delta Machine, debuted at #1 in 12 countries around the world, and launched a world tour that saw the band play to more than 2.5 million fans. In fall 2016, Depeche Mode’s Video Singles Collection, a definitive 3 DVD library anthology containing more than four hours of their groundbreaking music videos, was released by SONY Music Entertainment. Their 14th studio album Spirit and the Global Spirit Tour are poised to continue the band’s history of musical innovation and the band’s critical and commercial success.

Following an extensive European summer tour, the 28 show North American run, exclusively promoted by Live Nation, will kick off on August 23rd in Salt Lake City, UT and will stop in 26 cities across the United States and Canada, before wrapping up in Edmonton, Alberta on October 27th.

Iconic, multi-platinum musical pioneers Depeche Mode released a digital bundle featuring remixes of their track “Going Backwards”. The bundle includes 12 remixes of “Going Backwards” as well as special remixes of “Poison Heart” and “You Move.” The release will be available through all digital and streaming services; fans can purchase here: http://smarturl.it/GoingBackwardsRMX

Image courtesy of depechemode.com.

Vinyl and CD versions of the bundle will be available in September. “Going Backwards” is the second single from Depeche Mode’s 14th studio album, Spirit, which debuted at No. 1 in multiple countries including Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal and Denmark. Proving to be not only a fan but critic favorite, Spirit additionally debuted in the Top 10 in 15 countries, including coming in at No. 5 in the United States and the United Kingdom, all while earning critical acclaim, with Q Magazine calling Spirit “the most energized Depeche Mode album in years”. See below for track listing of the remix collection.

Long celebrated for quality videos as innovative and provocative as the music they make, Depeche Mode also recently released a compelling visual for “Going Backwards.” The stunning video, featuring a stripped-back performance of the track and filmed in 360 degree technology, can be seen online here:http://smarturl.it/GoingBackwards360. The video was directed by Timothy Saccenti, known for his immersive photographic style, and features Depeche Mode in a stylized, full-scale video experience.

Spirit was produced by James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco, and marks the band’s first collaboration with Ford (Foals, Florence & The Machine, Arctic Monkeys) and serves as the follow up to the band’s blockbuster 2013 album Delta Machine, which debuted at #1 in 12 countries.

Image courtesy of Columbia Records.

Depeche Mode is currently supporting the release of Spirit with an extensive world tour – The Global Spirit Tour. The first leg kicked off May 5th in Stockholm, Sweden and stopped at stadiums in 21 countries across Europe. Depeche Mode will soon embark on the North American leg of Global Spirit Tour. The 30 show North American run, exclusively promoted by Live Nation, will kick off on August 23rd in Salt Lake City, UT and will stop in 26 cities across the United States and Canada, before wrapping up in Edmonton, Alberta on October 27th. For the full tour schedule and to sign up to receive news and announcements of tour dates, please visitwww.depechemode.com.

On the North American leg of the Global Spirit Tour, the band will continue their charity partnership with Swiss watch maker Hublot, raising money and awareness for charity: water toward their mission of providing safe drinking water to everyone in the world.

The Global Spirit Tour is in support of the band’s 14th studio album, Spirit, released March 17th via Columbia Records. The album’s powerful and timely first single, “Where’s The Revolution”, was well-received by critics and fans alike, lauded as a strong “return to form” for Depeche Mode. Spirit has garnered critical acclaim in early previews, with Q Magazine calling it “the most energized Depeche Mode album in years”.

Depeche Mode Global Spirit Tour – Fall 2017 North American Tour

August 23 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre

August 25 Denver, CO Pepsi Center

August 27 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre

August 30 Chicago, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

September 1 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena

September 3 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre

September 5 Montreal, QC Centre Bell

September 7 Washington, DC Verizon Center

September 9 New York, NY Madison Square Garden

September 11 New York, NY Madison Square Garden

September 13 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

September 15 Miami, FL AmericanAirlines Arena

September 18 Nashville, TN Ascend Amphitheater

September 20 Austin, TX Austin360 Amphitheatre

September 22 Dallas, TX Starplex Pavilion

September 24 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman

September 27 Phoenix, AZ AK-Chin Pavilion

September 30 Las Vegas, NV T-Mobile Arena

October 2 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara County Bowl

October 6 San Diego, CA Mattress Firm Amphitheatre

October 8 San Jose, CA SAP Center

October 10 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena

October 12 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl

October 14 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl

October 21 Seattle, WA KeyArena

October 23 Portland, OR Moda Center

October 25 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena

October 27 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place

Citi® is the official credit card of the Global Spirit Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, March 7 at 10AM through Citi’s Private Pass® program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

AT&T is sending customers to the front of the line with AT&T priority pre-sale ticket access also beginning on Tuesday, March 7 at 10AM via the AT&T THANKS program. For complete pre-sale details visit att.com/frontoftheline.

The Atelier with Alina Cho: PROENZA SCHOULER

The next Atelier with Alina Cho will feature designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, on Thursday, October 12, at 7:00 p.m. at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. American design talent standouts, Jack and Lazaro rocked the fashion boat in July with their journey across the Atlantic to show their Spring/Summer 2018 ready-to-wear collection during the Fall/Winter 2017 haute couture shows in Paris. Pioneers of style and craft since they launched their brand 15 years ago, the fathers of the 10-year-old perennial “It Bag” known as PS1, will chat with journalist Alina Cho about why they showed in Paris, how they manage their personal and professional relationship, and what inspires their collections.

Now in its fourth season, The Atelier with Alina Cho has featured fashion visionaries such as Alber Elbaz, Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Olivier Rousteing, Donatella Versace, Alexander Wang, and Anna Wintour in conversations that explore the intersection of fashion and art along with a range of personal topics.

This series is made possible by the Doris & Stanley Tananbaum Foundation in memory of Doris Tananbaum. Proenza Schouler is a New York-based womenswear and accessories brand founded in 2002 by designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez while they were students at Parsons School of Design. Known for drawing inspiration from contemporary art and youth culture, Proenza Schouler has played an important role in reinvigorating American fashion. Named after the designers’ mothers, using their maiden names, Proenza Schouler won the inaugural CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Award and has won five CFDA awards including Womenswear Designer of the Year and Accessory Designer of the Year. The brand has six freestanding stores, the first of which opened in New York City in 2012, and is sold in more than 350 stores worldwide.

Alina Cho is currently Editor-at-Large at Ballantine Bantam Dell, responsible for acquiring and co-editing books in the fashion and lifestyle categories. She was previously National Correspondent at CNN and host of Fashion: Backstage Pass.

Tickets start at $40. Premium seating is available.
For tickets and information, visit www.metmuseum.org/tickets or call 212-570-3949.
Tickets are also available at the Great Hall Box Office, which is open Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m. –3:30 p.m.
Tickets include Museum admission on the day of the event.
Prices are subject to change.

PORTALS

In our modern world, where communication is omnipresent via social media, texting, and online forums, it is a novelty to find a method of communication that goes beyond words on a screen. Amar Bakshi was shaped by his experience with a grandmother whom he maintained a relationship through an electronic medium, and his long bus rides back to law school during which he struck up conversations with random strangers to pass the time. However, Amar felt as if the same devices that keep us connected to our friends and family were restricting us socially. Social media outlets like facebook and communication apps like skype encourage conversations with the same people, and limit experiences with new people. It is with this revelation that Amar created Portals.

What began “as a daydream” now has over 20 locations all over the globe. Amar’s “Portals” are gold-covered shipping containers and tents that look like they belong in The Fifth Element. Within the containers are darkened rooms that allow the participants to have face-to-face conversations with another Portal across the world. The climate-controlled environments have been optimized for these conversations, with high-definition cameras allowing the immersive experience to provide the most realistic projection of the other Portal. Participants may talk for however long they desire, as long as the other Portal is willing to comply. The Portals, originally intended solely for conservation, have become home to intimate concerts, family reunions, and moving displays of dance. Amar “expected the Portals experience to be neat, unexpected – maybe cool. But we were surprised to find it had such an emotional effect.” Amar and his team regularly have to pull participants out after conversations run longer than two hours. Portals are staffed by a full-time “Portal Curator” who help participants with translation, interpretation, engaging the broader community, and organization of special events.

These Portals have an element of privacy and anonymity that is lost in today’s world. Amar explains “Cell phones don’t work in the Portal. Nothing is live-tweeted. Participants are unlikely to see their counterpart abroad again, so whatever they say is not likely to make its way back to friends at home. Third, the conversations felt relatively natural. Instead of talking to a disembodied head on a computer screen, participants spoke to a full, standing human being – fidgeting and swaying – and made direct eye contact, unencumbered by goggles or headphones.” These intimate and privatized experiences lead to more wholesome and engaged conversations that have led to the Portals becoming a international fascination.

All Portal sites can be found here: https://www.sharedstudios.com/sites
More information about Portals can be found here: http://www.amarcbakshi.com/portals/
To organize a portal for your community, visit: https://www.sharedstudios.com/contact

Article by Sol Thompson
All Images courtest of Shared Studios

BLONDIE

On the brink of a summer tour promoting the release of her 11th studio album with Blondie, the punk/new-wave/rock goddess, Debbie Harry,
shows no signs of slowing down.

Blazer by Vivienne Westwood | Fox Fur Leopard Print Boa by Georgine | Sunglasses by Le Specs Luxe

Photography by Nicolas Kern | Styling by Britt McCamey | Interview by Roger Padilha

Ever since she injected New York City’s ground-breaking, underground music scene with her infectious presence, Debbie Harry found her rightful place as Queen of Cool, and for the past 41 years has reigned as a trailblazing pioneer within the realms of pop culture, fine art, high fashion, and music. Arriving at Splashlight studios with an entourage of one, the low key Harry informs us there is no need for the more discreet side entrance. Instead she prefers to stand in line and check in with the front desk security like everyone else. This drama free attitude seems in line with her polite demeanor upon entering the set with a shopping bag full of past Blondie tour t-shirts and introducing herself to everyone on the crew. “Hi, I’m Debbie. Would anyone like a t-shirt?”

At the age of 71, Harry and her world-famous, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, Blondie, have released their eleventh studio album entitled Pollinator. Since their debut album in 1976, through the band’s signature look and pioneering new wave/punk music, Blondie has become an internationally recognized and praised band. With her photogenic face, two-toned hair, and punk style Harry quickly rose to the level of fashion and pop culture icon. Debbie quickly became a muse for Andy Warhol, the late fashion designer Stephen Sprouse, and famed fashion photographer Steven Meisel, to name a few. She was and remains very influential across music genres, and Blondie’s song Rapture became the first #1 song in the US to feature rap, thanks to her influence by friends Fab Five Freddy, and hip- hop pioneer, Grandmaster Flash.

Frontwoman Harry and guitarist/conceptual mastermind Chris Stein were the founding members of Blondie, along with drummer Clem Burke, whose powerhouse playing always distinguished Blondie’s sound. Their newest project, Pollinator, is a fusion of pop and disco with that ineffable Blondie sound. The newly released album is mostly comprised of collaborations with outside performers and songwriters. The list of collaborators include Dev Hynes of Blood Orange, Johnny Marr of the Smiths, Charlie XCX, Sia, Laurie Anderson, Joan Jett, The Strokes’ Nick Valensi, comedian John Roberts, and Dave Sitek from TV on the Radio. The album’s first single, “Fun”, sets the tone for the album, with a music video that features technicolor footage of an astronaut flying to Mars cut with scenes of the band performing at a psychedelic rave in space.

The album title, Pollinator, refers to Blondie’s creative cross-pollination over the years with many other icons in the industry. With the fabulous collaborations between Blondie and other artists throughout the studio album, Pollinator is a veritable hive of delicious tracks and beats to enjoy. The Rage and Rapture Tour kicks off on July 5th and features the acclaimed alternative rock band Garbage.

Though the tunes were culled from disparate sources, the feel of the album is impressively unified, with a playful nod to 1978’s groundbreaking Parallel Lines. Harry, Stein, Burke, and company took this raw material and deftly transformed it in the studio into an album that’s quintessentially Blondie. The emphasis is on arrangements that are fast and fun, lyrics that are romantic and teasing, and synth-stoked hooks that evoke the New Wave era. It was Grammy-winning producer John Congleton (Franz Ferdinand, St. Vincent, Sigur Ros, David Byrne, War on Drugs) that brought the late 70’s attitude out of Blondie again. He found himself having breakfast with Debbie and Chris in the summer of 2015. “We hung out for an hour, talked about music, about where they were as people and what they thought a Blondie record should sound like these days. We were simpatico on that.”

“I had more of a deliberate agenda than they did,” says John. “Their agenda was the best agenda: they still love each other; they like playing music, so let’s have fun. At the end of the day Blondie doesn’t have anything to prove. My agenda was more dogmatic. I didn’t want to make a pastiche lifestyle record or a modern pop record that sounded like Blondie being influenced by what’s happening now. I wanted to know what it’s like to be Blondie at this age.” Debbie, Chris, and Clem joined by band members bassist Leigh Foxx, guitarist Tommy Kessler and keyboardist Matt Katz-Bohen have embarked on a new Blondie summer tour.

Leather Trench by Georgine | Bloomers by Miu Miu | Tights by Falke | Patent Pumps by Laurence Dacade | Earrings by Orchid & Art Deco

We were fortunate enough to chat with the legendary rockstar at Splashlight Studios in Manhattan during her exclusive Iris Covet Book photoshoot.

How have you managed fame as an artist? Do you find that the commercial aspect of making music gets in the way of artistry?

Being a more private type, fame has sometimes been disturbing. But as a commercial artist, it is the goal isn’t it? To become known and get your music out into the world market.

I feel like I see your face and image every day on t-shirts and instagram. Are you ever overwhelmed by the global impact of the band and the image you played a definitive part in creating?

If I stop to think about it, yes it is overwhelming. That’s all part of the game though, isn’t it?

You’ve always seemed to be very reserved and a bit of an introvert in person, but yet you have been able to get onstage and perform in huge venues in front of millions throughout your career. What is the process you undergo to change into that onstage, larger-than-life persona?

I don’t really think of myself as an introvert but I have been described as being very polite. I was encouraged growing up to be well mannered and able to listen to others. To not always have to be the center of attention when in social situations. On stage it’s a different story…….it’s MY stage.

On Debbie: Jacket by Marc Jacobs | Skirt (Worn as a dress) by Comme des Garçons from New York Vintage | Tights by Falke | Pumps by Laurence Dacade
On Chris: His Own Clothing

Never satisfied to rest on your laurels, Blondie’s incessant need to fly the flag for cross-genre rock never relinquishes because your punk spirit never died. How do you keep your punk spirit alive?

Punk spirit…just stubborn I guess. Always have been. Independence has always been important to me. I grew up in a sheltered home and was always wanting to see more of the big bad world.

How was it collaborating with all of these amazing, boundary-pushing artists such as Sia, Dev Hynes of Blood Orange, and Joan Jett?

Collaboration has always been something I enjoy doing. It can be so much fun tossing ideas around. I loved working with Dev Hynes and Joan Jett, whom I’ve known for years. Sia actually wrote the song [on the new album] and I only met her briefly at a Saturday Night Live party. I’m happy the way it all came together. It was a different approach for us, to draw in all of these things. I feel like we did what we did back then, and we put out these sounds and ideas and now have come full circle. We are pulling it back in, continuing this ongoing chain of events, this circular motion.

You will be touring the country with the legendary rock band, Garbage, fronted by Shirley Manson. Tell us about how this tour collaboration came to be, have you worked together before?

I don’t think we ever worked together before, but I met Shirley many years ago in Scotland when she was singing with Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie. Years later we ran into each other at Gary Kurfirst’s office. We were both being managed by Gary at the time. Shirley and her band Garbage are one of my faves.

40 million album sales and countless accolades later (including a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction in 2006 and NME Godlike Genius Award in 2014) has cemented the band’s importance. After all of the success, what inspires you to keep creating new music?

One of the most inspiring things to happen in the last year has been the David Bowie release after his death. I only hope that I can be one-tenth as creative as he has been, and to leave a parting gift of music or art is truly what art is about.

Jacket by Song Seoyoon | T-Shirt by Han københavn

Two of the original members of the band have been replaced with other musicians over the years, how has the new dynamic of Blondie shifted the energy of the band?

Good question. Blondie has always been, or tried to be, a true ensemble situation. Input by musicians or actors in a group is extremely valuable, but not always easy. We have one fucking great band now, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear us play the new material.

When you first moved to New York, it was a much more dangerous and rough city, but that energy also helped fuel many creatives at the time. Now that NYC has gone through so much gentrification and commercialism, do you think it’s possible for artists to make profound music and art in the “new” New York City?

Food for thought…that’s what cities and colleges supply. So why not, in spite of all the odds against it, why can’t a fresh, alert mind be creative in any circumstance. Although chaos is famous for being the founder of great creativity.

Which album or song are you most proud of? And beyond that, what are you most proud of in your life?

I don’t think I can limit myself to one album or song, they all seem connected to each other for me. As for my life, I’m amazed that I actually achieved my dreams and that I’m still at it.

You’ve done 11 albums with Blondie and 5 albums as a solo artist, not to mention compilations and collaborations on other artists’ albums. How do you stay inspired? Is there anything you feel you haven’t said through your art yet?

Knowing what you like and what excites you is the most important part and Blondie is really the only group I’ve ever been in with the exception of singing with the Jazz Passengers for about four years. Fortunately, now I’m on a collision course with environmental issues. As I’ve gotten older and climate, clean air and water have become more important issues for us, I want to do my part to draw attention to these problems and their solutions.

The world lost a great contributor to the arts recently with the passing of your friend Glenn O’Brien. Glenn was very supportive of Iris Covet Book and agreed to be interviewed for our first issue. He was always very generous to emerging creatives. Can you share a favorite memory you had with Glenn?

Oh yes, Glenn was a great writer and a keen observer of the arts. He had such a wonderful style: dry and funny, so sharp. I will miss him. Before he passed he gave me his newest book, LIKE ART which I have enjoyed thoroughly. I have had lots of good times hanging out with Glenn and Chris. Just talking and making fun of things like on TV Party when they were co-hosts. I feel lucky to have known him.

Blondie really incorporated so many different genres and types of music that it seems unfair to call you just a Punk pioneer as many people do. What would you like your music legacy to be?

A lot of the music that I’ve made over the years was never even recorded and maybe this is something special. Food for the spheres. Blondie albums and Deborah Harry albums have had a lot of different musical and cultural influences but this is the city we live in and the world of today. Let’s face it, we can know as much as we want about all the cultures of the world. What we need is time travel.

Patent Coat by Miu Miu | Earrings by Ana Khori

Buy Pollinator at http://www.blondie.net/ or stream on Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon

GUCCI AND BEYOND

“Gucci and Beyond”, the tagline of Gucci’s new Winter collection, is an apt description of a collection that serves as a love letter to the science fiction shows of the 50’s and 60’s. The most recent collection announcement video pays homage to Star Trek, Star Wars, The Creature from the Black Lagoon and other iconic science fiction hits. The video itself is a love letter to the show, from the classic funk/orchestral score, to the Star Trek set-pieces and stop-motion dinosaur, all of which led to the original shows being loved by so many.

While the video borrows from other series, Star Trek serves as the focal point. The spandex jumpsuits, metallic accessories, and the iconic double-knit sweaters that made the costumes of the show unique and trendsetting, are updated and modified into Gucci’s vision.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW-FW5FF5vS/?taken-by=gucci&hl=en

However, the video is not the only 60’s sci-fi inspired-content that Gucci is producing. Alessandro Michele is venturing into the extraterrestrial with bright colors, vibrant patterns, and eye-catching pieces. The teaser interviews posted to Gucci’s instagram features modelesque “aliens” with metallic skin, pointed ears, and makeup reminiscent of the otherworldly species of Star Trek. These characters are also featured in the official announcement video, donning the incredible pieces of the newest collection. Among the classic motifs of Gucci are colorful dresses, patterned sweaters, and floral overcoats that are clearly inspired by the color schemes of Star Trek. The red suit featured in the video is a modern update on the classic red sweater that is worn by Captain Picard, and the heavy use of reflective beads and crystals on many of the dresses featured in the video are reminiscent of the sparkling effects used in Star Trek when the characters are transported to the back to the USS Enterprise.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTHyEJbFL5S/?taken-by=gucci&hl=en

The concept of space travel and sci-fi is particularly relevant today, as we are living in a, somewhat more boring and perverted, version of the future that these shows have predicted. What was originally invented by the directors of the time as postulations of the futuristic societies, as well as ways to escape the realities of post-war America, Nixon, Vietnam, etc., is now our reality. Other designers, such as Raf Simons and Saint Laurent, are attempting to not only channel and draw inspiration from the futures of the science fiction genre, but use their collections to push the boundaries of what we think is an ideal future. While other companies, like Saint Laurent, choose to channel more dystopian futures with dark colors, hard lines, and slim tailoring, Gucci has created its own future with this collection. The feelings invoked by the announcement video stand in contrast to the stark and potentially scary realities of Saint Laurent and Raf Simons, opting for a fun and whimsical view of the future. We’d love to see a future collaboration between Gucci and Mars One, ensuring Earth’s dominance over extraterrestrial fashion as we venture into the cosmos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTG4sJYlD0b/?taken-by=gucci&hl=en

Article by Sol Thompson and Benjamin Price

All Images Courtesy of Gucci’s Instagram @Gucci

PYPER AMERICA SMITH AND BRANDON THOMAS LEE

Real-life couple and famed social media influencers Pyper America Smith and Brandon Thomas Lee stand out in any crowd–single or attached. Fame runs in the family for both; Pyper’s band, The Atomics, comprised of her sisters and top-model brother, Lucky Blue, most recently appeared in the H&M Loves Coachella campaign. Dolce & Gabbana poster boy Brandon is the son of bombshell Pamela Anderson and Motley Crue founding member Tommy Lee. Sharing their spark in front of the camera, the couple time travel to the futuristic bedroom from Stanley Kubrick’s cinematic masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey, at The 14th Factory in L.A.

On Pyper: Dress by Helo Rocha
On Brandon: Blazer by SAND Copenhagen, Shirt and tie by Thomas Wylde

All Clothing by Dolce & Gabbana All Clothing by Raisa & VanessaLeft: Shirt by Louis Vuitton, Pants by Ron Tomson, Shoes by Christian Louboutin
Right: On Pyper: All Clothing by The Blonds; On Brandon: Shirt by Thomas Wylde, Pants by Shoreditch, Ring by Chrome Hearts, Watch by RolexBlazer by BRNC, Pants by Ron Tomson, Jacket by Ports 1961, Shoes by Cesare PaciottiLeft Page: Dress by Missoni, Choker by Zana Bayne, Rings by Le Vian
Right Page: On Pyper: Dress by Helo Rocha; On Brandon: Blazer by SAND Copenhagen, Shirt and tie by Thomas Wylde

REN HANG

Ren Hang, who took his life February 23, 2017, was an unlikely rebel. Slight of build, shy by nature, prone to fits of depression, the 29-year-old Beijing photographer was nonetheless at the forefront of Chinese artists’ battle for creative freedom. Like his champion Ai Weiwei, Ren was controversial in his homeland and wildly popular in the rest of the world. He said, “I don’t really view my work as taboo, because I don’t think so much in cultural context, or political context. I don’t intentionally push boundaries, I just do what I do.”

 Why? Because his models, friends, and in his last years, fans, are naked, often outdoors, high in the trees or on the terrifyingly vertiginous rooftops of Beijing, stacked like building blocks, heads wrapped in octopi, body cavities sprouting phone cords and flowers, whatever entered his mind at the moment. He denied his intentions were sexual, and there is a clean detachment about even his most extreme images: the urine, the insertions, the many, many erections. In regards to his work with the nude male form, Ren stated in an interview: “It’s not just dicks I’m interested in, I like to portray every organ in a fresh, vivid and emotional way.”
 
In the same piece, Hang also stated, “Gender isn’t important when I’m taking pictures, it only matters to me when I’m having sex,” making him a pioneer of gender inclusiveness. Nudity and sex are the most prevalent themes in Ren’s work. Ren said, “I like people naked and I like sex; I use nudity so that I can feel more realism and sense of presence.” His preparation before shooting was simple and quick. Ren’s works were natural and without complex settings. There were no preferred places for Ren to shoot because he believed anywhere was beautiful and worthy to be shot.
 
Nudity is not a theme in the artifacts which are widely accepted by the older generation of China. Ren’s works are oftentimes misread by the public as pornography, although some articles wrote that Ren used his photographs to jam cultural traditions, which misunderstood and treated the nudity as a shame. Ren didn’t believe he was challenging the stereotype and leading a revolution. For Ren, nudity and sexuality are natural themes which he shot in his works. “Nudes have always been there. We were born nude. So talking about revolution, I don’t think there’s anything to revolutionize. (…) I just photograph things in their more natural conditions.” Ren said he was not trying to liberate nudity and sexuality since he believed that younger generations in China were open-minded and less affected by the old-fashioned cultures. Young fans still eagerly flock to his website and Facebook, Instagram, and Flickr accounts.
 
His photographs, all produced on film, have been the subject of over 20 solo and 70 group shows in his brief six-year career, in cities as disparate as Tokyo, Athens, Paris, New York, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Vienna, and yes, even Beijing. He self-published 16 monographs, in tiny print runs, that now sell for up to $600. TASCHEN’s Ren Hang is his only international collection, covering his entire career, with well-loved favorites and many never-before-seen photos of men, women, Beijing, and those many, many erections. We take solace remembering Ren’s joy when he first held the book, shared by his long-time partner Jiaqi, featured on the cover.

All Images © Ren Hang | Book available for purchase: https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/sex/all/05318/facts.ren_hang.htm

SUPREME X LOUIS VUITTON

Supreme has emerged as a player in the world of high fashion. The evolution from a skateboarding supply store in 1994 to an internationally recognized streetwear powerhouse, Supreme has constantly impressed and acted as a pioneer in the fashion industry. The cult-like following often elects to pay double or triple the retail price of the clothes in order to attain the highly coveted pieces via resale sites, such as eBay or Grailed. With its most recent collaboration, Supreme has elected to once again push its limits and enter the world of high fashion. The new collaboration with Parisian fashion titan Louis Vuitton features bags, jackets, scarves, tees, and accessories.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ5ymqSjOEX/

A$AP Rocky models the unreleased Supreme X Louis Vuitton monogram logo pants.

Louis Vuitton and Supreme have shared history dating back to 2000, when Louis Vuitton sued the NY streetwear brand for mimicking its iconic monogram design on their skateboard decks. Despite their tumultuous introduction, the collaboration has managed to meld two seemingly polarized audiences into a cult following. Similarly, brands such as Vetements have sold collaborations with Champion, as well as many other seemingly incongruous brands, by taking the norm and making it into a luxury artifact. In this recent collaboration, pieces such as the Red Louis Vuitton trunks outfitted with the famous Supreme box logo, the monogrammed denim jackets, and the infamous Supreme/Louis Vuitton box logo tee have come under fire for their high prices, but said high prices don’t seem to deter the fans. In fact, the luxury price point and limited quantity inspire even more frenzied competition.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPc7BY0hTRF/

Travis Scott wearing the coveted Supreme X Louis Vuitton box logo tee and sunglasses.

The pop-up shops, located in Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Paris, London, Miami, Houston, and Los Angeles, generated colossal lines within hours of their announcement. These pop-up shops are the first opportunity that the public has to purchase items from this collection, and fans are determined to be a part of the historic collaboration. However, Louis Vuitton has stated that the release will be extremely limited, indicating that the fervor is not for naught. The mania has caused streets to shut down, and police intervention has been necessary in order to keep streets and sidewalks clear. Supreme has proven that it is able to thrive in the ever-changing world of fashion, and cement itself as a heavyweight contender in the luxury and streetwear worlds today.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPc7UsMhxCd/?hl=en

Supreme shows off their spin on their classic bomber jacket

CONFIRMED POP-UP STORE LOCATIONS/DATES

833 E 3rd St

PARIS

4 Rue du Pont Neuf.

BEIJING

北京 798

LONDON

180 The Strand

SYDNEY

95 Roscoe Street

Bondi Beach, NSW 2026

TOKYO

C-1, 5-3-18

Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku

June 30 – July 13, 2017

Monday to Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. local time

Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.