...When a photograph of yourself is featured and your name mentioned in VOGUE Australia. The shot was taken by StreetFSN’s Nam back in October in Paris after Cacahrel’s fashion show and has to BE an all-time favorite of mine. Editor Mboko Mobutu.
As seen above: Backstage at D&G spring 2012 fashion show, a Jil Sander spring 2012 look, a Mary Katrantzou for Topshop collaboration dress and New York fall 2012 fashion week pictures by Tommy Ton for Style.com and GQ.com.
With street style being decoded just AS much as the runways during fashion weeks, certain designers, collections or particular strong items become the coveted stars of the sidewalk. Here ARE my predictions for the season. Editor Mboko Mobutu.
1/ Céline: spring 2012 multiple 90mmblack velvet goatskin and colored calf-skin pump
2/ Lanvin: spring 2012 sunglasses
3/ Givenchy by Ricardo Tisci: resort 2012 psychedelic patterns
4/ Carven: spring 2012 chic ethnic prints
5/ Dolce & Gabbana: spring 2012 vegetables earrings and prints
6/ Stella McCartney: spring 2012 signature chic sporty looks
7/ Louis Vuitton: spring 2012 pretty pastel colors and lace
8/ Yves Saint Laurent: spring 2012 metal bejewelled suede and satin pumps
9/ Burberry Prorsum: spring 2012 tribal wedges
10/ Prada: anything from any season spring 2012
Menswear:
11/ Burberry Prorsum: spring 2012 ikat and African-inspired ethnic prints as well as cork sole latticework brogue shoes
12/ Givenchy by Ricardo Tisci: spring 2012 hummingbird prints
As seen at D&G, Etro and Versace spring 2012 menswear fashion shows, in Zara spring 2012 look book, as well as on Gianni Versace in 1992, on Milan Vukmirovic wearing a spring 2012 D&G shirt during Paris ready-to-wear spring 2012 fashion week (October 2011) photographed by Tommy Ton for GQ.com, on Andrea Porro and on myself during Paris menswear fall 2012 fashion week (January 2012) photographed by Nam for Grazia.it.
It’s the printed silk shirt’s come-back! Versace’s 90’s luxurious opulence gets a makeover this spring thanks TO a slim FIT and fabrics like denim. Editor Mboko Mobutu.
1/ French young designer Maxime Simoëns has been named editor-in-chief of L'Officiel magazine's website for a WEEK, from February 13 to 17. The new Leonard creative director will share a preview of his NEW material as well as his personal favorites from this season and more.
2/ Metro newspaper's guest editor Karl Lagerfeld took it TO the streets to distribute "The world according to Karl" special edition he edited on Tuesday morning (February 7) to surprised and quite amused passers-BY in Paris.
3/ Power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé created a Tumblr page to release to the world the first pictures of their new-born Blue Ivy Carter. A shocking news knowing their usual very strict privacy behavior. Rumour has it they turned down an astonishing 14 million dollars offer for the exclusivity of the photos.
4/ Supermodel of the moment Karlie Kloss is said to BE skipping this season's New York Fashion Week that kicked off two days ago, last Thursday. According to a spokesperson for Kloss, she has cancelled ALL of her appearances because "an engagement has come up" but will "very likely" walk in Milan and Paris.
5/ The Sartorialist's Scott Schuman revealed on his Twitter the release of "The Sartorialist II", the follow-up to his best seller first book, scheduled for Fall 2012. The book will contain exclusive never-seen-before pictures that Schuman saved UP for the project and qualifies as some of his favorites.
It feels like WAR against street style is eventually being declared. More and more voices are being raised about the predominant - at times even oppressive - phenomenon that knows NO slowdown. To be honest, I threw the towel in a «long» time ago and I can easily count on my hands the few ones I only really care about. Therefore, both GQ and more recently Esquire websites have posted articles stating of the negative influence the abundance of street style photographers outside the shows can actually have. Let’s be realistic here: we’re ALL aware of it and it only stimulates our recognition-eager egos affecting choices of some but not always in the way you’d think. One might tone it down to be left alone and unbothered while others will GO out of their ways to be noticed sometimes falling into the trap of ridicule. Either way, the whole process of actual personal style can BE questionned. On the eve of fashion month, what DO the next weeks have in store for us?
MBOKO NDIMBA MOBUTU.
On the cover, on the left, photographed by Estelle Rancurel, Veronika is wearing a Nike cotton and leather down jacket, a Sessùn silk shirt, Pablo Gérard Darel wool pants, a Sophie Papiernik felt hat, a Poggi metal necklace, a Roseanna leather belt and Rupert Sanderson pumps. Ola is wearing a Sessùn flanel blazer and shirt, Pablo Gérard Darel cotton pants, a Poggi necklace and cuffs and MySuelly suede low boots, all from fall 2011. Make-Up by Celine Exbrayat. Hair by Benjamin Muller. Styled by Mboko Mobutu.
2/ News: Beyoncé, Karl Lagerfeld, Karlie Kloss, Maxime Simoens And The Sartorialist.
3/ Report: From NYC To London, The Fall 2011 Quest Continues And More.
4/ Trend: Foulard Shirts.
5/ Focus: This Season's Street Style Hits.
And More.
On the cover, on the left, photographed by Estelle Rancurel, Veronika is wearing a Nike cotton and leather down jacket, a Sessùn silk shirt, Pablo Gérard Darel wool pants, a Sophie Papiernik felt hat, a Poggi metal necklace, a Roseanna leather belt and Rupert Sanderson pumps. Ola is wearing a Sessùn flanel blazer and shirt, Pablo Gérard Darel cotton pants, a Poggi necklace and cuffs and MySuelly suede low boots, all from fall 2011. Make-Up by Celine Exbrayat. Hair by Benjamin Muller. Styled by Mboko Mobutu.
It’s been about TEN days Paris hasn’t felt a temperature above 0°C and if you, like me, have a hard time keeping warm in style, here is a little help. Editor Mboko Mobutu.
Double up, as seen at Alexander McQueen and Dries Van Noten fall 2011 menswear fashion shows.
Clockwise:
Velvet coat, TRUSSARDI 1911 ON THE CORNER 1140 EUROS, www.thecorner.com
When thinking of latest memorable fashion films, Lanvin's fall Pitbull soundtracked commercial springs to mind within a second. For a while NOW, the latest frenzy in the fashion industry seems to be releasing all sorts of FUN and entertaining videos. Quirky, original or simply elegantly arousing interest, their purporse are numerous. Whether it's TO promote, to advertise or to relate, and without a doubt counting on the online community to help create a buzzing effect, fashion insiders go OUT of their way to produce films that will be much talked about, remembered but especially with a somehow undeniable cool factor to them. Proof is with VOGUE Paris, The Sartorialist and fashion houses Prada, Balenciaga and Lanvin.
On Monday, VOGUE Paris launched the brand NEW polished version of its website. Along with it came a promo video that had the fashion blogosphere talking. Editor-in-chief of the publication, Emmanuelle Alt is seen channeling George Micheal during his Wham days with the help of Mlle Agnès as Andrew Ridgeley and TOP models Anja Rubik, Kendra Spears, Karmen Pedaru and Jasmine Tooks in a reendition of the 1984 pop music number one classic "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" video. Now that you've been exposed to the situation, please pause. And TRY to picture Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of VOGUE US or Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of VOGUE Italia in Alt's Isabel Marant shoes. Hell, try to picture former editor-in-chief of VOGUE Paris, Carine Roitfeld in a similar scene. Hard, isn't it?
Well, hate it or love it, the fact that despite her position, Alt is willing to take part and center stage in a voluntary (?) ridicule mise-en-scene says a LOT about the woman's character. Some will be offended by the "tackiness" of the effort clashing with the magazine's long gone extra elitist spirit while others will applause her coherence to make VOGUE more approachable - the VERY thing she was attacked about after the first FEW issues under her helm were released. Truth IS, her uncomfortable impression aside, Alt is easily the epitome of effortless coolness transcribing through her stylish back-up singers/dancers in the video and reflecting her own personal style. That, you cannot take away from HER. In the contrary.
Another ONE of those industry heavyweight you just have to love is The Sartorialist's Scott Schuman.
Last week, after posting a teaser video first on his popular blog, the most famous street style photographer nowadays released a video filmed back in January in Florence during menswear trade show Pitti Uomo. The matter: an event reuniting 25 of Schuman's favorite BEST dressed men together and forcing destiny making certain of their paths cross and GET together around lunch. The place: a small traditional Trattoria restaurant with ALL the Italian charm that comes with its simplicity. The result: a well-PUT together black and white short film showing male style icons and The Sartorialist's regulars such as T Magazine's Bruce Pask, KanYe West, L'Uomo Vogue's Gianluca Cantaro, Gilt Groupe's Nick Wooster gathered in one room.
With ONE gentleman being more impeccably dressed than the next, elegance and class exude from the CUT with just what IT takes of modernity. A lot to take in. And when we thought it couldn't GET better, Schuman explains in a heartfelt thank you toast to his guests the essence of his BLOG and the reason of their presence, an appreciative and celebrative window of style in its various forms for the world to SEE wherever FAR away that world may be located. Be careful, Mr. Schuman! What you hope can and will become a semi-annual rendez-vous (during men shows in January and in June) might as well be coveted by fashion enthusiast crashers next time. ME included. Blame IT on being so cool.
If magazine's websites and bloggers DO a pretty good JOB at this video game, fashion houses are not ones to be or feel outdone. And then there was Prada. If the Italian house wasn't cool enough provoking each and every season immediate enviable collections and show-stopper accessories, it HAD to reinforce its topic with strong imagery like it always does. We remember last spring psychedelic and energetic dance-filled commercial that would have make the stiffest want to fashionably party the night away.
This time around with Steven Meisel on hand, Prada takes over a glamorous 50's-inspired GAS station in which its sexy and feminine lady-like pin-ups Natasha Poly, Katryn Kruger, Guinevere van Seenus, Elise Crombez and more follow ONE another. Enjoying a quite irreproachable aestetic from the styling to the OLD school Cadillac cars driven by our not-so-desperate housewives, the stylistic device is based on the judicious soundtrack choice. Including a MIX of songs from alternative artists such as Ariel Pink, Duck and Cover or Tobacco among others, it somehow clashes with the overall retro feel of the video and ADDS in an almost humouristic modern twist, all the more SO very pleasant.
Meisel seems to BE the photographer to go to for that kind of duty as he is the man responsible for Balenciaga's NOT any less funky pre-fall collection commercial. Faithful to his artistic sensibility, the inspiration this time around bring US back to the 80's with models walking down neon lights stairs in Marie-Amélie Sauvé's accurate styling. If the concept is very simple, the effectiveness always resides in the good choice of music and dynamic editing.
Eventually Lanvin - with the help of Meisel YET again - unveiled an animated pictures video serving as its spring 2012 commercial in which models including Aymeline Valade participate in a quite original and exotic snake-themed dinner party to Pharell William's latest protégé, Maxine Ashley's "Cookieman" track. Dynamic production and fun music. Why change a successful recipe after all? Cool, it definitely IS.
1/ After Raf Simons, Dries Van Noten and Kris Van Assche, japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto has been appointed president of the 27th annual fashion and photography international Hyères festival that will take place at the Noailles villa from April, 27th to 30th.
2/ Model Dree Hemingway has turned designer for French label Sandro creating a ten-piece line inspired by American roots and her personal Bohemian look that will HIT stores next month, in March.
3/ Singer, model and DJ Solange Knowles is British VOGUE's website latest "Today I'm Wearing" star blogger. Beyoncé's sibling will showcase her daily stylish looks including designer items from the likes of Tibi, Dries Van Noten, BCBG, Alexander Wang and such throughout the whole month of February.
4/ Italian house Versace took advantage of Paris Haute Couture fashion week to launch its latest Versace Étoile de La Mer sunglasses capsule collection. Inspired by the aquatic FEEL of the spring 2012 womenswear collection, the campaign for Étoile de La Mer sees supermodel Gisele Bundchen shot by Mert & Marcus.
5/ Pop sensation Lana Del Rey is the face of VOGUE UK's March issue shot by super photographer Mario Testino wearing a spring 2012 Louis Vuitton dress. The cover has been revealed on the week her eponymous debut album is making headlines dominating the charts in NO other than 14 countries.
They SAY we have until the last DAY of January to wish a happy new year. After that, it's off limit. Well luckily for YOU, I'm an off-limit kind of GUY and one of the few annoying left to (almost) always remember to actually wish a happy new year all January long.
In this case though, the year started OUT for ME involuntarily putting the blog on hiatus to deal with a crazy amount of things including shooting TWO stories and attending men shows here in Paris with ALL that comes along with those!
So it's now (February 6) that I inappropriately decide to sincerely wish you a happy new year 2012, both healthy and very complete: filled with excitement, fullfillment, love, adventures, encounters, newness, experience, and above ALL - like I intend it to BE - the occasion to change things you don't like about yourself or your life and to make them better. I think it pretty much covers it all. Let's just pray to BE more diligent about those good feeling resolutions during the year than I already have been for the past month.
MBOKO NDIMBA MOBUTU.
On the cover, photographed by Estelle Rancurel, Veronika is wearing a Sonia Rykiel wool and fur coat, an Eleven Paris cotton tank top, Ralph Lauren acetate sunglasses and Hélène Zubeldia metal earrings, all from fall 2011. Styled by Mboko Mobutu. Make-Up by Céline Exbrayat. Hair by Benjamin Muller.
3/ News - Dree Hemingway, Lana Del Rey, Solange Knowles, Versace And Yohji Yamamoto.
4/ Report - New York Fashion Week Kicks Off Fall Season.
And More.
On the cover, photographed by Estelle Rancurel, Veronika is wearing a Sonia Rykiel wool and fur coat, an Eleven Paris cotton tank top, Ralph Lauren acetate sunglasses and Hélène Zubeldia metal earrings, all from fall 2011. Styled by Mboko Mobutu. Make-Up by Céline Exbrayat. Hair by Benjamin Muller.
I'll take my mother's ritual of saying the spiritual speech on each and every occasion this year. We've come a long WAY. We've learnt the hard way. But even in our struggles, we found ourselves being really lucky in SO many ways. The most important of them all being to BE healthy and to have a family. We take it for granted but it's a blessing we shall remember, cherish and be grateful for. Like every year, this day is there to remind US. In the hope of all of you being surrounded and loved, I wish you a verry merry Christmas. «From my house to yours.»
MBOKO NDIMBA MOBUTU.
On the cover, photographed by Emel Bayram, Isaac is wearing a Daniel Hechter cotton shirt and an U-ni-ty cotton waistcoat and suit, Allison is wearing an Arzu Kaprol satin dress and a Casadeï leather clutch, all from fall 2009. Make-Up by Wilna Sainvil. Styled by Mboko Mobutu.
3/ Focus: The Very Best Of 2011 In Music, Fashion And Art.
And More.
On the cover, photographed by Emel Bayram, Isaac is wearing a Daniel Hechter cotton shirt and an U-ni-ty cotton waistcoat and suit, Allison is wearing an Arzu Kaprol satin dress and a Casadeï leather clutch, all from fall 2009. Make-Up by Wilna Sainvil. Styled by Mboko Mobutu.
1/ Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are launching a new Dolce & Gabbana jewellery line. Model Bianca Balti is the face of the campaign, shot by A-list photographer Giampaolo Sgura.
2/ Director Sofia Coppola is said to have filmed the commercial for the upcoming Marni for H&M collaboration coming in stores this SPRING(March 8) in Marroco.
3/ Label Acne follows Carven in launching their FIRST unisex sunglasses line, spotted at the spring and resort 2012 shows. They are availabe since December 15 in the brand NEW Paris' Acne store of the 3rd arrondissement (rue Froissard).
4/ Still life and lookbook pictures featuring Abbey Lee Kershaw of Versace for H&M cruise collection have been made available online ON Wednesday. Only sold online this time, the Italian house and high street collaboration will be sold on www.hm.com from January 19 on.
5/ Louis Vuitton has unveiled the first pictures of their Spring 2012 collection campaign shot by Steven Meisel with models Daria Strokous and Kati Nescher striking the pose in a typical American dinner made over IN pink for the occasion and filled in with pastries.
This is going to be ONE of those corny posts. But it's NO news anymore that I am one of those corny guys. With ALL the commercial appeal there is to Christmas (and all other celebrations for that matter) nowadays, it's sometimes hard to remember the essence of it all without drowning under the lightings, trees and presents wishes. Where does it come from? What does it mean? Why has it become tradition? What does really matter? See, ALL year long, families are scattered around the globe caught UP in the speed of their own life with its joys and troubles. What I love the most about being reunited with my close family is being reminded how all of that doesn't matter anymore and HOW much happiness sitting around talking, sharing good laughs truly feels. No artifices, just love. As simple as that. Celebration, holiday or not, it always is that way when we get together and I'm thankful for it.
MBOKO NDIMBA MOBUTU.
On the cover, photographed by Estelle Rancurel, Veronika is wearing a Louis Vuitton wool bomber jacket, a Joseph silk-blend shirt, an Eleven Paris cotton tak top and Hélène Zubeldia golden metal earrings. Make-Up by Céline Exbrayat. Hair by Benjamin Muller. Styled by Mboko Mobutu.
3/ News: Acne, Dolce & Gabbana, Lois Vuitton, Sofia Coppola and Versace For H&M.
4/ Shop: This Week's Holiday Cravings.
And more.
On the cover, photographed by Estelle Rancurel, Veronika is wearing a Louis Vuitton wool bomber jacket, a Joseph silk-blend shirt, an Eleven Paris cotton tak top and Hélène Zubeldia golden metal earrings. Make-Up by Céline Exbrayat. Hair by Benjamin Muller. Styled by Mboko Mobutu.
Let ME introduce you to Louis Teran, a Paris-based talented photographer, filmmaker and musician I met almost TWO years ago now, during my assisting days - and his as well as a matter of fact.
"I like to capture people with a strong face, attitude, allure..." Louis told ME, asking if I could pose for him someday. I accepted. But little did I know about the enchanting feel of his photographs. Teran's series of portraits could easily be mistaken for drawings thanks to dramatic lightings and effects playing with strong contrast emphasis. With almost a mystic quality to them, sometimes even scary, his mysterious aestetic keeps the observer both curious and entertained. He manages to create an unusual intimacy between HIS camera and the subject that is as much revealing of the protagonists as of himself in the most intriguing yet honest WAY.
Our fashion, music and ART day BY day Christmas wishlist selection and countdown to the final special day.
«Inez van Lamsweerde/Vinoodh Matadin: Pretty Much Everything», Penny Martin, Michael Bracewell, Olivier Zahm, Bruce Sterling, Antony and Glenn O'Brien. Hardcover, 3 vol. in slipcase, 31 x 31 cm, 984 pages, 500 euros (Taschen). www.taschen.com
1/ A sneak peak of Prada's Spring 2012 campaign HAS surfaced online. It sees the belgian model Elise Crombez channeling her inner 50's pin-UP as photographed by Steven Meisel.
2/ The first look of Karl Lagerfeld's NEW affordable womenswear line has been revealed (slim-LEG black trousers, a metallic silver biker jacket anda detachable leather collar). The entirety of the collection will BE unveiled during Paris Couture Fashion Week on January 25.
3/ French designer Alexandre Vauthier's latest fall 2011 couture collection is being exhibited at Paris' Joyce gallery from December 10 to 30 with fittings by scenographer Philippe Di Méo. Vauthier's jewllery and accessories for spring 2012 will also BE shown IN the gallery's POP-UP store.
4/ French actress Clémence Poésy follows IN the footsteps of fellow actresses Gemma Arterton and Liv Tyler as the NEW face of jeaner G-Star Raw. She will appear in the brand's spring 2012 campaign alongside director Vincent Gallo.
5/ An Hermès Birkin handbag has SET a world record as the most expensive BAG ever to BE sold at a public auction, after it reached $203,150. Made using crocodile skin, the rare item features diamond detailing and was sold to an anonymous bidder at a sale in Dallas.
"Everybody dies but not everybody lives" raps Drake on Nicky Minaj's "Moment 4 Life" track. What does it mean to live? To BE alive? It's a subjective appreciation and matter that depends on each and every individual's perception, I guess. For teenagers, it often means partying it UP to the fullest: doing anything "crazy" that one won't BE able to DO once grown and responsible. But with maturity and growth comes wiseness and clarity. It's NOT about drinking the most, sleeping with the most people, going OUT the most or being the loudest. Living one's life is about opening up. To the world surrounding us, to THE people we love, people that loves us and to others, to experiences, to encounters. It's keeping one's eyes open and OUT there, to BE inspired and to inspire, to always try, never to get bored because the world is filled with enough endless beautiful things NOT to BE bored for quite a lifetime. I once heard not too long AGO that being bored is being boring... A notion for US to meditate upon. With time passing by in a wink of the eye, it's easy watching your OWN life without actually enjoying and living IT. Opening up. Take control. Be responsible for what happens to us. This IS being alive.
MBOKO NDIMBA MOBUTU.
On the cover, photographed by Sarah Ford, Julien is wearing a Diesel studded leather biker jacket, from spring 2011. Styled by Mboko Mobutu. Make-Up by Emilie Peltier. Hair by Sandra Yazoue.
2/ News: Alexandre Vauthier, Clémence Poésy, Hermès, Karl Lagerfeld and Prada.
3/ Shop: Holiday Spirit - The Christmas Countdown Continues.
And More.
On the cover, photographed by Sarah Ford, Julien is wearing a Diesel studded leather biker jacket, from spring 2011. Styled by Mboko Mobutu. Make-Up by Emilie Peltier. Hair by Sandra Yazoue.
While many designers ARE releasing pictures of their pre-fall collections for 2012, a few of them who CAN are actually showing. It's the case for Chanel which reminded US why it IS Chanel. In a somptuous and decadent decor of an opulent Indian royal feist, where cristal ceiling lights hung OUT with endless pyramid-shaped arrangements of fruits and other candelabras. If you think it's bling, think again as designer Karl Lagerfeld thinks of the idea of IT as dated. What we have here is a label making a statement of its superiority because it can. Long gone is the classic elegance of the French house. What about the clothes? As for many Chanel shows, more than the collection itself, it's the extravaganza of the staging and intricate details that really leave US speechless and this time was NO exception. Despite showcasing the very best of Chanel's craftspeople and "métiers d'art" through the precious beading, delicate embroideries and luxurious silks, NOT everything worked in its "too much" factor that often toppled over into kitsch territories but leave IT to Lagerfeld to TRY and match French chic with Indian culture.
1/ On December, 2, luxury shoes label Jimmy Choo launched a NEW store in winter sports resort Saint-Moritz. To help celebrate the launch, the brand released a capsule collection of furred bags, snowboots and such, exclusively sold in the store for the most of it.
2/ Condé Nast International publications will release the 19th edition of VOGUE magazine worldwide next year in the Netherlands. It will be edited by the current editor or Dutch Glamour, Karin Swerink.
3/ Brit supermodel Kate Moss scores YET another VOGUE magazine cover with the latest December issue of VOGUE Paris styled by Emmanuelle Alt leading to a total of 17 covers of the prestigious French publication in her entire career. An impressive number considering she has appeared and graced 31 British VOGUE covers and 6 American VOGUE ones to date.
4/ Supermodel Sasha Pivovarova is teaming UP with GAP to launch a homewear capsule collection part of their "Body" line designed by HER and inspired by dream-like tales. Sketches of the model are printed on SIX lingerie items including boxers, tuckers and babydolls.
5/ Italian label Marni is the next luxury brand in line SET to release a collection (both menswear and womenswear) in collaboration with Swedish retailer H&M. Designed by Consuelo Castiglioni, founder and creative director of the house, it will land in 260 stores worldwide - and online ) on March 8.
I'm a 22-year-old Paris-based stylist and editor for weekly French fashion magazine "Be" (Lagardère group) and online monthly publication GHUBAR magazine. Passionate about fashion, music and art, I share my views and work through this blog.
Welcome everybody! Feel free to comment or leave a message, it is always appreciated. Plus, don't forget to introduce yourself when adding me as your friend on Facebook so that I know who you are... thank you for visiting. M.B
