{fashion inspiration: deserted model}

sometimes you just need a little daily does of visual inspiration… a little eye candy for the road…

{first listen: rome}

finally… after 5 years in the making, the daniele luppi/danger mouse project (a.k.a. rome) is in full flourish for us to listen to… one listen to big orchestral pieces such as “theme of rome” and you understand what this record is about…

definitely worth the wait… dreamy, intimate, vintage acoustic sounds encompass the album with norah’s raspy soulful voice…

What makes it so special is that the 15-track record draws its musical inspiration from the spaghetti western scores of ennio morricone. for sonic authenticity, “rome” was recorded in a low-fi analog studio in the italian capital… danger mouse was behind the soundboard while luppi led an italian orchestra…

white makes the most of his own three appearances, from the tone-setting portent of “the rose with the broken neck” to the album-closing “the world,” which helps conjure mental images of rolling credits. but jones and white aren’t the only scene-stealers in rome: edda dell’orso pops up in the album-opening “theme of rome,” picking up where she left off in the soundtrack to 1966′s the good, the bad and the ugly. (npr)

“it was really the dream to reunite the cantori moderni 40 years later. it was a choir put together by alessandro alessandroni–think about the sergio leone movies, the morricone soundtracks with those beautiful soprano melodies,” said luppi to the guardian. “alessandroni was not only the choirmaster, but his whistle is all over those movies.”

rome could just as easily have emerged from a vault, sealed 40 or even 50 years ago. that’s clearly the point: from start to finish, the album provides a timeless, arduously arranged backdrop to past generations’ visions of panoramic vistas and blood-stained betrayals. (npr)

definitely the download of the week…

behind the scenes: in the making

free stream while it lasts of their album below:

{collab alert: missoni for target}

every fashion lovers dream — to have high end fashion at and affordable price.

missoni will be teaming up with target to produce a line of clothing for women, men, children, and home goods.

every year target has been very consistent with their collaborations. they have teamed up  with the likes of some of the most popular top fashion companies in the industry, such as rodarte, thakoon, proenza schouler and now famous italian fashion house, missoni.

the italian fashion and textiles house will launch a 400+ piece collection for the mass market retailer on september 13th. vogue.com reports:

one would be missoni, the other target, and come fall—september 13 through october 22, to be precise—the 400-plus fruits of their collaboration (the biggest to date, apparently) will hit target stores nationwide, the latest in a long line of couplings for the retailer (proenza schouler and rodarte among them). everything from clothes (women’s, men’s, kids’), to bed sheets, to enough dinnerware to set the table for colazione, pranzo, and cena—all in plenty of missoni’s swirls, zigzags, and near-hallucinogenic florals. “it’s been a fantastic experiencce, ” says angela missoni,“one we are eager to share with families across the united states.”

 

 

Washed Out “You and I (feat. Caroline Polachek)

Washed Out – “You and I” from Jacob Corbin on Vimeo.

{met gala 2011 faves}

some may not know it, but the met ball, (the metropolitan museum’s costume institute gala) is really the most fashionable event ever, more than oscars and the golden globes… so you may expect some over the top gowns… sometimes for better or for worse…

at this year’s costume institute gala, which honored the late, great designer alexander mcqueen. the annual soiree took place, as always, at the new york’s metropolitan museum of art… we saw the metallics as a strong undying trend at the event as well as bold jewel hues… so many to-die-for frocks, so much killer hair and a veritable abundance of  make-up looks that have got us a little obsessed with the event…

my absolute favorite gown was worn by the newly redheaded actress (aka blake lively)… she fittingly donned a beige tulle chanel gown for the event… and her most amazing accessory; karl lagerfeld… after looking at its shape and the layers, it looks like a glamorous sari which made me love it even more…

now on to my other number ones… (in no particular order)

aussie actress isabel lucas rocked a pretty melon-orange louis vuitton halter dress, and went bold with the gold headpiece and matching earrings…

gisele bundchen popped a pose in a cherry-red mcqueen gown and freshly highlighted locks… she has embraced the ‘no make-up make-up’ look and always has impeccable posture.

ashley greene looked perfectly elegant in her strapless donna karan gown and sleek updo.

taylor swift looked amazing, yet played it a little safe for the event, in this gorgeous j. mendel gown.

nicole richie kept things relatively simple in a studded ivory sheath, courtesy of jason wu. bouncy curls, black nails, and metallic peep-toes completed her classic look.

eva mendes jumped on the stella mccartney bandwagon as well. the statuesque 37-year-old modeled the designer’s royal blue one-shoulder pleated gown, accented with a gold belt.

gwyneth paltrow went with the mod look in a long-sleeve, body-hugging sequined stella mccartney dress that showed off the star’s svelte figure.

salma hayek oozed glamour in a one-shoulder, rosette-adorned alexander mcqueen gown and wavy locks.

jessica alba always looks stunning in metallics… she and her baby bump were dressed in ralph lauren…

 

 

{royal wedding trend: fascinating fascinators}

thanks to a long-standing british tradition, ladies have to be decked out in a topper for special occasions, and of course: for a wedding… and for this royal affair, attendees including duchesses, princesses and royal members of the family didn’t let us down…

starting off with the queen in daffodil yellow…

princess beatrice of york made a statement with her flesh-colored “o” fascinator…

guest; a very pregnant victoria beckham donned a navy fascinator

mother of the bride; carole middleton, went just right on size and style with this angled choice. the bow on the side completes her entire look..

props to miriam gonzalez durantez, the wife of deputy prime minister nick clegg, for wearing a colorful and creative piece

sophie, countess of wessex, is giving you a 1920s droopy look that is accented by feathers and flowers…

british socialite tara palmer tomkinson

princess eugenie of york (left) in an electric blue fascinator… a color that will be prominent this spring

prince albert II of monaco and miss charlene wittstock

crown princess victoria of sweden and prince daniel of sweden

zara phillips

did you have a favorite?

 

{lovebugs}

in life, it’s important to create opportunities for oneself instead of waiting for opportunities to land on your lap. you just have to get out there and chase your dreams and fantasies. especially if you came from nothing and you have nothing to lose. everyday is a magical, surreal day… let me tell you something… sometimes, all it takes is a short, heartfelt note for dreams to come true in a new york city minute.

 

{Toro y Moi – How I Know}

yummy

{incubus releases new single: adolescents}

it’s been nearly five years since their last album light grenades hit shelves… rock band incubus has announced the release of their first album after so long, appropriately titled if not now, when?… previewed on kroq yesterday morning, and rumors are that they’re planning a tour behind their release…

a melodic rock track that builds tension in the verse… reminds us a little of earlier incubus… ala s.c.i.e.n.c.e. album…

“the long awaited 6th studio album from Incubus is completed! true to the incubus legacy, this record is nothing like its predecessor, but still maintains the quintessential incubus vibe.” - incubus (via website)

reportedly due out july 12th…

listen below to the new single below:

king of limbs album – radiohead

like amnesiac and eraser had a child…

listen entirely:

http://youtu.be/NV4xhsYvU2g

little by little: