Special Edition Outerwear by Pharrel Williams & Keita Sugiura For Moncler

As part of their new Fall Winter 2010 collection, the Italian high end outerwear company Moncler has teamed up with Pharrell Williams for a special winter collection of jackets and vests for men that features the photography of Keita Sugiura.



The key garment is the pacifist version of the bullet-proof vest, conceived for a purpose that is its very antithesis. It is an original warning underscored by the very concept of the collection itself, which is inspired by ecological materials and icons. The garments are all made in black with leather details and gold waterproof zips.




All are made with futuristic fabrics from Bionic Yarn, an American company owned by Pharrell Williams, which makes its materials from plastic bottles.


above: two photographs from Keita Sugiura's 'Dark Forest' series

The series of photos entitled "Dark Forest" by Japanese artist Keita Sugiura provides the pattern for the lining and exterior of some of the vests and jackets.


above left: Keita Sugiura, above right: Pharrell Williams

The line will be available at selected shops and are part of the upcoming Fall/Winter releases for Moncler.


information courtesy of Moncler, garment images courtesy of Pharrell Williams, art images courtesy of Max Protech

So Long Easy Rider. Dennis Hopper Dies Of prostate cancer at 74.

Dennis Hopper (May 17, 1936 – May 29, 2010)

Actor, writer, director, photographer, painter, voice-over and patron of the arts, Dennis Hopper finally succumbed to prostate cancer this morning at the too young age of 74.


above: portrait of Dennis Hopper by Andy Warhol. This 1971 portrait of the famous actor Dennis Hopper was painted just a couple years after his appearance in the hit movie "Easy Rider" of 1969.

Best known for edgy film roles in such classics as Rebel Without A Cause, Easy Rider, Apocolypse Now, Blue Velvet, Hoosiers, The River's Edge and many more respected productions (check out his massive film credits at imdb). He was also a painter, a photographer, a voice-over and a friend to hundreds.

Below are a few photos from his illustrious career. I will be following up with a post on his art and photography, which will surprise you if you are not familiar with it.


Rebel Without a Cause (with then dear friend James Dean):

Robert Altman photo of Dennis:

1978, photo by Bruce Broom:

Apocalypse Now, 1979:

Easy Rider, 1969:

Self portrait:

Blue Velvet:

Water World:


Dennis in front of Julian Schnabel's painting of the actor:


No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos:

Rest In Peace. Dennis.

In tribute to his recent passing, Dennis Hopper, Behind The Camera And The Canvas, is a comprehensive retrospective (100 images!) of the actor's work as a photographer and fine artist.


Dennis Hopper, Behind The Camera And The Canvas.

The Controversial SHREK Fashion Editorial For Vman By Ellen von Unwerth

VMAN magazine has released a photo fashion editorial shot by the fabulous Ellen von Unwerth (with styling Nicola Formichetti) which features the animated Dreamworks Characters from SHREK posing in some mildly suggestive, but hilarious editorial photos with scantily clad fashion models.

The multi-page editorial coincides with the upcoming release of the latest movie in the SHREK franchise, Shrek Forever, on May 21st.



The editorial is getting lots of flack for being in 'poor taste'. Despite being approved and signed-off by Dreamworks, it's been the subject on tv news magazine shows and radio shows and is getting very mixed responses. Lots of angry parents and disappointed SHREK fans seem to feel it places the lovable characters; Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss In boots, The Gingerbread man and Shrek triplets in inappropriate scenarios.

In my opinion, the SHREK movies contain many adult references and have a very wry sense of humor meant for both young and old, the fashion editorial is in a magazine not read by children and is well-shot, composed and styled... all frankly, in good fun.

So, if you can maintain your sense of humor, the following images will amuse you:

above, Francisco wears:
Leather and chain vest Bliss Lau
Leggings and boots Dolce & Gabbana f/w 2010
Headband Alexander Wang f/w 2010
Arm warmers by Malene Birger f/w 2010

above, Agnete wears:
Top Alexander Wang f/w 2010
Briefs Agent Provocateur
Body cages Heather Huey
Necklace (worn as headband) Benoit Missolin
Shoes Designers Remix f/w 2010

above, Emma wears:
Bustier Agent Provocateur
Shorts Designers Remix f/w 2010
Leg warmers and shoes Alexander Wang F/W 2010
Headband Benoit Missolin
Gloves by Malene Birger f/w 2010
Paolo wears:
Leggings and boots Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2010
above: Francisco wears
Cardigan and pants John Varvatos F/W 2010
Ring Bjørg
Bracelet Shamballa Jewels
Cross Necklace David Yurman
Body chains (on torso and worn as belt) Bliss Lau
On hair, Redken for Men:
Maneuver Working Wax

above: Paolo wears:
Hat By Malene Birger F/W 2010
Pants J. Lindeberg f/w 2010
Boots Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2010
Francisco wears:
Body chains Bliss Lau
Jeans Guess Arm warmers By Malene Birger F/W 2010
Belt AND_i
Boots Jean-Michel Cazabat F/W 2010

above; Emma wears:
Jacket Designers Remix f/w 2010
Bra Chris Habana
Headband Benoit Missolin

above, Agnete wears:
Jacket Marc Jacobs F/W 2010
Dress Designers Remix F/W 2010
Corset Rag & Bone F/W 2010
Sunglasses and boots Alexander Wang F/W 2010
Bracelets Shamballa Jewels

above; from left:
Francisco wears cardigan Y-3 F/W 2010
Pants Mads Nørgaard – Copenhagen F/W 2010
Sunglasses Walter Van Beirendonck by Linda Farrow
Sneakers New Balance

Emma wears:
Dress Ann-Sofie Back F/W 2010
Headband AND_i
Sunglasses Mercura NYC NYC
Shoes Acne F/W 2010

Agnete wears:
Dress Alexander Wang F/W 2010
Necklace (worn as headband) Mawi
Necklace (worn as belt) and boots By Malene Birger F/W 2010

Paolo wears:
Sweater John Varvatos F/W 2010
Kilt Pringle of Scotland F/W 2010
Sunglasses Mercura nyc
Boots Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2010

Credits:
Location The Standard, New York
Hair Dennis Gots for Redken for Men
Grooming and Makeup Devra Kinnery for Christian Dior (Art Department)
Models Agnete Hegelund (Next), Emma Dumont, Paolo Anchisi, Francisco Lachowski (Ford NY)
Manicure Rica Romain for Chanel (See Management)
Photo assistants Christoph Lange and Jochem Sanders
Stylist assistants Emily Eisen, Natalie Hazzout, Jessica Bobince, Rian Fossett
Digital technicians Shannon Sinclair and Mario Torres
Production Tali Magal (Freebird Productions)
Production assistant Michael Flis (Freebird Productions)
Retouching Impact digital
All animated characters courtesy Dreamworks Animation
Special Thanks Laura Salvato at Paramount Pictures

Shrek official movie site.

Photographer Udo Spreitzenbarth Improves The Bretz Collection With A Great Catalog.

Bretz is a German furniture and rug company whose products are not really my personal taste. Lots of glam, modern whimsy with ornate velvets, Swarovski crystals and funky silhouettes. Very Miami Flash meets Hollywood Glam with some Guido thrown in. I would even go so far as to say I actually dislike several of their products.

So, why am I blogging about them? Because they are an example of a company who have effectively improved their brand with a catalog that actually heightens the appeal of their products and designs. Does this mean they'll sell more pieces? Not necessarily, but anyone on the fence would be positively persuaded by this representation.

By hiring photographer Udo Spreitzenbarth along with talented hair, make-up and clothing stylists (all credits are listed at the end of this post), and using one model posed dynamically and uniquely on their products, the images transform the sofas and the chairs into sets worth looking at.



Just shows you what a well produced catalog can do for products.
Take a look at more.



























Credits:
Photography Udo Spreitzenbarth (NYC)
Producer Matt Lehitka (NYC)
Model Melissa Kurland (NYC)
Hair & Make Up Alexander Becker (Berlin)
Stylist Ty-Ron Mayes (NYC)
Photography Assistants Mario Steidlinger (Berlin)
Robert Spreitzenbarth (Oakland)
Production Assistant Charlotte Feigelbinder (Berlin)
Production | Management SEVEN | SVGN
www.svgn.eu
Copyright SEVEN | SVGN | Udo Spreitzenbarth


Contact
Bretz Wohnträume GmbH
Alexander-Bretz-Str.2
D-55457 Gensingen
Phone: +49 (0) 6727 / 89 50
Fax: +49 (0) 6727 / 10 30
website