"United Kingdom, United Fashion"

"British fashion is self-confident and fearless. It refuses to bow to commerce, thus generating a constant flow of new ideas, whilst drawing in British heritage."- Alexander McQueen



A few months ago, while I was at Barnes and Noble doing some research on Harajuku for my public speaking final, and I stumbled across a fashion magazine called Nylon. As I was browsing through each individual and unique page, I came across a section strictly devoted to fashion from the United Kingdom...and I really really liked it. Especially the teen fashion. And that magazine taught me how to love London fashion. Especially the punk rock styles.

I can't really describle London fashion in one simple word. Actually I can, it's COOL! :D But, what I really mean is, I can't really sum up London fashion like so. I certainly wouldn't compare it to American fashion really because I feel that UK fashion is a bit more edgy. I am particularly fond of the hip-hop styles with the rope chains and whatnot. Rope chains look awesome, and I have Master Shortie to thank for that! Haha! Here's a couple of pics I snagged from the Internet that I really really liked. This has definitely inspired me to do a couple of things with the outfits I put together eventually:







I'm really really fond of the bow in the third image, I thought it looked really cool and cute =] That's something I would put on a shirt or gloves or something of the sort. I'm picturing so many outfits in my head right now from that one accessory.

Master Shortie also inspires me with his styles as well. I would love to make feminine versions of his outfits and add rope chains as well :D




I could do alot with those colors! =]

There aren't really alot of punk rock photos that I were really fond of, but I did manage to snag one though:



Rather vintage, but I like it.

Next to the Japanese, the British really know how to put it down in the unique style department. I definitely have to take notes =]

-Monique

"Boogie Days and Boogie Nights"

"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still." - Dorothea Lange



I've have recently become hooked on a show that takes place in New York called How To Make It In America. It tells the story of a down and out designer named Ben Epstein, and his best friend/right hand man Cam, who try to create their own fashion line in order to make it big. So, by going through a series of obstacles, meeting new people, and hustling their way through the Big Apple, they try to "make it" in the city that will practically eat you alive if you are not prepared.

Now what I love most about this show is that not only is it inspiring, but the opening credits has to be one of the best I have ever seen for a television series. It uses a blend of breathtaking photography and slow-motion filming to capture the heart and soul of New York City. I was always trying to figure out who the photographer was, but I later found out that it was a guy that went by the name of "Boogie". He was born in Serbia, which is pretty sweet! So, I checked out more of his photography, and this guy is amazing. I noticed that he does alot of people and scenery, which is obviously typical of a common photographer. But, in my opinion, his pictures express so much emotion, and they're fresh. This guy has ultimately become one of my favorite photographers in the whole entire world, I just love his stuff =]

Here is the link to the opening sequence of How To Make It In America. All of the photographs were taken in NYC by Boogie himself. The opening credits immediately drew me in to the show and now i'm hooked on it. Haha! Though, the season finale came to quickly though. *ahem* Anyway, here is the video (the song is great too!) :


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvfIGPiZL-g

By the way, if you're wondering who the song is by. It's called "I Need A Dollar" by Aloe Blacc! =] The song really captures the show, if I do say so my self because it's all about trying to make it.

Okay, back to Boogie :) Now, he has a website that you can check out here. This shows all of his commercial work and whatnot. He also travels to other countries as well. He did some great Tokyo ones:

http://www.artcoup.com/

Man, his photography is amazing! ^_^;

Here are a couple of photos that he has done that I particularly love, and I like how he does alot of them in black and white:






You can find more on his website, which I posted the URL for in this post.


So, street photographer Boogie takes some pretty awesome photos, and they are very inspiring. He's not like other photographers in my opinion, I just have to say that! >.< Hooray for Serbian photography! :D

-Monique

"Defying Beauty With Bjork"

"What probably confuses people is they know alot about me, but it quite pleases me that there's more they don't know."- Bjork






She is a unique lyrical genius who has the ability to bring her words to life in picturesque, vibrant, and strange visual images. Her words explore the deeper meanings of life and the society around us. Whether it is politics, love, emotions, or everyday life...she has the ability to relate to the inner being inside of us in a rather strange, yet satisfying way.

Valiant Expression Airways has landed in Iceland to take an inside look at one of the most beautiful and unique music artist of our time...Bjork. Born Bjork Guomundsdottir (try saying that three time fast, haha!), she is a musical genius. She is also an actor, producer, and composure. So, she's pretty well rounded. She's one of my top 5 favorite music artists of all time, and she's been out for a very...very...very long time. I'm talking since the late 70's. Lady Bjork has also starred and appeared in host of Icelandic movies.

Here is her discography (the list of albums that she has released)

- Bjork (1977)

-Debut (1993)

-Post (1995)

-Homogenic (1997)(One my personal favorites! ^-^)

-Vespertine (2001)

-Medulla (2004)

-Volta (2007)

Her music videos are also unlike any other music videos i've ever seen. Not only are they incredibly visually appealing, but they are rather disturbing. Back in 2008, her music video for the song, "Wanderlust" (featured on her 2007 album, Volta) had to be one the creepiest music videos I have ever watched, and I rarely enjoy watching music videos like that.

Here's the video to her song, "Wanderlust", just click on the url (I don't know how to put videos on her yet, silly me! >.<)




It is such a visually astounding video and I can't understand why her videos aren't played like anything. It upsets me, because it beats half of the crap the media plays this day in age! >.<

But, all in all, she is a lyrical and visual genius. She is unlike any other music artist I have listened to...she is such an inspiration and she is just amazing. Plain and Simple. I don't really have a favorite song by her because I pretty much love all of them...I cannot say one bad thing about them.

You never really hear much about the country of Iceland. But when you hear Iceland...most think of one person, and that is Bjork. Her blend of ambient, classic, and electronica is truly soothing to the mind, body, and soul. So, get lost in the world that is above and beyond beauty. The world of Bjork.



-Monique