Naked squared not square

Slamming headfirst into winter there often aren't as many secrets that float through the nights. When the sun has ducked away and the tanned limbs become cold to touch, when smokey eyes give way to copper hues, sullen cheeks and sniffs, it's easy to forget how those sweet little glances really keep you happy.

Unless of course you keep summer alive by spicing things up with your own little reasons to instigate glances over glasses and midnight meetings. In maybe not so subtle ways.

Carine Gilson Theme Egerie silk crepe de Chine bra £200.00

Calvin Klein Envy lace soft-cup triangle bra £321.28

Deborah Marquit French lace balconette bra £131.91

Jean Byu Eden silk chiffon triangle bra £226.09

La Perla Feuillage tulle triangle bra £374.47

Stella McCartney Isabelle Daydreaming stretch lace soft-cup bra £376.60

Beauty

Someone once told me that you can't love everything, you can't love the world. It's an interesting balance in the context of this current little moment. Ask those around me who are making their two a one and they might tend to disagree. For those twos that will be a future it's an exciting time and I am on watch for the tiny touches that might make things that little bit more special.

For one beautiful bride I am playing spotto on jewels and as a seriously gorgeous type, wearing designer on a rival frame, she could pull any type of style off. Recently I stumbled on these - adding an interesting element to what will be an unbelievable and unique day.

Find Taara jewellery here on Shop Des Créateurs website. Also in English for those that don't speak French.

Taara Long Drop Earring USD$88.00

Taara Citrine Glass Mixed Material Necklace USD$113.00

Taara Crystal Band Pearl Necklace USD$137.00

he, les gars!

Slowly. One. Two. No, it's not right. Shut. Breath. Slowly. One. Two. Shut. Open. Breath. And then it hits you and sucks you back, whipping past hour and hour, suddenly slowing near the start. Shut. Unfolding back through the night, this time walking past the memories. The events that made it what it was. Knowing that something changed. Maybe for the best. Maybe it was so surreal that you had no control and you had to throw yourself into it and you got caught up in it all and you wanted to be there and do that, but maybe you weren't ready. But knowing that unless you let it all happen, you will never run and take the leap. And no words can explain how it felt or what it meant to those that were not there. Try as you might, it's a bubble, a memory that only those that saw it, both through their own eyes but also through the eyes of someone looking down and watching from the sidelines, will remember.

Just like that the season's changed.

Sixpack spent their teenage youth living in the moment. Some say they wasted their lives, they say they made themselves. Finding a common culture, Sixpack made collaborations happen. Now a brand, that is constantly moving forward, or right, or left, transmitting through their own means and methods and in their own language. Making art reachable. As they say - "Every step is the first: we'll sleep when we are dead." Sixpack France.

Paoli Pull 90,00 €
Navy knit 90% cotton 10% cashmere 2 button closing Brown elbow patches

Brume Jacket Blue 110,00 €
100% cotton Available in natural, black, and electric blue

Vercors Cardigan Black 105,00 €
Black cardigan 100% cotton Wodden buttons

Old Copper Pant Red
Red pants 100% cotton Stone washed

Night

A nights not a night without music. I think I'm back. I know I'm obsessed with DISCODEINE - the french duo born in 2007 from the sick minds of Pilooski and Pentile. Self titled album was released Jan 31 11 - pick it up on iTunes.

Discodeine - Grace http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Hgy8aBeUY8&feature=player_embedded

French. Passion. POP.

Synchronize Time that heals and destroys Your wristwatch sparkles and shines We dance to organised noise Each beat a moment in time Synchronize tonight Yeah, you timed your move just right Synchronize And the hands of time are just your hands held in mine Take your time you will see We were destined to meet We move through time every day We move in time - to the beat It's high time you occurred Make your move here and now A wristwatch falls to the ground Time stands still in the heart of the crowd The lights flash in time with the beat And your heart beats in time with the drums And it's only a matter of time Yeah you timed your move just right Yeah the lights flash in time with the beat And your heart beats in time with the drums And it's only a matter of time

Synchronised.

Discodeine "Synchronize - feat. Jarvis Cocker" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq2L-tlNUNA&feature=related

Sub-Continental

I was asked the other day if they still teach students ‘cursive’ in primary school. Stumped I assumed so, but it got me thinking about when I was little and my mother thought I – as the first born – would carry all of her dreams and ambitions for her children to fruition. Rude shock that the gifts of fine pens, calligraphy and elocution lessons fell by the wayside when I realised my boho/hobo/soho self.

Loosely tying back to the post, I stumbled on the latest offering from the Byredo and M/M (Paris) partnership.

The nice thing about M/Mink Eau de Parfum is that it came about due to a role reversal. M/M (Michaël Amzalag and Mathias Augustyniak) called Ben Gorham of BYredo to their studio and presented him with the concept and creative direction. Based on a large, solid block of ink purchased in Asia, the idea was bolstered by a picture of a Japanese master practicing calligraphy and a large utopian formal that had been drawn on traditional Korean Paper.

From there, the idea seed planted, the group worked up the fragrance as a derivative of these three elements of inspiration – composed with incense, and a base of patchouli leaf, clover honey and dark amber – the adoxal top notes open up with a serious whiff of ink, before letting go, into the heady scent of an idea which started from the heart.

M/Mink Eau de Parfum
100ml Eau de Parfum - 1400 Swedish Kronor(approx $210 AUD)
50ml Eau de Parfum - 950 Swedish Kronor(approx $140 AUD)

Print Advertising done by M/M, Paris, France
Creative Directors / Art Directors / Illustrators: Michael Amzalag and Mathias Augustyniak
Photographers: Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin

Slowly closing

I like Facebook as much as the next person. It is truly depressing though, when those funny photos and witty status' go to waste in the ethos of online.

I love the idea, thought up by DDB Paris for French telecommunications company Bouygues Télécom, which lets you take your profile offline and have it bound for eternity coffee-table book style.

Using the simple insight (while people may share their most treasured memories and photographs via Facebook, the constantly changing nature of the site means that they can quickly be forgotten) the app was set up so that people could pick 10 of their friends and a time frame to make a hard cover book. The limited edition books - all 1000 of them - were snapped up within an hour. (I'd say that makes the campaign a success!)

Time to Vogue

Trust me when I say this, but Daria Werbowy, shot by Mikael Jansson, wearing jewellery by Louis Vuitton and a little underwear by Agent Provocateur for the Vogue Paris 2011 Calendar, might just be the hottest thing you see this year, and next. It's the liberated luxe, celebration of smouldering sex, and creative free reign that makes me want to move there. The whole year in advance.

le calendrier

janvier

fevrier

mars

avril

mai

juin

juillet

aout

septembre

octobre

novembre

decembre

French Fingering

Bringing luxury to the masses without damaging the value of your brand is no mean feat (case in point, Louis Vuitton rip offs and Paris Hilton wearing all-pink-mini-monogram tracksuit/hat/trainers...)

However gorgeous Frenchies Hermès seem to do it no problem with the release of this skate viral featuring their products set up like an urban environment. It's simple, and easy to watch. And a much better way to keep your brand niche than many who have gone before have done.

HERMÈS FINGERBOARD SKATE VIRAL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0JbqXM_HFM

Forced

Trust me when I say, 9 out of 10 times I get forced into a corner. And subtle changes make so much difference. It's refreshing to see creative where people don't get bogged down in showing something to make a statement. Think Volkswagen and their tried and tested "Small is Powerful" campaign that continues to win.

I love this work from Publicis Conseil (Paris, France) for alternative surf wear label Soöruz, which bucks the trend in the fashion (and many other) industries that brands support their products by always showing them in action. Showing the team riders living and breathing the tag line ‘No Guts No Glory’ presents a much more powerful personality for the brand than a look book-style-print-ad could.

It's not a new technique but God, life would be a Godsend if others followed a similar train of thought...

Advertising Agency: Publicis Conseil, Paris, France
Art Director: Charles Guillemant, Faustin Claverie, Thomas Chatenay
Créative Director: Frédéric Royer
Photographer: Felix Lharer
Retoucher: Adrien Bénard

Fraternal

Two brilliant DJ forces have agree to bring their mixing prowess together in an effort to ensure happiness to the club kids of the world.

French amazinaires Brodinski & Yuksek have teamed up to form The Krays - launching themselves last night at the Abracada Launch Party along with The Aikiu (Live), Pilooski, Villa, The Magician, Mikix The Cat, Mustang and special guests, Renaissance Man.

If you like it a little forward then these "get in the mood" mp3s are yours to be had.

The Krays ‘We’re Ready When You Are’ (DJ Medhi Remix)
The Krays - We're Ready When You Are -Dj Medhi Remix by extramusicnew

The Aikiu ‘Just Can’t Sleep’ (Egyptrixx Remix)
The Aikiu - Just Can't Sleep - Egyptrixx Remix by extramusicnew

Promener...*

Summer is blowing in so, so gently, that it feels time to forget about the year and slip quietly backwards into an ultimate state of quiet. The simplicity of closed eyes, arms open, welcoming the freshness of a new year.

Nothing spells reflection like the environment you're in, and Paul Babera sums that up in a nut shell via his personal work "LOVE LOST" - an ongoing narrative of women in their space. A Melbourne-ite but spreading his love and works between Australia, and Amsterdam (and all that is inbetween), Barbera is an establish interiors and fashion photographer shooing for titles such as Elle Decor, Grazia and Vogue Living

A friend and an idol, PB is just so right. And makes me long for the sojourn skipping close by on the future. *for Guui