Some Watercolors

As the title suggests, here's some watercolor paintings I've done:

Thanks for reading!

Love Kurt's...

   A couple months ago, created two Grunge-fusion outfits I'm particularly proud of:

     1st outift shown: raw end beanie- H&M, black paisley bandana (worn underneath)- World Industries, Deer knit sweater- Tommy Hilfiger, dark green rain coat- H&M, drop-crotch trousers with

built-in cummerbund- Calvin Klein, faux crinkle leather boots- Forever 21, flannel shirt (bleached and sanded by yours truly, worn around the waist)- Social Republic, black and red striped scarf with fringe end- Hollywood Mirror store, Chicago, acrylic blanket (worn around torso)- yoga/meditation studio. 
     Some commentary on this outfit: I may know fashion but I am much more knowledgeable about style. Though the two may seem synonymous, fashion is in regards to the physical clothing and how it is structured and detailed. Style, simply put, is how you wear it. This can be the attitude you take on when you wear them, what you pair them with, and in my case the way you position them on the outfit. 

Resource: style.com

   My philosophy is that a shirt doesn't need to be worn around the torso, and that a necklace doesn't need to be worn around the neck. As seen in the described outfit, I wear the flannel around the waist (often done in during Grunge movement and sported by Kurt Cobain) to give an authentic theme. Though I didn't wear it in this outfit, I have cut apart a knit

sweater and used half of the sleeves, including the cuff, to make a leg warmer look-alike. My inspiration was from the Chanel (again) Fall 2012 Ready-to-wear show (as seen above).      Recently, I've been wearing a lot of pins and brooches with bracelets and necklaces hanging from them (more outfit posts to come with that detail). It gives the same effect as a brooch worn in the same show (photo source: http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashion-shows/fall-2011-ready-to-wear/chanel/details/108). 

Photo cropped to show detail.

Though it's unconventional, I think it's a great way to be creative and think a little outside the box.

   The second outfit shown is made of: raw-end dark grey beanie- H&M, box fit double collar polo- Fred Perry and Raf Simons Collaboration, vintage rain-proof car coat- Sanyo, grey slim fit pants- H&M (they've got friggin' awesome staple pieces by the way), 4-inch platform sneakers- Y.R.U (they're women's size actually), messenger bag- vintage Vietnam issued. 

  





  

Here's the original Raf Simons Fall 2012 double collar look that is seen on the polo I'm wearing (source: http://www.style.com/fashion-shows/fall-2012-menswear/raf-simons/details). Some final commentary on the second outfit, I've always loved the concept of platform shoes. However considering I have mens size 12 feet, the proportion of the platform is large in comparison to the rest of the outfit. As I thought about proportion and length, I finally figured out that if the height of the platform is tall, then I need to replicate that with my torso to create a visually even proportion (via the knee-length coat). The view of the outfit from the front is awesome, but I must admit I'm not too big a fan of the side view. Nonetheless, it's a fun yet broody outfit I feel creative in :)

     Thanks for reading, and remember: to raise one's head into Nirvana (get it? ;D), one must reach up...and get an extra lift from platform shoes

Model Behaviour- Abel van Oeveren

    


   Here's my third installment of Model Behaviour! The model of interest in Abel van Oeveren (nickname: Appie...awwwww!). As I was thinking about what these posts are about, I guess I could sum it up as 'Better Know a Model.' According to his Instagram (http://instagram.com/abelvanoeveren and https://twitter.com/abelvanoeveren as well) he is a Dutch model and New York citizen. He enjoys kitesurfing (probably where he gets his nice abs haha) and is passionate about sailing. After taking a look through his pages, this is very apparent. 


   He began his modeling career in February 2013 and made his runway debut opening the show at Burberry Spring/Summer 2013 Menswear. I honestly don't know if it was the outfit or him, but I immediately became infatuated with the outfit and replicated the look (see 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' post).

      He is very much passionate about sports as he also does snowboarding along with kitesurfing and sailing.

Photgraphed by Kuba
Drabrowski at Milan
Fashion week

   Unlike some models, he was not scouted out on a bus or walking around a city. Instead, he went to an agency and applied. According to an interview with FTape, his role model is Dutch male model Wouter Peelen.

   
   

   

   I don't really have much more to say other than this guy is friggin gorgeous! Enjoy it ;D

     

        http://instagram.com/p/gRZstXyDQR/?modal=true. Definitely the cutest, heartwarming video I've seen in a while! To my knowledge, this is not his kid and again he's 19 so that'd be rather interesting.

(Information and polaroids resource: http://ftape.com/model/?portfolio=abel-van-oeveren)

Profiles

     I consider myself a Jack-of-all-trades; my creativity has manifested itself in a plethora of ways: photography, fashion, music and art. I've yet to show some of my visual art. So without further ado, here are some portraits I've made:

Random portrait

Portrait of model Lindsey Wixon

Portrait of model
Anna de Rijk

Self portrait

Portrait of a male model

     I don't have a scanner for these drawings, but I think that this gives a more unique perspective on them and shows the slightly wrinkled texture.

Thanks for reading!

Soviet Reversal Trick

     

Source: Chanel Paris-Moscou Campaign

     Yet again, I have decided to cover a Chanel Metiers D'art collection. As you may tell by the picture of Sasha Pivovarova, this collection was inspired by Moscow, Russia. So get your ushanka hats on and see the opulence of the Chanel Pre-Fall 2009 collection!

  Sasha (being a supermodel of Russian descent) opened up the show. She worked closely with Karl Lagerfeld on this collection and used her artistic skills to create a set of drawings inspired by the looks (source: http://chanel-news.chanel.com/en/home/2009/06/paris-moscou-drawings-of-the-metiers-dart-collection-by-the-russian-model-sasha-pivavorova-on-the-occasion-of-the-fashion-show-in-moscow-the-city-where-she-was-born.gallery.html).

   A particularly prominent theme of the collection is the headdresses. I didn't notice this until recently but they are made out of hair. The Japanese artist Katsuya Kamo was the man behind the creations. He has collaborated with several other designers, such as Fendi, to make headwear for their runway collections. Having a mildly obsessive curiosity, I tried to find out how they were made. After watching the movement and structure of the headdresses, I realized the frame was made of a thick wire and the hair was braided over it. 

Source: http://www.photographersdirect.com/buyers/stockphoto.asp?imageid=2502296

     
     Right now, I am recreating this piece using gardening wire. This is the prototype as it is easily bendable; I'll be using armature wire for the final product. If you're daring and creative enough to make this here's a couple suggestions: don't use clip in extensions, get ones that can tie on to the wire (here's what I'm using: http://www.hm.com/us/product/22516?article=22516-B&cm_mmc=pla-_-us-_-ladies_accessories_hair-_-22516&gclid=CjwKEAjwkMWgBRCJ1L_wypbX0wkSJAC3Xio2ofRRmpkOqUJB7U2TpOuSntiXf3TyxrX1wz5EuK0ufxoCEnzw_wcB). 
     You can use a thin wire to make the frame but keep in mind it's easily bendable and very thin, if you use a more sturdy wire I would suggest a 14 gauge armature wire (also, a 14 gauge is going to be thinner than a 6 gauge), the downfall with using armature is that you will most likely need to use a soldering iron at the points of intersection which can be costly, if you do get a soldering iron make sure it can meld the armature wire.

Source: Petar Milošević

   When some people think of Russia, an image of a towering Russian Orthodox Church with ornate onion domes appears in their mind. In the collection, they are inverted and made into heels. It's a good thing the heels didn't have the cross on them or there'd be some controversy...or a hot new trend that would most likely be sported by Pussy Riot.

     

 I'm very keen on finding good deals with my fashion purchases. I've searched the web relentlessly looking for an affordable item from the collection. Finally, my efforts payed off when I found a replica of a bracelet from the Metiers D'art. Here's the link to where I bought it: https://www.etsy.com/listing/180793549/unique-and-cute-russian-doll-logo-charm?ref=shop_home_active_1. 

  LaClasse has an amazing selection of replica jewelry, including one inspired by Chanel's resin cuffs (the process of making those cuffs requires much skill and even a high-fire kiln) which are quite beautiful.


     To be true to the culture and history of Russia, I've gotten many Soviet pins (many of them thanks to my Russian friend). I typically wear them in huge clusters (as seen in the picture to the right). 

Stravinsky Minaudière
with gold metal filament and a Kremlin's
roof vintage closure.

   Being a composer as well, I wouldn't do justice to this collection without mentioning Igor Stravinsky. His ballet, "The Rite of Spring," is infamous for having caused the biggest riot in classical music history. It's uneven rhythm, blasting dissonance and inappropriate (though we wouldn't consider it as that today) choreography was much too shocking to those at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. It was here that Gabrielle Chanel was roused by the piece and met Stravinsky for the first time. Seven years later, he struggled financially and decided to pack his bags and leave for France with his family. Chanel got word of this and was kind enough to house him and his family. It is rumored that this is when they became romantically involved, but this is not confirmed. Mr. Lagerfeld, being the very knowledgable man he is, made a minaudière (a small, jeweled bag) and dubbed it the "Stravinsky Minaudière."

And now, some of my favorite looks from the collection: 

A closer look:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/
Exquisite-Chanel-
09A-Classic-Cocktail-
Dress-NEW-38-RARE-
Paris-Moscow-/291239477280?
pt=US_CSA_WC_
Dresses&hash=item43cf39c020

   

Another closer look:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/
CHANEL-Fall-09-
PARIS-MOSCOW-Wool-
Blend-Red-Boho-Metallic-Print-
Dress-sz-46-/171323850164?pt=
US_CSA_WC_Dresses&hash=item27e3b27db4

     

(All images above Chanel, detail photos collected by chics filles: http://chicsfilles.blogspot.com/2009/02/chanel-paris-moscou-matriochka-and.html)

Resource:
http://www.resee.com/chanel/moscow-collection-jacket.html

     My first ever trip to a Chanel boutique was when this collection just came into the store. I saw the second look (above) and was able to feel the fabric. It is the lightest and softest fabric I have yet to see to this day. The cut of the fourth look was impeccable, the tweed woven to a perfect texture. When you look at the black trim, it seems to pop out (seen above). Karl Lagerfeld, having an understanding of color interactions, lined a pink trim next to the black one; thus allowing it to stand out.

     Amidst my search for some images, I came across a Taiwanese blogger named Rosalie. She took pictures of the collection up close in a boutique. I was happy to see the immense detail (that can't be seen from afar) in her photos:

     To see the complete post and all of her wonderful pictures visit: http://styleblog.vogue.com.tw/style_f/article.aspx?name=rosalie&no=12595&swap_reply=&enable=&del_no=.

  



   And finally, here's the Soviet Reversal trick: America + X= Y. Soviet Russia + Y= X. An example: 

In America, you wear clothes. In Soviet Russia, clothes wear you!