My stalled career as a trip-hop DJ on the Mo' Wax label ended any chance of catching me in A Bathing Ape many years ago, but that doesn't mean I don't find the often secretive Japanese label's moves fascinating. This week's release of the SS2013 collection yielded many "huhs", "whoahs" and "hmmms" in the office. But the oxford shirt with the BAPE-style camo cuffs and collar, a collaboration with the venerable and highly desired Gitman Brothers, is the runaway hit. Maybe not quite an icon, but definitely one of the first talkers of 2013.
Confessionals are inherently uncomfortable spaces. The very purpose of their existence, to allow parishoners to privately unload their transgressions to a member of the clergy—and God—is a tense and awkward premise. While modern places of worship have brighter and more inviting spaces to confess, the confessionals photographer S. Billie Mandle shot for her "Reconciliation" series come from classic church design: dark and intimidating spaces with dramatic light pouring through privacy screens. [via Wired]
With warm weather approaching and beach getaways creeping up on the calendar, some of us are experiencing anxiety. The itty bitty string bikini isn’t for everyone or every occasion—and finding a flattering swimsuit with style isn’t as easy as it sounds. So when we came across Beth Richards recently, we found ourselves excited about swimwear in a whole new way.
The Beth Richards Spring/Summer 2013 collection puts a modern twist on classic and vintage silhouettes, where iconic patterns like florals or exaggerated crosses entertain monochromatic palettes. Versions of high wasted two-pieces are ideal for flattering curves, and come with easy post-water options in crop-topped cover-ups. Richards has a way of expressing a cohesive vision for the female form, allowing the contemporary woman a chance to frolic in the sun with a generous reserve of elegance. We can imagine a Bardot or a Hepburn rocking one of these in Antibes. Bonus: Her one-piece swimsuits, made-in-Canada, double as sleek bodysuits.
Visit Beth Richards online for a list of stockists.
For the first music video from his upcoming metal album, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei recreated scenes from his 81-day imprisonment in 2011 on a set modeled after his actual jail cell. The video depicts some humiliating moments from his imprisonment, such as a forced shower in front of guards accompanied by a head shaving, as well as a bizarre drag sequence. Australian cinematographer Chrisopher Doyle shot the nightmarish clip, which has already been banned in China, as has the search term "Ai Weiwei." [via BBC]
Only a French menswear label, er "collective," could get away with the name Brooklyn We Go Hard, if it is possible to get away with at all. Now, BWGH, which calls itself a collective of "members" on its blog, has a new Paris shop at Les Docks, Cité de la Mode et du Design, a minimal and sleek pop-up inspired by Yves Klein that will be selling BWGH through September.
Visit BWGH online to see its latest collection.
Related
-
The American designer defends his Grunge collection and the honesty of his affordably priced line.
-
One idea launched this young brand out of San Francisco: An American-made shirt that fits better.
-
Don Letts directed a series of feature films about the fashion in British music subcultures and their relationship to tennis brand Fred Perry.