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Perhaps not the freshest of posts, but I hadn’t seen the video for this song yet, so here goes anyway.
Absynthe Minded released the song Envoi in their (and my) native Belgium a few months ago, where it was recently named Song of the Year 2009. Nothing special perhaps, but what makes this song interesting is that the lyrics are an English interpretation of the poem Envoi by the late Belgian poet Hugo Claus, written in 1985. Isn’t it refreshing for once to see a young band pay tribute to one of the modern day poetry greats instead of sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll?
Anyway, I just love the song.
Animal-themed jewellery has become a bit of a fetish recently, so I was pretty pleased to come across these beautiful pieces by Los Angeles based company Alkemie.
Designed by husband and wife team Ashley Lowengrub and Dara Gerson, these pieces are all handmade from 100% reclaimed metals, so on top of being one-of-a-kind designs they are also eco-friendly pieces.
You can buy Alkemie online at the magnificent www.econsciousmarket.com, who donate 10% of your purchase to a charity of your choice because, they say, “Giving. It’s the New Getting”. The Starfish Cuff, for example, will set you back $190, but it would be an eco-friendly, charity-supporting purchase. Who could say no to that?
MORE TO COME!!!
Viktor & Rolf
This was the first catwalk outing for Viktor & Rolf Monsieur – somewhat surprising, as the menswear line has been around for 7 years. If there’s one thing the Dutch duo know, it’s how to set the perfect scene to compliment their clothes. Their womenswear shows are usually these huge coordinated productions, which go perfectly with the slightly bonkers clothing they make. For their menswear debut they knew to make it small, simple, intimate. A young singer/songwriter (Ben Hamilton) in the corner playing “Paint It Black” on his guitar, paint-splattered carpets and their trademark wax seal logo in the background proved the perfect setting for a mostly black and grey collection flecked with bits of teal blue. Although they’re obviously immaculate in their suit tailoring, it was their more relaxed casualwear I found most interesting. Lots of layering, loose fitted trousers, trompe l’oeil dyes and some lovely knitwear.
Raf Simons
As a Belgian I am probably always a tad subjective when it comes to my fellow countrymen, but then when someone like Raf Simons continues to impress collection after collection, I don’t feel too bad about it. I’ve always adored Raf’s work at Jil Sander, so sleek and polished; there really couldn’t have been a better man for the job than him. It appears that the Jil Sander style seems be rubbing off on him, even in his own menswear line, which showed signs of real maturity. There were plenty of razorsharp suits with shirts and ties, which is what I like to see him do most, but also several throwbacks to his rebel days, with skirts and dresslike creations and trenchcoats. The flashes of red brightened up an otherwise very black collection.
All Images Via GQ.com
