Smile damn you!

Monday, February 28, 2011

I don't tend to take much notice of business success tips, but as I sit here with a scowl on my fizog, I'm minded to change my outlook a bit, and I'm posting this here to remind myself. 

“What does it cost to smile? Nothing. What does it cost not to smile? Everything, if it prevents you from connecting with people. While smiling sends a very clear message about your state of mind, not smiling creates an opening for many interpretations, including grumpiness, aloofness and anger – none of which helps you enchant people,” he says.

Maybe it's because he used George Clooney as a case in point, and maybe it's because he's got a tasty pad in Lake Como, but it makes sense.

Read the City AM article in full here

Jose Parla: swirls of inspiration

Sunday, February 27, 2011

I was once so inspired by Jose Parla's work that I attempted my own version of his caligraphy-based graffiti. That was a disaster. I still have it tucked away somewhere.

But all thise squiggles still fascinate me, and the fact that they do actually say something, even if you can't read it, makes it all the more appealing.

Some of his works are now on show at the Bruce Wolkowitz gallery in New York.





Bruce Wolkowitz Gallery
505 West 24th Street
New York, New York 10011
T: 212.243.8830

I also found a little video (below).

Banksy goes to Hollywood, but not to the Oscars

Saturday, February 26, 2011


Well Banksy won't be going to the Oscars to pick up his Best Documentary gong for Exit Through the Gift Shop.

The organisers have told him he won't be allowed to attend in disguise, which as good as bans him from going seeing as he is just as famous for his hidden identity as he is his paintings.

That doesn't seem to have put him off his spraying - more Banksy artworks are appearing on the streets of Hollywood by the day, and the world's favourite vandal has even made onto an episode of The Simpsons.

Still, with the attention of Hollywood focused on the Oscars, Banksy could have the time of his life with those cans of his on the night.


Girls Friday: Amanda Seyfried has claws

Friday, February 25, 2011

Gone are the days when it was just Red Riding Hood's grannie who was eaten by wolves. It seems no one in the village is safe these days and to make matters worse, the culprit is actually a werewolf.

Nothing Amanda Seyfried can't handle. She has after all managed to survive the horrors of Mamma Mia! This is a walk in the park in comparison.

Seyfried is hotter than her trademark Red Riding Hood cloak at the moment, which must be why Justin Timberlake has interviewed her for Interview magazine, and at the other end of the phone she was allegedly naked.

Sounds like Timberlake bit off more than he could chew.

There's a video too, here






Rapha + Paul Smith SS11: on the button

Thursday, February 24, 2011


Rapha + Paul Smith SS11 from RAPHA on Vimeo.

The Paul Smith collaboration with Rapha last year fell short on a couple of points. All that purple failed to cut it for me, especially contrasted with black, and in all honesty, the Paul Smith embroidered chest stitching reminded me of those free gifts you get with a bottle of aftershave. The bottom line was that the Rapha mainline collection looked better.

Things are different this year. The second Paul Smith Rapha collection does exactly what it should - builds on and complements the style and functionality that Rapha has become known for.

So you get subtle PS flashes, reflective circular patches, and cool little details. On top of that you also get a nice dollop of windproofing, all on a totally new line of products.

Stand out pieces have to be the henley shirts with their higher-cut collar, and the hoody, in merino, with a high zip and windproof panels.

Available from March 3 here 



Supreme spring summer 2011: all in one go

Here's a handy little guide to the best Supreme has to offer for spring summer 2011, with some shots from the lookbook and the catalogue.

From plastic water pistols to a dodgy-looking printed vest, there's something for everyone here, especially if you like weird patterns like zebra prints and stuff.

Once my eyes had adjusted to the visual assault, I found something I liked. Predicatably I went for the least offensive garment. Maybe it shouldn't be known as a flasher mac.






















Banksy goes to Hollywood: part trois

Banksy is keeping himself so busy in Hollywood that it's difficult to keep up. Here are another couple of works that have appeared. Expect that tanker to be airlifted away by some rich collector by the end of the week.

Visvim denim Nomad: it won't wash

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

I can't say I agree with everything that comes out of Hiroki Nakamura's mind, and if this denim Nomad is a taste of things to come then I have lost all hope.

It might have a nice worn-in appearance, might be three-layer, might have a neat little leather peak detail, but the bottom line is that this is a denim hooded jacket, of the type popularised during the Eighties. And while that decade may have provided many things, such as Skyway BMXs, it did no favours whatsoever for denim.

This a clear indication of a resurgence of the use of denim in jackets and shirts. I get the whole denim jean thing in a massive way, but I can't bring myself to dig it as an outerwear fabric.

Thankfully this will most likely be priced at the kind of stratospheric level that would make your average cowboy choke on his hotpot so it's not going to pose much of a dilemma.

But I hate to see a good Nomad go to waste.

Visvim Yucca Moc Folk: reservation feet

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

It's always a bit of a treat to see what Visvim are wheeling out in terms of footwear each year. It sometimes seems that they can put that trademark white moulded sole on just about anything and it will look good.

These Yucca Moc Folk are a case in point. I wouldn't usually touch a mocassin with thick stitching lie that with a barge pole, in fact I'm sure I have a pair of slippers somwehere that looks just like them, but here I am fawning over the native infuenced streetwear fusion.

This style does fit in nicely with the whole Navajo theme that Hiroki is going for again this year. More about that later, I have pages to put up.

For now, try these on for size.