Bras: Built for a Woman, Strong Enough for a Man?

In Japan, some men are taking cues from a small, but growing number of peers who have found a new way to maintain a sense of stability in these uncertain economic times. How are they doing it?  Well...by wearing a bra.

A growing number of Japanese men are opting to secretly wear bras underneath their suits in the latest fad to sweep the nation. No, they are not transvestites (so they claim). They're regular guys who somehow find wearing a bra makes them feel secure, relaxed and helps improve their concentration. But, from a less shocking point of view, some overweight men wear the garment to combat "man boobs" and build confidence.

A Japanese company called WishRoom is making bras for men and reports lots of men are buying them. The underwear company, reports selling more than 6,000 'man bras' to date.  While rumors are that sales are way up,I still doubt that the items will go mainstream anytime soon.

I personally can't decide what part of this story is the most confounding. For starters, what kind of magic bras are these guys wearing? Ladies, would you ever describe any of your underwire devices as a "means of relaxation"? I mean really, they're horribly constricting and make us feel, if anything, violent not gentle. Second, how are you supposed to react if you actually came across one, say during a hot hook up. Third, why are they made of plastic? Fourth, don't they show under your shirt? 

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Tom Ford swaps fashion for film with 'Single Man'

Fashion designer Tom Ford has made a seamless transition from fashion to filmmaking with "A Single Man."

The film which opens Christmas Day has earned strong reviews, last week it received Golden Globe nominations for its score and the performances of Julianne Moore and Colin Firth.

"A Single Man" is an adaptation of Christopher Isherwood's novel of the same title. Set in 1960s California, it is the story of George Falconer, a gay Englishman in LA who is mourning the death of his longtime lover who passed in a car accident. Unable to see a future without his partner, George resolves to end it all. He gets a gun and starts to set his affairs in order. Along the way he encounters his best friend, Charley (who is sporting a wardrobe to die for), and Kenny, a young student who takes a slightly stalkerish interest in George.

"It's kind of enhanced reality. You're seeing the world through the eyes of a man who thinks he's leaving, and everything becomes hyper-beautiful to him." Said Ford.

Many reviewers have been surprised by the film's artistic focus, the unflashy way it depicts an intelligent, ironic, emotionally reserved man consumed by grief. Ford was sure to include visual salutes to iconic directors, from Alfred Hitchcock and Pedro Almodovar to Wong Kar-wai (Google them if you're not familiar). Even "The Wizard of Oz" gets a reference.

Though Ford insist that he did not put style over substance, it is hard to ignore the movies stylish surface. It offers all you would expect from a Fashion Designer's film: precise period detail, handsome actors and gorgeous outfits that capture the 60's, everything from pin-sharp suits to pink mohair sweaters.

When asked about his experience with film making he says it is, "The closest thing to God we get to be. I created that universe: it's forever sealed in that little bubble. A hundred years from now, all the actors will be dead, I'll be dead — but you'll still be able to pop it in and laugh, cry, smile. It will be alive. It's just amazing."
-Source: Associated Press 
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Preview: Spring/ Summer 2010 Ad Campaigns

The time has come for a a juicy glimpse at some of the Spring/Summer 2010 ad campaigns. The early winter countdown to spring ad time keeps loyal brand-lovers on their toes—and antsy bloggers/ commentators like me rattling away at the keyboard. Take a gander...

Most Elegant Inclusion of a Toilet

Marc Jacobs- Photo by Juergen Teller 

Most Bohemian Way to Fall in the Woods
Louis Vuitton--They replaced Madonna with Lara Stone

Best Aeon Flux Make Over of Nicole Kidman…I mean Daphne Guinness

Akris by Steven Meisel (side note: For those who don't know who Aeon Flux was go HERE)

Best Passed out Party Girl 

Valentino by Mert & Marcus

 

Best Attempt at Making a Mega-Celeb Look Domesticated

Dolce & Gabbana by Steven Klein

Since Madonna got replaced by LV, D&G Picked her up. 

 

Best Naked Cougar

Bulgari- w/ Julianne Moore

And...This probably doesn't count as a campaign, but here is a very short Alexander McQueen film that was directed by David Simms. It's VERY strange. The only ad part of it is that it links to his site.

 .....Here are the links to some more Spring/Summer '10 previews if you feel like looking.

• Jean Paul Gaultier & Valentino
• Iceberg 
• Dsquared²
• Calvin Klein
• Bvlgar

David LaChapelle FLAUNTs Naomi Campbell

World famous Photographer David LaChapelle captured Naomi Campbell looking every bit the African Queen that she is for the cover of FLAUNT magazine. The only possible result of a Campbell and LaChapelle collaboration is an iconic photograph, which is exactly the case with their latest. 

The British supermodel and the famed photographer have created a piece of digital art titled, "The Rape of Africa." The photo is from his latest exhibition and is currently gracing the Eden issue of FLAUNT magazine. 

LaChapelle premiered the work of art at Gallery Alex Daniëls in Amsterdam. The image carries LaChapelle's signature clearly and is as colourful and elaborate as one would expect from him- a combination of the fashion work that made him a star and his new direction.

References Botticelli’s Venus and Mars. Naomi Campbell takes the part of Venus. LaChapelle transforms the image to modern day relevance, with a subtle edge. Showing a little nip, Campbell is the peaceful center of attention in a war zone aftermath.  Compare the images below and read more about the gallery show here.

In other brief Naomi news, she is set to guest edit one of the upcoming spring issues for Russian Vogue. She must be feeling right at home in the native country of her billionaire boyfriend, real estate entrepreneur Vladislav Doroninnative.

Sandro Botticelli: C. 1484, Venus and Mars © The National Gallery, London

Magazine: Flaunt #106 - The Eden Issue  www.flaunt.com www.iconique.com www.lachapellestudio.com

Hermès Seeks Tokujin Yoshioka for Display Design at the Maison Hermès in Tokyo

Hermes has taken window dressing to another level with the help of Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka. In a nice departure from the typical mannequin window displays we are used to seeing, Tokujin Yoshioka created a wonderful antidote to the typical overstuffed holiday scene for the Maison Hermes in Tokyo.

Scarves hanging in the window seem to flutter in perfect timing with video imagery of a Japanese actress blowing at them. When asked to describe his inspiration for the display, Yoshioka stated, "On designing a window-display of Maison Hermès, I intended to express people’s daily movements with a suspicion of humor. There are moments when I perceive a hidden presence of a person in the movements born naturally in daily life. I created a design where one can perceive someone behind the scarves as if life were being breathed into them. The window is designed with an image of woman projected on to a monitor. The scarf softly sways in the air in response to the woman’s blow.”

Tokujin Yoshioka has recieved many international design awards. He established the Tokujin Yoshioka Design Office in 2000 and has an extensive portfolio which include shop and space design for Issey Miyake, Nissan, BMW, Shiseido, Hermes, Muji and Peugeot.
 
The display can be seen until January 19th, 2010.
 

With Liberty, Posen and Gaultier For All- Target Is On Target For Affordable High Fashion

In the last few weeks, Target has made major changes to their apparel. The biggest of these- three fashion big wigs are guest designing!

Three weeks ago, Target announced Jean Paul Gaultier to be the third in its series of designer collaborations, continuing in the footsteps of Alexander McQueen and Anna Sui.

Known for his dramatic creations, producing costumes for Madonna and Kylie Minogue, the Gaultier collection will debut in the US on March 7th, 2010 in over 250 stores and via target.com. The line is a separate initiative from Target's Go International division and there are even rumors Gaultier will get his own special Target pop-up store, although this is yet to be confirmed.

Two weeks ago,  Zac Posen was revealed as a guess designer. Posen is no stranger to working with the retailer. He collaborated with Target Australia on a range of party dresses, which he unveiled at the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival in March last year.

This time around, Posen will create a line for Target's Go International division (not to be confused with its Designer Collaborations brand). His designs will hit stores in the US and online April 25th.

So now, hot on the heels of the Posen collaboration announcement, comes the news that Target is also adding a bit of British flavor to their products. Liberty of London, a well established department store on Regent Street in Central London, England carrying a name synonymous with luxury and great design, is also teaming up with the American retailer on a line of clothing and home-goods.

Liberty's iconic floral prints will be a staple feature in clothing for women, men and children, and in a range of home and garden products.

"There's everything from bird houses and bicycles to lingerie. I'm happy about that because it means they will be attracting a large audience. And that will give Liberty great exposure to the biggest market in the world," said Liberty CEO, Geoffroy De La Bourdonnaye in a recent interview about the partner up.

Liberty for Target is slated to launch on March 14th in Target stores nationwide and on target.com.

To all my British peeps, never fear, the range will also go on sale in the London store from the beginning of April to December next year.