Vintage Hip-Hop Chic

Vintage Hip-Hop Chic

by: julian Mack

I was born on March 7, 1988.  I grew up in the 90s, when Hip-Hop was at its peak, although it was created in the 70s.  We listened to Kanye West, who is my favorite rapper, Jay-Z, Lauren Hill, Michael Jackson, Run DMC, Notorious B.I.G., 2pac, Nas, Jagged Edge, Mary J. Blidge, Ottis Redding, Erykah Badu, the list is endless.  Fashion became very important and really defined what artists stood for.  They wore baggy jeans,  sports jerseys, Jordan sneakers, etc, they wore lots of gold jewelry , had tattoos and gold teeth; all inspired by hip-hop's 70s roots.  They rebelled against the status quo.  It was all about defining their own identity with the attitude to match.  Fashion quite frankly defined that moment.   This is where I credit Kanye West.  West wore fashion in a way that mixed his lifestyle with designer pieces.  I love juxtaposition and the mix of hip hop, high-end design and the 70s.  It is what I grew up on, it defines my history and by extension, my personal style.

  

Paper Boy Chic.

PAPER BOY CHIC.

by Julian Mack

My best friend Lamar, who is a clinical research associate, flies all over the country for work and has more frequent flyer miles than the very flight attendants that serve him in first class, asked me to help him create a spring/summer look.  I was more than happy to dive in and give him my thoughts and expertise.  See below what inspirations and looks I pulled for him, perhaps in some way you too can take away a look and incorporate it into your spring style.

This is what I told him...

We are headed toward the spring season, (which is awesome:) and we will play with that) but I think it is more important to create a look that is totally new and permanent, one that fits your personality and lifestyle and also speaks to who you are. This look I am calling Paper Boy Chic, it is a very casual-professional look, it is easy going and perfect for a mobile lifestyle.  Playing into the very signature paper boy hat that you are known for! We'll  including pieces like suiting (blazer and pants), slim fit, designer loafers, tailored denim, bright colors.  We are going to go with pieces that are transitional from day (work) to night (happy hour, etc.) and a key essential is weekend, which is often forgotten and should definitely be adressed separately. Below are images and designers that we are inspired by and key pieces that will bring the look together.  You can buy designer staple pieces (coats, denim, suiting, etc.) and mix in affordable brands for trendy pieces (colored pants, t-shirts, etc.).

                                                                          

Please Do Not Ring the Door Bell.

Please Do Not Ring the Door Bell.

An open letter to the lost ones of the Connecticut elementary school shooting.

By Julian Mack

Sign posted on the door of Sandy Hook Elementary School Student, Aiden.

I woke up this morning with a heavy heart, thinking about the 20 innocent students and 6 teachers that were killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.  When I heard the horrific news on Friday morning, December 14, 2012, like the rest of the world, I was shocked and at a lost for words that an event so unfathomable would take place and of all places, at an elementary school.  When I turned on the television this morning to hear the stories of those lost during this tragic event, I learned about Aiden, a six-year-old student of Victoria Soto’s, the 27 years-young first grade teacher and hero, who allegedly hid her students in closets and cabinets when the gunman-who shall remain unnamed and not remembered as a historic figure- approached her classroom and was shot and killed.  It was also said, though I can not confirm at this time, that Soto saved ALL of her students.

MOST WANTED.

 Woollen Jacket by A.P.C. 

Naturally the Fashion lover in all of us gravitates towards black and darker tones in the fall/winter season, particularly when it comes to outerwear- and this wool A.P.C. beauty is available in those darker black and charcoal tones.  However, this re-invented 60's inspired bomber makes a bolder statement in camel.  Arrive, late of course, in this jacket paired with winter white denim for a tonal look. And yes we recommend white after labor day! 

Credits;

Woolen Jacket, A.P.C. ($530). apc.fr

American Boy. Calvin Klein Collection Spring 2013.

American Boy.

Calvin Klein Collection Spring 2013.

By Julian Mack

There is nothing that says American menswear fashion like a denim jacket- it quite frankly defines it. Calvin Klein showed a revival of classic American fashion in his spring 2013 menswear collection.  Creative Director, Italo Zucchelli, designed denim all-over jacket, button front shirt and pant looks.  According to Style.com, Zucchelli's inspiration was California, which was obvious in his navy, grey and black tones and floral prints in suits, shorts and casual California boy separates.

Most wanted.

6 Inspired Fashion and Beauty Looks.

6 Fashion and Beauty Looks

Inspired by the Spring 2013 Collections.

Editing and Styling  Julian Mack

Photography  Max Schwartz

Spring is the season of demure and glam.  It is my favorite season of the year, after Fall of course, because it is the perfect opportunity to rev up the Fashion and play with colors, prints and layering in the cooler months.  Louis Vuitton showed pops of color with bright yellows and greens and prints in its signature Damier check print in long gowns and over-coats on down to the dainty kitten heels in its Spring 2013 collection.  Inspired by Vuitton and the chic-grunge Dries Van Noten collections, who showed menswear inspired all over  plaid prints paired with knee-length organza skirts; I love the clean lines of a cigarette pant and top in a bold floral print paired with a leopard pony hair pump.  Hedi Slimane made his Saint Laurent debut leaving behind Dior Homme and without disappointment.  Laurent's girl was tough and edgy with leather pants and floor-sweeping gowns paired with wide-brimmed hats.  This collection inspired a leather biker pant and distressed american flag graphic tee paired with a vintage faux fur jacket. Layering is the easiest way to achieve juxtaposition and a play on silhouette seen all over the runway this season, pairing two seemingly different pieces to create a beautiful fashion moment, like a hunter green pencil-lined midi dress paired with an ox blood crew neck sweater.  

This season is all about the bold lip!  Burberry Prorsum, among others decked their muses out with bold lips in ox bloods, reds and pinks.  To finalize the perfect spring look use moody tones in trending color, ox blood, using Dark Side by Mac.

Here are 6 Fashion and Beauty looks inspired by the spring 2013 collections.

Model: Amanda Babinski

Hair and Make-up: Briana Danielle

Lost Soul.

Lost Soul; Solange Knowles' Losing You Video

When I met Solange Knowles she was equally as coy, gorgeous and statuesque as you'd ever expect her to be.  But when Knowles' first started her singing career at age 16, Fashion was the last thing that she was associated with, but who was at 16.  The last time we heard music from Knowles was from her 2008 released Sol-Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams album.  Since, she has delved into the Fashion, beauty and DJing worlds, making a splash on the scene and with no apologies. Check out her personal damn blog here for her own curation of it all.  The video treatment for Losing You, Knowles' first Dev Hynes produced single from her new album was directed by Melina Matsoukas and shot in Cape Town, South Africa.  With pieces chosen for Knowles and her "Suck and Blow"cast, the name she dubbed her video actors/friends, by ELLE South Africa's Fashion Director, Asanda Sizaniwas, the modern-vintage-at-once video is fashion filled with designers from Prada, Kenzo, Diane Von Furstenberg, Opening Ceremony to Suno, all designers of which Knowles' wears regularly as of late. With this eclectic retro video and recent sightings, Knowles has certainly solidified herself as a bonafide fashionista.  

photo credit; http://mydamnblog.com/
video credit; http://www.youtube.com/