Legendary Excellence speaking for itself: Uncover, and sample, the world of Diane von Furstenberg @ DVF.com.
The Crafty Excellence of Embroidery Artist Justin Morin, Currently on View During His Second Solo Exhibition in Four Years at the 25th International Festival of Fashion and Photography at Hyères, France
After his critically-acclaimed solo show in 2006, a very personal exhibition of technically ingenious and Outstandingly Excellent contemporary embroideries, which he titled Beside the glittering, artist Justin Morin returns to Hyères this year with one of the most anticipated exhibitions at the 25th international Festival of Fashion and Photography. His installation Carrie is a multilayered mediation on narrative that examines the relationship between the benches used for seating at runway shows and the fashion show itself, and finds its inspiration in the novel by Stephen King, the film by Brain de Palma, and perhaps most tellingly, in the artist’s own preoccupation with performance as it relates to the universe of fashion. The story of Carrie and how the young woman is banished and humiliated by her “friends,” and the way in which she avenges this treatment is what interests Morin. The spirit of the installation, presented in the pigeon loft of the gardens of the Villa Noailles, is that of a mise-en-scène of Carrie, reincarnated in architectural form, wearing dripping clothing, and shown in sreenshots. “I’m translating a critique of the cult of beauty. Carrie therefore serves to defend atypical norms and contradicts the canons of beauty,” says Morin. “I am super touched to return after 4 years to the place that saw my birth as an artist. With this sculpture, I’m performing a different kind of work. Hyères is seeing the the evolution of my career.” As press materials for the exhibition Excellently state, “Decidedly phantasmagoric, this sculpture will certainly find a unique parallel in the beauty queens and all of those who dream of one day rising to the highest level.” Justin Morin’s Carrie is on view until May 30, 2010. For more information, please click HERE.
©Justin Morin, The Secret Science Behind Miracles, collage sur papier (50x65cm), 2010. Image via Villa Noailles.
The Fanstastically Fragile, Perfectly-Folded Excellency of Paper Sculptures by Sipho Mabona, Supreme Swiss Origami Master
Presenting “Unarmed warriors, 2009″ an origami installation by Swiss master Sipho Mabona. Need to know information, via the artist’s website: “Sipho Mabona was five years old when he folded his first paper airplane. In 2000 after having folded planes for fifteen years Mabona ran out of paper airplane designs to fold and turned to origami hoping it would enable him to come up with original designs. Since then Sipho has been a participant at the Red Bull Paper Wings World Finals in Salzburg 2006, designed origami for the award winning Asics corporate movie “Origami in the Pursuit of Perfection”, has exhibited his work in galleries in Tokyo and Vancouver, was the invited guest at Japan Origami Academic Society (JOAS) Convention 2008 and was the first foreigner whose model graced the cover of the JOAS Convention book. Sipho Mabona’s origami covers a great range of different styles from very intricate representational designs to abstract geometrical shapes. The impeccable folding and his great sense for lines and shapes distinguishes Mabona’s work of art. Mabona currently resides in Luzern, Switzerland.” Outstanding Excellence.
The art of the fold: "Unarmed warriors, 2009," an origami installation by Swiss origami master Sipho Mabona. Image via Mabona Origami.
Outstandingly Unsolicited, Gratefully Appreciated, Applause for The Excellent People (con’d)
“The Excellent People has a sensibility all its own… Like champagne bubble tea.“ —An anonymous reader of The Excellent People
Excellent Exhibition: Helmut Lang @ The Bath Fashion Museum
Excellently anticipating “Turn of The Century,” the new exhibition at the Bath Fashion Museum in England, on view beginning May 1, 2010, which includes 25 signature pieces donated for display by influential 1990s Austrian fashion designer-turned-artist Helmut Lang. “Helmut Lang is the antithesis of the red-carpet celebrity dressing of the past 10 years,” Rosemary Harden, the manager of the museum recently told the UK Independent. “There are elements of anti-fashion; of minimalism. He has a very specific aesthetic, it is very pared down; there aren’t frills and bows and ruffle.” As Rachel Shields of the newspaper reports, “In recent years, Lang has donated a number of designs to 16 galleries around the world, including London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, the Musée de la Mode in Paris and Japan’s Kyoto Costume Institute. “I suppose he is thinking that he used to be a significant designer, and people can appreciate that with the clothes displayed,” said Ms Harden.”
Master of minimalism: Designer-turned-artist Helmut Lang. Image via Elfie Semotan via The Independent.
Kudos and Compliments for, and from, The Excellent People
“The Excellent People is like the shutter of a perfectly-focused Leica at the 21st century’s Black and White Ball.” —An anonymous reader of The Excellent People
Masked Excellence: Truman Capote's 1966 Black and White Ball at the Plaza Hotel. Image via The New York Times.
The Ultra Luxe Excellency of Halston, Haute 1970s Master of The Chic Ultrasuede Emsemble Look
Presenting an image from Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston, director Whitney Sudler-Smith’s new documentary about legendary 1970s designer Halston, world premiering on April 30 at the Tribeca Film Festival. According to the films tagline, “No one represents the glamour and decadence of the 70s more than fashion designer Halston.” True, yet arguably debatable.
A photo of Halston and the "Halstonettes." Image by Duane Michaels for WWD.
The Kiss of Excellence: Tom Ford’s “Private Blend” Lipstick Collection
“There is no more dramatic accessory than a perfect lip. It is the focus of the face and it has the power to define a woman’s whole look,” says the always visually astute Tom Ford of his just launched “Private Blend‘ lipstick collection. “I took the most universally flattering colors that a woman can wear, and then I re-imagined them in a modern and authoritative way.” Says Bella Blissett, beauty editor at F.TAPE, “From Bare Nude and Vanilla Suede to Fire Red and deepest Bruised Plum, the range takes the idea of a ‘signature shade’ to a whole new level, giving true beauty afficionados the chance to pick a colour to suit their every look, whim and mood. And coming under the Estee Lauder banner, it comes as no surprise that it contains ingredients such as soja seed extract and chamomilla flower oil for the ultimate creamy texture.” Each lipstick comes with a gold and ivory case. Priced at $45 each, the collection is available now in Europe and in the States starting June 1st.
High Gloss: Tom Ford's Private Blend lipstick collection, now available at Selfridges and Harrods in London. Image via F.TAPE.
