We featured artist Alex Prager’s work in Issue 8 of Corduroy and we’ve been excited to see what she’s been up to ever since. So imagine our (delightful) surprise when we saw this new short film that she shot for Mercedes-Benz.
Prager is no stranger to collaborations, having shot Bottega Veneta’s spring 2011 campaign. But this time, she takes the filmic and narrative qualities of her photographs and applies them to an actual film. Though reports have quoted Prager as saying that the film was inspired by childhood favorites, like “James Bond,” “Mary Poppins,” and “The Wizard of Oz,” the artist says it was more about capturing a moment and feeling, both with Mercedes’ brand new SL Roadster car and supermodel Lara Stone.
Prager and Stone (dressed in Calvin Klein Collection of course) shot the clip in the California Big Sky desert over the summer. At less than two minutes long, it’s more like an extended fashion photoshoot than a Hollywood movie, but the final 30 seconds deliver like a blockbuster all the same. At once poetic, slightly eerie and irrepressibly alive, the short film is at once a statement on the sophistication of the Mercedes brand as it is a representation of its power. Prager says she was struck by the styling of the SL Roadster and knew she had to produce a piece that reflected its beauty and romanticism, while also staying true to her own aesthetic tastes, which often have dark undertones.
As for Lara Stone the heroine? Besides complimenting Stone for her “classic women’s body” and femininity, Prager says she was struck by Stone’s acting skills and ability to emote. Her delicate features were the perfect contrast to the strong and bold vehicle being showcased in the project…though dare we say, Stone almost steals the show herself!
Check out the commercial (and a special behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the commercial) below and let us know what you think…
With another season of the Paris and Milan menswear shows come and gone, we thought it would be fun to highlight some of our most directional favorites from Fall/Winter 2012. Read on for our take on three collections and designers that stood out to us this time around…
CALVIN KLEIN MAKES SPORT LUXURIOUS
Italo Zucchelli’s offering for Calvin Klein Collection epitomized the ultra-luxe sportswear aesthetic which permeated even the most characteristically dapper houses this season. Although the classic suit will never be overtly unstylish, we noticed that even the suited models were crowned with baseball caps. Zucchelli certainly led the pack with jersey/crocodile sweatshirts and easy suiting which seamlessly brought together notions of luxury and sport, while maintaining Calvin Klein’s commitment to fine details, clean lines and strong tailoring.
THE OPENING CEREMONY KIDS TAKE ON PARIS
This sportswear moment continued to enjoy prominence at Kenzo, with the models all clad in tweed suits paired with metallic sneakers. Humberto Leon and Carol Lim consistently capitalize on cool with their constantly-expanding Opening Ceremony empire, and all eyes were on the designing duo as they made their foray into designer fashion with their inaugural menswear collection for the brand. The silhouettes translated as very effortless, yet refined with the incorporation of bold paisley and graphic prints. It’s still clothing for the cool kids but with an upper-class, European twist – a solid and rightful progression for the (formerly?) downtown design duo.
PROGRESS AND PROGRESSION AT KRIS VAN ASSCHE
Kris Van Assche is the consummate innovator, and this season he chose to focus on the suit. Van Assche injected a utilitarian edge into his interpretation of the menswear staple, with the high, almost restrictive collars contrasting with an overall looser fit than we saw from the designer in seasons past. While we’re still unsure about the baggy pants comeback (also seen at Emporio Armani and Ferragamo), we loved the sturdy thick-soled boots which anchored the otherwise sharp silhouettes – they offered a great juxtaposition to the quilted outerwear and belted knits and gave us a more rugged, slightly more casual version of the Kris Van Assche man.
What looks or collections stood out most to you? And is refined, daring (and occasionally colorful) menswear finally making a comeback after years of heritage-inspired looks? Leave us your comments below and let’s discuss!
Lanvin has long been known for their sleek and paired-down collections – a mix of classically sexy and sartorially-inclined looks for men and women looking to step up their basics. Now, Lanvin is expanding their signature aesthetic to eyewear, with the launch of a new eyeglasses line.
The company has released a teaser video of the Alber Elbaz-designed collection, with features chic tortoiseshell frames, curved aviators, and chunky square frames, accented with subtle jewels and color contrasts. The frames are at once daring and classic, not unlike pieces you would see in an art gallery – which makes sense considering the amazing amount of work and craftsmanship that goes into constructing each pair of glasses. Take a look at the video below and you’ll see what we mean.
The Lanvin eyewear collection will be available online and in stores this spring.
Prada presented its fall/winter 2012 menswear collection yesterday in Milan and brought out some big names for the show – and not just sitting front row either. The fashion house somehow convinced Hollywood heavyweights Adrien Brody, Tim Roth, Gary Oldman and Willem Dafoe to WALK the runway! Joining them were young actors Jamie Bell, Garrett Hedlund (who was the only one to break “character” and crack a smile as far as we could tell) and one of our faves, Emile Hirsch. The guys — sorry, men — sported Prada’s military inspired collection, which mixed Lenin-esque influences with old-school tailoring and motifs (thinking dressing gowns for men, long jackets, large collars and rich, deep colors).
And just how did Miuccia Prada assemble his A-list models? According to the New York Times, she called up a bunch of actors and they all just happened to say “yes.”
Check out the full collection – and the actors in action – in the clip below:
It’s officially 2012 and while nostalgia is apparently still alive and well in fashion, we’re ready to move on from the “heritage” wear and “native” trends of the past few years in favor of a different type of nostalgia, one that harks back to classic designs, quality craftsmanship and just simple, well-made clothes.
When we were young, Calvin Klein was the pre-eminent brand for mens and womenswear. With its clean lines and sleek minimalism, the brand managed to appeal to everyone and yet seem fashionably exclusive at the same time. And while the label dropped off — partly due to overexposure perhaps, or misguided attempts to branch off into too many different projects — Calvin Klein has quietly returned to the top of ready-to-wear scene in the recent years, showing a newfound maturity and subtlety that harks back to the days where clothing wasn’t about fads or fame or flightiness – it was about wanting to wear something that made you feel and look damn good.
During the pre-fall 2012 showings in New York last month, one of the most memorable offerings came courtesy of Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein Collection. There was an obvious emphasis on the waist this season, with each garment tightly cinched to emphasize the models’ miniscule midriffs. And while the sturdy and structured wool dresses, re-imagined sportswear staples, and leather trench coats were all obvious must-haves for this coming fall, our eyes have been fixated on Costa and the brand for the past few seasons.
Costa’s creative direction has largely remained consistent with the minimal all-American sportswear aesthetic so characteristic of the company’s history. But we love that the designer has also infused a distinct sense of softness and sophistication into the brand. This new direction has assisted the brand in staying relevant among the countless labels which seem to constantly be coming out of the woodwork.
From the wildly successful revamp of the ckone fragrance line, to the brand’s prominent association with it-girl and supermodel Lara Stone, Calvin Klein has slowly but surely managed to regain that intangible sexy cool, which was the root of the brands success in the 90s. And it’s nice to reminisce about the past, Costa’s contemporary conception of sexiness certainly transcends memories of Marky Mark clad in a pair of tighty whities.
