ISSUE 5
Editor in Chief Mariel Bennett
Creative Director Jordan Romanoff
Executive Assistant Tyler White
Contributing Fashion Editors
Holly Alymore | Shaniqua King | Federica Manca | Fydez Tan | Cindy Voong
Contributing Editors
Charlotte Albert | Sophie Cooper | Laura Durechova | Lorna Jayne Marissa Window
Photographers
Sarah Kjelleren | Jordan Romanoff Special Thanks to Amy, Rachel Antonoff, David Biral, Riller and Fount, Accessorize, Sockerbit, The Fashion Office, Teen Daze, Charlie Yin, and Them Stars.
Contents Style Tips Basic Pieces Classic Tips Golden Rules Beauty Tips Style Feadz Living in America’s Worst Dressed City Fashion Diaries Rachel Antonoff Riller & Fount Fall in Love with Autumn In All the World Only Two Mega An Autumn Escape
01 02 03 04 05 07 13 15 23 25 29 33 45 49
A Charming Summer Blush and Zero Accessorize Sockerbit Federica Teen Daze Physical Music Girrafage Them Stars Fashion Office
51 59 63 67 71 73 77 79 81 83
Letter from the Editor As the earth begins to prepare itself for the cold months of winter, we find ourselves in a time that welcomes and celebrates new beginnings. Autumn, in all of its dark whimsical magic evokes an excitement that finds its way into even the oddest of places. As soon as the first true chill of the season sets in and we begin to pull out our warm cozy knits, this sense of new beginnings overwhelms us and the thrill sets in. For fashion, this is a long awaited season, we have spent all of summer reviewing the A/W shows and it is finally our time to try them out. Fall is a time full of clothing related memories as well. From the moment you are reunited with your leather bomber or favorite sweater, you are greeted with copious amounts of season related memories. Such is the case for the Marc by Marc Jacobs dress that we used for the the cover look as well as the shoot at Sockerbit. I bought the dress a couple of years ago on a family trip to Arizona and its classic peasant silhouette always reappears in my Fall wardrobe.
In spirit of this, for the fifth issue we welcomed the cold weather by celebrating warm, soft, staple pieces that are worn for comfort. This idea acted as the theme for our main shoot, the second part of In All the World Only Two, which was photographed by Sarah Kjelleren. We explored the idea of classically chic comfort even further with our piece on California-based clothing line Riller & Fount. For this feature we headed out West to shoot the looks in Los Angeles to capture the line’s cool LA aesthetic. In direct contrast, in our DMM Loves piece which features the UK originated brand Accessorize, we incorporated the seasons trends into a highly dramatic and polished shoot. In addition, the shoot also features a narrative about accepting the new season not only into your wardrobe but into your everyday life. So as you put on your favorite pair of leather, fox fur trimmed, cashmere lined gloves think back and appreciate all of the cold adventures where they kept you chic and warm.
Charlotte Albert
Website/Blog URL: http://www.lust-for-fashion.tumblr.com Current Fashion or Style Obsession: I’m currently loving Asymmetric clothing. A garment that can be a simple design, fabric and color but still have the interesting aspects to it. I find the basics work best for this, for instance a cotton t-shirt dress. It’s so effortless. My style has always been very classic and I like to stick to that but add in a few quirky aspects. The trends I fall in love with always manage to work into my style, which is great! I’m also a big fan of sheer at the moment.
Michael Bregiannis
Website/Blog URL: http://www.yo-mikey.tumblr.com Current Fashion or Style Obsession: That’s a bit of a hard one. But currently I’m obsessed with these burgundy coloured Brogues I bought a few months back. They have oversized soles,which kind of remind me of the Men’s Prada Creeper Brogues, only difference is my ones only cost my £3!!!
Sophie Cooper
Website/Blog URL: http://fashionjunkdaily.blogspot.com/ Current Fashion or Style Obsession: * Right now I love aztec prints, leopard print, lace and leather! I’d say my style can be quite punk/rock n’ roll so I like to take current trends but put my own edge on them.
Laura Durechova
Website/Blog URL: http://blushandzero.blogspot.com/ Current Fashion or Style Obsession: At the moment I’m obsessed with sheer opaque black pieces. Whether it be a shirt, top or maxi skirt, I think anything with a bit of sheer black is absolutely divine!
Lorna Jayne
Michael Provatas
Current Inspirations: At the moment I love clashing patterns and warm, dark shades. I can’t wait for it to be cooler so I can invest in a sweet leather jacket. As a film student, right now I’m obsessing over Chloë Sevigny’s work and style, she’s amazing. In general though, I’m admiring Freja Beha Erichsen’s beauty.
Current fashion/style obsession: Glam Rock
Website/Blog URL: http://bookshopfolk.blogspot.com
Website/Blog URL: http://michalis-blender.blogspot.com/
Marissa Window
Website/Blog URL: http://withoutpants.tumblr.com/ Current Fashion or Style Obsession: I have a complete obsession with statement jewelry. I just can’t resist a bold necklace or layering multiple bracelets to make my own arm party. My typical looks are fairly basic and spunked up with unhealthy amounts of jewelry.
Style Tips Layer layer layer. Layering is the perfect way to transition from day to night and add personal style to basic pieces. Marissa Window
A pair of jeans, ballet shoes and a graphic t-shirt is a perfect 24hours look - Michael Provatas Personally, white leather jackets are a NO. Michael Bregiannis
Mix and match colors and styles! Michael Provatas
Don't be afraid of COLOR! Michael Bregiannis
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Wearing all black can be surprisingly fresh with the correct accessories! Michael Provatas
Basic Pieces Every girl should own a well-tailored blazer. Marissa Window Only buy things that you really love, don’t fill your wardrobe with pieces that are just “okay”. Charlotte Albert
Dress to suit your figure! Identify which shapes of clothing work best for you and suit your body shape. Charlotte Albert
Try to avoid spending top dollar for trendy items. Invest in classic pieces that you can see yourself wearing and loving for the next ten years. Marissa Window Invest in key pieces for your wardrobe. Even if something seems expensive, chances are it’s much better quality and will last you. This could also save you money in the long run. Charlotte Albert
Classic Tips
You may not care for their style, but don’t forget it’s their style Michael Bregiannis
Matching socks are a must for any outfit! Laura Durechova Invest in a pair of comfortable yet chic leather boots; your feet will love you forever. Marissa Window Show your personality with what you wear. Don’t overwhelm yourself with the trends. Michael Bregiannis Always feel confident and comfortable with what ever you have on. Michael Bregiannis Smile at people. Laura Durechova
It’s far better to overdress for an event than under-dress. Marissa Window
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Go by fit, not size. No one is going to see the label inside your garment, so put the ego aside and wear the size that flatters you best. Marissa Window
Golden Rules Don’t be afraid to mix designer pieces with vintage finds and inexpensive items to achieve your own personal style. Anyone can take a look directly off the runway, but it takes a real sense of style to adapt it and make it your own. Marissa Window Be able to empathize with people and see things from another person’s perspective. Charlotte Albert Choose not a life of imitation Michael Provatas Keep going forward Michael Provatas Just because something is a designer label doesn’t mean it’s automatically fashionable. Use your own personal taste and judgment to find pieces that work for you. - Marissa Window Only buy something if your are absolutely in love with it - Laura Durechova Focus on the things you like about yourself, everyone has insecurities but you have to be careful not to let them take over. Love yourself! - Charlotte Albert Don’t take anything for granted! - Charlotte Albert
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Nothing says sass like a fierce red lip. Marissa Window Take hairbands and pins with you wherever you go. Laura Durechova Treat yourself to a facemask/ manicure/ hair mask once in a while. Laura Durechova Drink plenty of water; it’s so good for you. Charlotte Albert Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. You will notice a huge difference in your energy and motivation levels and it’s a great beauty tip! Charlotte Albert
Beauty Tips
Live healthily and the rest will follow. Michael Bregiannis Look after your skin, hair and nails. Sophie Cooper
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Fall, like the other seasons, has a magic of its own. It is dramatic, enchanting and haunting. The falling of leaves that leaves trees naked and dry, the soft hush of the winter wind, the faint warmth of the sun… these feelings bring upon a beautiful and mysterious vibe in one’s way of dressing. These are perfectly expressed by one’s return to the basic and neutral palette of colors such as beige, grey, black and white. They are lovely on their own but a little flair could make them extraordinary. Each of these colors can become a perfect canvas when little details such as fringe and meticulously decorated lace are added to one’s outfit. If such details are hard to find, accessories are as perfect. Fancy gloves, artistic rings, one-of-a-kind shoes, lace and/ or pearl detachable collars, elaborately designed tights and socks, and surreal headwear such as bowler hats and feather headbands. Each may sound too extravagant but when they are worn perfectly that is, with balance, a subtle drama is achieved. Be a walking work of art, not the outrageous one but a mysterious one. 07/08
ABOVE: Dress: DKNY; Coat: Victoria s Secret; Socks: With Love From CA; Shoes: Repetto; Bag: Miss Selfridge; Brooch: Sonia Rykiel; OPPOSITE: Top: See by Chloe; Vest: Miss Selfridge; Pants: Maison Martin Margiela; Shoes: Michael Antonio; Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim
Dress: H&M; Cape: See by Chloe; Shoes: River Island; Earrings: Juicy Couture; Hat: Uniqlo;Gloves: John Lewis;
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Dress: Miu Miu; Shoes: Tory Burch; Jewelry: Orelia; Headband: Spell; Belt: Etro yellow belt;
Dress:D&G; Shoes: DV by Dolce Vita; Bag: Rebecca Minkoff; Oval Ring: Raw Jewelry; Feather Hair Accessory: Gilded Lily Goods; Antique Lace Ring: A.McQueen;
Top: Miss Selfridge; Skirt: Alice In The Eve; Shoes: Jessica Simpson; Bag: Christian Louboutin; Bracelet: G by Guess gold bracelet; 11/12
Shirt: Elizabeth and Jame; Blazer: Miss Selfridge; Shorts: SECOND FEMALE;
Living in
“America’s Worst Dressed City” I’ll admit it, I may be bias, but I think Boston is a pretty smashing place. How could you not be proud to call one of the oldest cities in America your home? Bostonians have become accustomed to being among the top ranked cities on numerous lists, but recently we had a big hit to our egos with GQ’s titling of “Worst Dressed Cities in America”. I’m not saying by any means we are the fashion capitol of the world, but worst dressed seems a bit harsh and unjust. It’s time we break through the stereotypes and mention some factors that may easily be overlooked. New England is the birthplace of the classic preppy style; Vineyard Vines, Sperry Topsiders, khakis, and nautical reds are typical closet staples. The fashion may be a bit more refined than it is many larger metropolitans, but to categorize the entire population into one fashion stereotype seems a bit absurd. There is no arguing that the preppy influence is still present and some people may take it to an extreme, but it’s the way that individuals adapt this style and make it their own that makes it noteworthy. It’s commonplace to see an individual rocking a bold vintage sundress paired with boat shoes or a classic J. Crew cardigan. Bostonains know that there really isn’t any specific label to the cities look. “Boston style is eclectic, but the two prevailing styles are preppy and hipster- with ongoing turf wars between the two. With a young college-aged population and a diverse range of "types" of students the style is ever-evolving” said Katherine S., Wellesley College, 2011.
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Generally speaking, most Bostonian looks are tailored and focused on layering, which is mainly contributed by the brutal winter weather. Bostonians have to cope with drastic weather conditions, which makes layering and accessorizing properly crucial. Bostonians will admit that sometimes warmth takes priority over fashion, but there is a balance to it all. “While fashion week is smaller than other US cities, Boston still has a huge presence in the fashion world. I believe many people don't understand how people can be fashionable in cold temperatures and this may have contributed to Boston's new title.” – Emi C., Boston University 2012. Boston draws an eclectic group of people, many of which are transplanted here for academic or professional reasons. Once you get passed the swarms of summer tourists in Red Sox hats and fanny packs you can start to find the real city fashion. True, you’ll find groups of collegiate roaming the streets in illfitting sweats and baggy Ts as they run to get there coffee fix, but that’s to be expected in any college town. “I moved to Boston 5 years ago from Philadelphia. After living here I have become more conscious of fashion, and am intrigued by styles I see on the streets. I like to think that
Boston is a melting pot of styles, with more good looking people and outfits than bad.” - Antigone S., Simmons College 2011.
I shudder every time I see an individual decked out in sports memorabilia at the bar, but we can’t let a few bad apples ruin the entire perception of the cities taste. Saying that all Bostonians only wear Bruins or Red Sox sweatshirts would be like saying every citizen in New Jersey wears leopard and Snooki poofs. Take a walk down Newbury Street or Harvard Square you’ll feel like your watching potential photo candidates for The Sartorialist pass by. Boston has had its own Fashion Week since 1995, and as of this year the city has designated a specific tent location for all shows, similar to Lincoln Center for NYFW. Are we the best-dressed individuals in the world? That’s doubtful. Are Bostonians fashion conscious and adapting style to their own personal tastes? Without a doubt. marissa window
Monday African Orange
Charlotte’s Fashion Diary
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I bought this sheer, lace back shirt from ASOS.com in a larger size so I can wear it as a dress/top/cover up! The bright colour is perfect for summer (not that we are having great weather her!) and the lace detail on the back adds interest. The wedges are from Topshop and are the most comfortable shoes I own! I love wearing loose fitted clothing, things that fall well and look effortless. Most of my favourite looks include a boyfriend cut or something loose and sheer. I also wore a black cotton skirt underneath to keep my dignity!
Tuesday To The Office
Wednesday Brick Blending
I was actually going to sell these shorts on ebay as I’ve had them for so long and they’ve just been sitting in my wardrobe. When I put them on to take a picture I fell in love with them all over again! I’m a great fan of Stella McCartney and after seeing her Resort 2012 collection I have a great love for a smarter, more crisp look, the cuts of her blazers are beautiful and in my mind, create the look of who I want to be. Women no longer need to wear a dress to be feminine, a strong piece of tailoring can look extremely sexy.
Playsuits can do wonders for your shape! I bought this one from ASOS and added a Topshop blazer and black suede heels. It’s such an easy look to create and always makes me feel good.
Thursday A Bear Hug
This is a look I had planned to wear whilst traveling to London, a fuax fur coat is just the most cosy thing in the world! I’m a huge fan of maxi skirts and this one being cotton jersey is great for comfort as well as it being a beautiful cut! With flat Topstop ankle boots and a collection of rings it makes for a more casual look, I felt very snug. 17/18
Friday Leather And Checks
This look was inspired by the lovely Elin Kling, I often look to her when I’m in need of some ideas as she always looks so flawless! It’s a simple look with faux leather leggings and a checked shirt but it’s amazing what a difference sunglasses can make! They make the outfit look so much more chic. On a day busy day sometimes time is against us, so a low bun, slip on heels and arm cuffs are a sure way to beat the rush and still be on trend!
Saturday Contrast
Sunday Sheer + Sheer
Today I felt like a white and black mix! Looking at it now I probably would have gone for my Zara black quilted bag instead. This bag is the Furla “Divide It” which I bought from Italy last month. I added a clip on fox tail which has fascinated my dogs! You can buy this white Gilet from ASOS.com (I seem to be buying so much from ASOS at the moment!).
I actually borrowed this skirt off a friend, I’ve been looking for a great sheer maxi skirt for so long but they always sell out extremely quickly! I wore Zara sandals and a Furla “Divide It” bag with a foxtail as an accessory.
Monday A day to dress smart
Sophie Louise Cooper’s Fashion Diary Trousers: Zara; Striped Top: H&M; Floral heels: ASOS; Blazer: Primark; Bag: Mulberry Oversized Alexa; I'm not sure what inspired me to wear this, I just wanted to dress smart. Making lots of effort on a Monday morning makes me feel better about it being Monday, I think getting dressed is my favourite part of my day! 19/20
Tuesday A forgotten dress
Wednesday My new playsuit
Striped top: New look; Dress: Henry Holland; Wedges: Ebay;
Playsuit: Ark Clothing; Denim jacket: Vintage; Belt: Moschino; Lace up boots: New look;
I totally forgot I had this dress, I bought it last year from the Debenhams sale. When I tried it on, the front kept slipping down and revealing my bra! So I decided to layer it with this top, a like how the striped looked with it and it was something I haven’t worn before.
My new playsuit arrived! I really love it, I was told the colour really suits me and compliments my skin tone, which is always nice to hear! I only own 2 playsuits but I really like them because they are pretty versatile as you can dress them up or wear them casually, I think I will be buying more in the future!
Thursday Letting out my leopard
Denim shirt: Charity shop; Black vest: Topshop; Leopard print trousers: Topshop; Shoes: Topshop; Bag: Vivienne Westwood, Chancery range; I decided to relax today, and the best way to relax is to stick on my comfortable leopard trousers and go for a walk in the park with my dog. I thought the denim shirt could be used as a nice light weight jacket since summer in England is still pretty cold! 21/22
Friday Feeling a little 50s
Dress: Vintage; Belt: Primark; Shoes: Vivienne Westwood X Melissa; Headscarf: Vintage Leather gloves: Ebay; I was feeling a little down today, so I decided to dress up all girly to cheer myself up. I recently visited a vintage fair in my home town and there were lots of girls there who dressed like this, I thought they looked awesome and thought I’d try the look out for myself, but I don’t think I could dress like this everyday!
Saturday Sunshine!
Sunday Chillin’ out
Denim gillet: Topshop; Caged bralet: Topshop; Maxi skirt: Ark Clothing; Boots: Dorothy Perking;
Denim gillet: Primark; Flag vest: Topshop; Maxi skirt: Vintage; Shoes: Vivienne Westwood X Melissa;
Today it was actually sunny which surprised me, it usually rains where I live! So I decided to wear my favourite maxi skirt which I bought before I went to Paris in July. It’s so comfortable and pretty!
I love maxi skirts and this one is super comfortable! I thought I’d spice to look up by wearing it with my American Flag print tee. I wish I could visit America, I would love to go to New York and Boston, maybe one day I’ll have the money!
Rachel Antonoff
Last May, in the midst of finals, Jordan and I made our way to a little restaurant in SoHo to have lunch with fashion designer Rachel Antonoff. While we were waiting outside, not exactly sure of who to look for, we both noticed a whimsical girl walking into the restaurant. Before Jordan and I could finish mouthing ‘do you think that is her?’ The girl had walked backed out and her cheerful voice hesitantly cut in ‘Are you Mariel?’ After confirming my identity she reached out for a hug and the three of us entered the restaurant.
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As soon as we sat down we quickly got to talking and almost completely forgot about the interview. The extremely optimistic and charismatic Rachel Antonoff is one of those people who you want to be around, not only because of all of her charming quirks and funny stories, but because she will teach you a thing or two about the business. She tells it through her own experiences of entering the fashion world, and she does not sugar coat it either. Even though before she started her own line, Antonoff worked for a year for designer Rebecca Taylor in the PR department, she explains that she got into fashion “by mistake kind of”. Her career as a fashion designer began when she was living in the West Village with a roommate. They drew some sketches for dresses and sent them to seamstresses to be made. Although she briefly had a line with her roommate, Antonoff soon created her own. She sought out help from Teen Vogue and in due time Barneys began buying her collections, which are sold in store. She also collaborates with Bass, and in May had just started the process of creating her third season with them. Antonoff advises “not to over think things” adding: “Literally I just did it.” And when she says she just did it, she means that she did all of it, including managing all of the finical aspects of her business, which she runs together with her father. She attributes her success partially to the fact that when she started she had a finical backing, noting that if you want to be successful in the fashion
industry, it is of paramount importance that you are financially supported. On a more visually related note, she tells us that her current fashion obsessions are tights and socks, especially with shoes, either high heels or the ones that are in her collections for Bass Shoes. She describes the ‘Rachel Antonoff girl’ as being silly. Stressing that in fashion it is most important to have a sense of humor. This attitude is seen in all of Antonoff’s work, from each collection to the sets of her lookbooks, and to the styling of her shows. All of which are inspired by the whimsical, imaginative, playful and silly aspects of childhood. She mentions the idea of performance, theater, dancing and the costumes that go along with it. When we asked her if she had any tips for the contemporary girl she says that she “truly believes that it doesn’t matter how stylish you are, being comfortable is what makes you most attractive.”
Riller and Fount In 2007, the co-founder and former creative director of J Brand Susie Crippen and the creator of n.fem Marlena Ruiz teamed up to create Riller & Fount, a California-based clothing line. The attention to fit and the silhouette of every piece in the line reflects
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both Crippen and Ruiz’s previous experience in the fashion industry. Each Riller & Fount collection is made up of soft fabrics and effortlessly chic, comfortable, sexy, and feminine pieces. DMM got the chance to talk to the designer of line, Marlena Ruiz. www.rillerandfount.com | www.facebook.com/rillerandfount
top: riller & fount cookie draped front tank; bottoms: think closet; shoes: jeffrey campbell;
DMM: What is your current style or fashion obsession? Marlena : Right now, I’m loving metal accessories: multi-strand necklaces, bracelets, and earrings in antique brass and gunmetal finishes. Riller & Fount’s jersey pieces are clean with soft lines, so adding a heavier accessory gives your look some edge. I also recently bought a pair of leopard print ankle boots that I’m obsessed with. DMM: What were you like as a child? Has this had an effect on your style? Marlena: I was pretty much a tomboy growing up, so my style is not super girly. When I do wear something ultra-feminine and flowy, I usually throw on a leather jacket or chunky boots to toughen it up. DMM: How did you get into the fashion industry? Marlena: I had always wanted to be a designer, but I took a detour into the restaurant business. It was a tough transition into fashion design, but a good friend of mine gave me my first design job several years ago, and here I am today! DMM: Do you have any advice for young people who are looking to get into the industry? Marlena: There are so many opportunities and resources around these days that weren’t available before. Read and research the industry, runway shows, anything you can get your hands on. Or blog about it yourself! Intern. It’s easy to immerse yourself in this business, so be proactive and dive in! DMM: Your collections and lines have focused a lot on minimalism, do you have any favorite minimalist designers (graphic designers of any other kind)? There are so many talented designers out there, but it’s more difficult than you think to create something fresh, wearable, and timeless without the use of crazy embellishments. A few designers that have accomplished this are Helmut Lang, Jil Sander, and Rick Owens.
Never abandon personal style to solely accommodate trends. When in doubt, keep it simple. DMM: You seem to know a thing or two about layering, any advice on how to properly layer? Marlena: In order to give you more shape, layer longer, leaner pieces underneath. Jersey on jersey is my personal favorite (of course), but for more texture, a longer jersey tank worn under a shorter, looser gauzy top allows for comfort and an easy laid-back style. Layering is also a great way to add a hint of color if, like me, you tend to wear basic solid colors. DMM: Do you have any other style tips? Marlena: It’s important to know what works on you, what you feel comfortable in. Never abandon personal style to solely accommodate trends. When in doubt, keep it simple. And by all means, take one last look at yourself in a full-length mirror before you walk out the door! DMM: What do you think makes a for a chic contemporary girl? Marlena: Style is a form of self-expression and self-confidence. With that said, I think the modern woman knows who she is and is confident in her style choices. She doesn’t have to be in head-to-toe
designer to be chic. She’ll mix low end with high end, new with just a touch of vintage. DMM:Do you have a consistent inspiration that you refer back to during the creation of your collections (a theme/image/idea that you have always thought about)? Where do you usually get your inspirations from? Marlena: It’s difficult to articulate my creative process. Most of the time it begins with me transporting myself to another time, another culture, or a different way of life. Then I splash cold water on my face and figure out how to translate this fantasy into the reality of my everyday surroundings. DMM: Do you have a favorite garment from your collections? Marlena: It’s a no-brainer: our high-waist maxi skirt is such a versatile piece. It easily transitions from day to night without sacrificing comfort or style. DMM:What are your wardrobe essentials? Marlena: Long skinny tanks for layering, ankle boots, and a black motorcycle jacket. DMM: What are your summer style essentials? Marlena: Maxi dresses with huaraches or a wedge espadrille will have you looking and feeling effortlessly chic all summer long. DMM: Riller & Fount is LA based, what are your favorite places in Los Angeles? Marlena: Give me a rooftop or backyard BBQ, and I’m right at home! DMM: Do you have any favorite places in New York City? Marlena: Indochine. I go there every time I’m in New York. The food is amazing and I always get great service.
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dress: riller & fount ariel cocoon tunic;
Fall in Love with Autumn cindy voong
Fashion can be confusing. Shivering whilst watching a fashion show full of summer clothes isn’t exactly glamorous. Sometimes, I forget what season I’m in. The catwalk is the future, showing us next season’s trends. Summer clothes are seen in the winter and vice versa. Anyhow, it is still satisfying seeing a designer’s hard work being showcased right in front of me. After seeing the designs for autumn/ winter 20 11, I couldn’t help but notice the amount of love that filled the air. Romantic styles have always been a hit on the runway. This season it ranges from the whimsical, dream-like to the dark gothic styles. Dark romance was present at the autumn/winter 2011 collection of Belle Sauvage, but a different type of romance was seen at the Valentino couture autumn/winter 2011-12 show… medieval romance. I use to associate the medieval times with evil mystery, in other words, slightly freaky. But Valentino has definitely changed that for me. 29/30
Elsewhere, the Gucci catwalk was full of seventies romance. There was a mixture of purple fur, leather knee-high platforms and green suede, a real glamorous and elegant collection. No matter which type of romance you fancy, there’s always one to suit you. If you invest in a romantic piece this autumn, think sheer. Whether you’re going for the dreamy, English rose look or the seventies glamour, sheer was seen everywhere. From neutral to colour, colour blocking was huge for spring/summer 2011 and it is not going anywhere for another season. The usual dark colours seen on an autumn/winter catwalk were replaced by pops of bright colours. Almost like a bunch of sweets coming towards you.
Who’d guessed that clashing all sorts of colours would be so on-trend? A few seasons ago, the fashion police would have stepped in! The key here is to have fun; you can mix about three different colours, or just have one block colour. If you’re too scared of the bright look, try throwing in colourful accessories instead, it’s always a winner. I’ve been told, colour-blocking will be huge for spring/ summer 2012 too, so stock up on colour! Whether you opt for colour or add some romance to your autumn wardrobe, let’s hope one thing doesn’t ruin your look… the autumn showers.
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In All the World Only Two Even though the season is rapidly changing, and the summer warmth if not gone has faded, there is still a place where time stands still. The two girls now sweetly wander a landscape that is under the spell of Autumn. A world trapped in a dark dreamlike whimsy where the air is always crisp. With chilled bones they reach for their favorite warm items. The location is still a backdrop to their wardrobe but their outfits are inspired by comfort. In the simplicity of our warm staples that make their way into our wardrobes habitually we find a new sense of creativity: the ability to mix and match pieces to create timeless, effortlessly chic outfits. photographed by sarah kjelleren
previous M: dress: vintage; cardigan: urban outfitters; shoes: steven by steve madden; A: dress: vintage; cardigan: corpus; shoes: model’s own; below M: dress: american apparel; skirt: cheap monday; jacket: gap; shoes: jeffrey campbell; A: shirt: rag & bone; skirt: urban outfitters; cardigan: eileen fisher; shoes: model’s own;
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A: top: gap; pants: juicy couture; shoes: model’s own; bag: juicy couture;
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M: top: club monaco; pants; urban outfitters; shoes: jeffrey campbell; bag: hermès;
M: top: ralph lauren; jeans: j brand; shoes: steven by steve madden; bag: hermès; A: top: ralph lauren; jeans: hudson; shoes: model’s own; bag: marc by marc jacobs;
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M: top: marc by marc jacobs; leggings: marc by marc jacobs; A: top: marc by marc jacobs; leggings: marc by marc jacobs;
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M: top: marc by marc jacobs: bottoms: juicy couture; A: top: marc by marc jacobs: bottoms: juicy couture;
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MEGA Name: Mega Videa Jaya Brinsmead URL: http://absolutelyoblivious.blogspot.com/ Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. It’s like the L.A. of Australia. What do you do: Manager at Lovisa, soon to be student at Bond university. DMM: What is your current fashion obsession? M: Simple and structured.
style
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DMM: What are 10 Fashion/Style/Makeup tips that you think every girl should know (or as many as you can think of, does not have to be 10): M: -Always dress like you might run into someone that could benefit you career related or relationship related. You never know! - It’s good to try new things with your hair but sometimes there are just some styles that suit you the best that you should probably stick to. Everyone is bored of Jennifer Aniston’s hair but it’s the best cut for her. Personally I don’t think I would look good without some kind of fringe whether it be full front and blunt or a thick to the side. - Try not to be swayed by trends or be put off by them from pessimistic people. Despite others’ opinion it’s your money and your body so if you think it’s cool, then its cool. DMM: What were you like as a child, and how has this had an effect on your style? I grew up on a farm with the cane, crops, horses, dozens of dogs, the whole farm life. I don’t think it affected my style at all as I’m not really practical when I dress up unless it’s for work.
DMM: What are your favorite blogs? M: I don’t have a favorite or favorites. I usually visit someone’s blog during my once a month bloggers dose to check out a whole bunch of new material. Blogs that I check are aussie darling heart + bleeker and the gorgeous Annabel from blushing ambition. DMM: What do you think makes a good blog/blogger? M: Updating and giving the readers something useful on each post, which mine lacks. I’m trying soon though! DMM: How do you feel about the rise of the super blogger? M: For them that’s their career and it seems like a damn good one! I prefer blogs that I can relate to or have style that I could go down to the store and buy so I kind of never check their blogs. They’ve got great personal style but it’s just not me and it’s not inspirational for my looks and every day life. DMM: When did you start your blog: Two years ago I think? Why did you start your blog: Photography was a hobby, I started when I was 14 and into the ‘emo’ trend. I guess I just decided a blog would be fun. DMM: How did you come up with the name for your blog? M: My favorite hobby is gaming. My favorite game happens to be Kingdom Hearts, a game that came out when I was 12. One of the protagonist’s weapons is a sword called the oblivion and long story short, he is the soulless entity of another being and his sword represents how oblivious he is to his life. I figured that was me in the fashion world so it just fit.
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DMM: What opportunities have come from being a blogger? M: I’ve gotten a few photography jobs on the side and a few job opportunities but I’m trying to cruise for a while. I’m a farm girl by heart and that’s why I’ve moved from Sydney to back home. DMM: Do you have any advice for people who are looking to start their own blog? M: I don’t consider myself worthy to offer such advice nor do I think I have the experience for advice to be worth considering. I consider myself still a baby as I don’t take blogging seriously. DMM: What are your wardrobe essentials? M: A safeguard large headband or hair accessory
for bad hair days, black oversized sunnies, Sass and bide ‘The Lover’ black skinny jeans, comfy black boots that cinch at the ankles and a silver or gold ring. DMM: What were your summer style essentials? Find the cutest sandals you can so as to not get plain thongs. A short baby doll dress, huge shades, and a floral headpiece. DMM: Favorite places in the world? M: -My farm. I’ve only ever been overseas to Indonesia so I don’t’ have much to compare to but home will always be my favorite place. Any last words: Live long and prosper :3
An Autumn Escape shaniqua king
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There is just one word that would describe this summer and it is hot. As the temperature rises into the triple digits all over the world, you just can’t help yourself from fantasizing about the fall weather, filled with warm and cozy sweaters, tailored 60’s inspired silhouettes, warm hues with a dash of color and a modern take on luxury. This 2011 autumn season collections have been filled with lots of dreamy, whimsical, and luxurious clothing pieces that will help you keep your mind off of the crumpling economy. Designers from all over the globe have created beautiful, unique, and a new interpretation and meaning of glamour and luxury that takes you on another dimension. From a new prospective on precious lace, that has been shown in The Bottegga Vennta collection, to full on glamour with a twist in the fall Prada collection. From the ad campaign, runways show and hottest fall accessories, there is something about this autumn season 2011 that is so magical and exciting to watch and wear. The usually muted colors, of fall have been exchanged with vibrant and cheerful colors in shades of scarlet, hot pinks and kelly greens. The revival of the 60’s in clean, minimal and boxy shapes seen on runways of Blumarine, Prada and Stella McCartney. Graphic and bold mismatch prints from vertical and stripes, decorative and crazy
patterns to clashes of color on garments to create one of the hottest trends seen on the catwalk. Designers have also found a new take on modern luxury. The return of 90’s grunge has made a comeback on the runway, oversize sweaters, loose skirts and evening dresses paired with anoraks to create the ultimate street style look. Designers such as Jil Sander and Prada on the other hand played with feminine and structural silhouettes filled with clean and slick pieces with amazing headgear. The hottest trends on the runway weren’t the only thing getting a lot of buzz in the fashion industry, but it also the Autumn/ Winter 2011-2012 ad campaigns. From the return of Tim Walker in the Mulberry fall 2011campaign, with his quirky and dreamlike photography story filled with wild foxes, owls, birds and lots of beautiful classic clothes that take you to another universe, to the sophisticated and easy glamour seen in the Diane Von Furstenberg Autumn/Winter ad campaign. This upcoming season has surely been one to remember. One filled with whimsy, magical and fantasy, from the runway shows, trends and portrayal of the ad campaigns. There are so many things you can love about the fall weather, but it’s the designers that have created so many fabulous trends that make you want summer to end.
A Charming Summer
an English photographer exploring an English summer lorna jayne
Lorna J
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Jayne
In England, you need to prepare for all weather conditions as you never quite know when the sky is going to turn gloomy and speckles of rain are going to press lightly on your face. This doesn’t stop us making the most of the outdoors as soon as the sun comes blaring through our windows on a morning, such is the case for me anyway. As long as the sky is clear I don’t think there’s ever an inappropriate time to dress in ripped Levi shorts and go exploring. England is beautiful (and that’s something everyone should discover themselves) but not only do I find the vast countryside and rural villages beautiful, I love the cities, because cities are where fashion lives and breathes, wherever you go.
Recently, I found myself in Manchester, wandering down a street crowded with vintage shops. I was inspired by the people I came across, or more specifically their outfits. For instance, when a girl hurried past me almost struggling to carry her shopping bags I couldn’t help but notice her clothes; flared red velvet trousers with a pair of chunky 70’s wedges, a perfectly clashing floral print blouse and a black mohair cardigan, the outfit was of course completed with a mass amount of gold jewellery, long, messy, not quite blonde surfer girl hair and minimal make up. It’s fair to say I was a little bit in love. While I was there I of course made some necessary purchases. I do need something to wear on my summer day explorations. 53/54
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Not long before Manchester, I had a trip to London. If I could live there, I would. The tall, elegant, ivory buildings with delicate balconies supporting potted plants that greet me as soon as I arrive are enough to make me unbelievably envious of whoever has the privilege of residing inside. London is vast, to travel from one fashion spot to another is a journey to be done by tube, or if you can’t afford it, a black and white cab. Brick Lane is by far my favourite place to shop. Attracting London’s artistic and edgy crowd with its street markets and vintage shops, you’ll always find something unique after searching through the clothes rails. My last purchase there was a beautiful black knitted jumper with gold and silver sequins and embroidered daises, definitely 80’s.
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Of course there’s so much more to London. If retro clothing isn’t your thing, you can make your way to Bond Street, where you’ll find Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Miu Miu and Christian Dior, to name a few. If you’re ever in London, whatever your style, you have to visit the world famous Harrods, even if it’s just to drop by Ladurée' to pick up some macaroons. However, as autumn approaches, I’m making the most of the sunshine, exploring the outdoors as much as possible, taking my camera and picnic hamper. In certain moments, no amount of clothes could make me happier than when I’m laying on a checkered blanket in an field of tall grass and lemon colored flowers, eating strawberries and laughing at nothing in particular with my nearest and dearest.
Blush and Zero
DMM: What is your name? L: Laura Durechova DMM:Where are you currently located? L: South East London DMM: How old are you? L: 16 DMM: What do you do? L: I’m a student, about to start my A-levels.
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DMM: What were you like as a child? L:Incredibly shy. I didn’t go out of my way to talk to people, I’d avoid it if possible! Instead of talking, I showed my personality through my style; I was such a tomboy! I refused to wear skirts and dresses up to the age of 13! My style was quite kooky- I mixed items that shouldn’t have been mixed!
DMM: Did your childhood affect your style? L: Yes, absolutely! I’ve flipped the tomboy upside down and rarely wear trousers! I’ve chosen to a girlier style because I feel that I missed out on all that when I was little! You can, however, still detect a hint of tomboy; I often buy clothes in the mens section as I prefer the fit.
DMM: Does your style translate over to how you decorate your room? L: My style is definatley mirrored into my bedroom. Once I decided to embrace a new style. I tried chic and floral (which, for the record, didn’t work out!), so not only did I buy different clothes, but I painted my room white and got a new bed!
DMM: How would you describe your personal style? L: It’s funny, my style is quite messy and still kooky, even thought I spend hours getting ready! Often, I’d wear a pretty dress or a skirt, and layer it up with a hoodie and a mens jacket or cardigan. Most of my clothes are black and grey, those are the colours that suit me best and I love wearing them!
DMM: What is the name of your blog? L: http://blushandzero.blogspot.com/ Blush & Zero
DMM: What are your wardrobe essentials? L: A cheap black body con skirt. I wear mine all the time and it goes with everything! Also denim cut off as you can just throw them on, and and outfit looks instantly cooler! Oh, and I can’t live without my American Apparel hoodie! DMM: What are your Fall wardrobe essentials? L: A nice warm coat and chunky knits. I feel that it’s okay to spend a lot on a coat for winter as you only really need one! This year I’m hoping to buy a wax jacket. I love them! They look pretty warm too! You can’t go wrong with a few chunky knits either. Every winter I wear a massive (and I mean massive) wool scarf- you can only see my eyes poking out the top! DMM: What does your room/where you are staying look like? L: Woah, it’s a mess! It’s a typical teenage girls room, really. Magazine cuttings all over the wall (and floor!), clothes everywhere, and a pretty bed! There are so many magazines on my desk that I ended up having to do all my school work in my bed, haha!
I wanted something that would stand out from the usual teenage fashion and music blogs. DMM: How did you choose that name? L: I wanted something that would stand out from the usual teenage fashion and music blogs. I thought that if I chose two random words, it would be easier to cover lots of different topics without the title being misleading. I also love the colour and word blush! DMM: How long have you been blogging for and what got you started? L: I’ve been blogging for 2 and a bit months now, it feels like longer! I’ve always wanted to start a blog as I love writing, but I never had time as I was busy with school. When the holidays approached, I thought it was the perfect time to start. DMM: Who are your favorite bloggers? L: http://zizziswardrobe.blogspot.com/ I love Zizzi’s style. Both in her fashion sense and writing style!
http://internetgarbage.net/wordpress/ A great music blog. They cover all genres and once again, have a great writing style. I love all the blogs that I follow, so if you feel like reading some great blogs, check my blog roll. DMM:What do you think makes for a good blog/blogger? A great title and aesthetics is the key to drawing people in. But also the content is hugely important, it’s great when bloggers add photos that they’ve taken to make the blog more personal. DMM: What is your favorite item of clothing? L: My American Apparel black shirt. I’ve worn it so often and it look different each time! It looks great as a dress, ties up shirt and with a belt!
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DMM: What inspires you where you live/ where you are? People. Everyone has an individual senser of style where I live, I always feel encouraged to experiment with what I wear. DMM: Any future plans for you as a blogger? L: I’m going to keep blogging for fun! I’d like to be a journalist when I’m older, and professional blogging would be amazing! But as soon as blogging feels like a chore it’s time to stop. You have to enjoy yourself to make it worthwhile! DMM: Any last words? It’s a cliched word-of-wisdom sorta thing, but, make sure you feel comfortable in how you dress! Don’t follow a trend just because it’s in fashion, make sure you love it too! I’m not going to pretend that I don’t follow trends, but if something I love isn’t in fashion, I’ll buy it anyway! I have to fall in love with an item before I buy it.
DMM LOVES
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Accessorize Me
DMM explores the season’s trends in four looks. Each look plays a part in telling the story of a girl who realizes that we are entering Fall and leaves the city to part with summer and embrace Autumn. We paired each look with a variety of items from the brand Accessorize a new DMM favorite.
www.accessorize.com | www.facebook.com/AccessorizeUSA |twitter.com/Accessorize_USA
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DMM LOVES
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Sweet and Swedish:
SOCKERBIT Sockerbit is a fairly recent addition to the widely varied stores of Christopher St. Located between 6th avenue and Bleecker Street, a block where it’s difficult to stand out, The Swedish candy shop does a fine job of visually differentiating itself from the rest of the stores. It is a quiet sanctuary away from all of the derelict neon that affixes itself in many of the street’s windows. This personal visual style is no accident. All of the neat, soft, organized white of the store was planned by the owners. The style is meant to be reminiscent of the store’s namesake, a Swedish marshmallow. After a long period of curiosity and debate, we finally decided to give it a shot for the first time around the beginning of spring last year. From that first moment on, we were fanatics. Everything about the store brought on a sense of wonder as we began to explore. We talked, prabably a bit too much, about the cool, ultra-clean look of the store, and how it was somewhat contrary to the traditional American candy shop feel. We made our way down the rows of all of the new exciting kinds of treats available to us. We slowly explored all that Scandanavian sweets had to offer, a process that rarely ended in anything but delight. For those of you who wish to give this place a try, but don’t have access to the NYC store, you can still both purchase these Swedish candies, and get a feel for their aesthetic at their website. www.sockerbit.com
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Rouge à Lèvre et Souffle de Parfum Féminin
federica manca
Le rouge à lèvre selon la diction de son nom doit être rouge, rouge comme le sang, c’est-àdire vie, c’est à dire mort. Je ne trouve pas que le rouge à lèvre puisse être porté par toutes les femmes, je trouve que la tonalité très rouge convient à une peau très claire, imparfaite, parfaite, et que le matin cela puisse être même la base du maquillage, la base de tout, sans donner importance aux yeux, qui au contraire seront le soir les protagonistes primaires ou secondaire. La bouche conduit à tout ce que la vie nous donne, les lèvres doivent être ornées, honorées, délignées et donc du rouge à lèvre ; incisées et peintes de beaucoup de passion parce qu’elles peuvent être vues au premier regard de qui posera son attention vers nous, rouge à lèvre, rouge sang sur mes pouls baisés par des lèvres qui m’ont auparavant embrassée, rouge à lèvre sur ta bouche d’homme, que je laisse sur toi et sur ton visage périmé, parce sue les hommes devraient commencer à l’utiliser. Le parfum se différencie par deux différentes conditions, c’est-à-dire c’est à dire celui que déjà on possède, imprimé sur notre peau et qui devient drogue pour les autres parce qu’ils trouveront seulement une telle sensation olfactive ; Et enfin celui que l’on décide d’utiliser. En ce moment j’en utilise principalement seulement deux, Opium de YSL que je trouve être un des plus extasiant des parfums existants, en outre du petit scandale et du mystère qui reste sur ses célèbres mais inconnus ingrédients, puis j’ai récemment acheté Chance de Chanel, mettre un parfum c’est s’habiller de lui, ça fait partie du vestimentaire. Les parties où mettre le
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parfum comme disait la divine Chanel sont où la femme veut être touchée, embrassée, ou en tout elle vue faire tomber l’attention d’un point de vue déductif, sexuel, mais de’ » base les partie meilleures restent sur les pouls et la longueur du cou. Une des phrases du film « Parfum : history of a murder » dit : « l’âme des être est renfermée dans leur odeur ». Rien de plus vrai et donc un concept qui nous reconduit que cela serait pratique pouvoir porter derrière nous toujours le parfum de qui l’on aime, oui mais certainement ce ne serait certes pas beau comme la personne elle-même. Quand un corps meurt l’âme et l’esprit s’en vont, le parfum au contraire reste, comme aussi dans nos vêtements ; Le tissus imprégné de notre essence est si précieux, mais doucement s’évanouit, au contraire un parfum c’est la meilleure manière pour conserver telle présence olfactive, mais reste une trompeuse chance à double face, celle de percevoir telle extase sur la peau. Une des chose les plus belle et émouvante que j’ai jamais entendu ce que fit Coco Chanel, quand au courant de la mort de l’homme qu’elle aimait, voulu aller immédiatement sur les lieux d’où il était mort (accident de voiture) ; entrer dans l’auto encore en fumée et ensanglantée, respirer cette odeur de mort , c’est-à-dire sentir les même odeurs que son aimé avait senti dans ses derniers instant, elle dit ensuite avoir voulu répéter cette expérience sensorielle de ce que son homme avait senti, avait été un dernier salut, faire l’amour avec lui une dernière fois.
TEEN DAZE DMM: Who are you and where are you from? TD: I’m Teen Daze, and I’m from the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada. DMM: How did you get started making music? TD: When I was 9, my parents bought my a Yamaha Keyboard. In grade school, I played drums in the Jazz Band. In post-secondary, I studied music theory and philosophy. When I was 24, I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts, and released an album called “Four More Years”. DMM: How long have you been doing it? TD: I’ve been doing Teen Daze stuff since last summer. DMM: What/who are your biggest musical, and non-musical influences? TD: Musical: Daft Punk, David Bowie, Candy Claws, Washed Out Non-musical: friends, nature, water, the sun. DMM: Do you have a favorite song/artist/album? TD: Right now, my favourite song is “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)” by Talking Heads
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DMM: Do you prefer live or recorded music? TD: It depends! I love listening to music in my headphones, and getting a feeling of isolation when I listen to music. But I love experiencing music as a community, and the energy of live music.
DMM: Has your location effected your sound? TD: Most definitely. I live in a very beautiful part of the world, where I’m surrounded by water, mountains, forrest and plains. The summers are tepid, and the winters are mild, so I’m able to spend lots of time outside. And the more time I spend outside, the more inspired I find I am.
DMM: Were you into making any other styles of music before you started as Teen Daze? TD: I’ve been writing folk songs for a long time. They’ve gone from being these very sparse, quiet acoustic songs, to very sparse, quiet ambient songs, which I perform as “Two Bicycles” (http://twobicyclesband.bandcamp.com). I also used to play more straight up electro music, more like older Cut Copy, with like seven of my friends. But it was too hard to practice with so many people.
DMM: Would you view the rise of music blogs as a primary source of music as positive for artists? TD: Most definitely, it’s a very good thing. It allows the artists to connect to people on a very personal level. It’s also very relationship based, which means that communities are formed around something so digitially based, which is a hard thing to do.
I tend to lean on the idea that music evokes a certain vibe within us, and the visuals are a huge supporter in bringing that out in people. Album art should be like Icons: they shouldn’t tell the entire story, rather they should be windows into music.
DMM: How much would you credit music blogs with your rise in popularity? TD: A very large amount. My favourite part of that is that the bloggers behind the sites are usually quite wonderful people; it’s a win-win situation, where we can both benefit of the music. They get the exposure from a premiere, and I get the exposure from their readership! I’m a music nerd myself, so I can normally relate to them on a deeper level. If I wasn’t doing music, I’d probably be a blogger myself.
DMM: The topic of blogs always brings me to micro-genres; do you think that they at all hidner artists who can perhaps be pigeonholed too soon into a group in which they do not fit, or prevent an artist from getting listened to due to genre associations? TD: There’s definitely a tendency for people to clump artists together because of the blogs that they’re posted on, but that will happen whether there are blogs involved, or whether its a venue, or a town, or whatever. It’s just in our nature to organize like sounds.
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I tend to identify with the post-dream, sleep-wave genre. It’s new. DMM: Do you feel pressure to stay within the boundaries of a certain sound? TD: I actually feel more pressure to move outside of the boundries I’m in. I tend to be pretty anxious when it comes to writing new music, in a sense that I’m always shifting sounds, and it’s hard for me to land on one particular
DMM: Would you identify with any one genre? TD: I tend to identify with the post-dream, sleep-wave genre. It’s new. DMM: There seems to be a really consistent visual approach to the album art for your work. Do you feel there is a strong connection between the visual and aural qualities of your releases? I’ve done all the album art for my releases, except for my newest EP, “A Silent Planet”, which was done by the brilliant Navassa Boa (Ryan from Candy Claws). Him and I shared an almost singular vision about the art design, and his first draft was what we went with. All this is to say that there is a very strong connection; I tend to lean on the idea that music evokes a certain vibe within us, and the visuals are a huge supporter in bringing that out in people. Album art should be like Icons: they shouldn’t tell the entire story, rather they should be windows into music. They should evoke a feeling, not be the feeling themselves.
asilentplanet.com
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teendaze.bandcamp.com
sound. It’s probably a good thing. DMM: Do you have anything planned for the future, or any last thoughts? TD: I’m gonna play some more shows this summer, and I’m going to put out this EP in September. Then I’m going to tour in the fall. As for after that, I’m planning on marrying my beautiful girlfriend on a quiet beach in Hawaii, and living a life full of love, peace and more music.
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facebook.com/teendaze
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twitter.com/teendaze
PHYSICAL MUSIC Fall is a season of textures. While other seasons, might give off conotations of whisps of intangible themes, I’ve always felt that Autumn was a season of the earth. It is for this reason that I have chosen to focus on the theme of Physical Music for this issue’s playlist. This can be related to the songs selected here in multiple ways. In the more literal explanation, each track comes from my physical collection of records. In addition to this, all of the songs selected are dance music songs. They all attempt to evoke a physical response out of the listener. jordan romanoff
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Dubstar Deep Dish Stardust
Stars (Motiv 8’s Radio Mix) Say Hello Music Sounds Better With You (Bibi and DIM’s Mix)
Luke Slater
Lady Stay Dead
Shmuel Flash
Saturn
Magic Daddy
Micro Goth
Royskpop Nick Holder House of 909
Sparks (Murk Mix) Hustle Baby Kenny’s Theme
What is your name
My name is Charlie Yin, I make music under the moniker “Giraffage”.
How long have you been making music, and how did you get started?
My parents bought me a drum set when I was 10, so I’ve been doing music for about a decade so far. I played guitar/drums for various bands here and there but started getting heavily into electronic music during high school. My first serious electronic project materialized sometime in the 2008s and was called “Robot Science”–and that was mainly really basic sounds like pure square/sine/triangle waves but with an emphasis on melody and songwriting. After having a bit of buzz for that, my confidence in my music increased and I’ve since moved on to more experimental endeavors such as Giraffage. Robot Science will always still have a special place in my heart though; it’s just kind of on the backburner right now.
What are your major influences?
My influences are all over the place. It’s hard to pinpoint anything specific. But Giraffage is definitely influenced by woozy, fuzzy, electronic soundscapes with the energy and rhythm of hip-hop drums. From a sound design standpoint, I look up to Boards of Canada and the crazy sounds they’re able to get. They’re masters at evoking this sense of nostalgia that I try really hard to capture.
Do you have any non-musical influences?
Dreams are definitely a huge non-musical influence. I really dig the crazy/hazy feel of dreams and try to capture that in my songs. Dreams are usually woozy and floaty, but there’s always a sense of unease or fucked-up undertones in dreams that aren’t really obvious until after the fact. I try to do this with my music as much as I can.
Do you have a favorite song, album, or artist?
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Giraffage
If I really had to choose a favorite song of all time, it would probably have to be “When You Sleep” by My Bloody Valentine. That song is so perfect/imperfect in every aspect. Definitely ahead of its time. As for as my favorite album goes, my friend turned me onto The Field’s “From Here We Go Sublime” a while back, and I find myself constantly going back to it. I guess I’d call it my favorite album at the moment, but this is definitely subject to change. As of this moment, my favorite song is “I Am A Girlfriend” by Nobunny, but this is also extremely subject to change. It was probably something different yesterday.
Are you conscious of any notions of genre when you create music?
Not really. Boxing yourself within the confines of a genre is a great way to stifle creativity. I like to just make music that is satisfying to my ears. I’d do anything from using autotune to breakbeats to sampling Britney Spears acapellas as long as it sounds good.
What is your favorite part of being a musician?
The part where you listen back to a song you just made and you think to yourself “holy shit, I made this? This is crazy!” I love that feeling; it’s a feeling I try to chase every time I write a new song. It’s also one of the most satisfying feelings ever.
Would you say that there is a certain type of person you make your music for, or an imagined listener?
I try to make songs that can withstand the test of time. If someone from the future 100 years later listens to my songs and can still enjoy it, then I’d be extremely happy.
If you could collaborate with any artist, from any time, who would it be? Is there any visual aesthetic that you would link to your style? facebook.com/giraffage soundcloud.com/giraffage giraffage.bandcamp.com
Claude Debussy. We’d make some rad music together. Woozy dreams, cloudy skies, and forests.
What is your name How long have you been making music, and how did you get started?
What are your major influences?
Them Stars
I think I was about 13 years old when I started messing around with it. I had been playing piano pretty much my entire life but it wasn’t until then that I really got into making my own music. Actually I think initially I was more interested in writing, and the idea of making beats for myself and others to use. I just started playing with Fruityloops not really knowing anything about anything and went from there. Madlib has always been a huge influence on me, pretty much from the start. Not only because he’s a great producer but...I liked the idea of not just being one thing, but just making the music you want to make. That the music is the identity.
Do you have any non-musical influences?
Definitely, although since the music I’m doing is mostly instrumental it can be really difficult to convey those kind of ideas. I might make something that’s influenced by something I read, or a scene from a movie, but it always seems kind of tenuous to me. I’m not sure if it really makes much sense outside of my head.
Do you have a favorite song, album, or artist?
It’s always hard to choose a favourite, but there are a handful of albums that I feel like I can point to as having really changed the way I think about music. One that I’ve sort of revisited and been thinking a lot about lately is Come On Die Young by Mogwai. It’s interesting to think about just how much that album has influenced me. I get a lot of the obvious comparisons to Boards of Canada and Flying Lotus (rightfully so), but I’ve never heard anybody bring up Mogwai, which is interesting because to me they’re in my head just as much as anything else.
Are you conscious of any notions of genre when you create music?
What is your favorite part of being a musician?
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Them Stars
I really try not to be. I don’t think any good can come of it, best case scenario I end up sounding like I’m imitating. And for me the last thing I need to do is come up with more ways to restrict myself. On the other hand, there are certain things that you can’t get away from, that end up in your music whether you consciously put it there or not. Probably performing. It can be the most exhilarating, rewarding
thing. Although coming from a background of playing acoustic instruments, I find there’s still something missing from performing with turntables or a laptop. It feels a little too safe, it doesn’t have that edge-of-your-seat aspect to it.
Would you say that there is a certain type of person you make your music for, or an imagined listener?
I don’t think I’m writing for anyone in particular. Actually I think when I write I’m really writing for myself. I don’t mean that in a selfish way, like I don’t care what other people think. But when I write I’m trying to make something that I can enjoy and get excited about. When I listen to my own stuff I try to evaluate it as myself listening to someone else’s music. You can’t really predict how other people will respond to things, so I just... If I can do something that takes me by surprise then I’m pretty happy about that.
If you could collaborate with any artist, from any time, who would it be?
I have this feeling it would be cool to collaborate with Baths. I was listening to Mend the other day and I don’t know, I think that we might have similar ideas.
Is there any visual aesthetic that you would link to your style?
Yeah, this last EP especially was inspired a lot by photography, particularly long exposure landscape type stuff. I think there are a lot of parallels between that style of photography and the kind of atmospheric beats I tend to make.
scatterling.net
RUTH W. STAIMAN CO-FOUNDER & PRESIDENT OF
THE FASHION OFFICE
Where are you right now? If I looked on foursquare would I be able to find you? You can find me on Foursquare. Last sighted in Palm Beach on Worth Avenue. How was New York Fashion Week? Fashion Week is always great. A lot of creativity from so many designers and my friends are doing tremendous work at IMG and The Daily. What was your favorite discovery this NYFW? Two old friends. Kevin Krier, and Deborah Hughes Which shows did you attend? Almost all in Lincoln Center. What are you favorite trends from this season and do you plan on adopting any? We loved the return to lady like elegant clothes. We also like fur. A LOT. When you were growing up did you ever expect to be an important figure in the fashion industry? Yes, but I’m not so important. Do you have a favorite outfit? Yes. I wear the same thing every day. Black dress. Cashmere Jacket or Sweater with furry collar. Black fabulous shoes & Black Stubbs & Wooton slippers in
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my Birkin for walking. Do you have a favorite picture of yourself? No, I hate being photographed and rarely allow it. How would you explain your role in the fashion industry? What is your job? I’m President and Cofounder of The Fashion Office. Take a look at our site: http://myfashionoffice.com. I have a different job for every client. How did you enter the fashion scene? I started in the DMM’s offices at Bloomingdale’s. I ran into the elevator with Mr. Ruttenstein every day for two years to ask him when I could come work at The Fashion Office. Can you explain the Fashion Office and its role in the fashion industry? We are futurists and idea engineers. Michael Kucmeroski is one of the great stylists working today. How are you connected in the online fashion community? Which social networking sites do you actively use? We use Twitter, Tumblr, Quora, Digg, Disqus, Foursquare, Gowalla, Groupon, Lustr, LinkedIn, Storify, FlipBoard, Flickr, YouTube. You name it, we’re interested. We don’t have a Facebook Fan Page, but we administrate many pages for clients. We’re interested in any new technology and how it can apply to Fashion and Publishing. How important do you think your online identity is to this online community? It’s critical. We’ve connected with many clients through Twitter and because of our expert opinions on Mashable.com and Forbes.com. We’ve developed a forceful presence for several clients and it’s had significant and measurable impact on their business. How do you feel about the fashion world’s focus on the celebrity status bloggers that seem to act as the new fashion
editors and dictators of what is popular? Always curious. We’re seeing a renaissance of content and a democratization of content. It will be interesting to see which bloggers survive, which are pulled into establishment jobs and which disappear. We have forged some great relationships in the blogging community and we have the utmost respect for their hard work and commitment to the fashion community. Do you think that fashion blogs and the accessibility to what is in style is dumbing down an individual’s personal style? No. If anything, it’s getting more people interested in style. Do you think Iris Apfel or Diana Vreeland would have fashion blogs and lookbooks if the had been born in 1990? Absolutely. Without a doubt. Do you think that Diana Vreeland would have become so successful in today’s online world? Without a doubt. She would have been even more powerful, although I imagine she would have found a way to keep her presence very exclusive. If you do feel as though the celebrity bloggers are the new deciders of what is ‘trendy’, how do you think that has changed the way the fashion industry works? I think it’s changed some things and it’s my job to develop new ways for my clients how to take advantage of it. How do you feel about the sort of page 6 socialite status that these celebrity bloggers are taking when they are put in the same room (think of fashion week and twitter)? I’m fine with it. Fascinating to see how powerful social media can be. If you notice, I don’t tweet much about the shows. If a client wants to know what I think, they are paying me, and it’s more important for me to focus on that. I also think it’s difficult to give a real read on fashion #realtime. It takes thought and editing to put it in to focus. It’s important to look at the season as a whole and not garment by garment.
What do you predict will become of the fashion industry now that every 14 year-old with a digital camera and internet access seems to be a fashion blogger? For the moment, it would be smart for any brand to leverage this to their advantage. Once it’s been around for a few minutes, everyone will become bored with it. What do you think makes a ‘good’ fashion blogger? The bloggers I like to follow are consistent and thorough. Throwing up a photo of what you’re wearing is not of interest to me. I look for original thoughts on designers, merchandise and use of technology I haven’t seen in the mainstream press. I don’t care what Suzy Menkes is wearing. I can probably tell you what she’s wearing and get good grades for that. I’m interested in what she’s thinking about the clothes she sees because she has tirelessly attended fashion shows for 25+ years and has a unique and practiced point of view. There are few bloggers who can provide that kind of insight. How important do you think it is in the success of a brand to have a voice via blogging and twitter? At this moment in time, it’s important. I think the degree of importance varies by brand. Any final statements about the online fashion world? After spending the last year and a half at a technology company, I’ve become aware that fashion is woefully behind in the digital world. Some companies are catching up in leaps and bounds, and some are not. Forward thinking and using online and mobile technology are critical to the future success of any fashion company.
www.myfashionoffice.com www.thefashionoffice.tumblr.com www.twitter.com/ FashionOffice
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