breaking the MOLD

I keep asking myself why I've never noticed how stellar Kate Winslet is. Maybe I've been living in a cave or perhaps bogged down with thesis papers or simply 'living' life myself. Whatever the reasons, lately I've become a great admirer of hers. She is spectacular in every film I've watched her star in and there's no mistaking that she is legendary. I can't say enough about Winslet that hasn't already been said. She proves time and time again that acting is more than just a job. Great acting is an intrinsic natural force, it's an art form and it's who Kate Winslet is.

All of that takes me to Revolutionary Road (2008), directed by Sam Mendes. Set in 1950's America, Winslet plays the role of the less than cheerful April Wheeler, a housewife who is painfully unfulfilled with her 'ordinary' life. Her husband Frank, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is just as unfulfilled but he plays the game well: the corporate job, the 2 story white house in the right neighborhood and the 2.5 kids. They are living the quintessential 'American Dream' to the outside world. Inside, they are dying to break out of their confined roles. By becoming trapped into who they've never wanted to be, each pay an earth shattering price that changes their lives forever.

What I love about Revolutionary Road is it's underlining theme of expectations: EVERYONE'S. It is the timely tale of what happens to a dream deferred and fortunately, for me, the film doesn't end in the traditional 'happily ever after' Hollywood norm. From the outset, Winslet rides an emotional roller coaster, changing gears with each discovery that threatens to tear her future in two. As the world encroaches and reprimands the Wheelers for wanting more than their current existence, despair and desperation take over, trampling over every thing they've ever wanted to be.

Mendes' use of the camera is so powerful, I felt my own heartstrings being tugged in a few different directions. The aftershocks of an unplanned pregnancy, an illegal abortion and the insightful utterings of a psychiatric patient (John Givings) are each framed so well that their believability is unquestionable. Revolutionary Road is a cautious tale. It gave me more than I could have ever imagined: a reminder that Life is meant to be lived by one's own rules rather than by the design of others.

My favorite lines by Winslett:
It's unrealistic for a man with a fine mind to go on working year after year at a job he can't stand. Coming home to a place he can't stand, to a wife who's equally unable to stand the same things. And you know what the worst part of it is? Our whole existence here is based on this great premise that we're special. That we're superior to the whole thing. But we're not. We're just like everyone else! We bought into the same, ridiculous delusion. That we have to resign from life and settle down the moment we have children. And we've been punishing each other for it.

COLOR!...

Here's a quick little memento of what I can't live without...COLOR! I love Chanel, everything about this label is amazing. It's authentic, vintage, charismatic and alluring. After using the last drop of #461, I figure the next best colors are these:


CHANEL 479

CHANEL 501



CHANEL 347

There's more than enough Fall colors from CHANEL to be conquered this season but these 3 are sure to make you the Belle of every ball!

it's all in the MIX

Affectation

What I like most about the work of graphic artist Marumiyan is his mixture of color, nature and illusion. His attention to detail is so precise, it demands more than just a glance; it requires a long intense stare. Like traditional Japanese advertising, Marumiyan is saying more than a million things - all at once - and it works for me. It's the perfect backdrop to any space designed with a minimalist approach in mind. A design by Marumiyan is guaranteed to keep the spotlight and the conversation flowing.

Toki2

 Marumiyan

it's so VINTAGE

It's been a long day but I will say this...I'm obsessed with vintage clothes or at least trying to find the right ones. I got my pompadour just right today and the right suit would have pulled off my look immaculately. It's a work in process and just like the right pieces, it takes the right eye and more than enough 'free' time. I'm hopeful though (along with my desire for big, unruly hair) and I'm more than sure this look will keep coming back for more of the limelight.



Posh Vintage

  

Chie Mihara



Balenciaga Vintage Clutch





it's all in my HEAD...

This weekend I watched a few films but the one that kept my attention was Nine (2009), directed by critically acclaimed director Rob Marshall. It's a cabaret styled muscial, film and play all rolled into one - with each component deliberately aware of its extension into the other. Simply enough, the film starts off with Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) losing his mojo, his creativity and his passion for an upcoming film that he must direct in a matter of days. Not only has Contini not written a script for what could become his unraveling disaster, he must also contend with the whims of his wife Luisa (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his mother (Sophia Loren) and a host of reporters who all remember him more for his 'flops' rather than for his masterpieces.

What I like most about Nine is Marshall's camera work. Instead of getting lost on the beautiful and talented cast, the camera takes its viewers inside the smoldering world of Guido Contini. Contini's brain is the mise-en-scene the majority of the time. It's filled with passion, emotion and childhood nuisances. There are definitely some grey areas, but eventually each reveals a muse who explains why Contini has lost his way through a mixture of camera angles, lighting effects and flashbacks.  

Nine is all about redemption in the end. Facing divorce and the biggest failure of his career, Contini is forced to retreat from Life as it comes crashing in on all sides. All of this came too late for my taste and it all seemed rushed and out of sync. The seductive dancing seemed to occupy the majority of the film. But maybe, just maybe, that's how a man's brain really works. Either way, I understand the complexities of Contini, not only as a human being but as a haunted soul as well. Nine gets 4 stars from me. It's definitely worth watching.

HINDSIGHT is 20/20

Lorna Simpson and daughter Zora



I've admired Lorna Simpson since I was introduced to her work in one of my Art classes during undergrad at Clayton State University. Simpson's work instinctively breaks down the anatomy of the black female body (in my examples), labeling each section with a purpose or a reason for existence; similar to the way in which slave owners categorized their slaves for property appraisals. It's a practice that still digs its claws in to the 21st century. Simpson will always be relevant because she questions the necessity of labels by using them to define who we are. If that's not a stroke of genius, then I don't know what is...

ALL the world's a stage...

I was unpacking some boxes this morning and came across a few DVDs that I'd never watched before. One of them was The Reader (2008). Years ago, I read the book by Bernhard Schlink so it's comes as no amazement to me that I'd tossed the DVD in a box with countless other things that didn't quite seem important at the time. I'm not a big fan of watching films after I've read the books. Somehow the two never really seem to compliment each other but this wasn't one of those times. Directer Stephen Daldry nailed the emotion and passion written by Schlink and I, for one, was captivated.

Set is post-WWII Germany, The Reader begins with the taboo love affair of an older woman and her younger lover who abruptly part ways and are reunited years later during a trial for Nazi war crimes. My admiration of Kate Winslet (Hanna Schmitz) grows each time I watch her star in a film. It's not the dialogue this time, it's just her sheer will to express herself that stands out. Add to that the soundtrack by Nico Muhly, its stirring and oftentimes hypnotic rhythm carried the film to heights that only a young broken heart could ever dream of (mine especially). I was smitten...and that's putting it mildly.

I'm a hopeless romantic so The Reader is a keeper this time. I'm sure it won't go back into that box of unnecessary collectibles. It's a visual reminder that love, forbidden or otherwise, often stands the test of time. It is, after all, the story that we all dream of.

FIERCE!



Alexander McQueen    


I love to wear black from head to toe and I haven't been able to get away from it for years. Just glancing through the Fall/Winter collection from Alexander McQueen makes me want to add a few touches of gold to my Winter wardrobe. Gold it is!



Alexander McQueen Angel Faith Boot



Alexander McQueen Studs Leather Jacket



Alexander McQueen Flesh Lace Pump



Alexander McQueen Flesh Lace Knuckle Box Clutch



 Alexander McQueen

From PARIS with love

Sophie Griotto - Londongirl


Right now I'm heavy into illustration so it wasn't unusual for me to almost lose my breath when I came upon the work of French artist, Sophie Griotto. In my head, I could see her work framed on my walls, covering my designer purses, adorning the tshirts that I wear daily. Yes, discovering her work was just that intoxicating. Sophie Griotto is every artist's dream come true because she puts every ounce of who she is into her work. The streets of Europe are there. The strong sense of femininity is there. Her individuality is there. And of course, fashion is there. There is no denying that Griotto loves what she does...it shows.



Paris



Urban Girl



My Beach

Sophie Griotto

a girl's BEST friend

Tiffany Bezet rings stacked (Priced from $3,900)

If, in my wildest of dreams, I were stranded on a deserted island and the Fashion Fairy smiled on me, I'd only ask for one thing: a Tiffany Bezet Yellow Diamond Ring. In fact, I'd ask for a few of them. Since the days of Marilyn Monroe and her unforgettable film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), diamonds have remained at the top of every fashionable girl's wish list. And it's no wonder why: they're timeless, amazingly beautiful and they sparkle at any given angle. With all of that pizazz, what fashionista wouldn't want a glowing spotlight on her every available finger? This season, I'll tightly close my eyes and wish with all of my might for a brand new yellow diamond accessory...even if it's not from Tiffany's...


Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard (Priced from $2,800)



Double Border Ring and Pendant (Priced from $6,000)



Tiffany Yellow Diamond bracelets (Price on Request)



baby you're a STAR

 

At 21, Zoe Kravitz is living the life that most aspiring artists could only dream of. Not only does she come from one of the best gene pools in the universe (she's the daughter of actress Lisa Bonet (Lilakoi Moon) and rocker Lenny Kravitz) but she's also the lead vocalist for rock band Elevator Fight. Add to that her stunning looks, modeling adventures and small roles in films like No Reservations, The Brave Ones, The Greatest and Twelve, and it's much easier to see why Zoe Kravitz is a MegaStar in the making.

Why I like her: Because she's eccentric, talented and mesmerizing. You can't buy a combination like that. Apparently the film gurus agree because we'll be seeing much more of Zoe Kravitz  in the near future. Her star status appeal has no where to go but UP. 

Kravitz can currently be seen in Beware the Gonzo (Bryan Goluboff) and It's Kind of a Funny Story (Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck). Her future projects include X-Men: First Class (Matthew Vaugh) and Mad Max: Fury Road (George Miller).

literature worth EATING

These days I'm enamored with everything Asian and as bell hooks would say, I'm thoroughly content on 'eating the other'. My current read for the moment is Pai Kit Fai's first novel, The Concubine's Daughter (2009). It's 471 pages filled with the courage and determination of Li-Xia  (Beautiful One) and I must admit I'm finding this book hard to put down. In brilliant detail, Fai recounts the heroism of Li-Xia as she rages against the confines of concubinage in an effort to free herself as well as the life of her daughter Siu-Sing (Little Star). Filled with insight and encouragement, it's a heart stirring reminder that one's mind almost always determines their situation in life.

Protect the secrets of your heart as others may protect the jewels and riches of a kingdom, share them only with those deserving of your trust. Do not allow your expectations to rise above your reach, but let no one set a limit to your hopes and dreams.

With lines like that, I can't help but wonder if there will be a film version someday. The Concubine's Daughter definitely gets 5 stars from me.

a PICTURE is worth 1,000 words

I Me Mine

There's something about Stella Im Hultberg (circa 2008) that I can't get away from...

http://www.stellaimhultberg.com/

so I was thinking, ditto...I'M NOT THERE

On Sundays, I normally wind down the weekend with a few films, a glass or two of Clos du Bois and an open mind that's willing to devour anything new, edgy or avant-garde. This weekend was no exception to the rule. When I came across I'm Not There (2007), I knew I'd been rescued from the hundreds of 'just average' films that have flooded my DVD for the past two months. After all, Cate Blanchett plays the role of Jude Quinn and I, for one, couldn't wait to see if she could pull off a role that was respectfully reserved for a man. And besides, I love films about gritty rock stars who've lived life without believing in the consequences.

So, I settled in, ready to learn about Bob Dylan, (better late than never) but I was less than prepared for the creativity of director Todd Haynes. Instantly, I was reminded of Tarantino when he believed in being more raw and less Hollywood, Gibson when he wasn't angry and Spielberg when he didn't want to paint everything so glossy and beautiful. It's important to point out that Haynes' film had nothing at all to do with the actual life and times of Dylan himself. In fact, Dylan is never portrayed as a character in the film. He is never part of the bigger scheme. After the opening credits, his name is never even mentioned again. But, where he is instrumental and most influential is through his music. It infiltrates the film. It defines the lives of six characters who all have a 'piece' of Dylan in their persona, in their making, in their genes. I couldn't help but think that if someone told the story of ME...I'd want it to be through my words as well.

The camera angles, still shots and montage sequences all combined to create a film that lived up to its reputation. Not only did Haynes introduce a new generation to the music of Bob Dylan, he changed the way a story about a man's life should be told. I, for one, am a fan of creative genius and Todd Haynes did more than deliver...he changed the game.