Magazine: 42MAG
I Initially had talked with photographer Krisnoff Padua about our shared interest on fashion and had agreed on doing a shoot that would add content to his magazine vision.
I was excited to collaborate with a young artist and be part of an ongoing process that would let me express my inspirations in not only one but three photo shoots.
After a couple of reviews Krisnoff unveiled the magazine and it was even better than what I had initially thought; a true fashion magazine.
Take a look at the magazine’s link
https://www.facebook.com/fortytwomag
Events: BPM IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN
After a long,cold holiday break I decided to start my 2013 with a boom- in Playa del Carmen. This has become a city which I not only love because of the weather, great variety of restaurants and the people. But what I was unaware of was of it’s happening event; BPM fest.
Electronic music lovers from all over the world; Canada, France and Italy got together to enjoy this amazing event. What made this festival great for me was the variety of events that you can go to starting from 12pm until 6am. It is non -stop rejoice over the greatest Djs playing on open air venues, where you get to dig your feet on the white sand while you dance.
The people all around you are smiling, in their best party behavior sipping on cold beer, sporting their sunglasses and chatting one another. I got to meet people from all around and realized that we all were there to have fun and enjoy the mayan paradise.
I got to see great acts such as Thugfucker and tale of us at Life and Death party at Canibal Royale, which is one of my favorite spots. It was an ongoing energy at this day beach party that turned into a disco hall when the sunset came and the disco ball kept of swinging with warm wind.
After this amazing party, I enjoyed a feast at Aldea Corazon, where an outdoor dinner was served and I tasted their delicious lichi martinis. This place is ideal if you are on a romantic date. I was with my girlfriends so it was equally as pleasant.
At night -late late night, we would go to La Santanera and dance all night long. After these outings we would see the sunrise and be amazed on how lucky we were as mexicans to claim this paradise as our country.
During our “days off” we would got to the beach and tan and enjoy the sight of people passing by.
Overall, I am looking forward to next years BPM.
Movie: SAVAGES
It’s raw, graphic, and violent- but it is very entertaining.
Showing the typical “south cali” lifestyle, this movie keeps in adding intense characters that are all tangled in this action movie. With all the misconceptions about the drug war, Oliver Stone’s “Savages” points some true facts about this on going war; betrayal, ruthlessness and risks.
What I really liked about the movie, is the portrayal of Lado by Benicio del Toro and Salma Hayek’s performance of Elena- ” La Madrina”. This favoritism in actors is not due solely to the fact that I do enjoy the mexican and latin flair that they added to the characterisations, with distinctive traits such as Lados gestures and Elena’s transparent vanity.
Salma Hayek was the perfect choice to portray such a strong lady such as Elena who is the head of the Baja cartel. She does show glimpses of softness but only to the very close to her. She does not take no for an answer and she is definitely not scared of men.
As far as Lado, he is a true mercenary, who is power hungry and spares no one of his desires.
If you do not like violence, blood and gore in movies, this is not the movie for you.
Movie: CASINO
There are many mafia inspired movies, but this one is by far the most stylish. With a top star cast that includes Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci this is the creme of the crop when it comes to location and costume design.
Directed by Martin Scorsese, the movie gives you a glamorized insight into what happens in the 1970s Las Vegas Mafia.
I, personally do not support violence, this movie however is a story about what really happens in this criminal group. What I love about this movie, is not only the great performances of Stone, De Niro and Pesci, but the development of the plot; from a picture of person being at its peak to falling again to where they started or even lower.
One thing that the Italian Mafia has been credited for was the elegance in the way they dressed and their preference to choose such fabrics as silk, jersey, cashmere, gabardine and in women fur.They did not only had excellent taste in custom garments but had a deep appreciation for quality, jewelry and glamour.
I always pay attention to costume design, and in this movie costume designers John A Dunn and Rita Ryack do a gorgeous job at dressing up Ginger, portrayed by Stone perfectly to where she is within the plot, transitioning from hustler to the boss’s wife. Two of my favorite scenes are when Stone is with De Niro at a dinner party and she wears a gold sequined turtleneck dress, and the other scene is when she is looking at her jewelry and you see all the Bulgari and Cartier that doesn’t give Ginger the satisfaction she had wished for.
I love the display of 1970s fashion and makeup trends. And I always love a good plot.
This is why this is a classic for me and whenever I see it I gasp over and over again at the amount of beautiful garments or jewelry that Ginger is wearing.
Music: THE STROKES “LAST NITE”
The initial drum beats get you in. The Strokes most famous song was not only good because of the beat and Julian Casablanca’s lyrical performance, but the image of 5 shaggy haired guys rocking and not caring about their image actually came accross as the opposite for their aimed non-chalance.
On the video, not only can you see some of the band members smoking but also tearing up equipment. The set design of a vintage 1970s musical variety show is contrasting to their Ramones resemblance.
This instant get upper is always played and always enjoyed no matter how many times it’s been repeated since 2001 when their “Is this it” record became a success.
I particularly love the use of biker leather jackets with converse, tshirts and bed head syndrome that all members seem to love.
Movie: THE BROTHERS BLOOM
Another movie which did not get much attention as it should’ve is “The Brother’s Bloom”- Filled with action, inside jokes, romance and very distinctive characters who have their personalities displayed constantly in the plot.
I loved the idea that they paired Mark Ruffalo with Adrien Brody as siblings. If this doesn’t get you curious as to how the writer’s executed the dialogues to make sense of this contrasting take on family resemblance then maybe the appearance of the lovely Rachel Weisz as a lonely and eccentric millionaire does. Supportive characters such as Bang Bang portrayed by Rinko Kikuchi will keep you entertained and feeling like in a children’s story where fantasy is mixed with reality.
The cast is charming and the plot if full of twists, but my favorite part was the costume design by Beatrix Aruna Pasztor. She brough the high fashion into the plot by dressing up Bang Brang in fur, leather gloves and even sporting Chanel gradient shades.
As far as Rachel Weisz’s character- Penelope Stamp, wears peacoats with funky prints and chunky sweaters giving the impression of what a ”poor rich girl” who has no sense on how to dress or even better no interest in doing so.
Aruna, was very clever to have Penelope wear a dalmation print peacoat in a scene with Brody, so much so, that I was inspired and bought myself a pair of dalmation print booties that get compliments whenever I wear them.
The film also shows great locations such as beautiful towns in Serbia, a fishermans port of Montenegro which I have been dying to go to and even a Castle in Czech Republic.
Watch this movie if you like beautiful locations, romance, and fashion!!
Movie: CLUELESS
With a cast that was highlighted by 90′s popular girl Alicia Silverstone, this movie was an instant chick flick the minute that the trailer showed the always present relationship between the cool kids and the not so cool ones.
The plot is not ill fated, but only illustrative of the elements that make a person popular in society; beauty, money and youth.
Cher, portrayed by Alicia Silverstone is completely unaware that there is a real world around her due to the fact that she has been raised in a protective bubble- mainly centered in Beverly Hills, a synonym to wealth and good social standing.
Her character is always fashionable, smart and also looking for a good social connection. Her intentions are not bad but come out as cruel when she takes on a mission to help a new girl adapt to school, only to realize that she is the one that needs a change in her perception of people.
What makes this movie great are the funny dialogues, the idea that people like Cher and her best friend Dionne do exist, and the 90s wardrobe.
Now defunct store Contempo Casual and Wet seal, went mad to produce such items such as school girl plaid skirts, thigh highs and mary janes in all colors and textures. It was the anthithesis to the grunge movement.
This movie is a popular culture classic because it makes you laugh and also because those who watched it during their teenage years, ahem, were hoping to at some point have access to Cher’s closet and her flair.
It might not be the most insightful movie in terms of message but it sure is entertaining to watch.
If you are into costume design, take notes on this movie, because within the plot it really makes a point to mark what clothing is worn by cliques within a school or society, at least during 1995.
