Candids on tapestry

These are works by a young american artist called Erin M. Riley. They're all tapestries representing the type of image we're all bombarded with everyday on facebook, tumblr, instagram, films and popular culture in general. The girls are anonymous and faceless, because that's how this image bombardment operates: depersonalizes the depicted and desensitizes the viewer (Andy Warhol had warned us about that). But then it's their technique - tapestry - that gives them their much needed gravitas. One the one hand it's a celebration of vulgarity, while on the other hand it's carefully crafted like you'd expect from representations of classical themes, where the female body materializes only the purest of virtues. 

Click here for Erin's website.

satisfying associations

Came across these pieces from MM6's recent jewelry collection:

 Inflated brass bracelets

And was immediately reminded of Jeff Koons' inflatables: 

Fashion. Art. Fartshion.

The two things I love most in life are fashion and visual arts, so I honestly cannot conceive anything more exciting than a combination of the two.

If this is the kind of thing that also rubs your fancy, make sure you follow @copylab on Instagram, and prepare yourself for some intense liking action as you scroll down its amazing feed, full of embellished iconic art-historical images with trending designer accessories and logos.

Original: Henri Matisse's "Madras Rouge." Added: Fendi Micro Peekaboo Bag

"Jesus' Diaper Bag." Original: Botticelli’s “The Virgin and Child Enthroned." Added: Hermes Birkin

Original: My Parents by David Hockney. Added: Vuitton x Murakami trunk and bag.

#NapoleonEmperorDefeatedAtFontainebleau by #PaulHippolyteDelaroche. Added: #Givenchy Rottweiler Shirt

 Original: #TheWave by #WilliamAdolpheBouguereau. Added: #Chanel Canvas Graffiti Backpack

Overalls.

Overalls are the chillest thing you can wear; you just kinda let everything hang out because overalls  won't tell anyone you've just inhaled a massive lunch (it's all nicely hidden there). These ones are Zara from last year, tshirt is The Kooples, bag is Faux-yard (that's a fake Goyard, fyi) and ballerinas are by Josefinas. Also, I'm thrilled with my recent discovery that white nail polish actually looks so cool. Wish I was wearing some big fat latina earrings but I was too late and sleepy to think of that in the morning. 

btw, if you like this background, it's a painting by brilliant 20th century Op artist Bridget Riley. Look her up.

And here are some chicas looking lovely in their overalls. I like them mostly with ballet flats, trainers and loafers, as the heels kind of take away from the carefree vibe given by dungarees. Threw in a cute crop mariniere by APC and some more Josefinas flats just 'cus.

Cultural patterns

It's interesting how we lean towards the idea that it's culture that sets us apart from others. There's a common discourse saying culture is that unique aspect that binds us together to create a shared identity, when in fact there are countless examples of cultural manifestations that are common across different nations and peoples. After all, we've always learnt from each other and people's curiosity for what's beyond has (since probably the dawn of humankind) ended up resulting in cultural transferrals and shared knowledge and aesthetics.

Dolce & Gabbana have recently released a collection inspired on ceramic tiles, Sicilian ones more specifically. I can't help but see my country's ceramics reflected on this collection; after all this is quite a dominating element of Portuguese culture too (has been so for over 500 years).

Dolce & Gabbana

Sicilian ceramics

Carmo church, Porto

Pottery from Porches, in the Algarve

Tile panel from Lisbon

Excuse me, but have you got anything darker?

Black is beautiful, and it is both all thing at once and the absence of everything. Helmut Lang, Vans, Jaguar E-Type, Rick Owens, Mark Rothko, Bottega Venetta, MM2, La Perla. 

Joana Vasconcelos

Richard Serra

Jason Martin

Rui Chafes

Taking the p***

Fancy gladiator sandals these days are like, once you sew two strings of leather onto a sole, you've concocted a good enough excuse to cost the same as a small used car. Look, I'm not the kind of person who thinks price should derive exclusively from the level of craftsmanship and/or great quality materials, as I love a good concept and understand that great design and brand value have to weight on the price of what we buy - and that sometimes results in the utmost simplicity. But when it comes to gladiator sandals, I can't help feeling  like someone's taking the piss.

Pisstaking level: BOSS: - these Valentinos cost 840€ on Net-A-Porter, plus the blood of seven virgins.

Now these are a bargain at only 325€. , As a matter of fact, Chloé, I think I'll take two pairs. 

Alaïa is ridding the world of snakes (and you of your hard-earned dollaz), one gladiator sandal at a time. 910€.

Tamara Mellon, 375€. Mirrored so you can see the tears rolling down your cheeks as you take them to the cashier.

Aquazzura's feet straight-jackets come with a 550€ price tag for those of you who are loco enough.



So since none of these are a realistic option for me due to, ya know,  all the bills I gotta pay at the end of the month, and my awfull habit of eating, I found a very cool and simple alternative that really fills all my gladiator requisites. They cost me 17,99€ and are by Pull & Bear. As always, the Zara group has our backs. 

Lo and behold! My foot.