First Couple + August Wilson

While I don't think it's a good idea to leak information regarding President Obama's travel plans, I think it's super dreamy that he and Michelle are planning to see August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come & Gone at Lincoln. Read more here.

Alexander McQueen Fall 2009

I thought about putting this up on the baby blog, but I'm in love with so many elements of this runway show that it calls for a bit of commentary. There's a theatrical factor to this fall line that conjures Tim Burton & Johnny D's Sweeney Todd. All photos courtesy of men.style. I present a
few of my favorites:



Can't go wrong with a nice suit. Love the shoes and the fingerless gloves.



This makes me think of the final scene in Yentl. I LOVE the cardigan shawl look and the buckle is a nice touch. The cut of the pants with the brown shoes--lovely. Also, I'm digging this knit skull cap under the hat.



Makes me think of Pee Wee's Big Adventure for whatever reason.



Loving the layers, and the pop of the leather. (I'm assuming that's leather)



I'm a fan of when and where the leather pops: the shoulders, the wrist/cuff, and the shoes.



Double-breasted suit this time. Great clean, light look.



I love the leather belt with the coat. Also, the layering is nice.



The breast-plate is surprisingly fun, and it works in a weird way.



I just love how serious the model is while wearing this outfit. Looks like he's about to smack somebody with that cane!

Catch a bad one ...

Tretorn Helg "Holiday" Bag.

[click the pic to shop]

ooo la la

oooo lala

Old man, Wu's

This video for Raekwon's "Wu Ooh" track has been out for a while, but I love the old man vibe. It's a unique generation of hip-hop: the men who are hitting mid-30 to early 40s and have a considerable amount of fame in their pockets while maintaining a foot in "the real".

The pace and cuts of it is slower than most videos out now.

It's just an elder's depiction of hip-hop.

It's also interesting to note they're still rocking the mid-90s hip-hop fashion. That's not to say I don't like it ...

Oooo la la

[click the pic for more]

Hank Willis Thomas is beautiful

I fell in love with his work a lil over a year ago as you can see here.

Paper Magazine agreed, touting his work AND his looks. He was listed in their annual "Beautiful People" edition.

Barbara Hillary

I was waiting in LaGuardia early Monday morning to board my flight to Toronto when I saw this lovely lil' story on CNN.

Barbara Hillary stood at the top of the world (literally) and was the first Black woman to do so. Her story is inspiring for obvious reasons, but what's most moving is the pride and joy on her face.

May we all have our own moments such as this one, yea?

Sapphire's PUSH

I can't remember when I read the novel PUSH by Sapphire, but it's a book that's stayed with me for YEARS. The story of a young Black girl who struggles with her weight, education, race, and past abuse is (if I remember correctly) quite hopeful.

Plus, Sapphire's writing is on point for this novel.

So I'm excited to see the movie adaptation--not too excited by Tyler Perry and Oprah's name attached to it. They're not known for stellar works.

It's titled "Precious".

I'm not sure if Sapphire had any input during the process, but I think I'm glad to see it have a new (and different) life.

Collage technique (in playwriting??)

Collage is often perceived as an inclusive art form: not only can we all understand how a collage is made, but we are all qualified to make them; and this apparent lack of skill can often make the process, as well as the outcome, seem arbitrary. If meaning can be manufactured by the combination of any two images, then what are the merits of one juxtaposition over another? Rather than being entirely contingent and unstructured, though, collage requires a different ability to mimetic image-making. The collagist must pre-empt the reception of visual information, manipulate the associations each element brings and orchestrate their interaction with one another and the viewer. The collagist is a ringmaster, ushering and holding back significance, or an unethical anthropologist who meddles with the very syntax a culture.

- Collage: Diversions, Contradictions, and Anomalies by Sally O'Reilly

You can find it in this book.

Mos Def - Casa Bey

Mos Def - "Casa Bey" - The Ecstatic - 6.9.09


Mos Def is back, spitting over a great instrumental track. The video is uniquely patient in its set up and delivery. It's also true to the essence of Def's lyrical style. I'm not a fan of his singing, but he's one of my favorite hiphop poets.

Mnek

His name is Mnek.

He produces and writes all his songs. His voice is pretty good, too.

He's fourteen, ya'll.

Go to his myspace to listen to his music.

Describing his vibe, Mnek says:

I would like to think my main genre is pop. I’m a bit electropop/80’s-ish. I’d say I make pop beats blend with funky, low-octave vocals.

I wanted to separate myself from likes of your Chris Brown’s (the stupid prick) and your Ne-yo’s, because they are all Black Men, who do R&B. I wanted to prove that us Black Musicians can deliver something fresh and different than your ordinary "take your shirt off and dance like Michael Jackson" affairs...because 1. I can't dance for shit and 2. I'm a fatty so it wouldn't really be all that lush if I went the full monty, let alone topless...

Ha, ha! Please know about him.
He's making some good music.

Ooooo la la

[Click the pic]

Mini jolt

Nytimes' gear test section posted a series of coffee makers for campers.

I don't camp but am excited by this $30 espresso maker that makes a "a very balanced ristretto shot of coffee with a pleasant, cohesive aftertaste."

Anita Baker

is GR8:

Same Ol' Love


One of a kind voice. Hands down.

oooo la la

Go here for more info.

Wu-Tang's Blue Note

Logan Waters borrowed the Blue Note Jazz album design and the Wu-Tang discography to come up with a collection of interesting album covers. It's an interesting mix of two distinct tones & styles. Go here for more.

oooo la la

[click the pic]

N.E.R.D. @ Yale

They did a quick set last week. I missed it, but you can find pictures here.

Maxwell - Pretty Wings

Finally!

ooo la la

[click the pic]