Hi you, fashion animal,
check the first video about fashion news made by me… humour, humour, humour and nothing too personal…
welcome to the fashion zoo!
Hi,
since BANG, Marc jacobs new fragrance, it was hard to see a Mr. Jacobs in a serene moment. We had the feeling he was a little over the top. New life? Finally the beast is out? Well, what we can say, anyway, is that the creative power of his elegant mind is still doing marvelous things. Of course here it is for Vuitton and not for his own brand. We discover an elegant, simple, natural Marc Jacobs in a very arty, classical “with a hint” ambiance.
He explains the philosophy of creation of the new 2011 Autumn/winter collection. He proposes a classical scenario but with a modern style by the choice of the female models, the accessories (puppies) and the image displayed. It is almost a modern Bonnie and Clyde ambiance without the guns and without Clyde :-).
Here are my preferred pictures out of the campaign.
While other fashion houses are struggling with their fashion designers, Louis Vuitton has a beautiful stability with Marc Jacobs. We could say a mutual respect.
LA
info scouted at new york fashion
photos: All rights reserved Louis Vuitton.
Last friday I attended to an interesting presentation about Hans Steiner, the great swiss photographer. It took place in Lausanne at Unil (the university). This presentation was a conclusion on the exhibition hosted by Musée de l’Elysée.
If you still want to have a look on the exhibition, check my previous article about it: http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=1373
We were quite lucky to have during this evening the different people involved on the making of this exhibition.
From Unil:
François Vallotton and Philip Kaenel
From Musée de l’Elysée:
Jean-Christophe Blaser, Manuel Sigrist and Elisa Rusca.
According to François Vallotton, Hans Steiner is a mystery. He was a “photographer without a face”. All his work brought perhaps one of the biggest influence in the swiss photo-reportage and still, he remained completely “under the radar”. Thanks to the rich collection available at the Elysée archives, they were able to make a great research work in order to put together a complete exhibition. In 1989, l’Elysée acquires the Steiner Collection, more than 106,000 negatives. Behind the exhibition that took place until the end of may, they were able to scan more than 100,000 images that are now available for research on a dedicated website: http://www.hanssteiner.ch
Now that the exhibition in Lausanne is over, it will travel around Switzerland (Bern, Winterthour) but also abroad (Germany, Russia…).
Check here an extract of the conference about the exhibition:
According to Jean-Christophe Blaser, Steiner passion for photography is quite premature. Although his studies and his first jobs were quite far away from photography, Mr Blaser believes that Hans Steiner always wanted to become a photographer. He attended a lot of friends and photographers, photo agencies and sportmen. His passion for sports, politics and the society revealed the themes he would explore during his entire career.
The subject that really satelized Hans Steiner to the international level was his exploration of Alpinism and especially the conquest of the Eiger north face. He was the first one to use a plane to make photos of alpinists on mountain tops. Unfortunately Hans Steiner work on the Eiger is linked to a tragic accident of alpinists that tryed to get through the north face without success. Men were killed and the images went all around the world. Check here the video about Steiner and his Eiger work:
Beginning of June I spent a few days in a beautiful Five star Hotel Spa in Switzerland. It is called Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel and it is located in Interlaken.
In 1856 an enterprising young hotel pioneer Eduard Ruchti (then only 22) purchased the Pension Victoria, which had previously been a doctor’s house. Eight years later he commissioned local architects Friedrich Studer and Horace Edouard Davinet to re-design the property completely. After only nine months’ work, the new Hotel Victoria opened for business in 1865. In 1895 Ruchti transformed his private enterprise into a joint stock company and acquired the adjacent Hotel Victoria (which had been built by Davinet in 1864). Two years later the ornately decorated Festsaal – now the “Jungfrau Brasserie” – was completed. And 1899 saw the two buildings linked by the distinctive dome-topped central tract fronted by an imposing façade.
During the decades, millions of Swiss Francs were invested, always to provide the best luxury services and facilities to the hotel customers. After beautiful luxury suites, the Brasserie was built and recently 2 luxury Spa areas: The ESPA exclusive Spa and the SENSAI Select Spa by Kanebo International.
The ESPA was the perfect complement to the existing fine facilities, which range from tennis courts (indoor and outdoor), a 21-metre swimming pool, whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas and solaria to a fully equipped gym with regular spinning, dance aerobics, fit-boxing and aquapower classes, not to mention Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates. A spa café serves healthy snacks throughout the day and all three restaurants’ menus feature spa food for those that choose to “dine-around” safe in the knowledge that they are within their regime. They propose a very interesting Spa formula in which you have 2 hour for yourself. During these 2 hours you decide, together with the therapist, which care you can have. It was marvelous, very professional and for once, we can feel we can take good care of ourselves.
The SENSAI SELECT SPA by Kanebo International opened their first spa internationally on 23rd December 2009. This luxurious addition has brought a new dimension to the well established and award winning spa hotel, making it the perfect wellbeing destination. The SENSAI SELECT SPA has six therapy rooms including one especially spacious zone where their 3-hour signature treatment is practised including the ritual Japanese cleansing bath. They offer seven luxurious treatments each featuring the exclusive Koishimaru Silk, the finest facial and massage techniques blended with traditional Japanese beauty treatments within a tranquil oasis..
The rooms are well organized, decorated and blends luxury good taste and sense. Modern fabrics and elegant design are together for the pleasure of the guests. Small details like the Bang & Olufsen telephones, the small chocolates in the evenings or the Molton Brown London in the bathroom. Chic yet not over the top and practical. Check here some of my preferred pictures.
Several suites are available from 35m2 up to the prestigious Tower suite of 247m2 with 2 terraces, one dining room and a small kitchen.
3 restaurants are available, one Gastronomic, one Swiss Brasserie and one Italian restaurant. The Gastronomic and the Brasserie are highly ranked at the Gault & Millaut guide, humm…. exquisite.
The Grand Hotel is in the heart of Interlaken, a beautiful city in the middle of Swiss Alps, just close by the Jungfrau, one of the top high mountains of Switzerland and of Europe. Interlaken is located between Lake Brienz to the east and Lake Thun to the west in the area called Bödeli. The town takes its name from its geographical position between the lakes (in Latin inter lacus). The Aare River flows through the town connecting the lakes.
In the nineteenth century, the world of the mountain, described in texts by JohannWolfgang von Goethe, Felix Mendelssohn, or Lord Byron, is rushing the first tourists in the Bernese Oberland. The construction of the railway in Wengen in 1893, and the one of the Jungfrau, from 1898 to 1912, give a further expansion to the region. Hotels constructions transform the appearance of the place.
It is a beautiful region and if you are looking for a relaxing and luxury stay, you need to make a reservation at the Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel. All the personnel are very kind, customer-oriented and will always be at your service in a discrete and efficient way. I love these 19th century Grand Hotel ambiances. It is very romantic and almost poetic.
Hello,
as usual, here are the top articles of the week. They are the ones most viewed during the past 7 days.
Have a nice weekend.
LA
#1- Dior VIII, Black is beautiful
Dior is launching a very elegant Timepiece called Dior VIII. The Timepiece House celebrates the passion for haute-couture. A black luxury timepiece inspired by the “1947 new look” of Mr Dior.
url: http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=1658
#2- SwissTV, VOD (R)evolution
SwissTV is a young company born in 2009 thanks to the aim of a small group of friends sharing the passion for Cinema. Their mission: to propose the best choice in terms of VOD in Switzerland. As a Swiss company, they propose quality, freedom, choice and reliability. All wrapped in a cutting-edge design.
url: http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=1688
#3- Sisley 2011 new product launch – exclusive
Sisley revealed the launch, next september, of 2 great products: SKINLEŸA, an anti-aging lift foundation and BLACK ROSE CREAM MASK, a real fountain of youth. All the event was like Sisley: a lot of good taste, generosity and a welcoming feeling.
url: http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=1626
#4- Anne Valérie Hash by luxuryactivist
ometimes fashion design touches poetry and according to me that is what makes Anne Valérie Hash a creative talent. She is our Fashion creator of the month.
url: http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=1721
#5- Diesel, from stupid to californian glamour
We all know the ad campaign “Stupid by Diesel”. Basically, Stupids do it better… That could be a nice tag line for a T-shirt or for twitter #stupidsdoitbetterThey kept the wicked context of some scenes and added a “cool mood”. Welcome to the “California girls attitude”. url: http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=867
Tribute to one of the most fascinating fashion creators of the 20th century, The Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art dedicates an exhibition to Alexander McQueen. It is called Alexander McQueen, Savage Beauty.
Alexander McQueen was a British designer and couturier known for his knowledge of british tailoring, his aim to blend female strenght and fragile sensuality. From his catwalks we could feel an extreme emotional power emanating from his provocative shows.
He is known for having worked as master designer at Givenchy from 1996 to 2001. I remember when I was working for this brand that he started the revamp of the french brand by introducing the british twist. It was not a success and in 2001, at the end of his contract, he decided to follow his own path. In 2000, the Gucci group takes over 51% of Alexander McQueen Brand and decides to develop stores around the world, Fragrances and accessories.
Alexander McQueen had a lot of celebrities friends, like the Icelandic singer Björk. She sought McQueen’s work for the cover of her album Homogenic in 1997. Years later, artists like Bjork, Lady Gaga or Ayumi Hamasaki used several pieces in their music videos. By wearing his designs, celebrities such as the above mentioned have further increased the notability of the McQueen brand.
McQueen’s runway collections developed his reputation for controversy and provocation, earning the title of “the hooligan of british fashion”. McQueen also became known for using skulls in his designs. A scarf bearing the motif became a celebrity must-have and was copied around the world. He brought drama and extravagance to the catwalk and he used technology and innovation to push the boundaries of creation.
According to The Met, the exhibition, organized by The Costume Institute, celebrates the late Alexander McQueen’s extraordinary contributions to fashion. From his Central Saint Martins postgraduate collection of 1992 to his final runway presentation, which took place after his death in February 2010, Mr. McQueen challenged and expanded the understanding of fashion beyond utility to a conceptual expression of culture, politics, and identity. His iconic designs constitute the work of an artist whose medium of expression was fashion. The exhibition will feature approximately one hundred ensembles and seventy accessories from Mr. McQueen’s prolific nineteen-year career. Drawn primarily from the Alexander McQueen Archive in London, with some pieces from the Givenchy Archive in Paris as well as private collections, signature designs including the “bumster” trouser, the kimono jacket, and the three-point “origami” frock coat will be on view. McQueen’s fashions often referenced the exaggerated silhouettes of the 1860s, 1880s, 1890s, and 1950s, but his technical ingenuity always imbued his designs with an innovative sensibility that kept him at the vanguard. The exhibition is organized by Andrew Bolton, curator, with the support of Harold Koda, curator in charge, both of The Costume Institute. Sam Gainsbury and Joseph Bennett, the production designers for Alexander McQueen’s fashion shows, served as the exhibition’s creative director and production designer, respectively. All head treatments and masks are designed by Guido.
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM FOR MODERN ART
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Exhibition Hall, second floor
From May 4th to August 7, 2011.
There is also a book called Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty. Published to coincide with an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art this stunning book includes a preface by Andrew Bolton; an introduction by Susannah Frankel; an interview by Tim Blanks with Sarah Burton, creative director of the house of Alexander McQueen; illuminating quotes from the designer himself; provocative and captivating new photography by renowned photographer Sølve Sundsbø; and a lenticular cover by Gary James McQueen.
Sometimes fashion design touches poetry and according to me that is what makes Anne Valérie Hash a creative talent. Her art is often a pure well cut “sensitiveness”. She is our Fashion creator of the month.
Anne Valérie Hash bares in her hands the beautiful career experiences she got after gratuating from the prestigious Chambre Syndicale de la Couture parisienne in 1995. Before she began her artistic education at Duperré Art School. During the beginning of her professional career, she worked for Nina Ricci, Chloé and Chanel. She also began a small activity in Bride dresses but quickly she met Phillippe Elkoubi, now her businesspartner, and launched a signature collection of handmade and ready-to-wear pieces, inspired by her whimsical muse: 14-year-old Parisian, Lou Liza Lesage.
10 years ago, she launched her first Ready -to-wear collection in Paris. By blending masculine clothes to her feminine collection, a buzz started around this creative work. in the years she developed a beautiful, elegant, chic style for active women. She develops true creation universes and in order to illustrate the fruit of her imagination, she usually works with talented photographers and plasticiens. Names like Bettina Rheims or Michelangelo di Battista joined their “eye” to the beautiful creations.
In 2008, she received the label for Haute-couture from La Chambre Syndicale and a couple of month after she launches Anne Valérie Hash Mademoiselle, a fashion line for young girls from 4 to 14 years old.
Last year, she developed a new concept for the Fashion house: AVHASHBY Anne Valérie Hash. For the launch of this new line, the creator has designed a flexible and dynamic silhouette. A destructured cut mixing elegance, casualness and nonchalence. Subjects play the purity of cotton, viscose, jerseymilk fiber satin and tulle. This line, cheerful and warm, appeals in its simplicity and sophisticated energy. Graceful, elegant yet modern and dynamic, Anne Valérie Hash proposes a warm hearted universe where women are put on stage as iconic symbols of femininity. Here some of my preferred pictures from her latest collection Avhashby.
Women feel comfortable and highlight their femininity in a natural way. That is the Prêt-à-Porter. I also wanted to show you some of her work on Couture as you can see a higher degree of sophistication. Noble materials and always a precise cut bring a beautiful natural femininity .
Some brands makes Haute Couture to hide the woman wearing the outfit. Here, Anne Valérie Hash reveals the woman. Her clothes are just there to underline a silhouette, a personality or simply the curve of a hip… Less is more and details count.
LA
All images are copyrighted – Anne Valerie Hash and collaborators
Check here the latest figures for Twitter. It is definitely revolutionizing the way people communicate with each other. Twitter-revolution? Yes indeed.
Also note that 50% of the entire US population has a twitter account, followed by Brazil (9%), UK (7,2%), Canada (4,35%) and Germany (2,49%).
The White house has more than 2 million followers, which makes it the most followed public institution.
Young people under 20 years old use more Twitter than regular email or SMS for daily messages.
Last Thursday I attended to a presentation of an interesting young swiss company called SwissTV. The main subject: a new offer of VOD (Video on Demand) for Switzerland.
After work, you are in the mood for a good Film@home evening. No social life for once and just a cool, chill-out evening in front of a good movie. Everything is perfect a part the fact that you still need to find that DVD of movie you want to watch. You might have loads of time to go by the Video club around the corner, or you might be just like most of people: hoping the automatic distributor will work as the video club will be already closed… Well, modern life is evolving fast and the way we spend our time too. I do not know for you, but I have been dreaming for the past 5 years to be able to go to the video club on time…never made it :-(. So most of the time, what were my options for a good movie: iTune store or illegal streaming… Here in Switzerland, the options are not so many and the existing ones are quite poor in a way.
For iTunes, welcome to the swiss exception. In deed, Apple iTunes store was build with a simple rule: one country, one language. Simple when you are living in the USA or in France. But what about Switzerland with its 4 official languages + english thanks to many foreigners? Well, it is a mess. Apple took german as main language, so good luck to find your way if you are looking for a film in french or english. Not appropriated. Moreover, iTunes presents dozens of thousands of movies, TV series and documentaries. How can we choose? You can either spend hours looking for the perfect video or of course you can count on their sophisticated algorythm to choose for you. How? Well, it is a clever equation between people’s ratings, number of views, probable some rationale linked to what you already watched. Welcome to Genius. But the system has a limit. This way of “advising” brings us to an extreme cultural situation: today 90% of views are made on less than 5% of the content. The more you watch something, the more you watch it!. So we need to diversify media libraries and not centralize the content.
Of course there are a couple of local VOD like DVDFly.ch but you better not be a MAC user, not compatible and prices are not competitive. You can also get their box, more classical and the offer is not exactly clear. Only 2,000 films in VOD and of course more than 20,000 DVDs that you can get by the post. Forget it, too long. You can also use your X-Box with HD Zune but too expensive. So of course then you get into illegal streaming. It is cheap but you get the quality you deserve: poor. As we say: “you pay peanuts, you get monkeys”.
So, that is why I was motivated to discover an alternative to all of these. SwissTV is a young company born in 2009 thanks to the aim of a small group of friends sharing the passion for Cinema. Their mission: to propose the best choice in terms of VOD in Switzerland. As a Swiss company, they propose quality, freedom, choice and reliability. All wrapped in a cutting-edge design.
This is how I discovered the SwissTV box. No subscriptions, the freedom to choose what you want, when you want. A true 1080p HD quality for a fair price (cheaper than most of competitors). They have launched their box in november 2010 and they have already almost 3,000 clients totally convinced by the offer. You can find all the details on their website: http://www.swisstv.ch.
As we can imagine, the world of movies is a tuff one and the nice guys from SwissTV needed to enter this world made of the powerfuls “Majors” like Universal, Warner and so on… Today they have gathered around 4,000 films and they hope they will grow the catalog. No worries, you can find all the big blockbusters like Harry Potter or Pirates of the Caribbean. But you can also find real “pearls” of the world cinema like 1951″ Streetcar named Desire” with Marlon Brando, Chaplin 1936 “Modern Times” or Truffauts 1980 “The Last Metro”.
I was hoping to see a first catalog of Swiss movies or even other short-films, alternative labels… but it seems it is a lot of work to get them in terms of copyrights and contracts. But the SwissTV team said they are working on it. They also have an interesting choice of Documentaries issued by the BBC and for TVSeries, we still need to wait a little bit.
Concerning the box itself, it has a a reasonable and honorable connectivity:
– HDMI output
– Video RCA (CVBS)
– Dual RCA for analog stereo output
– Scarf output
– 12V-2A Power input
– Ethernet 10/100 Base TX-RJ-45
– WIFI IEEE 802.11 b/g/n connection
– Digital Audio output (SPDIF)
– USB Connector
– Master Switch on/off
As we can see, SwissTV is the only box in Switzerland with WIFI connection. The box helps to manage your films, accounts and credits. You can either load your credit account via your preferred credit card or thanks to SwissTV cards available on their website.
As SwissTV is a swiss company one point is important to note: Design. As you can see the Box itself or event the Remote control is very design oriented in a “Less is more” philosophy. Only 12 buttons for a multimedia remote control… just great. If you need to have this object in your living room, you may be looking for something nice.
Some interesting features:
– pre-download films during the day and watch it in the evening.
– receive email alerts on new films availability
– use of smooth-streaming (film quality adapted to your bandwidth – no buffering).
To discover all prices and conditions, I let you check the company website.
Last but not least, SwissTV is organizing a online contest on their facebook fan page. It is a movie quizz.
Find all the answers and be a monthly champion. You can win a trip for 2 to Hollywood. This is the big prize but you have loads of other interesting prices, from SwissTV cards to home-cinema sets. Check it here: SwissTV online quizz.
So is it a swiss (r)evolution ? So far so good.
LA
Dears, here are the most viewed posts of the week. Wishing you all a nice weekend.
LA
#1- Sally Mann, photographer of a life time
She is very well known for her work on family (her own) and her home land, Virginia. Her work generated a lot of controversia because of the uncomfortable reactions the photos caused. http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=121
#2- Sisley new product launch – exclusive
photo: Sisley
Sisley revealed the launch, next september, of 2 great products: SKINLEŸA, an anti-aging lift foundation and BLACK ROSE CREAM MASK, a real fountain of youth. http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=1626
#3- Joan Miro at the Tate Modern – UK
Joan Miro is a mystery for me. He is not a spectacular painter like Picasso or even Salvador Dali, but he might have influenced an entire period of the modern society.
1916: Le Corbusier builds a « Villa Turque » (Turkish Villa), the Villa Schwob, flanked by a pergola, in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland). Some years later, he publishes photos of it in L’Esprit Nouveau. http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=105
#5- Dior VIII – Black is beautiful
Dior is launching a very elegant Timepiece called Dior VIII. The Timepiece House celebrates the passion for haute-couture. http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=1658
Très chers,
voici les articles les plus vus de la semaine. Bon weekend à tous.
LA #1- Sally Mann, photographe d’une vie.
Elle est très connue pour son travail autour de sa propre famille et de sa terre natale, l’Etat de Virginie aux USA. Son travail a généré beaucoup de contreverses à cause de ses photos. (article en anglais) http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=121
#2- Sisley, lancement produits – exclusif
photo: Sisley
Sisley nous revèle le lancement, en septembre prochain, de 2 produits incroyables: SKINLEYA, un fond de teint anti-âge et MASQUE CREME A LA ROSE NOIRE, une véritable fontaine de jouvence. (article en anglais) http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=1626
#3- Joan Miro à la Tate Modern – UK
Joan Miro est un mystère pour moi.is Il n’est pas aussi spectaculaire que Picasso ou encore Salvador Dali, mais, il a surement influencé toute une période de notre société moderne. (article en anglais) http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=1545
#4- Pergolas au Palais de Tokyo à Paris
1916: Le Corbusier construit la « Villa Turque » (Turkish Villa), la Villa Schwob, à la La Chaux-de-Fonds (Suisse). Quelques années plus tard, il publie des photos de ces constructions dans “L’Esprit nouveau”. (article en anglais) http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=105
#5- Dior VIII – Le Noir vous va si bien…
Dior lance une collection de montres appellée Dior VIII. La marque horlogère celèbre sa passion pour la haute-couture. (article en anglais) http://luxuryactivist.com/?p=1658
The ESPA was the perfect complement to the existing fine facilities, which range from tennis courts (indoor and outdoor), a 21-metre swimming pool, whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas and solaria to a fully equipped gym with regular spinning, dance aerobics, fit-boxing and aquapower classes, not to mention Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates. A spa café serves healthy snacks throughout the day and all three restaurants’ menus feature spa food for those that choose to “dine-around” safe in the knowledge that they are within their regime. They propose a very interesting Spa formula in which you have 2 hour for yourself. During these 2 hours you decide, together with the therapist, which care you can have. It was marvelous, very professional and for once, we can feel we can take good care of ourselves.
The rooms are well organized, decorated and blends luxury good taste and sense. Modern fabrics and elegant design are together for the pleasure of the guests. Small details like the Bang & Olufsen telephones, the small chocolates in the evenings or the Molton Brown London in the bathroom. Chic yet not over the top and practical. Check here some of my preferred pictures.
The Grand Hotel is in the heart of Interlaken, a beautiful city in the middle of Swiss Alps, just close by the Jungfrau, one of the top high mountains of Switzerland and of Europe. Interlaken is located between Lake Brienz to the east and Lake Thun to the west in the area called Bödeli. The town takes its name from its geographical position between the lakes (in Latin inter lacus). The Aare River flows through the town connecting the lakes.
Alexander McQueen was a British designer and couturier known for his knowledge of british tailoring, his aim to blend female strenght and fragile sensuality. From his catwalks we could feel an extreme emotional power emanating from his provocative shows.
Alexander McQueen had a lot of celebrities friends, like the Icelandic singer Björk. She sought McQueen’s work for the cover of her album Homogenic in 1997. Years later, artists like Bjork, Lady Gaga or Ayumi Hamasaki used several pieces in their music videos. By wearing his designs, celebrities such as the above mentioned have further increased the notability of the McQueen brand.
According to The Met, the exhibition, organized by The Costume Institute, celebrates the late Alexander McQueen’s extraordinary contributions to fashion. From his Central Saint Martins postgraduate collection of 1992 to his final runway presentation, which took place after his death in February 2010, Mr. McQueen challenged and expanded the understanding of fashion beyond utility to a conceptual expression of culture, politics, and identity. His iconic designs constitute the work of an artist whose medium of expression was fashion. The exhibition will feature approximately one hundred ensembles and seventy accessories from Mr. McQueen’s prolific nineteen-year career. Drawn primarily from the Alexander McQueen Archive in London, with some pieces from the Givenchy Archive in Paris as well as private collections, signature designs including the “bumster” trouser, the kimono jacket, and the three-point “origami” frock coat will be on view. McQueen’s fashions often referenced the exaggerated silhouettes of the 1860s, 1880s, 1890s, and 1950s, but his technical ingenuity always imbued his designs with an innovative sensibility that kept him at the vanguard. The exhibition is organized by Andrew Bolton, curator, with the support of Harold Koda, curator in charge, both of The Costume Institute. Sam Gainsbury and Joseph Bennett, the production designers for Alexander McQueen’s fashion shows, served as the exhibition’s creative director and production designer, respectively. All head treatments and masks are designed by Guido.
There is also a book called Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty. Published to coincide with an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art this stunning book includes a preface by Andrew Bolton; an introduction by Susannah Frankel; an interview by Tim Blanks with Sarah Burton, creative director of the house of Alexander McQueen; illuminating quotes from the designer himself; provocative and captivating new photography by renowned photographer Sølve Sundsbø; and a lenticular cover by Gary James McQueen.
For iTunes, welcome to the swiss exception. In deed, Apple iTunes store was build with a simple rule: one country, one language. Simple when you are living in the USA or in France. But what about Switzerland with its 4 official languages + english thanks to many foreigners? Well, it is a mess. Apple took german as main language, so good luck to find your way if you are looking for a film in french or english. Not appropriated. Moreover, iTunes presents dozens of thousands of movies, TV series and documentaries. How can we choose? You can either spend hours looking for the perfect video or of course you can count on their sophisticated algorythm to choose for you. How? Well, it is a clever equation between people’s ratings, number of views, probable some rationale linked to what you already watched. Welcome to Genius. But the system has a limit. This way of “advising” brings us to an extreme cultural situation: today 90% of views are made on less than 5% of the content. The more you watch something, the more you watch it!. So we need to diversify media libraries and not centralize the content.
Of course there are a couple of local VOD like DVDFly.ch but you better not be a MAC user, not compatible and prices are not competitive. You can also get their box, more classical and the offer is not exactly clear. Only 2,000 films in VOD and of course more than 20,000 DVDs that you can get by the post. Forget it,
As we can imagine, the world of movies is a tuff one and the nice guys from SwissTV needed to enter this world made of the powerfuls “Majors” like Universal, Warner and so on… Today they have gathered around 4,000 films and they hope they will grow the catalog. No worries, you can find all the big
blockbusters like Harry Potter or Pirates of the Caribbean. But you can also find real “pearls” of the world cinema like 1951″ Streetcar named Desire” with Marlon Brando, Chaplin 1936 “Modern Times” or Truffauts 1980 “The Last Metro”.
As SwissTV is a swiss company one point is important to note: Design. As you can see the Box itself or event the Remote control is very design oriented in a “Less is more” philosophy. Only 12 buttons for a multimedia remote control… just great. If you need to have this object in your living room, you may be looking for something nice.
