COCO | FUTURA

kodak autographic 4x5

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 09:14:00 +0000

~ This Kodak Model H camera is a recent find on my travels ~

Found in Portobello Market, London - December MMX
A new/old Camera to add to my growing collection !

All logos, artwork, and photographs are by Natasha Cooper.
This is personal work and not affiliated with Eastman Kodak Company. Logos are based on the vintage EKC Logos.

exhibit b | photography series

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 02:38:00 +0000

~ Rouge 58 presents Exhibit B by Kareem Black ~
Inspired by Guy Bourdin
Debuting during New York Fashion Week

I am happy to be profiling an exhibition by a photographer that I not only have great respect for, but who is also a long time friend. I have known Kareem since 2006 and have had the pleasure of working with him on a few projects, but very few people know where our history actually began ~ which was surprisingly in the classroom. I was lucky enough to be under the tutelage of both Kareem Black and Matt Salacuse in early 2007 at School of Visual Arts (SVA) for photography and lighting ~ and thus a friendship was born. I also owe Kareem a great deal for having faith in my talents as an ambitious recent graduate ~ and for actually giving me my first editing job while I was still working for Spike Lee. So it always brings a smile to my face to see the mammoth strides that he has taken, and continues to take as an all-around stellar photographer and dope individual. My hats off to Kareem and all the individuals that made this exhibit possible ~ the images really do say it all. PS - I want all of the shoes featured.

Please take the time to preview a selection of images from his recent exhibition 'Exhibit B', that is currently showing at Rouge 58, and visit the exhibition before it closes on October, 6th.

Click below to view more.

Rouge 58 is proud to host Exhibit B, Kareem Black’s newest series of photographs featuring legs and shoes. Inspired by Guy Bourdin, his most favored photographer, Kareem collaborated with acclaimed stylist Harold Melvin to creatively direct seven images reminiscent of one of the greatest advertising photographers of our time. Exclusively shot for Rouge 58 to coincide with New York Fashion Week, this is Kareem’s first exhibit geared directly towards his passion for an influential icon very apparent in much of Kareem’s personal work.

Echoing Bourdin’s legendary Exhibit A Series, Kareem has aptly titled his series as Exhibit B, both as an homage to the photographer and as a reference to his own last name. Coming from an industry obsessed with the face and eyes as the anchor of beauty and often a tool for celebrity, Kareem draws on Bourdin’s style ~ dark humor, awkward playfulness and even violent sexiness. Focused on purely body language set in an almost random environment, the viewer witnesses the expression of arms and legs as the only indicators of what is happening.

+ Please click on the names below to read about each of the contributors & visit their respective websites.

+ harold melvin »

Website
Jay’s love affair with fashion began at young age; he received a scholarship to attend a gifted artist workshop at Moore College of Art and Design at the age of 12. He counted his education in New York at The Fashion Institute of Technology receiving a degree in women’s weardesign with a minor in Art History. Fast-forward to the present, Jay most recently completed a stint as a women’s wear personal shopper for the GUCCI Group where he counted some of the most influential men and women in the world as his clients. “Being donned the go to guy for GUCCI”.

After building a stable of clients he went out on his own and started all eyes on you, a styling, imaging, and personal shopping firm, as well as holding contributing Fashion editor positions FUTURECLAW and Kouture magazines. Harold’s styling has appeared in publications such as Elle, Trace, Inked, Surface, Tokion; he has styled celebrities including Serena Williams, Foxy Brown, Ja Rule, Taylor Swift and Amy Sacco; he has worked on advertising campaigns for Rolex, Burlington Coat Factory and Tampa and was a stylist on Spike Lee’s film ‘The Perfect Age of Rock n Roll’.

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+ kareem black »

Website
Kareem Black is a New York based portrait shooter and director that was born in Philly. In 1996 Kareem attended School of Visual Arts (SVA) on scholarship. After graduating Kareem began to shoot almost immediately for publications like The Fader and Vibe magazine. Kareem has won numerous awards for his work including being featured as one of the PDN 30. Along with his commercial work Kareem keeps occupied with a variety of personal projects including a series of portraits documenting some of the East Village's more interesting characters. Kareem also loves sushi, steak, karaoke, Star Trek and beer.

Clients: McDonalds, Verizon, Kool Aid, Burger King, Pepsi, W hotels, Vitamin Water, Arena, Maxim, GQ, Vibe, Flaunt, ESPN, Men's Health, Budweiser, Spin, Sports illustrated, VH1, MTV, City Magazine, People Magazine, Atlantic Records, Samsung, Fed Ex, Inc Magazine, Fast Company, Inked, Republic and New York Magazine.

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+ rouge 58 »

Website
Rouge 58 is a hair salon and art gallery combined launched this August 2010. Based in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn the concept was devised by German-born Nadja Nebas combining her passion for art and her professional skills of haircutting and styling. Rouge 58 seeks to uncover progressive talent by exhibiting the work of artists from every medium, simultaneously curating a series of music events with prominent DJs from around the world to illustrate the spirit of the artists’ work. The Rouge 58 space has been designed to function as a modular space; at select times each month the art will remain on the walls but the space will be disassembled to provide a raw space for pop up boutique sales, dance classes, fashion shoots and short film screenings.

Nadja Nebas Clients: Nike, VIBE Magazine, TWISTA, Verve Magazine, Bavaria Film, Turner Broadcasting, Glamour Germany, ZDF Television, Bijules NYC, Kareem Black, Elizabeth Weinberg, DeFacto Agency, Ayzit Bostan (Designer),Starshot Studios Munich, Patrick Mohr (Designer),Marlboro, Phoenix.Agency, Avantagrde Agency, Zelinda Zanichelli, Louisa Models, Attic Futura (Jolie, Glamour), 8112 Studios, Viva Models, Veronika Abbrederris(Designer), Twista, Rye Rye, Dave from Chromeo, DJ Atrak, etc.

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+ To view KareemBlack.com click here.

eros and the curiosa | mix

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:56:00 +0000

This Selection of Cuts is an Exaltation of Love,
A Lament for the Sadness often Born of Love,
And a Recognition of the Space that Exists Between.
eros & the curiosa refers to intimate love and eroticism .

+ download +

'Eros & The Curiosa' represents the many faces of love, lust, the erotic, the sensual, and the often sadistic aspects that make up our human nature. It has taken me awhile to compile this mix, partially from lack of time, but more so from life in general. The laws of physics dictate that we must experience negative emotions to balance the positive. We also know that what comes up must come down, and it is generally understood that when one area of your life is going well, other areas will probably suffer ~ often for fault that is not our own.

Over the past few months I have been contemplating the many ideas and notions that come with ' Love ' ~ what it means to really love someone ~ how do you express that fully ~ how do you overcome the obstacles ~ how do you know when to fight and when to give in? As is true for most parts of my life, I often look within for those answers rather than at external factors ~ however, I found myself unwittingly returning to the music of my youth in the process ~ a probable product of nostalgia for a time when these questions were far more figurative that literal. From that contemplation was born the concept for my most recent mix ~ Eros & The Curiosa. It deals with issues of Intimacy and The Erotic ~ the dirty pretty sides of a feminine vs. masculine perspective on love, lust, fear, joy, resentment, sentimentality, pain, new love, old love, forgiveness, and the end of love.

It was a feat to select a 'handful' of the most memorable songs from my life over the past 20 years, and you may find that there are far more songs from The Nineties than the 00's, however I have tried to include the main highlights from the past two decades that truly speak on the concept. You may happen upon some songs that were originally released prior to 1990, however, either the remixes were done within the specified time period, or the song was re-released in the 90's. Many of these songs should be familiar to you ~ and unlike my other mixes, my goal was not to introduce you to new and contemporary music, but rather to evoke a nostalgic appreciation for the days of yore.

I hope you enjoy. Please note that some of the songs contain Explicit Lyrics,
so please do not listen if you are sensitive to such language, or if you are under age.

All Design, Type Treatments & Photography by: Natasha Cooper.
+ If you would like to listen to { Eros & The Curiosa ~ Coco Futura Mix No. 4 } in a new window click here.

identity and the logo

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:22:00 +0000

logo as symbol. logo as identity. logo as self.

A logo should at once be instantly recognizable, bold, true to its subject, and convey the essence of a brand, company, or indeed, person that it intends to represent. The language of the logo is one that has always fascinated me owing to the fact that beyond the face value of apparent simplicity, exists a complex set of pronounced and latent messages for the viewer to discern and make a judgement. As is true for the many forms of design, the logo speaks in every voice making it the supreme lingua franca - a symbol of the public self that traverses the barrier of words in a timeless fashion. I have always believed in the concept of "person as brand", and though it takes much time and work to build, it ultimately begins with the entity and the image.

The Logotype Variations & Renderings that follow were designed for a young author and entrepreneur. I have been creating a number of logos & identities of late, but I choose to share these in particular because they comprise some of my favorite logos I have created recently. Additionally, I wanted to offer a window into my creative process. As is true for everything in life, I belive that the process is as meaningful and interesting as the final product. No two designers will create in the same way - and I have always been more intrigued by "how" things are made, moreso than "what" is made.

The processes utilized by any one creative are always uniquely personal and supremely intimate.

please continue below to view the logo variations,
sketches, & design processes.

Below are six logo variations offering a variety of colorways. These are but a few of the set of final logos that were delivered. The key focus for this logo was to create a type style that would allow for fluid ornamentation, contained symmetry, and exhibited an element of repetition by introducing a cyclical motif. I wanted to create a cursive logotype without it being obviously so - in this way, all of the lettering and ornamentation is joined, touching, or overlapping.

What is left is an illustrative identity that is modern with classical features, clean yet complex,
and conveys an aura of timelessness - all of which is true to the author, her personal brand,
and her writing.

All of the logos were created in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, although they began on the page with simple pen & paper. I am the first to say that my sketching skills leave much to be desired, but I have to brainstorm visual cues, concepts, shapes, and general layout before starting on the computer. After the inital sketches, I start by rendering the base type - all of which was created from scratch - bearing in mind that the lettering had to be consistent with the outer circle that would surround it. The next step required that I return to the drawing board and overlay the ornamentation that would fit within the outer circle. I often find myself over-designing in my initial sketches and editing down as I work based upon instinct. As you can see, the final sketch is far more complex and quite different from the resulting logo - it is more of a point of reference for how I would like the finished product to generally look.

And, Voila ! A logo is born. I knew this logo would only exist in black & white, so creating the various colorways
was the easy part. From conception, the entire process took about 15 hours to complete.

I hope you enjoyed viewing and reading this entry. I will endeavor to share my design processes across a diverse range of mediums, and for a variety of projects as time permits.

aïe magazine | issue zero

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:57:00 +0000

the essence & the founding principle of aïe are the attempts to make science accessible,
and find the vortex to allow aesthetics to take over.

I was contacted by the lovely Elle Azhdari, Art Director of AÏE Magazine (Paris), in regards to the recent launch of her new and laudable quarterly magazine that is dedicated to exposing the talents of an emerging generation of artists, photographers and designers, while also breathing new life into existing brands, styles and creative channels. It is indeed a feat to release a print publication in this current climate, what with the steady decline and expected demise of print media - but I fully support and herald those that choose to keep the Art of Print alive.

There is nothing quite like high grade printed material. A well constructed, thoughtfully art directed publication with attention to what some might consider "the minutia" (such as paper stock/weight) can add volumes to the subject matter within its pages, and indeed, be immortalized in a way that online magazines simply cannot. And AÏE promises all of the above, along with exclusive interviews, collaborations, and features surrounding topics as far-ranging as Science, Art, Fashion, and Music in an effort to adopt a bold and hypothetical approach to editorial content curation.

The first issue features the likes of fashion and science industry legends including; world renowned Zurich Gallery owner Bruno Bischofsberger; shoe designer Pierre Hardy; luxury jewellery designer Belmacz; the Oscar winner French collective H5; New York based artist José Parlà; the legendary 'It Boy' and artist Mark Gonzales; and the new music sensation We Have Band from London among other influential and cultural figures.

below are a few highlighted tear sheets & features from the new issue.

please continue below to view the tear sheets for issue 0
& to find out more about the publication.

AÏE was founded by fashion stylist, Alexandra Birchall-White, paleontologist, Isabella Kruta and art director, Elle Azhdari. Together, they have worked within the world of art, design and fashion dividing their time to assist on spreads for Vogue, Teen Vogue, Purple Magazine, Citizen K, The Independant, and The Guardian in addition to brand consulting for global brands such as Andaz Hotel, AKQA, Bungalow 8, Coca Cola, G-Shock, Levi's, Nike, and The Victoria & Albert Museum to name a few.

printed on baby blue paper (to remain a trademark) and sized at nine x thirteen inches,
the eighty pages of the magazine for issue zero contains no advertising other than from
richardson magazine, a deliberate decision to showcase creative independence
and highlight the ethos of the brand.

AÏE is an independent quarterly fashion and science magazine based in Paris. It will be distributed worldwide by KD Press and stocked in premium art and design spaces including Tate Modern (London), Selfridges (London), Palais de Tokyo (Paris), The Standard Hotel (New York), Evergold Gallery (San Francisco), Museum of Contemporary Art (Sydney), Aoyama Books Center (Tokyo), Papercut (Sweden), and Standard Bookstore (Osaka, Japan), as well as your standard news agent stands.

aïe.com launches in august twenty ten.

helen furber | icica

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:09:00 +0000

For Shoe Lovers & Design Nerds Everywhere.

A Form of Excellence.
Product Design & Development.
Helen Furber creates ' The Icica'.

Every now and again, and by that I mean very infrequently, I come across something that really blows my mind. It is hard to do that in this day and age. Funny how the overabundance of information and just 'things' being created out there in general has lead to a complete clutter of the unnecessary to filter through - which has consequently become fifty percent of my job. However, every now and again I find something so worthy of being created, so thoughtfully crafted, so genius in it's concept, and so methodically executed and documented for the world to see that I am rendered somewhat speechless.

This is true for my discovery of Helen Furber, a BA Honor student that has been studying at London College of Fashion ~ and 'ICICA' is her final project ~ A concept wedge that is focused on sustainable, technology-focused design, and was sponsored by Y-3 Adidas, Studio Van der Graaf & Naturally Organic Leather.

Please click below to view more of Furber's Design Processes,
Editorial Shots, & Her Concept Video . . .

As you know, up until now my site has been focused mainly on stuff that I have done or am working on, but the future trajectory is to shed light on exemplary talent in all areas of Art, Design, Culture, & The Future Perfect. Of all the things I have catalogued to spotlight, I think this was indeed the worthiest candidate to break the ice.

Concept | Promotional Video
'Icica' Nude
Icica Design Sketch
Exploded Components ~ Animation Screenshot
Pinbed Component Spec ~ Illustrator Rendering
CAD 3D Rendering
Shoe Upper & Wedge
Pin Bed
Black Wedge

I came across this gem through the lovely Susie Bubble over at StyleBubble ~ and after a little research, found out that this project has been covered by Nowness, Dazed & Confused, Vogue, The Sartorialist, and Another Magazine to name a few. All of this to say, Furber has really created and executed an exceptional shoe, and the world is taking note. And if like myself, you ♥ shoes and want to know what you'll be wearing tomorrow ~ maybe you should too !

' Icica' Black
Detail | Inspiration Board

To find out more about Helen Furber visit her portfolio site, and her blog ~ where she spends time going in depth about her processes and her inspirations. This is also something I am also very happy to see. I am a huge advocate of "Championing The Process™" ~ A concept you will be hearing much more about in the near future.

All Images & Designs © Copyright Helen Furber 2010.
Images Courtesy of Helen Furber .

the reminiscence | portraits

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:59:00 +0000

The Reminiscence.
Past Work.
New Appreciation.

Over the past year or so I have been building The Vanguarde Craft & Creative with my partner - from nuts to bolts business planning, to securing substantial investments, developing a number of brands and properties that are scheduled to launch at the end of 2010 and throughout 2011 & 2012, and building a team of talented business and art pioneers. There is much in the pipeline, but all will remain hush hush as was intended because there is nothing worse than premature talk with no follow up. Sadly, it has taken time away from my role as photographer, so I am about to start re-establishing that part of myself and documenting... well - everything.

I have recently been going through my archives and compiling the photography component of my portfolio which I will release shortly. The majority of this work has never been seen - and as there is much more to come, I felt it best to organize and put it out before the next influx begins.

Here is a taste of what is to come . . .

All of the work shown here was shot on Film { Medium Format } over the past three years
From Early 2007 to The Present and ranges from Exhibition Work, to Commissions &
Personal Work.

Please click below to see all images . . .

Please stay tuned for much more with the full portfolio . . .

summer of love | part i

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:47:00 +0000

leader of the pack

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:23:00 +0000

+ download +

I've been on a music kick of late... so you can expect a few more mixes coming your way in quick succession. Maybe if I spent less time making mixes I would have more time to finish up the site - but all good things come to those who wait. And... thank you for the love in regards to the past mixes - I have received many messages via the site, emails, FB messages - and they are all sincerely appreciated. It's always good to know that things I say aren't just floating completely aimlessly in cyber space.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE . . . I've been on a 90's RnB kick of late so watch to see how that develops into a FREAQNASTY MIX. It will be filthy and epic.

And to avoid any confusion, there is a DOWNLOAD link at the start of this post - feel free to follow that link and cop the mix via zshare. Just in case you weren't aware cause I did have some questions regarding that...

Please Enjoy and feel free to let me know your thoughts . . .

+ If you would like to listen to { Leader of the Pack - A Coco Futura Mix } in a new window click here.

futura mix

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:58:00 +0000

+ download +

It's about time for an update ! I know I sound like a broken record with the apologies for inordinate lapses in time between my posts - but as you may or may not be aware, I have been rehauling my site { for the last time . . .}, and anyone that has ever sat and coded in their spare time knows that it is no walk in the park. But I do as much as I can when time allows so I truly appreciate your patience. I have been adding many components to the site as you can see on the sidebar, and they will all be active shortly - and I will be updating frequently once everything is FUTURE PERFECT . . . if you will.

So what do we have here, you may ask? Well ... I love music, I listen to it non-stop as I work, as I sleep, as I play - so I decided to add a "current mixes" feature which you can find in the sidebar, and I will update it every 2 ~ 3 months as I find new music. Please feel free to contact me at anytime and let me know what you are listening to - and what I should add to my playlists.

Really, I do it for the love - because I want all of my visitors to have an audio visual experience whenever they come here. So though I post it here, you will be able to find the mixes and full track lists to your left, and at the standalone player page so that you can listen uninterrupted as you navigate the site. I will also archive the mixes in the future.

+ If you would like to listen to { Futura | Mix } in a new window click here. + Please click on the " Track List " below to expand »

+ track list »

i feather | little dragon
ii ghost symbol | zero 7
iii ch. galaxy | towa tei
iv untrust us | crystal castles
v eyesdown | bonobo
vi i go away | mndr
vii we still have the taste dancing on our tongues | wild beasts
viii in a manner of speaking | nouvelle vague
ix in the sky | asobi seksu
x psyche | massive attack
xi ponderosa | tricky
xii angel echoes | four tet
xiii casual goodbye | bear in heaven
xiv sunrise | yeasayer
xv two dancers | wild beasts
xvi a new | little dragon
xvii animal {mark ronson remix} | miike snow
xviii time will | hercules & love affair
xix ballad of gloria featherbottom | mux mool
xx criminals | atlas sound
xxi forever | little dragon

Run time | 1:16:45

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nocturne mix

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:58:00 +0000

+ download +

For times when sleep is far away & your mind is going a mile a minute . . . Sometimes music is the only cure ~ and in an effort to help you resist the ill advised counting sheep till you go crazy formula, I suggest you zone out to some hand selected cuts curated by yours truly. I present to you my personal Nocturne Mix ~ cause I rarely sleep more than 4 hours a night and this always helps.

As you must know by now, I do it for the love - and I sincerely hope you enjoy it { cause there went my day putting it together }. You will be able to find this mix and full track lists to your left, and at the standalone player page so that you can listen uninterrupted. Please be sure to check back for more mixes and site updates in the very near future.

+ If you would like to listen to { Nocturne | Mix } in a new window click here. + Please click on the " Track List " below to expand »

+ track list »

i not a number | apparat
ii everybody's got to learn sometime | the field
iii no more runnin | animal collective
iv honey honey | feist
v pity dance | dm stith
vi ballade de melody nelson { Howie B remix } | serge gainsbourg
vii arabic { Massive Attack remix } | nusrat fateh ali khan
viii easy | hercules & love affair
ix pandora | cocteau twins
x heart | liquid vega
xi mayfair song | air
xii moving on | hird
xiii from off to on | the knife
xiv no bones { f. paul conboy } | bomb the bass
xv weed jam | deradoorian
xvi time flies | lykke li
xvii i wrote this song for the girl paris hilton | vincent gallo
xviii twice | little dragon
xix still light | the knife
xx avril 14th | aphex twin
xxi sleep / swim | múm
xxii green grass of tunnel | múm

Run time | 1:31:02

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the magic hour | part ii

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:17:00 +0000

I dream of Versailles. It may not be the most hospitable of places to reside, or have the most stunning track record as far as preserving life goes, but I still wouldn't mind acquiring the grounds and as someone suggested while there, "throwing a huge party!" A party that rivals the days of Marie Antoinette when debauchery, reckless abandonment, and gratuitous hedonism was the order of the day. Well... maybe things weren't quite as risqué as some might have us believe, but anyone that could live in a "Château" of that magnitude must have been doing something in all those rooms. Right?

Since I couldn't kick all the tourists out and tell them to go eat cake, I thought of an alternative way to properly pay my respects to my playground, Versailles, and show you a different view of the grounds from what I presented last year when Jeff Koons' super shiny pop art sculptures invaded the gilded chambers of the Château - almost, { i stress the "almost" } stealing the estates limelight. You can view those photographs HERE.

I created the images below from some of the photographs I took whilst there as a homage to my future abode. I hope you enjoy viewing them, and that it offers a different perspective to those that have seen the grounds, and even those that have yet to visit. If you are ever on the continent or anywhere near Paris, I highly recommend making the trip to witness an infamously infamous piece of history that has been frozen in time.

• View the full selection of images from Versailles: The Magic Hour { Part II } •

• View the full selection of images from Versailles: The Magic Hour { Part II } •

the magic hour | part i

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:07:00 +0000

It is purely by happenstance that I have found myself at Versailles at the same time of the year, two years in a row. It might mean something, it might mean entirely nothing. But, I always feel an overwhelming feeling of being 'at home' whenever I do go. It truly is a magnificent palace, and for the amount of visitors that pass it's gates daily, it is impeccably maintained. I most certainly have future ambitions of somehow acquiring the estate by way of bribes, sordid luck and bucket loads of money (preferably pounds or euros cause the dollar is worth absolute "shite" these days).

As per usual, I took a plethora of images and when I got back home on Sunday night, was figuring out how to properly document the occasion. I put together two posts on Versailles - this one which is just photographs, and the post above which is my homage to a place I grow to love more with each visit.

• View the full selection of images from Versailles: The Magic Hour { Part I } •

• View the full selection of images from Versailles: The Magic Hour { Part I } •

land of the strong

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:04:00 +0000

Whenever I think of Paris, I see a city of supreme contradictions. Of course it is one of the most famous cities in the world - renowned for being the capital for love, culture, fashion, history... etc. You get the picture. I have been many times, and over the past couple of years, I have made Paris an annual stop over between London and New York.

I love Paris - I love the feeling of being immersed in it's way of life. This trip was no exception - even when I was stranded for one night due to bad weather and last minute cancellations by Eurostar - il n'ya pas de regrets...

As my French acquaintance (by way of Ireland) who was present when we received the news sarcastically yet aptly said... "Oh no! Stranded in Paris!! Whatever will you do??"

Touché! There are really worst things that could happen.

Paris to me is a very dirty pretty city - and that is what I love about it. One of my favorite areas of Paris is Pigalle... the current "in vogue" place to be where the bourgeoisie twenty and thirty-somethings live, open up cool stores, and wine and dine in chichi restaurants with impeccable food. It is also, by the way, the red light district. Young girls, old girls (whatever goes) are on the street hustling under neon lit bars and clubs. It's partly sad, but kind of liberating as well - a very interesting dichotomy.

As usual, I had an amazing time, shopped (copped a pair of Nicholas Kirkwood's from L'Eclaireur - the older and more sophisticated relative of Colette), met up with Kristina, Stéphane (Pigalle Store), Sarah, Lenny (No Good Store), and met some other Parisian culture makers.

So, please view the photos below to get a taste of the Paris I love.

• View the full selection of images from Paris: Land of the Strong | Home of the Vain •

•These are the amazing Kirkwood's I shelled out on at L'Eclaireur •

• View the full selection of images from Paris: Land of the Strong | Home of the Vain •

architecture of dreams

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:11:00 +0000

Sometimes we can be so busy looking at everyone around us - what they're doing (or not doing), what they are wearing, what they said to this person, or did to another.

But sometimes it is good to be quiet and look around us. Not at other people, but at the silent structures that reinforce our way of life.

What has been built around you - for you.

I've been very quiet lately - obviously noticeably so because I've heard it from many sources. I have been finding that it is okay to be silent sometimes - it has allowed me to open my eyes in a way that I never have before. Now I only let in what I need. And I still have much I wish to say - share with people. But all will be divulged in good time.

Right now I am thinking about building an empire - and what that empire would look like.

Please enjoy the images below.

• View the full selection of images from Paris: Architecture of Dreams | Art of a Nation •

• View the full selection of images from Paris: Architecture of Dreams | Art of a Nation •

my london

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:15:00 +0000

It is the strangest thing in the world to grow up in a place, know it as home... but not be as intimately familiar with it as you would like to be. That is how I feel about London. I left in 2003 when I was 16 - and I go back every year... but I guess my adult life has happened in New York - and I feel like I know NY in the way I should know London.

I hate the idea that once you have lived in New York for a number of years that you are all of a sudden a "New Yorker". But I must admit... that there is more of New York in me than London at this point. I love New York. But, the sentimental part of me loves London more - even though I know it is not the place for me to be right now. It will always be my first home. I lived there for 16 years... I had my formative years there - experienced my most cherished memories with such a diverse array of people - and I feel closer to them than I do to many of the people that have entered my life since. Those friendships and the formative years make me nostalgic for London - and I know that some people may never understand it.

My experience is that some people love London - others hate it. Londoners love New York and Paris more. As the saying goes - the grass is always greener.

No matter what - it is MY LONDON. My original home.

LONDON. I LOVE YOU.

• View the full selection of images from My London | My View •

• View the full selection of images from My London | My View •

analogue vs digital

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:07:00 +0000

I've always loved going to museums and galleries, and when I was younger, I would go all the time and try to inject a little culture into my life. Sadly... over the past few year I've hardly ever had the time to go - something that I hope to change this year.

So - going back to the Victoria & Albert was a great. Going with a certain Ninja was even more fun. I used to have 3 museum haunts in London - The V&A, Tate Modern, and The Natural History Museum ( I like the one in London better than the one in NY). I went to all but the last on this visit.

So here are the photographs from the vast array of exhibitions I witnessed at the V&A - where History meets the Future.

• View the full selection of images from London | V&A | Analogue vs. Digital •

• View the full selection of images from London | V&A | Analogue vs. Digital •

documenting the rise

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:23:00 +0000

Me in a nutshell: when I start something I like to finish. When I set my mind on something, I mean to stick to it and complete it - and if I feel like I can't do something... I consider it a very personal challenge to prove myself wrong. This works for and against me but has gotten me this far so I roll with the punches. Like Jay said, "I'm so determined."

We at the Vanguarde have been working like there is no tomorrow cause according to Doomsday theorists { and the History Channel }, the Mayan Calendar has sealed & foretold our unprecedented demise... so since we may have but 2 years to live *cough*, I decided to change my world around and do something I think is worthwhile. My advice is that you leave an indelible mark on the Tens and Elevens of this decade before we get hit by the giant meteor coming our way in the Twelfth. I joke, I joke, I kid I kid.

Anyways - I've been learning a lot recently through good old trial and error. I'm all about challenges and honing new skills. I am also all about taking people along for the journey.

I do it for the love first. (I do it for the Mean Green second.) Don't let it be the other way around. As for the work - you will see in the coming weeks, months, years.

purveyor of style

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:12:00 +0000

I am the {un}fortunate beneficiary of a dangerous obsession. It has long been in my blood, and I have managed to resist it up until the third hour of my second decade on this earth. It really shouldn’t be classified as a dire situation – but as the usual progression of obsessions go it is quickly becoming an addiction. And what is this obsession that I speak of you may wonder?

Well… shoes, of course!! I have amassed quite a collection this year alone – to the tune of 20 new heels and counting… (and I’ve got my eye on about 10 that I am trying to squeeze into my budget as I type.) *Sigh* The guys reading this are probably rolling their eyes. What woman is not obsessed with shoes you may ask? Believe me, I live in the most “cosmopolitan” city in the US, and I’ve seen plenty that blatantly don’t care. That is a little ‘sad but true’ fact for me. And as for the girls, I assume you are probably nodding your head thinking, “me too!”

Well, I found it apropos to write this after posting some Louboutin Boots on my FB that people kinda fell over themselves about. That and the fact that I have been learning about the construction and manufacturing processes of well-tailored shoes & heels from a collaborator at The Vanguarde – who knows what that will lead to but I have a few ideas up my sleeve. And of course, we recently rapped up the festivities of New York Fashion Week – so though I usually dedicate my site to all things personal and art related, I decided to throw in a little fashion… cause every girl needs her fix from time to time.

So here it finally is.
My top ten shoes of Fall / Winter 2009.

Oh, and that “unfortunate beneficiary” remark I made is very true – my mother owns shoes from when she was a teenager amassing to well over 1500 pairs. I kid you not.

Enjoy & let me know your thoughts… or if you think I missed out a vital pair.

the vanguarde

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:57:00 +0000

Things have been in hyper-mode recently. Many of the ideas and plans for the future that i have long discussed on my site are finally coming to fruition, and I must say that I am in complete awe when I think about what can be achieved when one puts their obsession into motion.

My obsession has always been to create - and work with individuals who are talented and are also obsessed with creation. And now I can proudly say that I am one of the Founders { among the many other creative hats I currently wear } of The Vanguarde Craft & Creative. For those of you that have been watching this space, you will realize that I spoke a lot about 'The Black Brand' initially, but like any vision, things are apt to change. About 2 months ago, my primary partner and I made the executive decision to change our name. There were a plethora of reasons for this even though I do still love our original name. However, at the crux of it, it is very much the same entity that we are building.

And what a week we have had. We acquired the keys to our new Brooklyn-based Studio & Office space on Tuesday. It is a 10,000 square foot monolithic hub for The Vanguarde, replete with a Photo Studio, Digital Media Lab, Industrial Art Workshop, Conference Room and our large corner office. It is a very nerve-wracking yet exciting time for us cause we are seeing our dreams come true. Nothing allows you to better produce gems than being placed in a position where you are forced to deliver, and we have put a lot of ourselves on the line in this venture so trust that we will deliver the goods.

We have also brought on board a supremely talented individual by the name of Jonathan, whose resume reads like the who's who client wish list of any major designer or creative. So we have quite a mix of talent & brains involved in just the nuclear team. I firmly believe that we are now prepped and primed to take on some very interesting projects - many of which are already in the works - and I am humbled at the sheer idea of the work that will be produced.

So yet again, I ask you to watch this space as we take our ideas off the ground, and plan for our official launch. Wish us luck - there is much more but all will be revealed in good time as we design the space the way we want it. We are currently in "paint-everything mode" but you get the idea. Designing the space to our liking will take quite a while I imagine.

love or make love

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:47:00 +0000

It's been a minute since I graced you with some new shit!!! Please excuse that & my french.

But, when issues of love are involved, and some music comes out that makes me wanna..... I just can't help but write about it. That, and the fact that said artist, Peter Hadar, asked me to design the artwork for his single 'Party All Night' that is blowing up the internet right about now. So I graciously accepted the challenge.... and will be adding more installments in the near future when I design the artwork for his new EP that is going to drop in October.

I will forewarn you now so that you can never say I didn't tell you so - Mr. Hadar is about to jump in the deep end with some really heavy heavy music industry movers & shakers. That is all I can say - but when you're reading all about it really soon - you know who whispered it in your ear first.

I've known Peter one way or another for awhile now - way back from The Agytator days (which seems like another lifetime entirely), and have always appreciated his take on Soul and R&B. I gotta be brutally honest, I think most contemporary R&B sucks something major, cause I guess I miss that classic R&B sound. The 90's was GREAT decade for R&B/Soul - but I won't bore you while I reminisce on the "good ole days!" *yawn*. Anyway, I think Peter is bringing that sound back and adding a dose of futuristic dopeness to the mix.

Oh yeah, and the track features Naledge from Kidz in the Hall. If you don't know who that is 'tut tut' and shame on you.

Hope you enjoy the music and the accompanying visuals.

Please click on the music player below to hear the track "Party All Night."

blue & gold

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:08:00 +0000

I was very happy to be part of a momentous event that took place last week featuring & organized by many of my friends and those I care for dearly. The 1 Year Anniversary for LICK took place at the ever-impressive Le Poisson Rouge, and this installment had a list of 25 participants in the way of sponsors, performers, artists & hosts - (far too many to name), and saw Zoe Kravitz's band 'Elevator Fight' gracing us with an equally impressive performance. I was privileged to contribute the artwork & visuals that were projected throughout the night. In attendance: everyone from the director of FADER to Quest Love and mad friends.

So I arrived later than I should have, and went to snapping pics alongside THE NEW POP and generally causing trouble with our on stage/off stage antics. The night ended with me being trapped in the boiler room cause I took the wrong door - and when I finally emerged - I randomly ran into none other than Jonte - dancer/choreographer extraordinaire.

But what made me happiest was seeing long time friend & 'Elevator Fight' producer & bassist Khari Mateen. I've known this guy for years - since he was in another famed Philly based band - and have been honored to witness his rise that has garnered him much personal success. You name it and he has worked with them. So here's to the continued success of 'Elevator Fight' and all those that make up it's parts.

Please do check out the images on offer by yours truly by clicking on the link or on any of the images below.

Enjoy!

To see all the images of Elevator Fight please click
HERE
or on the images below.

And take a minute to check the video interview conducted pre-show with Elevator Fight which was shot & edited by THE NEW POP.

lick & zoe kravitz

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:24:00 +0000

So.... I was asked by my dear friend LaMae to join in the fun festivities that mark the One Year Anniversary of the 'Lick' Party brought to you by TASTE. This installment promises to be bigger than ever before. For anyone who has ever been, you know that many amazing performers have graced the stage, and tomorrow night we are going to bring it live to you one more time.

Truly, we have gotten so many amazing people involved that it can't be anything but huge. To top it off, it is located at famed venue Le Poisson Rouge - famous for it's state of the art sound system and ridiculous stage.

So what do we have on the menu?

Zoe Kravitz (yes, the sweeter than candy daughter of Lenny) will be gracing the stage with her band Elevator Fight. I've known these guys for a minute and they are truly phenomenal so be sure to catch that. Among the people who will be hosting and in attendance: Kathleen Dragon (FADER MAGAZINE), DJ Burt Fox, mighty songstress Tiombe Lockhart, Infamously infamous Roxy Cottontail & The Queen Bee, The New Pops King Texas & Tone, and Media Partner OKAY PLAYER. And there will be much more as you can probably guess.

So I collaborated with the team to put together the galactic inspired imagery that will be viewed as an installation throughout the venue featuring some of the key people involved - past & present.

I attached a few for your visual satisfaction. Come out tonight and see the rest.

the prototype

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 07:43:00 +0000

"We are forever Redesigning our own Prototype."

I love to challenge myself. I revel in the idea of building something grand. Something bigger than me - bigger than my ideals, my perceptions, my reality, and even my dreams. In truth, I want to build many grand operations throughout my lifetime, and I simply cannot rest until I do.

I have been speaking quite a bit on 'design' lately. Truth be told, I use that word very loosely, and probably not in the generic sense that most people have come to understand within the booming design industries that are all too familiar: fashion, graphic, industrial, architectural, product, etc. etc. And the list goes on and on.

However, I am of the school of thought that everything is "designed" - no matter how awe inspiring or mundane it may be. I busy myself in the down moments studying concepts & mysteries of the universe - a grand design that we still have very little comprehension of. Then you come down to earth and look at all that makes up living creatures, and their methods of co-habitation & survival - and you begin to see the patterns, the order, the reasons why they exist as they do. The mysteries of evolution as constructed by an informed reaction to an ever-changing world. And those that survive are quite simply those that restructure themselves and their inherent design to create a synergy with it's surroundings.

For me, "design" is everything & nothing. It's all around you at all times. Everything has an order even in chaos. Everything has been constructed to look, feel, act, smell, sound a certain way for a purpose - making it a "design" at it's most basic form. If you were to ask me whether I thought photography were a form of design - my answer would be 'Yes'.

And in keeping with my philosophies, I came up with the idea for THE VANGUARDE CRAFT & CREATIVE™. A company that will bridge the gaps of all the key creative disciplines that are most sought after today in the world of business, and offer them in one place. For obvious reasons, this is an extremely abridged & diluted version - a very small part of an ever evolving whole.

But in an effort to let you in on the progression of thought and concept, I share with you some overarching ideas as I and my principle partner forge onto new territory to bring forth something novel, visionary, and as ever, grounded in the ideals of a grand design.

there will be much more coming soon - got mad projects in the works. watch this space.

on photo & design

noreply@blogger.com (| Coco Black |) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:47:00 +0000

I was recently asked by an arts collective, aptly named Collective Art who are based out of DUMBO (BK) to be part of their artist series and answer some questions regarding my work, the future, my background, and just my general thoughts on, well, art... and stuff. So... I completed it in a more timely fashion than usual, and even managed to shock myself with the coherency of some of my answers. Please find all the necessary links to the interview & Collective Art below.

• To read the full Collective Art Interview please click here •

Now... a little bit about Collective Art:

"Collective Art is an arts organization based around a bi-monthly 2 day event held in DUMBO Brooklyn. The event which is open to the public, includes an opening reception and one day of viewing, featuring the work of 20 artists both known and up and coming. The common thread between the artists is the commitment to their work.

The diversity of the artists brings together for one night, hundreds of people from different walks of life, around a fun, cultural event that has developed a cult-like following. The goal of Collective Art is to create cultural bridges and to make art accessible to more people."

I will warn you - I did dig a little deeper for this one... and dare I say, got a little more serious??? But all in all, it was a very enjoyable experience. I like doing interviews cause it allows me time to analyze what I have done, and what I have currently in the works in a way that i probably would not otherwise. I truly hope it is an interesting a read as it was for me to complete.

If nothing else, I just hoped to drop some dimes and/or offer some inspiration for anyone on the verge of embarking on new territory like myself. Maybe it was just for me after all. Also... I hope you enjoy some of the new work included within the interview - slowly but surely I will get the rest of my portfolio done as I try to juggle about 10 balls in the air.

Wish me luck. And I will be sure to keep you posted as soon as I get the rest of my work up. Please take the time to find out more about Collective Art via their site.

Until then... enjoy some words of { fill in the blank } by yours truly.

• To read the full Collective Art Interview please click here •