Why?

Paris

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:21:00 +0000

I have moved to Paris last weekend and will be living here for six months, so expect many Paris news from now on!

Suggestions are accepted.

Robert Adams, The Place We Live

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:48:00 +0000

Robert Adams is an American contemporary photographer whose latest exhibition, "The Place We Live, a Retrospective Selection of Photographs", is being shown at the Reina Sofía Museum (Madrid), until May 20.

His photographs reflect like no one else's the loss of connection with the land in contemporary US. This exhibition shows the evolution of American West through over four decades and its consequences for the land and nature. Always black and white, his photographs are not intrusive or judgmental; they let visitors think by themselves avoiding visual harangues. In spite of that, at times his photographs evidence equally discouraging situations. In some cases, his photographs could even bring visitors memories of that land dissociation in other countries or territories.

This exhibition, mainly based on his US work, also includes photographs taken in Sweden. A highly-recommended show, if you decide to visit, remember that it's quite a large one (I would allow at least one hour to see it all). You can access for free from 7pm on a daily basis.

More Info:

Dates: January 16 – May 20, 2013
Place: Sabatini Building, Floor 3 (Reina Sofía, Madrid)
Curators: Jock Reynolds and Joshua Chuang
Organised by: Yale University Art Gallery in collaboration with Museo Reina Sofía

World Book Day

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:28:00 +0000

Do you like books? Today I am lucky enough to be in Madrid, where the World Book Day (23rd April) is a large-scale celebration.

There are books everywhere and the atmosphere couldn't be better. Although the 10% discount is far from being an amazing incentive, there are many events going on at bookshops and libraries today, even on the streets and that is enough to catch the attention of tourists and passers-by.

In half an hour Booker prize-winning novelist John Banville will be at the Real Casa de Correos, in Madrid city centre, to hold a conference, including Q&A time.

Also around that area, in Callao, there is a red carpet waiting for everyone who would like to take their picture with the book they have bought for themselves or as a present for someone else. The aim is to have a map of Madrilenian readers through their books (and to make people buy books, obviously).

However, even if Madrid tries, Barcelona wins by a mile. Today they not only have books, but also roses.

The circus is in town

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:49:00 +0000

"When we set out to make this short, our intention simply was to observe the phenomenon of fashion bloggers and street style stars. As we started to review the footage, two salient trends became apparent: fashion editors frustrated by the ensuing commotion outside of shows, and the rise of "peacocking" street style stars as a result of the proliferation of blogs. This film examines these themes from both perspectives".

TAKE MY PICTURE from GARAGE Magazine on Vimeo.

If you have the time to watch this video, do so, it's very interesting. A couple of years ago (actually four years ago!) I was in Paris while the Couture shows. Of course I was then extremely excited about being there, (not exactly attending the shows, but outside, obviously) and seeing everyone (Giovanna, Carine, Emmanuelle, Grace, Franca...). Those were the post-teen years when I still believe in the purity of fashion. But after watching the video above I couldn't help but feeling sad.

Why sad? Because it's really like a joke. Fashion is all about magic, yes. Models posing on editorials is fine, it's their job, what dreams are made of and all that... but I can't cope with the editorial/styling people posing (Anna dello Russo moment) doing idiotic movements. Seriously? These street-style snaps were supposed to be spontaneous and now people seem to dress up to be photographed, no matter what. That's the issue now, to have your picture taken and to be on blogs around the world. And then what?

Does it really mean something anymore to be on blogs? I have the feeling that fashion is no longer celebrating well-dressed people, but just eye-catching outfits. Am I right?

This week on Pinterest

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 18:25:00 +0000

Fashion prostitution

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:29:00 +0000

I can see why this Louis Vuitton AW13/14 by James Lima video is polemic. Sex always sells and of course it's easier to get noticed if something is controversial. But isn't it the whole sex-thing too overused? I don't understand how people still take the bait. Katie Grand is very talented, no doubt about it, but this video could also be offensive for some. Every day there is less tolerance on prostitution, yes. However, art has no boundaries and even if it portraits the models playing prostitutes, it reflects the inspiration for the last LV fashion show. What can we do if Mr. Jacobs was inspired by Parisian prostitutes for his show?

Fashion has always taken advantage of sexual images and provocation to sell. That's a fact. More naked women than men in ads, another fact. Women who are in fact teenagers abused when modelling or trying to, another fact. Girls obssesed with being thin thanks, in part, to fashion. Fact.

In my opinion that's what we should fight against: overpressured women who get sick and unhappy trying to reach the canon of beauty. The problem isn't that they are playing prostitutes, the problem (if there is any) is that they all are abnormally thin and therefore promoting the idea that desired women are really skinny.

This week on Pinterest

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Reading between the lines

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:32:00 +0000

Which is your favourite tube line? This year is London's tube 150th anniversary and to celebrate it Penguin asked twelve authors to share their tale of the city in no more than 15,000 words, each of them inspired by a different tube line.

The result, an amazing collection named Twelve Stories from Twelve Authors, is available at the TfL online store for £60, slightly exorbitant, but totally worth it.

The 12 authors include: Fantastic Man; Kids Company; Danny Dorling; John Lanchester; William Leith; Richard Mabey; Paul Morley; John O'Farrell; Philippe Parreno; Leanne Shapton; Lucy Wadham; and Peter York. They all offer a global view of this huge city.

Which one is your favourite line? Mine will always be the Piccadilly Line. The first time I lived in London I happened to get accommodation close to that line and I've felt a familiar attachment to it ever since. Furthermore, the Piccadilly Line is one of the best lines, it is never closed at weekends, it has only minor delays (especially if you compare to lines like the Metropolitan), it is not one of the terribly overcrowded ones (Central) and it is also quite fast.

Also, when you live in a city in which you necessarily use the public transport at every turn, you end up having laughed and cried and slept and dreamt and eaten and drunk and kissed and joked... on the tube. So the tube is somehow part of it.

If you want to read more on the story of the oldest underground on earth, here you are 150 facts for 150 years of the Tube.

This week in Pinterest

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 23:08:00 +0000

Festival season

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 12:43:00 +0000

Music tees have never been my thing. It might be that in my mind they are too teenagerish or maybe that normally music tees are so cliché that it's just too obvious, but this one has got me.

Even if I am not a Joy Division super fan, I think the extremely nice typography together with the summery colour make this one a must have for the festival season.

They are sold at Wornby

The end of the animal-tested cosmetics

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:17:00 +0000

Do you use cosmetic products daily? Have you ever thought of animals suffering for the testing of such products? The EU has finally put the ban on animal testing into effect. You no longer need to go to Anita Roddick's to make sure the cosmetics you are getting are respectful with animals. Or so they say. Isn't it great news?

Although the testing ban on finished cosmetic products applies since 11 September 2004, it was yesterday when the complete ban on all animal-tested cosmetics took effect in the EU. This ban applies to all new cosmetics and their ingredients sold in the EU, regardless of where in the world testing on animals was carried out.

According to the European Commission, the story goes as follows: The testing ban on finished cosmetic products applies since 11 September 2004; the testing ban on ingredients or combination of ingredients applies since 11 March 2009. The marketing ban applies since 11 March 2009 for all human health effects with the exception of repeated-dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity and toxicokinetics. For these specific health effects the marketing ban applies since 11 March 2013, irrespective of the availability of alternative non-animal tests.

Do you think from now on we might be consuming potential damaging products in the EU? Do you trust these new standards?

The European Commission says it is working with industry to develop more alternatives to animal testing, and that it allocated 238m euros (£208m; $310m) in 2007-2011 for such research, maybe in a try to prevent complaints from the industry when the complete ban would take effect in the 27 countries.

According to the BBC, cosmetics firms are concerned that the ban could put Europe at a competitive disadvantage in a global market. Cosmetics Europe chief Bertil Heerink, quoted by the Associated Press news agency, said that "by implementing the ban at this time, the European Union is jeopardising the industry's ability to innovate".

I am quite happy about the animal-tested cosmetics because it was insane to allow it; after all we are in the 21st century. But... if this ban is irrespective of the availability of alternative non-animal tests, how are they going to test it in these cases from now on?

Pins of the week

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 18:44:00 +0000

I have become an addict to Pinterest. I am not explaining what Pinterest is because I assume you all are familiar with the pinboard. I'd only say that Pinterest is great to keep your ideas, style books, recipes and all your visual stuff tidy and handy.

This week on Pinterest

Provincial minds

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:10:00 +0000

Talking about the current Spanish fashion scene is so depressing that I won't do. I'd just like to share with you the Spanish press' annoying fixation about Spanish actresses wearing international designers instead of national ones to no-one-cares-about Spanish events, like the Spanish Cinema Awards, The Goya.

Is it really that strange? I don't think so. But what really bothers me is that for example, American actress wear Paris, Italian, etc designer dresses to The Oscars and no one questions that decision. Of course it's fine to wear non-American fashion for whatever reason, just because they like it, because they have contracts... wha-te-ver.

However, in Spain there they are, wondering why actresses who likely no one knows outside this country, even inside, are wearing Dior and not a Spanish designer. They argue that by wearing Spanish fashion they'd show their support to the cause.

The Goya Awards

*From top left: Pucci,Oscar de la Renta, Nina Ricci, Gucci, Stella McCartney, Gucci, and at the bottom, Gucci again, Armani, Stella McCarntney, D&G tuxedo and Dior. (pics courtesy Vogue.es)

And I wonder, does the cause really matter? I mean, of course marketing is important and if famous people wear your brand it's easier to get noticed, BUT, shouldn't they first focus on showing desireable clothes so that people would see them and feel like buying it?

It's quite sad that the second largest clothing company in the world (Inditex) was established in Spain but Spanish pret-à-porter fashion doesn't make the grade.

Reasons why? I could think of a few, I do agree with Allure on the fact that Spanish fashion is out-of-style, designs most of the time are too predictable and not many dare to break the classic rules or at least try. I guess that mirrors on the one hand, the need of regeneration in Spanish fashion and on the other hand, how people who can afford designers' clothes are like in Spain.

Stripes

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:56:00 +0000

Are you up for it?

*Image: Paris Vogue

Mellow Yellow

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:34:00 +0000

The other day I walked into Zara hopeful. I haven't done an in-depth trends review for this spring and even if it's snowing outside, I was eager to see what the high-street had to offer. I was looking for that Sixties vibe and the mannequins looked promising.

Zara c/Princesa, Madrid

Mannequins fooled me. The only Sixties-esque dress I could spot is that one in the pic above. I couldn't see anything I felt I had to buy. I was looking for a proper vintage feel (as seen below) and not a few reviewed versions of vintage pieces with that annoying modern touch. I was hopeful because I was expecting psychedelic roots in some of the designs, but there's no trace of it.

Vogue France

If you are into fashion it's hard to ignore the annoying little details that make a garment something not so desiderable anymore, like materials that only look the part and stuff like that. Does that happen to you as well, or is it just me being fussy?

Anyhow, yellow is definitely one of the colours of this season.

Loving this cover

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:40:00 +0000

Burt's Bees Conditioner

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 13:09:00 +0000

"It is very difficult to keep the shine of your hair when you have extremely long hair". "It's so annoying having to detangle it every day". "My hair doesn't look healthy, it's breaking more and more every time", "I wish my hair was more shining". What can I do?

These are the sort of rants my friend María, from Allure-Allure, must have been sick of listening to when she decided to send me a present: the Burt's Bees Conditioner. I have the hair as long as the girl in this image from Woodstock festival, so finding a product that works it's really not easy. María hadn't tried it but she had a great eye for this kind of thing.

So, my skeptical self and I went to take a shower curious to see what happened. I have really strong hair and I've tried many different conditioners with no success at all, at least in the detangling part. Little did I know that this conditioner would be the one.

It is made 98.8% with natural ingredients and its formula contains mango seed and avocado oils, a perfect detangling match for my hair. It's also interesting that is sulfate-free, so it protects your hair, skin and also the environment. Most shampoos and conditioners use sulfate, an inexpensive chemical that provides cleaning power and bubbly lather in our shampoos. However, sulfate can also cause skin irritations and even hair loss. So here you are a few types of sulfates to avoid (in order of most irritating to least, courtesy of Pretty Gossip):

1. Sodium Myreth Sulfate

2. TEA Laureth Sulfate

3. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (Probably the most common)

4. Ammonia Laureth Sulfate

If you’re experiencing hair loss, skin breakouts, or dry skin… consider switching to a sulfate free shampoo and conditioner, Burt's Bees, or any other.

She also sent me a brush (yes, she is a very generous friend), called Tangle Teezer. In this case, she had tried it. Read directly her review here.

So, both products have been a great present, not only because my hair looks much better now, but also because it's saving me more than 10 minutes of detangling and suffering every time I wash my hair. Not bad, uh?

*Images: Woodstock Festival Documentary, Feel Unique

Carine Roitfeld on her new job at Harper's Bazaar

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:13:00 +0000

Carine Roitfeld speaks about her new job as a Global Fashion Director at Harper's Bazaar.

Mid block heels, stocky heels

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 23:17:00 +0000

Have you realised that high heel shoes are almost gone from high-street stores? I don't know if you have missed them yet, but there aren't that many. It's true that, at least on this corner of the world, women are still using high heels on a night out, but it looks like the sky-high heels are almost gone from the shops. Or at least for a while. And that's great news.

The other day I read in The Guardian an article talking precisely about this. She wrote about kitten heels and British royals but I'd rather talk about kitten heels and Swinging London. The Sixties are a never ending source of inspiration and in terms of fashion, a foolproof style. Wearing Sixties-inspired garments you can't possibly go wrong.

Also, for those who rely on contemporary fashion "icons", bare in mind that they are wearing the stocky heels (Alexa Chung, Zooey Deschanel and the like) suspiciously inspired by Sixties looks.

One of the most interesting parts of the Swinging Sixties are the feminist and women's liberation movements thar rose in that decade.

Jean Shrimpton

Having been so popular in the 50s, stilettos lost their appeal and popularity in the 60s and were even considered a symbol of male oppresion and women's subservience. Taking into account how difficult, and after a while even painful, walking on high heels is, the kitten heel shoes rose in popularity and somehow they became another symbol of women's revolution.

Even if Europe is falling apart and there are more important things to worry about than shoes, I like to think that many things in fashion happen for a reason, a good reason, and not just a frivolous one.

In this case, during the 60s, the kitten, stocky or whatever you want to call the mid-heel shoes, became a proof that women were changing their passive role in society for a more active one, able to take their own decisions and to make choices based on their own comfort and well-being and not just men's preferences.

In the hellish times we are living maybe it's good to remember that women in Europe still earn on average 16% less than men. Coincidence? Of course not. Changing things isn't in our hands, but it is our choice to try.

And if you are up for a change, I guess it's always easier when you are on mid heel shoes.

A s/s2013 model from Asos

Ryo Takemasa

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:27:00 +0000

Ryo Takemasa is a young illustrator from Japan. His illustrations are a fresh blend of vintage meets modern, very colourful and geometrical, still minimalistic and simple. His art goes from landscapes to groceries to city classics, always in that retro modern style.

He is based in Tokyo and he was nice enough to have an interview with Why?.

Ryo Takemasa

Ryo Takemasa claims that he was thinking of doing creative work "from the time of junior high school". However, it was at the age of 25 when he decided to become an illustrator. He considers that his style is very difficult to define, although he says that "he regards the texture as important".

Ryo Takemasa

While he explains that "he would like to make a work that is simple and warm at the same time" I can't help but nodding. All his illustrations have a charming vintage vibe and his work is talented enough to be simple and still eye-catching and relevant. When he is asked for his main sources of inspiration he answers that "he gets inspired by all the things he sees". Although many of his illustrations are inspired by cities such as New York or London, he lives in Tokyo and he is not planning to move any time soon.

Ryo confesses that he hadn't studied "many works by American or European artists" during his student days at Musashino Art University, so he thinks that his work "resembles a Japanese style pattern and an ukiyo-e print".

He feels very fortunate because he is 31 and he can say he makes a living of his illustrations. You can tell by the way he creates his illustrations that Ryohei Yanagihara has been an influence for him, and indeed, he confirms that Ryohei Yanagihara is his favourite illustrator. When it comes to his own illustrations, Taxi is his favourite one.

Ryo Takemasa

There are many projects he is working on at the moment: books, advertisement, stationery... And of course his illustrations. If you want to follow him, you can do that on his website, via Pinterest or if you are thinking of buying his illustrations, check Etsy, he ships worldwide.

New year resolution: go greener

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:53:00 +0000

2013 should be the year of ethical fashion. The austerity times we are living in make things even simplier. You don't need to buy so much stuff. Really. I have been thinking lately how much money I've wasted in cheap clothing and bad quality shoes in the last ten years. Just because I wanted to have many. That's the thing, when you are a teenager and you don't want to wear your kiddy-clothes anymore. You "need" to get as many new garments as you can. And most of the time you don't realize the consequences of that way of thinking. Not only for the environment, but also for people who most times work in conditions of slavery.

I have recently discovered Livia Firth's initiative, Green Carpet Challenge (below) and what she is doing is really interesting.

However, the whole thing seems way too far from me, a common person who have never been on the red carpet and likely never will be. Nevertheless, I still think we can do a lot by checking what we buy. A good idea is not to buy anything coming further from what would be a 8-hour-flight from where you are. And that applies to food, furniture... Only a few can afford to buy exclusively organic food or locally produced handmade clothes. But all of us can check where what we are buying is coming from and what's made of. To be honest, contributing to the slavery situation many women are suffering in Asia is a matter of choice these days. You could choose not to.

I won't omit vintage shopping since it's one of the most sustainable ways of consuming clothes, after all with vintage clothing the damage is already done and that why it's great that it's been in fashion for a while and still is, as Jo-ann Fortune wrote for The Guardian this time last year. Vintage is a fantastic opportunity to re-use resources and not supporting the mass production supply chains that currently operate with horrible consequences (environment damage, conditions of slavery for many workers and so on...)

So, as Margaret Dead would put it, “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has".

Maybe we can't change it, but at least we should try.

Alex Russell Flint

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:08:00 +0000

Alex Russell Fling is a British painter who produces amazing oil paintings. He lives between London and France and he is the great-grandson of the artist Sir William Russell Flint. He is a realist painter whose specialty seems to be portraits, focusing on the female form, mixing classical looks with modern looking characters. His work has recently showcased at London's Horsebox Gallery.

Hungover , Sunday Morning

Central Park

Happy Friday!

Brogues of Spanish leather

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 22:00:00 +0000

The other day while I was walking around my hometown I saw this amazing pair of brogues. After having lived in England for years it comes as no surprise that I have a thing for brogues. So I wrote down the brand, Amberone, and when I got home I checked them online. Oh dear. Definitely we Spaniards don't know how to sell our stuff.

To be honest, my only intention was to check if they really were an Italian brand (its name, Amberone, sounded Italian to my Spanish ears) and how much were they online. I really loved those brogues. They were handmade in soft leather, clearly comfy and the design was impeccable. And being the shoes so special, I couldn't help but wonder why the website's so lame.

And that's a general problem quite extended in Spain. Products made in the best quality whose websites are under construction, don't even exist, or if they do, they are so seedy you don't feel like buying. Even if what they sell is amazing.

I don't want to be mean and I have no clue of business strategy, but what I do know is that hadn't I seen the brogues in person, I'd have never fallen for them by looking at their website. They don't even display the prices and if you want to know you have to send them an online request! That's mental these days!

Yes, in the end, I bought the brogues of Spanish leather. Their quality and design was too special to let go. So this post is a plea for investment in good website design, especially nowadays that due to the massive recession Spain is going through, foreign markets are more attractive than ever. As I pointed out above, I have no knowledge of business strategy, but an approachable, user-friendly website design can improve massively the sales. And it's a pity that people who check this sort of websites get the wrong impression of what is sold. I can't recommend you to check the website, but I definitely recommend you Amberone's shoes.

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 23:33:00 +0000

First of all, happy new year! Sadly it seems that economically 2013 will still be harder than 2012. If you live in London, even if you visit, it's likely that you fall in love with the classic design of the propaganda poster you can see below, designed by the British government in 1939. It's everywhere and I think it's the best motto for 2013.

If you are interested in the story of this propaganda poster, I recommend that you watch this video, it's only three minutes long and it's very illustrative.

Almu Lingerie, Made in Spain

noreply@blogger.com (Mónica) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:30:00 +0000

Almudena Alcaide is the New York based designer behind Almu Lingerie. She studied Fashion Design at Istituto Europeo di Design in Madrid and Milan and also in NYC at the Parsons Design School. Although she works in New York for DKNY and worked previously for Peter Som and various lingerie brands, she said she wanted to present her first collection in her homeland, Madrid.

And even if it sounds contradictory, it makes sense. Almu Lingerie is made in Spain by experts using hand-dyed natural fabrics. As they put it in their website, "we have recovered manufacturing, embroidery and fabric dyeing techniques that make our products unique".

The delicacy of its fabrics, its exquisite design and its singularity make a clear statement, yes, it's special and yes, it won't be cheap. However, underwear is one of the most rewarding investments and in this globalized world where unique garments are difficult to find, it's a pleasure to see that there are still people who dare to start a business these days.

Almu Lingerie

*If you happen to be in Madrid tomorrow they have a private sale from 1 to 8pm at the city centre (c/Princesa nº62 4º derecha). On the 3rd and 4th of January, at the same time, you could attend the private sale at Avd/ Filipinas 42 Duplicado 1ºA, also in Madrid.

Almu Lingerie