“I worry that facebook is killing meaningful communication”

Chuck and Beans

(found on ShoeBoxBlog)

If you don’t know Lisa Armstrong, well you should probably turn off what you’re listening to and focus on what she has to say on pyjamas. And this specific sentence: “But what I really love more than actual pyjamas, I realise, is the idea of pyjamas“.

That’s probably the reason why I had a French crush this morning on her, and on the way pyjamas could well deserve a better consideration.

"Lisa wears shirt £188.66 and trousers £377.32 both J Crew; jcrew.com. Bracelet £275 Zoe & Morgan; zoeand morgan.com. Shoes £575 Reed Krakoff; net-a-porter.com Photo: ZAC FRACKELTON"

Because basically, I thought that wearing pyjamas is cheap. Its loose pants, full of nighty smells…I actually thought that wearing pyjamas is like literally wearing a Teddy Bear. It’s made for regressive protection, not fashionable way of expressing something. I guess it’s also because I’m a young male; and that night underwear clothes are far more sexy than pyjamas.

And then I read Lisa’s tribute to the idea of pyjamas. It connected with this brilliant article I’ve read in Eurostar, “Nice day at the hoffice? The pitfal of working from home“. Our jobs are moving; we’re more and more to work in a mobile way: some hours from home; some hours from a workspace with Wifi; some hours in a “real” office. And so does our outfit: if you change 3 times a day, it’s not really possible, except if you’re living on the edge. The time for comfort follows an increasing trend, as your late afternoon also becomes the time in which you’re getting ready to properly go out for a drink.

In your work-life, pyjamas accessories or signs are increasingly important. Because you bring with you a part of your privacy; because being mobile requires does not mean that your home-less.

I bet that it’ll increase in the coming years. Because pyjamas are not sportswear items. Because you can be elegant with them; something very more difficult with jogging pants, whatever Nike says.

We had yesterday a great shopping experiment in London.

We were looking for comfortable -thus classy- shoes with some relatives.

And it was funny: we went to Camper, to Soho, looking for sneakers or ethic shoes. We had conversations on what could suit you best. What comfort means for us. What’s trendy or ugly.

And no one could feel the same way. That was great because everybody was right, as when you drink some wines. If you ever go to a wine tasting event in France, the specialists will tell you that even if some codes apply, at the end, you judge if something’s good or not.

As this Diet Coke I’m currently drinking in this lovely pub as I’m writing this post: it’s not the same recipe as in France. And it has the same name thus.

This is our freedom.

Cannes Film Festival 2012 is not only a meeting to award movies, but also the occasion to show off on the famous Red Carpet. Obviously, some models can’t miss this once a year appointement. Overdress or almost in beach clothes, models follow one another but don’t look alike. A little check up.

Erin Wasson in Oscar de la Renta

Lily Cole with a Chanel Jacket

 Karolina Kurkova in Roberto Cavalli

Anja Rubik in Gucci

Natasha Poly in Gucci

Barbara Palvin en Valentino

Bianca Balti in Dolce & Gabbana

We love IFA Paris. Because they’ve understood the new fashion business cycle (Asia / Europe) and because they multiply interesting actions towards emerging talents and digital sources of creativity.

We’re very glad as today, IFA Paris is launching two scholarships for their innovative Postgraduate in Fashion Design and Management program. The first scholarship will cover the entire fee for the one-year intensive, at 12,800 Euros, while the second will cover half a year of fees, at 6,400 Euros.

“IFA Paris’ multidisciplinary program in Fashion Design and Management provides graduates with a skill set that extends beyond the basic semantics of sketching and constructing garments to meet the growing needs of the current global fashion economy. With an international roster of instructors, composed solely of industry professionals, the postgraduate program covers an in-depth survey of fashion design and production processes taught entirely in English. Courses include fashion concept research, methodology & structure of a fashion collection, textile industry and production, marketing communication, branding, merchandising and retail, and consumer psychology, and other related modules.”

And this is great: a global approach of fashion, shaping a more pervasive creativity. What are you waiting for?

To apply, each student must have completed a Bachelor in Fashion Design or the equivalent university education in fashion design, an IELTS above 6.o or TOEFL above 600 (Native English speakers exempt). Scholarship applicants must also complete a creative and luxury Women’s Collection file on the theme ‘East Meets West’ ncluding two pages of research and an explanation behind the inspiration, a synthesis mood board, a color page and fabrics, 15 silhouettes and flat drawings, and a technical file of one silhouette. In addition to the application package, contestants must submit a cover letter of a minimum of 1000 words a complete an online admissions exam. From there, shortlisted applicants will receive follow up interviews from IFA scholarship award committee.

scholarship@inspire-ifa.com

Applications close on July 1st, and winners will be announced July 16th.

When it comes to moving to a new place, and moreoever when you’re a foreigner, there are very modern and very old requirements.

Let’s start with the modern ones:

- an internet access, and free if possible. You litterally cannot live without it, as all your IDs, administrative identities etc. are “in the cloud”

- fresh juices and good coffee: when you travel, you need dopamines

- a tube station nearby: your shoes don’t deserve to die too quickly

And the old mores:

- a pleasant and friendly environment

- people with ideas and dreams, not hipsters with outfits and stereotypes

- a place which closes pretty late (as you’re always in a hurry when you travel)

I can now tell, after few days in my charming London, that we’ve found THE place. It’s called El Paso, it’s written on the door that you can enjoy your time working there (it means that you won’t be fired if you don’t drink enough vodka), the sofas are relaxing and there’s also a workspace for more commited professionals. The cocktail list is affordable (£6,50) for the borough (Old Street / Hoxton). Here are some pictures:

Details:

El Paso

350-354 Old Street  City of London, London, Greater London EC1V 9NQ
020 7739 4202

Free WiFi
Power Points
Residency Space
Lockers

If you’ve ever watched a Wes Anderson movie, you should already glimpse at what we’re stating here. If not, make sure to check his short yet consistent filmography, from Rushmore (1998) to the breakthrough of the Royal Tenenbaums (2001) until latest indie hit Moonrise Kingdom (2012). Before going any further, you’ll also want to open on an adjacent tab this tumblr we’ve made up to support our claim. It’s called: Wes Anderson is THE original hipster.

Now let’s get to the point. Wes Anderson is said to be a maniac about the details set up in his scenes. There is a geometry to the camera travelling, while it picks out singular objects, like that key record player in Moonrise Kingdom.

But then, all these details only seem to help construct a sophisticated vintage universe, where styling has a paramount importance. In an interview published in the New York Times, we learn that clothes in the Royal Tenenbaums have been designed and made. Fendi, among others, made the fur coat worn by Gwyneth Paltrow.

How this carefully designed styles have influenced the vintage market and contemporary hipster looks is quite fascinating. Released in 2001, the Royal Tenenbaums has definite precedence over any über-inspired modern vintage lover. As here at The Boulevardiers we love detecting stylo-cultural echoes and channeling them into digital and real business and pleasures for the public, we thought: Wes Anderson should have his own clothing brand, if not a full-scale lifestyle one.

Moreover, he already designs his own suits in a sleek collaboration with his personal tailor at Mr. Ned, NYC. So, let’s take over style in the streets from the basic hipster followers and build up a singular vintage-inspired brand. If Scott Sternberg is making it in LA, why not Wes Anderson in NYC?

Here are the key facts that make us believe Wes would be a great brand:

- he knows how to be singular

- he knows how to tell a story

- he knows how to make weird sexy

- he knows how to put it all together

- he inspires creativity in other people

Here are the key facts that make us believe we’d be the best partners for him to launch with:

- we love his work

- we love to connect ideas with people and people with ideas

- we love to share our fashion inspirations

- we love to nurture brands

- we love to help and create

So if you hear us, Wes: send us a telegram!

Rad Hourani generated a fantastic attention in 2009, as his androgynous / unisex designs were celebrated after New York Fashion Week. What’s utterly interesting is that he does not want to be defined as just a fashion designer: he wants to touch all kinds of arts, all kinds of technics & skills.

The Ground Magazine partnered with Eric Waroll to produce a tribute for Rad Hourani brand 5th anniversary.

Directed by Jean du Sartel.
Music: “Wires” – The Neighbourhood.

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

Coco Chanel

 

Ideas..

Have a good week!