Balenciaga FW19 Campaign Stars Real-Life Parisian Couples

First seen in March, Balenciaga Fall/Winter 2019 is just now trickling out to stores. The seasonal range is loaded with house staples, from broad-shouldered coats to washed-out denim, modeled in the campaign imagery by actual French couples.

In selecting its street-cast models, Balenciaga strove to represent the “reality of Paris today,” according to the press release, choosing couples connected by very clear chemistry. Similarly, locations were scouted based on their tendency to inspire (authentic or cliché) romance.

Sporting square-toed boots and slouchy red suits, the duos all offer a distinct take on Balenciaga’s key looks, though there aren’t any Triple S in sight. Instead, enormous shirting co-mingles with boxy hoodies and solid color parkas mesh with baggy jeans. The resulting looks portray an authentic approach to reimagining the brand’s progressive goods, uniting comfortable accessibility with an elevated whimsy.

The new collection is currently arriving on Balenciaga’s site and stockists like SSENSE.

Source: HYPEBEAST

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Alexander McQueen Fall 2017 Menswear

Alexander McQueen Fall 2017 Menswear

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Raf Simons Menswear Spring 2017 & Maplethorpe

Raf Simons' Spring 2017 menswear collection pays homage to photographer Robert Maplethorpe. And while Raf Simons isn't the first fashion designer to be inspired and motivated by famous artists, to say Maplethorpe was merely an inspiration would be an inaccuracy because he served much more to this collection. When the Robert Maplethorpe Foundation approached Raf Simons and gave him carte blanche to Maplethorpe's body of work, the designer interpreted a runway collection that embodies the artistic and personal essence of the photographer. In the HBO documentary about the life and career of Robert Maplethorpe, titled Look at the Pictures, the film does an excellent job of chronicling the artist's journey of self-discovery and sexual exploration. I've been a Maplethorpe fan for 20+ years and I urge you to watch the documentary. I learned that Maplethorpe had no separation between life and art - it was one in the same for him. Even though his very known for controversial works about BDSM and his own gay fetishes, let's not forget his exquisite images of flowers and his portraits of famous people like his muse/lover Patti Smith and designer Carolina Herrera.

Circling back to Raf Simons Spring 2017, the designer delve deeply into Maplethorpe to create a menswear collection that was a curatorial representation of the artist's prolific body of work. Every single piece in the menswear collection features a Maplethorpe print - florals, self-portraits and if you look closely, not so closely, you'll find and erect prize or two. The curly-haired models, that looked like an army of Maplethorpes, marched down the runway in over-sized shirts, some in leather dungarees and many in half-cocked (pardon the pun) leather biker caps. The collection is fresh and modern while still giving nods to Maplethope's personal style.

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#WeAreOrlando

Like most of the nation, I woke up Sunday morning to the news of the Orlando shooting. I watched CNN in shock, horror and disgust as the nightmare at Pulse nightclub unfolded. I've shed many tears over the lives stolen by this murderer. I changed my Facebook profile pic, "liked" many statuses and retweeted many tweets. And while this may not change anything, it is a part of my mourning process - a way to show solidarity. The Orlando shooting is an absolutely heartbreaking event and today before I publish any fashion posts, I felt it was more important to honor the victims by sharing Anderson Cooper's emotional CNN tribute.

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MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL

Pictured (L. to R.): Anastacia McCleskey, Anthony Wayne and Jacqueline B. Arnold

Photo: Nathan Johnson

"Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical"Now playing Off-Broadway at Theatre at St. Clement’s

Pictured: Anthony WaynePhoto Photo: Joan Marcus

Pictured (L. to R.): Jacqueline B. Arnold, Anastacia McCleskey, DeAnne Stewart, Rahmel McDade, and Anthony Wayne.

Photo: Joan Marcus

Pictured (L. to R.): Anastacia McCleskey and Jacqueline B. Arnold

Photo: Joan Marcus

Pictured (L. to R.): Anastacia McCleskey, Anthony Wayne and Jacqueline B. Arnold

Photo: Joan Marcus

Pictured: Martha Wash and Anthony Wayne as Sylvester, from the Off-Broadway musical MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL.

Photo Credit: Matthew Rettenmund

Anthony Wayne as Sylvester

Photo: Nathan Johnson

MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL, the hit musical celebration of the life and music of the original 1970s “Queen of Disco,” Sylvester, continues to spread “DISCO HEAT” across America, and will next play a special one-night-only performance on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:00 PM) at The Variety Playhouse (1099 Euclid Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30307).  

Produced by AnthonyKen LLC and Sheryl Lee Ralph/The DIVA Foundation, MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL is written by and stars Anthony Wayne (Pippin, Anything Goes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) and is co-directed by Mr. Wayne and Kendrell Bowman, who also serves as the show’s costume designer.  

Sylvester James, Jr. (September 6, 1947 – December 16, 1988), better known as Sylvester, was an American disco and soul singer-songwriter. Known for his flamboyant, androgynous appearance, he became known in the United States as the "Queen of Disco."  Born in Watts, LA, Sylvester developed a love of singing through the gospel choirs of his Pentecostal church, which he left after being persecuted for his homosexuality.  His career started as an early founder of a group of black cross-dressers and trans women known as The Disquotays. After that group disbanded, he moved to San Francisco and embraced the counterculture, joining a drag troupe, The Cockettes, and he eventually produced solo shows heavily influenced by female blues and jazz singers like Billie Holiday and Josephine Baker. Sylvester left the Cockettes to focus on his solo career, and by 1978, his acclaimed album Step II spawned the disco classics "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" and "Dance (Disco Heat).”  He released 12 albums in his career, and had several more hits, including “Do Ya Wanna Funk,” and “Can’t Stop Dancing.” An activist who campaigned against the spread of HIV/AIDS, Sylvester died from complications arising from the virus in 1988.  In 2004, "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame, and one year later in 2005, Sylvester himself was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his achievement as an artist.

Anthony Wayne and Kendrell Bowman were inspired to create the musical after seeing the “Unsung” documentary about the artist on TV One in 2010.  Moved by his story – by Sylvester’s bravery to openly be who he was in an era in which that was not supported or encouraged by society - Mr. Wayne sought out his music.  Hooked, he discussed Sylvester's music and influence with Mr. Bowman and they both put their talents together with determination to bring the icon's story to the stage. 

*For Tickets ($65.00 - $75.00) Visit www.FabulousSylvester.com for tickets and information.

Get to know Sylvester a little bit better:

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