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Good news! 

I have installed some Facebook Plugins on the page yesterday night, so you can Like my posts, Share my posts and even Tweet them. 

I am also trying to get people to the blog page on Facebook.

Please find us here. 

Do not hesitate to leave comments! 

Danger Mouse & Daniel Luppi: Rome

I wanted to share with you my opinion about the album by Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi: Rome. I really like it! Due to the fact that I am in my period of revision - this is the only album that gives me the possibility to revise and listen to music. It is not killing my brain or distracting me. 

Danger Mouse is Brian Burton, a composer and producer who has worked with Gorillaz, Cee Lo Green (his partner in Gnarls Barkeley), Broken Bells, Sparklehouse and U2. The co-writer of this album is Daniele Luppi, and Italian Expat in the US. Thanks to Daniele Luppi this album became so Italian, by definition. And has even been recorded in Rome. As you can see this album presents  the beautiful Norah Jones and Jack White as well. 

Apparently it took seven years for Brian Burton to pull the album. However it was worth it, as Rome came out as one of the most melodic albums I have heard  this last year. This album hints loss, pain and disappointment. And nine tracks out of fifteen tracks are instrumental. These tracks represent a virtuous composition of strings, celeste, choir, combo guitars and drums. It has nothing to do with the hip-hop work that has been made Brian Burton`s fame. 

Have a look at this! Hope you like it!

Bio surprises by Nervous System

I have promised yesterday to blog about two American magicians. Here they are. The Nervous system brand was founded in 2007 by Jessica Rosenkrantz and Jean Louis-Rosenberg. Jessica has graduated from MIT (wow!) in 2005 where she was reading Architecture and Biology. Jean has also attended the MIT and has graduated in Mathematics.

Nervous system designs a multitude of jewellery and houseware items (lamps in particular). What is so magic about their design is that these two magicians (Jessica and Louis) create computer programs that mimic natural process and patterns. It is a design that reflects nature, art and technology.

You can also design your own bracelet by using an applet on their website online.

I personally like it a lot, and the direct reference to biological processes found in nature makes the objects even more exciting. For the moment there are eight different biological concepts which are used in the creation of the items. These concepts are: algae, cell cycle, dendrite, hyphae, lamina, radiolaria, xylem... Jewellery is made of different materials as well, which makes these little miracles correspond to different price ranges. The materials used in the creation of these miracles are nylon, silicone rubber, stainless steel, sterling silver and wool felt.

(information and pictures taken from http://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com)

Spiral Cuff, Bone Cuff and Porous Cuff all in stainless steel.

Radiolaria necklace in black silicone.

Hyphae lamp (Hyphae concept is build on the process of rhizome-like networks)

Hyphae ring 

Hyphae brooch

Rhizome cuffs

Hyphae cuff

Cell cycle 2-layer ring 

Full moon series 

(There are totally unique, as each of the circles has been made using the process of mimicking the growth of corals)

Xylem system (based on the process of vein formation in leaves)

Exams are not over, but there are things I want to share.

I am sorry for not being posting anything for so long. I hope you all had a great time.
While revising and having my exams,  here are the fashion/art news which have amazed me.
1) Beyonce`s 'Who run this world? (Girls)" single, it`s video, and especially her performance on Billboard awards.
2) Even thought I am not in Kiev, I`ve had the opportunity to check some of the blogs about the 'I Love Kiev' festival. I was really surprised to see some good looks made by new Ukrainian designers. In particular Anton Belinskiy, Yulia Paskal and Zinaida Likhacheva.

Taking into account that I have not been very productive in my academic work today, I will post a few things.

1)First of all I would like to show you some heels from Spring/Summer 2009 Dior`s House. Here we go...

 (picture taken from fashionpick.com)

I assume these heels were walking in the Gardens of Tuileries in Paris. They are fabulous.

Hopefully, tomorrow morning I am going to be writing about 2 American magicians. Well, in fact they are just very smart people who like to create unusual things. I hope you will like it. Good night. 

Prada Minimal Baroque Deluxe collection

This has been a big shout for a while already. But I had to share this with you. This is the new Fashion statement. A fashion piece which changes your personality, gives character traits to your look, and is just a piece of art itself. Please have a look at these magnificent sunglasses. They come from Prada`s 'Minimal Baroque' collection, Spring 2011.

Here are these pieces of art on show. 

These Rococo curves, and very contrasted colors, just make it to be a winning piece. This might be adopted soon by the mass-market companies. However these shades are still a miracle. 

Eurovision 2011

Hi, everyone. Today I am going to write about the Eurovision contest. I am Ukrainian, and no surprise I was supporting Ukraine. However, I was profoundly shaken by the fact that even though the leader of the Ukrainian pre-Eurovision contest used to be Jamala, the finalist of it became Mika Newton. (Looks like there was some money involved, however this is only an assumption.)

Jamala for me, represents a pop/jazz/r&b singer with very very strong voice and an infinite charisma. She is somebody who is has her own style, and she is not afraid to collaborate with new Ukrainian fashion designers. This a very big point. Please take your time to see some of her pictures.

I suppose that this dress was made by Ruslan Panchuk, who is one of the leading ukrainian designers working with beads and beads embroidery. I have seen his work last year for the first time, however he has had his own stall at the Kiev Fashion Days this spring. Congrats to Mr. Panchuk and Jamala for such collaboration Fabulous look and it fits perfectly with her Crimean origins. 

One of Jamala`s dresses for her single 'smile'. Very pretty look and a very uplifting song. 

(Here is the link to the song she was supposed to sing for Eurovision 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnNJx0QL31k )

And here comes Mika Newton with her song Angel on the 14th of May, 2011. 

She takes 4th position, but I personally think it is because of the Ksenia Simonova`s talent, who has performed a fabulous sand show on stage to support Mika. Here are some of Mika Newton`s pictures. 

Mika Newton performing. 

  

This picture come from her video 'Angel'. Which I think is two retro and looks even more kitsch than retro. Very bad styling. The idea of the video reminds me too much of Christina Aguilera`s 'Circus' song. Ohh dear, why couldn`t you do something more creative?

(Link to the song from which this picture is taken. This song was performed by her on the Eurovision song contest. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAvcAA0HTbQ)

Please have a look at the this dress. For the reason that her song is called 'Angel', Mika Newton decide to use the the idea of an angel, of a flying creature in her outfit as well. However this idea comes from the video 'Runaway' by Kanye West. Where a very famous Women Secret`s Angel (Selita Ebanks) has played the role of a Phoenix. 

Isn`t it too much of plagiarism dear Mika? I think this just unethical. Please have a look at the at the famous Selita Ebanks`s wings. 

It is interesting to notice that these wings were designed by Martin Izquierdo, the designer of Victoria Secret`s wings. Martin collaborated with Phillip Lim while working on these wings. 

Here is one example of the wings made by  Martin Izquierdo. 

Chloe- New Creative Director

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Today, on the 9th of May, the official website of Chloe (www.chloe.com) has published some news. Hannah Macgibbon, who has collaborated with the French brand for almost 10 years, and has been its creative director since March 2008, is leaving Chloe to pursue different projects. I am really  interested to know what has affected such a decision and what is Hannah going to do now. It is important to say that Hannah had a very important role to undertake, which was to create during very hard financial times, after the credit crunch which has affected the whole fashion industry.

Hannah MacGibbon.

 Chloe F/W 2011. 

What next? Chloe has appointed a new fashion director who is Clare Waight Keller. These changes become effective on the 1st of June 2011. Clare Waight Keller has transformed the fashion brand Pringle Of Scotland, into a very popular brand, and has worked there since 2005. She has also worked for Gucci under Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren`s Purple Label and Calvin Klein.  

This is a big change for a house where have worked Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo.  

We wish good luck to both Hannah MacGibbon and Clare Weight Keller!

It is interesting to say that Clare has started knitting at the age of 5, and her work for Pringle Of Scotland has been very knit-related. Therefore we may see lovely knits in the next Chloe collections. Is it going to happen? Time will show.  What is also going to be a challenge is the switch from a British brand which has used very traditional patterns, materials, and silhouettes to a completely feminine French brand. 

Clare Waight Keller.

Pringle Of Scotland. F/W 2011

The Affordable Art Fair

For those who love to go to art fairs, like me. Here are some interesting news. If you are lucky to be in New York (and not in York), take the chance to visit the Affordable Art Fair (AAF NYC). This art fair showcases works by nine galleries who are offering works only by women artists. There will be a range of US and International galleries. But the most interesting fact about it is that this is going to be art priced from $100 to $10 000. Three quarters of work is going to be priced under $5000!!!!


AAF NYC offers Free Admission on the 5th of May from 6:00 - 8:00PM.
And in celebration of Mother`s Day, Moms accompanied by a child will be welcomed for a Free Admission on the 8th of May!

For more info please go to ->
 http://www.aafnyc.com/

Works under $500.

Maureen Drennan
Garden from the series Meet Me in the Green Glen, 2009
C-print
14 x 18 in
$400
Aperture Foundation

Krispen Spencer
Pleasures III, 2010
Acrylic on canvas
16 x 16 in
$500
UGALLERY

Cai Yuan

One World, One Dream, 2010

Limited edition silkscreen print of 30 on hand torn 310g Somerset velvet paper

16 x 16 in

$500

TAG Fine Arts

Prints, lovely prints.

I am a big lover of prints. And in this post I am going to share with you some of the loveliest prints of this year fashion shows.

I would say that one of my most favorite prints ever. And this could be found in the last collection by Phoebe Philo for Celine F/W 2011.

The next one I was going to show you is by Rodarte F/W 2011.  Check the print at the bottom. And tell me what could of been more suitable for a Ukrainian lady that this dress. Some of you may ask why, here is the answer.  The answer is that the Ukrainian flag according to some sources is a stylised version of an image of the sky and a grain field.

Alright, the next print I am going to show you here is an example of Stella McCartney`s prints for her collection F/W 2011. Most of the fashion experts relate it to mylar, a special type of metallized foil which reflect around 97% of light. Girls are going to shine in this Stella McCartney`s collection!

Or check this one!

Birds are still going to appear on our t-shirts, skirts and dresses next year. I really like it. They add romanticism to the looks and here are the proofs of it. 

Mulberry F/W 2011

And Miu Miu F/W 2011.  I thought that skylarks are the messengers of spring, guess what this rule apply`s to fashion as well. We always want something that reminds us of spring during a cold winter. 

For those who are real experts in art ( which I am not), check the prints in Dries Van Noten collection. Some people say that he was inspired by the expressionists, some say that he was inspired by Russian constructivist`s painters. Who knows, I`ll just add that Dries Van Noten knows how to mix colors and patterns in the looks he creates. This is real magic, and certainly this needs a certain amount of taste and understanding of colors.

Comme des garcons has shown us how it is possible to wear things made up from a million of scarves. This is an idea that was predicted to be copied by the mass market soon. 

And to sum it all up. This dress fascinates me now for a while already. It is made by Charles Anastase for his FW 20011 collection. And I think that this print is gorgeous.

Son Lux. Sound of Luxury.

One of my new musical discoveries is the album "We Are Rising" by Son Lux. It was released on the 26th of April, 2011. This is the third album released on Anticon Label, by Ryan Lott.

He was born in Denver in 1979, and has moved to Connecticut at the age of 5.  He has started to take piano lessons at the age  of 6. And hated it. His dream was to become a composer. 

In his third year of studying piano and composition at  the Indiana Uni, he started to make some projects with a ballet dancer, who later became his wife. 

He has conceived the multimedia art gala called Connect.

Founded with his wife and his two friends a charitable Art Serving Humanity Ensemble.

Composed a piece for saxophone and tape.

Worked as a full-time composer in NY.

He then compulsively collected sounds for three years, and started arranging. But here is a trick, he did it not by ear, as a real composer. He arranged by rhythm as a real beatmaker. This is how he made his first album At War with Walls and Mazes in 2008. 

What surprised me is Mr. Lott`s approach, he resembles some really contemporary sounds with a classical concerto in one track.  To me this is the new generation of chamber music. It definitely shouldn`t be different. The tinkering sounds, the magic of the notes written by Ryan Lott are so surprising, that I can not stop listening to it. "So would you chase or let me go? You can`t change that", are the lyrics in Chase...

The thing is that he wrote his last album in 28days. Check this album teaser for more... 

Son Lux - We Are Rising (Full Album Teaser) by Son Lux

James Blake

Oki doki, I am back to Uni. Where I am officially supposed to revise, but what is seriously not going to be pure revision for me, but rather learning new stuff. Oh, well. Let` talk about something else.
Here are the news.

James Blake is going to release a new single on the 20th of June. I am already waiting for that! It is going to be a double A-sided joint available on a 10" vinyl, and also it will be available for download. This single is going to feature 'Unluck', and both of the "Lindsfarne": "Lindsfarne I" and "Lindsfarne II".

Good news, isn`t it?