Indulgence can be a good thing. These boots are not meant for walking but for looking FABULOUS! While in Paris I walked past the Chanel Boutique, saw them in window and said, “WOW!”
Categories
Author: Editor
Categories
Bang & Olufsen
Coming Soon: The complete exclusive interview on the Beosound Shape Sound System from Bang and Olufsen.
https://www.facebook.com/1544948045/videos/10213792997769548/
Read the Black and Paper exclusive interview Coming soon.
Categories
Grace Jones Preview
A Black and Paper Recommendation
To say that Grace Jones has been a force of nature for over 40 years would be an understatement. Original. Iconic. Stunning. How does the 69 year old artist do it? Sophie Fiennes’ documentary film explores the singer, model, and actress life and influences from her roots in Jamaica to her stage sensational presence.
Check local listings
Categories
May The Force Be With Us
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away. To say we are having fun testing the new Tie Fighter Star Wars War Drone would be an understatement. Everything about it is an experience from the packaging to the first flight.
Stay tuned for the review.
Categories
Romance Not Needed
Is there a price difference between a Homosexual Date and Heterosexual Date? I learned there is on some levels. While having a pleasant conversation regarding relationships and dating with a straight friend the chatter took a turn dating and investments. Dating for straight men is like an investment. Women like to be wooed,,, romanced. Straight men have to play Romeos to get the Juliet’s.
My friend told me he has to pull out the credit card for dinner, cocktails, and cab service if he thinks he will get to first base or perhaps a homerun. My friend is a red blooded straight man who went through moments of being undersexed.
Imagine his reaction when I told him for homosexual men the investment was cheap. There was a location not far from where we were standing, for only 7 pounds including a free drink; oral sex was like a handshake. His face froze in bewilderment. The moment of disbelief broke once I said I may go there in 2 hours. I asked if he wanted to join but that was a case of too much, too soon.
Bringing our talk back to a reality he would understand, along with the fact I think he a bit jealous. I told him romance is not in the equation when men are prowling for sex with other men. It is physical, a release. No names are involved, no conversation, just gestures, sounds of relief at the end and then all parties go in their respective directions.
Categories
The Sunset Inspirational Festival
Black and Paper exclusive interview with Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival Creative Director Sandra Seeling.
Would you say filmgoers are looking for different stories and narratives?
In my experience as a festival programmer, filmgoers want to be surprised and inspired. They want to be taken out of their daily routines and experience new adventures and new point of views.
As a woman, why do you think there are so many challenges for women to direct films?
Women do not get the same opportunities as men. As a woman, we are instantly thought of as less capable, emotional and not as efficient. Unfortunately those attributes are deeply imbedded into the male think pattern (not only in the film industry) and make it harder for women to even get the chance to prove themselves. The challenge also lies in the century long history of the film industry. We as women have to simply keep pushing forward, to do an exceptional job, stand together, and support each other.
Why did you choose Paul Haggis this year as an honoree?
Paul is an incredible social justice advocate and his vision fits really well with EMIFF’s mission; BRIDGING CULTURES – BRIDGING PEOPLE. His work as a filmmaker and humanitarian makes him the perfect recipient for the Evolution Vision award, an award given to a filmmaker with an active vision to encourage unity and peace on our planet.
Isabelle Huppert is one of the greatest actresses of modern screen; her latest film has been submitted for the Academy Award for Foreign Film but “Barrage” seems dark for a festival on an idyllic island. Why did you decide to screen this film?
“Barrage” tells the story of three generations of women. Isabelle plays Elisabeth who is raising her granddaughter while her own daughter Cathrine is busy exploring the world. When Cathrine returns, she kidnaps her daughter from her mother and the story takes a dark turn into very emotional territory. I love the way director Laura Schroeder tells this fragile story of three women, all different ages but connected by the simple fact that they are family. They mirror each other, at the end of the day they are more similar than they like to admit. EMIFF wants to promote young new filmmakers who have a unique vision. Laura’s work in “Barrage” is all that and more.
How do you envision the festival in five years?
In five years I see EMIFF as a year long event with Evolution LAB’s (Workshops and conventions) in the summer and a solid festival in the fall. I want the festival to be known as “The Mediterranean Sundance” and want everyone to know our mission is “Bridging Cultures, Bridging People”. I hope to continue to grow our audience and attract more international filmmakers to come and enjoy our island, inspiring films and great networking.
You meet filmmakers from all over the world. What is your opinion on the general state of global cinema?
My sense is that the world is our playground. Globalization creates endless possibilities for filmmakers to connect, interact and create together even when being on different continents. On the other hand, I think filmmakers still appreciate nothing more than a real face to face conversation, round table or discussion panel or Q&A. Connecting virtually is a great possibility but real connections is what sparks new ideas and fuels new stories and films.
Sandra Seeling is the founder and director of the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. She is an actress, director, and producer.
The 6th annual The Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival starts on October 26 until November 4th. For more information go to: http://www.evolutionfilmfestival.com/
Categories
One Last Time
During Pars Fashion Week I decided to go to Colette one last time. How sad I was, the legendary boutique of style is closing at the end of the year. The usual electric atmosphere of shoppers looking over every item from basic reader glasses to designer sneakers.
Japanese designer Sacai was the brand of the week on the second floor.
I had a café latte then a sandwich in the Colette Lounge before sitting down at the smoking area in front of the store window for a bit of people watching where I met the creative director of a major entertainment company. We chatted about the store and what we bought. I am going to miss this place.
Categories
Style is a Click Away
Outfittery is a successful Berlin based start-up company founded launched in 2012 by Anna Alex and Julia Bosch. With 300 employees and over 500.000 customers it has become a model of merging fashion and technology with premium customer service.
Black and Paper sat down for an exclusive interview with Outfittery co-founder Anna Alex at her office in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district.
The Interview
What inspired you to start Outfittery?
We were inspired by a trip to New York. A friend of ours, a successful business man, booked a personal shopper; it was common there but not in Germany. He was very happy with this experience. It took him a few hours. He was well-dressed and extremely satisfied.
We started to think how could we transfer this type of customer experience to the online world with the advantages of e-commerce.
Did you have a background in fashion?
No, we did not. We worked for Zalando. E-commerce was our background. The people with fashion knowledge are our stylists.
Why do people shop online?
In my opinion it is about convenience, easy, and fast. Our clients really appreciate the convenience. They do not have to shop or look over many blue shirts. We have the right shirt for them.
Who are your typical clients?
Busy business men who are between the ages of 30 to 50, many with families. They have one thing in common, they want to look good.
How do you compare shopping online to being in a brick and mortar store?
Outfittery is a creative shopping space. We do not see ourselves as an online world or a brick and mortar world. We combine the best of both words. We take the personal service and contact of the physical store and combine it with the convenience of the online world.
We do not overwhelm the clients like so many stores and sites. We provide what is relevant to the buyer.
Are there certain preferences your clients like?
Many of our customers are looking for an outfit for a particular occasion. We have a wide selection of looks from sporty to casual chic.
A quick word
Have you had demanding clients?
All of our clients are demanding. (Small Laughter) They should be! They have high expectations. In a certain way a friendship develops between the stylists and the clients. For the first box sent to the client, the selections may not be perfect, but by the second or third box everything is usually 100% right.
What has surprised you the most since starting this company?
We did not think men liked talking about fashion so we gave the stylist guidelines; all initial client calls should be no longer than 5 minutes. Then we got feedback from our clients. They liked the conversations with the stylists and wanted more time to talk about their preferences. For example; some said they played football and wanted more leg room in their pants. Our stylists learned many details in longer conversations.
Is Outfittery a tech brand or a fashion brand?
That is a good question. It is neither. Outfittery combines fashion knowledge with the support of technology and data.
As a woman has it been hard setting up a startup business?
Setting up a start-up is difficult regardless if the founder is a man or a woman. It is true, there are too few women setting up companies and there are a lack of role models. In the German and Berlin start up scene there are some strong women running their own companies. I am very happy about this and extremely supportive.
Who is your favorite fashion Designer?
I like Scandinavian designers and styles but I am always changing styles. At Outfittery we like to take on young brands. It is exciting discovery new labels and fashion designers.
For more information go to: Outfittery