Category: Feature

Features and opinions on a range of topics from politics to technology.  Sometimes the features are serious, sometimes they are fun.  Check them out.

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Feature

Men Have 2

In nature, Sexual Cannibalism involves the female devouring male during or after mating. Why many species gleefully go their death is a great mystery. The highest species on Earth is a bit the same. Why do men risk it all for moment of pleasure and a few ounces of fluid? Love for a moment is usually at the top or near the top of the agenda. Men have affairs. Deal with It! Eyes wide open means not being surprised.

Why do male partners stray? For the same reason the sun comes up in the morning. Life happens! For men, they tend to put relationships in different categories.

There is one for long term reassurance. Then there is the one or more for sexual fun. Sadly, reconciling these two categories into one person is the same as winning the lottery 2 times in a week.

The “nesting” category is usually simple. A type the family and friends would approve. All looks good on the surface.  

The sexual fun category varies but can be more stable and more varied for different reasons.  The expectations change. Many guys stay with the sex partner longer than they stay with the nesting partner. The truth hurts! It may not make sense in the brain but it feels good on the head.  

Stay Tuned for our podcast series on relationships

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Fashion Feature

Moneta’s Interpretation

A interpretation of a peacoat, Moneta adds vivid colours to classic outwear.   I grabbed him for a quick review at the presentation.  My verdict,  I liked it. But I may have been biased. 

Women’s Peacoat 
Categories
Fashion Feature

CAMP!

The Met Gala for 2019 took place on Monday. The annual event has evolved into an A list media fashion event in New York City. This years theme “Camp: Notes on Fashion” from an essay by Susan Sonntag seemed broad for interpretation. Co-Chairs Harry Styles and Lady Gaga approached the benefit from Gender and theater. Styles’ Gucci black sheer pants suits with pearl earrings. The megastar singer follows the modern trend of challenging modern notions of masculine style. Meanwhile on red carpet center stage, co hostess Gaga decided not on a single look, not enough, showed off 4 in one. 

This year judging the best looks became an impossible task. The pageantry overtook the fashion aspects.

Mainstream has embraced a sub-culture. There were many reports of people asking “what is camp?” Defined as tacky, over the top, exaggerated. As a gay male that questions is easy to answer. Drag queens have been “camping it up for decades”. Television show “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is a weekly homage to camp culture.

As I looked over the attendees styled, Grace Jones came to mind many, many times. Capes, dramatic entrances, headpieces, androgyny has been her style for over four decades.

Proceeds from the Met Gala benefit the Metropolitan Museum’s Met Costume Institute. It was in fun. This year all lived up to the occassion.

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Fashion Feature

Items from Press Days 2019

Press Days is an event when media, agents, and designers come together to discuss the latest looks and trends in fashion and lifestyle.  Sustainability and colourful branding are coming to retailers soon.   

What stood out from the crowd?

Gitti nail polish, the new eco-friendly beauty brand looks to break out.  Stay tuned for the interview with the founder.

Frau Frieda is a bag brand making the case for German luxury craftsmanship. 

Skullcandy’s new earbuds peaked my curiosity.  The new ear devices are fast charging with long battery life.

Moose Knuckles sheering outerwear makes wearer statements.

  • Mini
  • Skullcandy
  • EOS
  • Converse 
  • Funktion Schnitt
  • Gitti
  • Cocktails from Apero
  • RRD
  • Titian
  • i’vr Isabel Vollrath
  • Armani Exchange
  • Frau Frieda
  • Rebekka Ruétz
  • Moose Knuckles
  • Superga
  • Melitta 

I produced these images using a Canon Camera. 

Categories
Fashion Feature

A Plunge into fashion

Austrian brand Alpha Tauri is now on sale in the Berlin department store KaDeWe. The Red Bull owned label is new on the fashion block. The team introduced me to the brand at Press Days last fall. The collection is based on premium outer and athletic leisurewear made in Europe. Emphasizing high tech materials and 3-D printing production techniques are the core approach. 

Design wise I would say the pieces combine the masculine with the minimal.

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Feature

Why Drink Champagne in the Spring?

There are seven reasons.

Black and Paper recommends these cocktail recipes:  

Mimosa

Champagne + Orange Juice

Bellini

Champagne + Peach Juice

Pomegranate Mimosa

Champagne + Pomegranate Juice 

Lemonade Mimosa

Champagne + Lemonade

Sorbet Float

Champagne + Sorbet 

Strawberry Bellini

Champagne + Strawberry 

Sparkling Julep

Champagne + Mint + Tea Spoon of Sugar

Use Veuve Clicquot or a Sparkling Wine.  Cheers! 

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Feature Travel

36 Hour Recharge

A short recharge is worth it. Stay tuned for more.

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Cinema Feature

Star Wars on the Rocks!

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away. Those words, etched in my memory from the first time I saw Star Wars A New Hope. Certain films mark my childhood. Luke, Leia, and Han have been a part of my life since 1977. The world Lucas created of simple good against evil is loosing its appeal. Relying more on brand worship than wondrous story telling. 

Why is Disney destroying the franchise? With every recent Star Wars media franchise launched in cinema or on television, the lack of creativity pulse is painfully noticeable. Assembly line production has taken its toll. As if the creators have been digging through Lucasfilm trash bins searching for ideas. “The Last Jedi”, story plots, characters felt all piled in blender then poured on the screen. Skywalker as a crazed lone Jedi did not click. Even the most ardent fans struggled defending Rian Johnson’s eight franchise entry-  A letter of apology would have been nice.

A SOLO Waste 

Not sure who to blame for the $300 million “Solo”. Ron Howard deserves credit for taking over a troubled production after the firing of duo directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. However, the standard plot line lacked originality, a passable first draft.  A buddy crime capper film in space lacked emotion. Alden Ehrenreich’s “lost in the headlight” performance never captured the cocky bravado of Harrison Ford’s 70’s style. It was the first Star Wars film to lose money at the box office.

The Resistance Bore

The latest Star Wars animation entry “Resistance” is annoying on all levels. The animation style is unnerving. The mixture of shadows and hues is as appealing as a used car lot. The coming of age stock characters, after watching three episodes, come across as lethargic. I hoped for their capture. Juvenile rebel pilot Kazuda Xiono leads a band of resistance against the First Order. Right! Lazy, lacking thrills, falling flat is my best review. 

In essence, Disney is expecting Star Wars fans to shell out billions of dollars to justify their $4 billion acquisition. The company seems to be taking a lot for granted. Goodwill eventually ends.

This writer is a massive Star Wars Fan.

Categories
Feature

Here We Come Gorgeous

Excitement is in the air.  Or should we say on a lake. The next Black and Paper fashion production will take place in Northern Italy, at Lake Garda. Preparing the details, the team cannot help but feel excited.   A location of spectacular scenery that inspires  our imagination.  

Lake Garda 

The collaboration born from a discussion at the ITB Berlin.   We said “Yes” after the first 2 minutes of chatting.

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Feature

Buy Fab! Return Later!


Inside many of us lurks an Elisabeth Taylor trying to get out. Glamour requires the right clothing. Everyone wants to lead a glamorous life. Getting the right looks are a part of the formula, overcoming the obstacle of costs is simple: buy today, wear tomorrow, return the day after tomorrow.  

During Fashion Weeks the “outfit of the day” is crucial for getting noticed by street style photographers. Dressing like a brand groupie gets the shutters clicking while standing outside the show. Getting the attention of a Getty or Vogue Photographer is the ultimate badge for an Instagram post. The lust to appear a part of the “in” crowd. I have often asked how do some afford looks and pieces. They can’t.  All a part of the plan to keep up an appearance, to get noticed. Look at what I am wearing! 

Buy the latest bags, coats and other pieces online or for those bold enough, at a store. Wear it once with the tags carefully pinned inside, show off the fashionista devotion, the fabulousness. Then return for a full refund. The style of a legend does not come cheap but can be obtained during a return policy window. “OOTD”  went to the next evolutionary level. 

Buying online from one of the many high end portal sites is the easiest and most face saving way to become an instant luxury label horse. The return polices are liberal, the reason for not wanting the purchase; no excuse needed.  

Not everything worn is real or even owned.