Categories
Fashion

Dimitri in Berlin

Black and Chic

Behind the scenes with one of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin most prominent designers Dimitri.  This is our second time following the crew put together the catwalk show for the Fall 2016 looks from make up and hair to wardrobe moving to practice runway walk then the final stride in front of guests.

Click to see the Dimitri Looks in Vogue

Stay tuned for more updates this weekend and also go to our Pinterest and Google+, YouTube

Powered by Canon Cameras

Categories
Technology

Berlin Fashion Week Day 2 by Canon

I kept it simple today so I went to only 2 locations in one day during Berlin Fashion Week.  First stop, Premium and then to Karl Lagerfeld Store for a book signing by Stacey Caldwel and Ajiri A. Aki in the Mitte Store.

IMG_0060
Book Authors Stacey and Michelle @ Karl Lagerfeld Store Berlin
IMG_0018
Les Eclaires
IMG_0009
Lindberg
IMG_0055
Esemplare
IMG_0057
Fashion Tech Events

IMG_0033

IMG_0054
Menswear
IMG_0030
No Studio
Categories
Fashion

Berlin Fashion Week

Berlin is a city struggling to make a mark as a fashion world.  Is there a look? Is there a true definition of style in the German Capital.    There are a few design gems but many challenges remain but our fingers are crossed.

 

IMG_20160119_093318[1]

Categories
Fashion

Milan Fashion Week Men

With expectations so high can Milan let the men’s men’s fashion down?  No! This season there is a sense of restraint without the sacrificing the trademark flair.

Highlights:

Costume National  was seductive with loose sexy suits

Roberto Cavalli  had jippies and let the sunshine in collection with jeans and scarfs.

Ports1961 looks were based on solid colors from  black, white, and brown with touches of embroidery.

Massimo Piombo had strong statements with colorful outerwear and shapes.

Dolce and Gabbana

Versace went to the cold future and came back with silver for a collection that was from the film Logan’s Run with a lot of style.

Missoni played to the brands strength combining knitwear and horizontal sweaters  with web knit stripes.

No.21

Ferragamo

Etro

Fendi

Gucci

ZZegna

Trussardi

Check back for updates and write ups

Categories
Book Review

I’ll Never Write My Memoirs by Grace Jones

What do you do when you are a legendary performer who has influenced everyone from Madonna to Annie Lennox to Lady Gaga? Write a book of course!

CaptureGJ1
Grace Jones (with doll) and siblings as a child in Spanish Town.

Born in a religious family of Jamaica, Grace Beverly Jones did not set out to make her mark as a singer, model, actress, and fashion icon but instead studied to become a teacher when the acting bug struck while doing Community Theater in college.

Capture GJ3
At Studio 54 NYC.

A biography spanning her early years as a struggling actress going so far as to live in the nude for a year, then moving to Paris becoming a roomy with a future supermodel and an Oscar winning actress. Jones became the toast of the Studio 54 era with her over the top performances in the legendary club entertaining then dancing alongside Liza Minelli, Bianca Jagger, and Andy Warhol. She became the living definition of the word “fierce” in the underground scene of New York.

CaptureGJ4
Performing in London with the fade haircut.

Iconic, trendsetter, disco diva, and trailblazer,  Jones was first modern female performer to bend the rules of gender, he/she looks with fashion as well as with those distinctive box fade or close shaved haircuts. Before Madonna, she wore the famed body hugging bustier.

Capture GJ2
Still from Grace Jones-A One Man Show.

I would not call this a reflective biography as more of a recollection of events of a determined artist who did things the way she wanted to do them in a world that was not quite sure how to define her.   That was a good thing.

I’ll Never Write My Memoirs is available on Amazon or at local bookshop.

Categories
Fashion

London Mens Week

The city famed for Savile Row is aggressively trying to establish itself as a hub for men’s fashion with a touch of the English Quirky charm of fabrics, patterns, and shapes.

Highlights for us:

Sibling’s Boxing Gloves looks that were  sexy as well as hyper masculine

Hardy Amies stayed classic but in an appealing way with looks that will survive over time.

Matthew Miller decided to go in the cerebral direction with high wait belts and mono colors

Coach went with the urban cool looks, clean lines stripes, and outerwear.

Man had looks inspired the Black is Beautiful period of the 70’s. A hit!

Oliver Spencer’s flair for mixing colors and patterns without going over the top was refreshing.

Tautz I liked it but  did not love it. The oversize coats and brilliant materials stood out.

Alexander McQueen Butterflies and more butterflies on tailored looks from suits to coats.

Burberry Once again the brand played to its British roots with outerwear some based on military looks with red jackets.

Kilgour Constructed clean lines and angled looks give this brand an edge.

Katie Eary Relaxed patterned pajama silk and almost famous looks.

Richard James Outerwear and over sized sweaters were key to a very functional masculine collection.

Categories
Technology

Dreaming of Tech Silk

The Age of Wearable Technology is upon us. REALLY?!

 

Wearable Technology, also known as wearables and wearable tech, is a mobile, non-stationary computing device fitted for the body providing communication, interaction, and information to the user. The two main categories of wearables are smartwatches and smart clothing. Wearable technology will affect our appearance as well as public interaction. The potential market for wearable technology is massive but questions remain: Is there a real need for wearable technology or is it just the latest tech hype looking for the next Big Thing? Are wearables a form of futurism that may never come? As of 2016 wearable tech feels more like concepts or unfinished blueprints rather than solid products. In order for wearable devices to become successful brands should consider combing the wearer’s needs, desires, social status, and usefulness instead of focusing on technical possibilities or the next killer application compatibility aspects. So far tech and style are still struggling to meet the challenges of personalisation, obtrusive size, wearer needs, and the strange user public interaction.

Reasons for Doubt

Technology is accepted for two reasons, first, they create a new need. Secondly, the performance of the device is overwhelmingly better than others. So far, neither of these criteria’s have been met in the wearable fields. Better, faster, and smaller are the ethics for devices.The continued miniaturization of technology means smart devices, in particular smartwatches, will get smaller but usage issues remains. Who can forget the image of Apple Watch user holding his device to his ear or Google Glasses required the wearer to blink or motion the head for a command a function. In public these interactions look embarrassing. Wearable Technology involving direct connection to the body, biological upgrading with technology of blending physical with digital will connect all. Man and machine interfacing as one. Motion detected clothing reacting to movements and gestures as well as data collection to make the wearer a more efficient person are new possibilities with intelligent fabrics that change colors and patterns are also on the horizon. Big tech companies are aspiring for looks integrating technology with clothing. Results have not been positive. Buyers appear hesitant, a lack of excitement. Their expectations and desires have not been met by what is currently available. Could wearable technology become the next Betamax or Segway? Time, design, style, and consumer taste will tell.

The authors of this article do not suffer from techophobia nor are they anti-wearable, just two people waiting for a compelling reason to buy something wearable.

 

Categories
Technology

CES

CES_logo.svg

Themes from CES 2016

There were drones of all kind in every shape and size.   A  drone able to carry people in the air like the futuristic cars from the animated cartoon The Jetsons.

There will be OLED screens for laptops meaning imaging quality will get improved. OLED allows each pixel to emit its own light making a superior display contrast for better imaging.

Wearables are the rage in the tech world in the forms of health bands and watches from a number of brands introducing devices with abilities ranging from measuring heart rates to message notifications.

Smart appliances that will help you cook; washing machines with dual chambers, Wi-Fi kettles for coffee on demand, and motion activated home greeters are coming to the home in 2016.

Virtual Reality is the future. Presently, the VR equipment is expensive but I expect prices to drop in the medium to longer future as well there are apps and content being developed for the platform.

 

Categories
Technology

CES Highlights

The biggest technology fair is underway in Las Vegas, Consumer Electronics Show 2016. Themes this year are the connected house, drones, and of course wearables.

Looking over all the devices ( check back for more recommendations) I made a list of what I liked or found intriguing.

7SXHr67eAZma3x6BpZmMP8dWl04qHZs1ajzDkH_yMdY-720x405
Letv smart bike is equipped with heart monitoring device and finger print id technology for security.
htc_3541664k
HTC Vive has newer light weight VR system with hardware, controllers, and a room scanning camera. We did not have a chance to check it out at IFA but the people who tried it raved about it.
kodak-camera-yves-behar
Kodak Super 8 Camera. A revival for those of us who remember and appreciate the film medium.
USB-C_BrkAwy_3Step_1
Griffin breaksafe magnetic USB-C cable with quick release magnets and prongs. The cable has a lifetime warranty. USB-C is the new universal device connection/port because of its smaller size, speed, and power.

 

Capture Lenovo
Lenovo ThinkCenter X1 This is a major step up for the brand as far as design to appeal to artists. It looks cool! It is razor thin with a 24 inch screen.
lg-display-rollable-10
LG Rollable 18 inch OLED – A portable display/TV capable of being rolled up like a poster or paper.
flinailstill
I Nail Intelligent Printer-It prints directly on to your finger nails or tips in 8 seconds. Choose a design and the machine does the rest. No more appointments at the salon.
120649_1
Somabar Robotic Bartender for the perfect cocktail. You can share and create drinks with everyone. CHEERS!
127862_1
ODG R-7 Smart Glasses get an Honorable Mention. Wearable Tech Glasses that look good.
Categories
Technology

Xtorm keeps you charged

Stylish. Compact. Powerful. Practical.  We tested the new Xtorm Power Banks Essential 12.000 and the Elegant 5.000.

The Essential carries enough energy to fully charge two devices at once. The 3A output means charging is fast, additionally there is USB-C connection. This is perfect for recharging the latest MacBooks.

Capture XTORM
Power Bank 12.000

The Elegant 5.000 is housed in a flat chic Champagne Case. It is the perfect device for charging your phone 2.5 times with the USB/AC outputs. As a recharger accessory the Elegant comes in handy because it fits comfortably in your bag, briefcase or pocket.

 

Capture Xtorm2
Power Bank 5000

The 12.000 and 5.000 are convenient for using away from home either on a holiday or just sitting in a local cafe.

For more information go to: www.xtorm.com