Check out the quick interview from the Milan Fashion Week with Designer Nitin Kartikeya. I interviewed him at The Hub.
Sponsored by #CanonDeu
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Tag: Canon
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Paris Experiences
Want to know what my experiences were like in Paris during Couture Week? Check out some of the videos. It was never boring. Sometimes a challenge overcoming old values. All things considered, I plan on returning. But Paris always excites me.
A Big Thank You to Canon. They loaned me a camera.
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A review of the SX 740 HS Powershot
I used the Canon Powershot SX 740 HS camera during Pitti Uomo in Florence and in Milan for Menswear Week. I found it hand and practical for my needs because the best feature was I could slip it into my pocket on the run. There are many other features to this solid point and shoot including, a zoom lens and top video recording quality. It is made for being on the go.
I am not a photographer. I appreciate their work. It is an art form and skill set I value.
Stay Tuned, I will have more after Milan Fashion Week.
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Furla for 2019
An impressive presentation from luxury bag brand Furla at Milan Fashion Week, what was my opinion? Creative Director Fabio Fusio based this bag collection on cities and gender neutrality.
I travel a lot. Sadly, most of my luggage does not make it. I was fond of a stylish brand, but after several broken zippers, including a trolley bag breaking at the Milan Airport. Done! Rearranging clothing in an airport is not a glamorous look! At that moment, I decided to look for a new travel bag label.
My criterial: Durability, and of course it has to look nice. But I think I will place an emphasis on strength. Are the bag’s compements able to hold up during travel? Cheap, plastic components could mean trouble somewhere.
My first question to the Thule of Sweden team at Pitti Uomo in Florence, “What is the guarantee for a check in trolley?” When he said 4 years, the state of surprise on my face was noticeable. I scanned the brands website. Luggage is listed as “limited lifetime”. After a quick recovery, he showed me the new product line. (See Video) A number of details distinguish the luggage include, contrasting interior and the minimal Scandinavian exterior design. The design leans more on the masculine side. The subterra bag duffel bag comes in an unique square but tubular shape.
The logo branding on the shell, was something I had to think about. I am not a fan of overt labels but if the quality is in the product, I can live with it.
Along with luggage, available are: Back packs and check in luggage.
I have not tested the Thule brand. I may try it. Can their bag survive flying around from one fashion week to another? Then a bus, then a train? Stay Tuned.
Images and video sponsored by Canon Deutschland.
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Small but GREAT
A Good Camera
As a person who is not a photographer but I take pictures at many events like fashion weeks, film festivals, and trade shows. I attended Pitti Uomo and Milan Fashion Week Men recently. Two events where I needed to make a lot of images and videos.
I wanted an SLR camera with many capabilities: external mic, able to shoot in all lighting conditions. Imagine my surprise seeing a point and shoot in the mail.
For YouTube
I got the SX740 HS point and shoot from Canon for a test. At first I was not sure if the camera would fit my needs. I wanted to send it back. To my surprise, the little image maker device worked well, easy to use, and convenient. 4K video feature is excellent, fantastic picture quality. I would say any YouTubber content producer would be happy to have this as their main production camera. It captures details. The flip 3.0” LCD screen is good for selfie lovers. I placed the camera on a tripod, then flipped up the screen for one man production.
The sound quality was my biggest concern because of the loud background noises. Normally I use an external microphone during interviews and commentaries. I made my first video commentary from Pitti Uomo using the Canon SX740 HS The sound quality was fine, good for YouTube and other social media channels.
I liked the portable aspect of the camera. I just popped the camera in and out of my jacket pocket at a moments notice. As I said, I am far from a professional photographer. My strategy for taking pictures, point a shoot, hope I get the right light and composition. I was not afraid to play with the camera control dial. I switched form one setting to another, experimenting with speed and opening.
Shooting in close quarter, I did not use the 40x optical zoom but not as much as I would have liked. I shot a few model on the runway pics without problems.
I did not use the built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features that enable connection to mobile devices. I do not carry a smartphone.
Overall
Canon has built a powerful camera in a small package. I am not just saying that. Check out other reviews as well.
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Not Over the TOP!
Menswear looks do not have to be over the top in oder to stand out. Sometimes it is better to mix and match pieces to get the effect. At times an entire expressive look can be a style train wreck. Too much is happening in all directions. With mens fashion a way of standing out is just use one piece. I liked the Marni collection because there were parts of the collection that could stand stand alone. The brands jacket or suit with the classic wardrobe piece such as a white shirt is enough. A person does not have to over do it to be seen.
The Black and Paper Go See at the Marni Atelier in Milan during Milan Fashion Week
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Fashion Fusion at IFA
Fashion Fusion is an initiativeby Telekom bring together design, fashion, and technology in all shapes and forms. More conceptual than practical, or even wearable. These looks are an interesting interpretation of the what we “MAY” wear in the future.
Imaged sponsored by Canon Camera /Webung
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From Berlinale: Michaela Coel
A Future Star With Personality
London born actress Actress Michaela Coel is effervescent. When it came to chatting during press interviews at the Berlinale for the European Film Promotion program, Shooting Stars, she exploded with energy. Admitting to not having filters, a character trait since childhood, her confidence glowed during the round table press chats. A two time BAFTA winner, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama graduate appeared in films including Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Television audience probaly recognise her face from 2 episodes in the Black Mirror series. A true social media fan, her philosophy is follow no rules when it comes to posting.
Michaela’s first lead role is in the romantic film Been So Long by director Tinge Krishnan. Currently, there is no release date.
#Thisberlinale18 sponsored by Canon Camera and Pringle of Scotland
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Fake It Til,,
FAKE IT!
The age of “fake it til you make it” is upon us. The “Bling Culture” is about of looking rich if you are not. A substitution quick fix as a result of income inequality, lack of access to a better life so people show off. In your face consumption means being humble is old fashion, today it is all about the over the top lifestyle.
Documentary filmmaker Lauren Greenfield tackles modern world values from beauty, gender, and consumerism in her new work Generation Wealth.
The last years of the Roman Empire were decadent. You see in the movie “ I think you have to have a very bad crash in order to wake up” states Greenfield. There is more hope in the movie than in the my book, which feels like we are dancing on the deck of the Titanic but in the film I feel people are waking up, making choices.
“The Kim Kardashian Effect” of middle class women becoming prostitute and porn stars to gain quick access to money is now acceptable. In one generation what was once considered “bad taste” can be considered “good taste”. The value of hard work is lost.
A question I asked at the interview
How do you balance being a critic and being a participant?
My work has come from this place. I studied visual anthropology at Harvard. I have always thrived and able to do my work being on this line as an outsider and insider, working for “W” and “Harpers Bazaar”. I lived in the eye of the storm. Working for these publications gave me access.
Being from a Middle class family but I sometimes desired what the rich LA kids had, even thought I had all that I needed. It made me introspective about the source of the desire. My subjects in the film are like this.
In the film, the 13 year, Adam, his family rented the The Whiskey A GO GO on Sunset Blvd with go go girls for his party. They spent $50.000. He says, “you have to spend this money or you are S*it out of luck!” Then he says “money ruins kids”. He has that insight but is a part of the process.
This is not a story of evil rich people but a story of how all of us are a part of this complicity, the aspiration. Materialism, wealth, theses are ingredients of the modern dream. While watching I had a sad realization. I recognized a lot behavior traits but I know none of the people on screen.
Generation Wealth is well produced, at times, a sad reflection of who or what we are desperately grabbing for the trappings of splendor. There are no new questions raised in the documentary because the same ones have been around since Reagan’s Neo Liberal agenda. What Greenfield shows are the effects of a doctrine based on having it all. Are we willing participants, witnesses? When do the effects of the drug end? While not thought provoking, it makes you think.
Generation Wealth was screened in the Panorama Section at the Berlinale in February 2018.
Check selected local cinemas for the Amazon Studios release.
Sponsored by Canon Camera and Pringle of Scotland.