Cannes Film Festival 2023, a bold red carpet look based on the principles of a circular sustainability. Actress Eugenia Kuzmina graced the Croisette in a dress designed by Mira von der Osten for CRUBA.
Click on the video to find out what made the creation special.
A Black and Paper interview with Singer Musican Ricky Rebel.
I like Ricky’s in your face spirit. He is not afraid to express or show how he feels while doing it with a smile and a show off my body attitude. After the attention his Red Carpet look got at the Grammys, we had to learn more. After a quick What’s App conversation, he enthusiastically agreed to answer a few questions.
How did you and your stylist Elena Nazaroff come up with the concept?
I told Elena that I wanted something sexy and provocative like the glam era of David Bowie and Prince but that I wanted it to have a message. Andre Soriano, the designer and Elena Nazaroff ,my art director both sketched out their ideas for me. The look wasn’t finalized until I got into the room with Andre and actually started creating it. Andre wanted to capture the spirit of my music so we played my albums on full rotation as we made it. I think that’s why it came out so bold and rebellious. It was a beautiful, collaborative effort incorporating all of our innovative ideas into one.
The Grammys Red Carpet is go big or go home, did you have this in mind?
Absolutely! I am a go big or go home performer. When I get on stage I give 100%. I view the GRAMMYs like a performance. The show started the second I stepped out on the carpet.
Was there an inspiration?
I was inspired by Prince’s performance at the MTV Awards. Back in the 80’s it was ok for men to show off, peacock, and be sexual. Right now, I feel like mainstream artists in the male category are not expressing themselves sexually enough because they’re afraid of being perceived as gay or losing their Christian/religious fan base. I am not afraid of losing fans because all of my fans know that I cannot be controlled. They love me for it. Rebel is going to do what’s best for Rebel. I am not owned by the radical left or the radical right. I dictate: how I dress, what I say, and how I think. Like my new song says, “I’m Not Your Preacher.”
Have you been surprised by the success of your look? The level of coverage?
Yes! Very Surprised! Last year, I wore the Trump suit to the GRAMMYs. That looks got a lot of press. It was 50/50 negative and positive coverage. People either loved it or hated it. This time around I felt like people were talking about the fashion aspect of my look and less about the politics which is exactly what I wanted. I am getting very bored with politics lately. This year the coverage of my look was local and internationally appealing. Intelligent people can see the humor in my look. I wanted to poke fun at the impeachment hearing which I felt had further divided this country.
Ultimately, I want the left and the right to kiss and make up and work together to get stuff done. I also wanted people to “impeach” my booty. “Impeach” means to call into question the integrity or validity of (a practice). I consider my body a work of art and my ass is 100% organic.
Why are so many musicians embracing fashion?
I think fashion is the best way to express how you feel without speaking. Believe it or not, there is a shy side to my personality. I use fashion to attract people to me. My boots, for instance, are a great way to start a conversation with a complete stranger. I use fashion to connect with people. I believe that’s the goal of every artist.
What are your music plans?
We are developing a Ricky Rebel Vegas Show! It’s going to incorporate my music and I am going to tell the story of an “American Rebel.” That will be the name of my next album. I will more than likely be releasing it this summer. The record is being mixed and mastered and co-produced as we speak by Gary Miller, who has worked with David Bowie, Cher, and Kylie Minogue. Gary is determined to get me on the GRAMMYs stage one day performing and/or winning a GRAMMY. It’s amazing what you can do when people believe in you 100%. In the meantime, I am loving my journey and enjoying every second. My life is an adventure.
Certainly, his adventure will continue. We thank Ricky for the interview.
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Check out the quick interview from the Milan Fashion Week with Designer Nitin Kartikeya. I interviewed him at The Hub.
Sponsored by #CanonDeu
For some 13 is a number representing bad luck. For us, this number represents success. We were placed on 13 Best Dressed List from the Cannes Film Festival Fashion Reports. For our first job and collaboration, we are thrilled.
The first chance for a styling to came to us via Lea Mornar. The Berlin based actress was preparing the ultimate film festival, Cannes. The South of France takes it up 4 notches in Spring. The entire film world descends on the Rivera for fun, sun, and the Red Carpet.
The mission undertaken, get Ms. Mornar noticed both on and off the carpet. Starting with the daywear we needed a complete style representing casual, elegant, and professional for the 10 days. Taking meetings or a stroll on the promenade, visual character had to speak for itself. Italian luxury brand Cividini supplied key looks perfect for La Croisette. Light, rich fabrics that breezy with designs that are sophisticated. We wanted people to notice the details. The striped suit and white blouse became her signature look immediately. Fellow attendees responded immediately to the looks commenting, “the best dressed” to “loving the style”.
Accessories, easy, Spring on the Mediterranean means, sunglasses. Not just one would do but a selection. Having a cafe at a meeting industry spot or interviewing on a yacht, the perfect pair of specs. Sunglasses can convey the dramatic, color, or hip. The brands used: Izipizi and Etnia Barcelona.
The Cannes Red Carpet walk can make a career. As one of the Big 3 Red Carpet Events, an image goes around the world in a matter of seconds. Photographers line both sides and above the walk to the Palais. The competition is fierce. A Hadid in the rear or standing beside a Dior Couture. The dress has to impress. The walker has 2 minutes. Given this level of importance, I enlisted some help.
I called Mephistopheles Productions. The studio collaborates with different Couture Brands in Paris. Feathers, embroidery, and flowing sheer gowns, materials of spectacles.
The design credentials of Patrick Pham and Ziad Nakad served Lea well. The flash and cameras clicked. We have made several global best dressed lists.
The spectacle that was the Met Gala 2017 theme was Rei Kawakubo, the Avant grade designer and founder of Comme des Garcons. Known for conceptual designs, Kawakubo has been at the forefront of edgy, sometimes surreal looks since 1969.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute’s curator Andrew Bolton and Vogue US Editor in Chief Anna Wintour have called “Rei a major influence in the world of fashion.” This writer would agree. Comme des Garcons advances fashion design in ways few other brands would even dare to try. Kawakubo advanced the colors, shapes and materials in unusual ways that were later filtered through to mainstream fashion.
There was no knockout look this year as A-list celebrities were challenged to merge Red Carpet with Vanguard style. Some did well; some should deserved honorable mentions, while others went over the cliff in failure.
Hit the Mark-Lily Collins, Sofia Sanchez, Ashley Graham, and Cynthia Erivo
Best Suits-Rami Malek, Cara Delevinge, and Aymeline Valade
Ralph Lauren Bedroom Collection from Bloomingdales in the form of a dress-Lena Dunham
Naked and too much sharing in all the wrong places-Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid
Bride of Dracula-Katy Perry
Misunderstood the invitation-Emma Roberts and Katie Holmes
Beetlejuice-Grace Hartzel
Surprisingly Demure-Kim Kardashian and Niki Minaj
Please buy a mirror-Madonna